Journal
Long-distance views to Orkney and Sule Stack from mainland Scotland
I have often looked across the Pentland Firth from Orkney, from where it is possible to see mountains ranged across far north of mainland Scotland. I have less often looked the other way.
Orkney: Fifteen textures
As I visited diverse locations across Mainland Orkney, I collected three-dimensional models of a series of distinctive textures.
Long-distance views across the Pentland Firth from Orkney
An afternoon walk on Marwick Head revealed panoramic reviews of the north coastline of mainland Scotland.
Orkney: Sunset at the cliffs of Yesnaby
An evening visit to the coastline at Yesnaby, on the west coast of the Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.
Orkney: Across the Pentland Firth
Crossing the Pentland Firth from Scrabster to Stromness aboard the MV Hamnavoe.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 14: The journey from Stromness to Scabster
Following our dawn observations at Cuween Hill, Ronnie and I went straight to to the port of Stromness for the return journey across the Pentland Firth.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 14: Further dawn observations at Cuween Hill
Our final morning in Orkney was clear and bright, so once again Ronnie and I headed for Cuween Hill to watch the dawn.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 13: Quartz at the Tomb of the Eagles
After a dull morning at Cuween Hill, Ronnie and I took advantage of some afternoon brightness to go in search of outcropping quartz near the Tomb of the Eagles.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 13: Thoughts at Cuween Hill
It was difficult to read the pre-dawn skies above Stromness this morning. So, just in case it cleared, Ronnie and I headed out to Cuween Hill cairn in the early hours.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 12: A stormy coastal walk at Birsay
Wild weather continues in Orkney, yet again making our fieldwork impractical. As a break from reading, Ronnie and I went for a somewhat breezy walk along the coastline near Birsay.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 10: A visit to Stromness Museum
Wet and cloudy weather today in Orkney, so Ronnie and I took the opportunity to visit Stromness Museum.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 9: Success! Our first sunrise projected inside Cuween Hill cairn
Clear skies over Orkney this morning allowed Ronnie and I to record projections of the solar disc inside Cuween Hill chambered cairn at dawn.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 9: Projecting people inside the Tomb of the Eagles
After dawn at Cuween Hill this morngin, continuing clear skies over Orkney encouraged Ronnie and I to visit the Tomb of the Eagles in the afternoon.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 8: Success! Another sunset inside Wideford Hill cairn
Back on the Mainland of Orkney we are planning observations at several sites over the next week. Today, we visited Wideford Hill at dusk.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 7: From Hoy to Stromness
Ronnie and I departed Hoy this morning. There's been quite a change in the weather today, with blustery winds and overcast skies.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 6: The Dwarfie Stanes' neighbours
As it was dry and reasonably bright Ronnie and I explored the landscape around the Dwarfie Stane, including other large boulders nearby.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 5: Spectacular sunset at the Dwarfie Stane
Blue skies in Hoy this evening. The landscape was glowing as Ronnie and I once again walked to the Dwarfie Stane to project the setting sun.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 5: The hills of Hoy
Cloudless skies today in Hoy, so I headed out along the coastline and up into the hills.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 4: Optical Projections at the Dwarfie Stane
Strong sunlight this morning provided excellent conditions for filming projected images inside the Dwarfie Stane.
Archaeo-optics in Orkney Day 3: On the beach at Rackwick
This afternoon we had a break from the Dwarfie Stane. Ronnie got to work with some sketching and painting while I spent a few hours exploring Rackwick beach.