Westraak Tours

07/11/2024

Very excited to welcome The Screen Machine back to Westray this coming weekend. We didn’t manage to get to see The Outrun when it was showing in Kirkwall so are looking forward to seeing it here in Westray.
If you have never seen the Screen Machine, do check it out. It’s cosy Cinema meets Transformer, and it’ll be boosting the sale of popcorn in the Westray shops from Saturday till Monday.

Have you managed to see The Outrun?
What did you think?

Delighted to be letting you know that Screen Machine will return to Orkney next month:

- 9th to 11th
- 13th and 14th
- 16th to 18th

We'll have tickets on sale in the next week or so, including for The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan, which is based on Amy Liptrot's memoir and is set and filmed in Orkney.

A big shout out to Kirstie at Orkney Ferries for her support in working out the detail of the ferry timings over this past week. And also to Pentland Ferries for on-going sponsorship of the Gill's Bay-St Margaret's Hope leg of the trip. And everyone else who has so far helped us with the logistics of this visit.

More details soon!

01/11/2024

Aaawwwww. Peedie selkie🥰

New to the world this young selkie hasn't long been born. Its white coat known as 'lanugo' is stained from the blood and amniotic fluid of its mother but it will shortly fade away to leave a pure white pup. This fur then keeps the pup warm whilst it develops a layer of blubber.

This doesn't take long as the milk it suckles on is incredibly rich in fat. Three weeks from now this pup will be left to its own devices, the mother having already mated again and headed back to sea for the winter.

30/10/2024

I can’t find an angle to take a picture that doesn’t show mistakes 😀, but I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself, having knitted my first ever (possibly only) Fair Isle toorie!

Pattern Buggiflooer Beanie by 2023 Shetland Wool Week Patron Alison Rendall Fair Isle Knitting
The pattern does not include the mistakes which create the uniqueness of this garment. They were all by me!

26/10/2024

Take a self guided stroll round Pierowall City.

16/10/2024

An amazing shot by Raymond Besant - Orkney Nature on a brighter day yesterday.

Watching a group of juvenile gannets diving very close to shore this past week has been a real joy but I wanted to see what they were after. Shoals of sprats gathering (or being pushed, I'm not sure) in Scapa Bay is now something I look out for each autumn.

The visibility wasn't great but their myriad scales shimmered in the rays. Two grey seals shadowed me from the other side of what turned into this bait ball, always eyeing me but never getting much closer. I've not been in the sea much this year so felt good to spend some time watching them.

12/10/2024

Aikerness Craig’s made it to the Radio Times (21-27 sept edition)

12/10/2024

It’s a curl up inside kind of afternoon here. Dobbie has it down to a fine art!

09/10/2024

Weel kent faces indeed.
Weel deun bueys!

05/10/2024

And there’s more!
A birds only calendar from Papay Ranger is also available! You are entirely spoilt for choice for presents this year!

04/10/2024

For those who have enjoyed a trip to Papay, for those planning a trip to Papay, and anybody who appreciates a good photo, really !
The Papay Ranger has selected the images for his 2025 calendar, and they are crackalackin!

See the original post for details.

03/10/2024

Cammy (Sheep Game) visits coos in Orkney! This eve on Landward

Cammy’s setting sail to the island of Swona in the Pentland Firth to catch a glimpse of a truly wild herd of cattle.
Thurs 3rd Oct 8.30pm - BBC Scotland
Fri 4th Oct 8.00pm - BBC1 Scotland
Sun 6th Oct 9.00am - BBC2

03/10/2024

Beautiful October day!

30/09/2024

Win a trip to Orkney!!!

26/09/2024

Aaaw. You can never have too many puffin pictures.
David‘s blog features a healthy supply of them, amongst a wide variety of others. Highly recommended.

I do love a good head-on Puffin encounter, especially if it’s carrying a Puffling’s meal.

Subscribe to my blog to get wonderful wildlife in your inbox every morning.

18/09/2024

No tours available at the weekend, but look! Stunning views from Mount Pleasant self catering accommodation could be all yours for the weekend!