Day 35 – To Hoxa and the Sands of Wright

Sunday 30th May

In and out of the haar today, the sea fog, to the linked islands of Burray and South Ronaldsay. I’m familiar with this type of mist. I visited the Faroe Islands once, for seven days, breaking a voyage between Iceland and Shetland, taking the slow way back from New Zealand. I had seen so many wonderful images and heard previous visitors exult in what they had seen. My view varied between 10 and 50 metres of the haar, without significant wind, for all seven days.

I’d had a recommendation about the beach just outside the picturesque fishing village of St Margaret’s Hope. It was a good one. There were a few other people around from time to time, but pretty much, I had the place to myself.

Further out of the small peninsula at Hoxa Head are the remains of coastal battery buildings from both the First and Second World Wars. They guarded the important entrance to the Naval anchorage at Scapa Flow.

A leisurely afternoon followed, adapting to the considerable difference in temperature between the sun and the haar, and listening to an exciting finish in the Roses match.