February has started with some lovely spring weather and snowdrops are appearing everywhere. Doubtless there will be some remnants of winter to come.
This month sees the reopening of Stromness Museum after the winter close down. It’s a terrific museum with an amazing collection. The focus is on the history of Stromness and its links with the sea. There are exhibits on Orkney’s Neolithic past, the role of Scapa Flow in WW1 & WW2 (including many artefacts from the German Fleet scuttled in 1919) and Stromness’ connections with North America through the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Arctic explorer Dr John Rae. See the museum link below:
http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/stromnessmuseum/index.asp
I’m going on about the museum because I’ve been involved as a relief custodian since 2016 but this year I’ll be full time – that means one day a week here!
Sunday 4th was a lovely day here and gave us a chance to get out for a stroll down to Ness Point. Walking south we pass some of the old stone piers with their redundant winches, juxtaposed against the modern versions in the harbour behind.
The walk takes us past the Cannon, guarding the entrance to the harbour. Stromness is full of blue plaques describing the history of the town (see Around Stromness) and here is an example, explaining the history of the old gun.
In a town heavily dependant on the sea, it’s always important to know which way the wind is blowing. This cute little weather vane does just the job.
The southern tip of the Stromness peninsula is home to Stromness Golf Club, one of the most northerly golf courses in the UK. Although a nice day today, they normally need to make a lot of compensation for wind off the sea.
Heading back into town give us a nice view to the harbour and highlights how the town sits at the foot of and climbs up Brinkie’s Brae. The hill gives Stromness a deal of shelter from the strong westerly winds coming off the Atlantic.
Tuesday 13th sees a light dusting of snow on the higher ground. The lower temperature has formed a gossamer-like shroud over the Orphir Hills.
Sunday 18th – A lovely evening for a walk. Managed to get some nice pics including these of an icebow over Hoy and a mackerel cloud formation with rays over the golf course.
Tuesday 20th – H has been doing a bit of beachcombing and her eagle eyes spotted this little gem. Sea Urchin shells are very fragile and often get broken up on the shore, it’s unusual to find one intact. A good find!
Not a pleasant sight but all part of the circle of life, the remains of a Beaked Whale on the shore at Marwick Bay provides a welcome meal for a pair of Glaucous Gulls, these gulls are quite rare in Orkney.
With the bay facing the Atlantic it’s easy to see how the power of the waves could throw a whale carcass on to the beach.
Wednesday 28th – We are getting low spring tides at the moment and the ebbing waters expose some of the creatures that inhabit Gray’s Noust, such as this starfish
and this selection of mussels, limpets, barnacles and sea anemones. We’ll eat well tonight!
Scapa Views 
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