photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Scotland: Edinburgh, Kirkwall, Lerwick tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Scotland: Edinburgh, Kirkwall, Lerwick

June 19 at sea
June 20 Edinburgh/Rosyth
June 21 Kirkwall
June 22 scheduled to dock in Lerwick but Captain said too rough to dock. Hated to miss the Shetland mainland, as I was looking forward to looking for puffins and ponies again. Lovely place.
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 5 ALL next page
I briefly saw both Earl's Palace & Bishop's Palace, but can't remember which is which! I didn't have much time.
I briefly saw both Earl's Palace & Bishop's Palace, but can't remember which is which! I didn't have much time. 		One of Kirkwall's main shopping streets.
One of Kirkwall's main shopping streets.		 In the afternoon we toured Skara Brae underground village with Experience Orkney with another couple.
In the afternoon we toured Skara Brae underground village with Experience Orkney with another couple.		 Skara Brae is from 3100 BC - older than the Great Pyramids. Tour guide Ann Marwick gave us great information.
Skara Brae is from 3100 BC - older than the Great Pyramids. Tour guide Ann Marwick gave us great information. 		We toured Skaill House next to Skara Brae.
We toured Skaill House next to Skara Brae.		 Then it was on to the Ring of Brodgar site, but on the way I photographed the ragged robbin flowers with an old boat.
Then it was on to the Ring of Brodgar site, but on the way I photographed the "ragged robbin" flowers with an old boat.
Ring of Brodgar has 27 neolithic stones.
Ring of Brodgar has 27 neolithic stones.		 Typical stone
Typical stone 		We stopped briefly to view the nearby site of the Standing Stones of Stenness (larger stones).
We stopped briefly to view the nearby site of the Standing Stones of Stenness (larger stones).		 Then we visited the Unstan chambered tomb. We had to practically crawl to get in. It was fascinating.
Then we visited the Unstan chambered tomb. We had to practically crawl to get in. It was fascinating. 		Dates of 1800,1891, etc. show the age of this tomb.
Dates of 1800,1891, etc. show the age of this tomb.		 We had to stoop & walk for maybe 5 feet to get in and out. Howard caught me coming out.
We had to stoop & walk for maybe 5 feet to get in and out. Howard caught me coming out.
previous pagepages 1 2 3 4 5 ALL next page

comment | share
Ruth Rosenthal05-Jun-2018 23:51
I go on cruisecritic.com's Port of Call section to see if others have written about tours. (If you haven't visited that site, DO IT!!!) I also sometimes just google, and sometimes go on TripAdvisor.com to look for info on activities and tours. Then I email vendors. We don't do a lot of private tours, but all I've done so far have been worthwhile, and often cost less than ship tours. Sometimes you can also find a few people on the ship (or on Cruise Critic's Roll Call section) to share in the cost. With any tour you arrange, make sure vendor will refund any money you've paid if ship doesn't make it to the port. Almost all will, but it helps to know in advance. Sometimes a port is missed, so you don't want to be out of money. And no, if you're on a cruise, you don't need to worry about getting back late and missing the ship. The well known vendors are pros and won't let that happen. Don't be afraid to book your own tour, but remember that if you're on a cruise ship, you'll probably need at least 45 minutes after it docks before you can meet a vendor ashore. Don't cut things too close. Also, you'll likely be expected to be back on the ship a half hour or more before it's scheduled to depart. If ship is a little late coming in, almost all vendors will know when that happens and wait for you. Don't sweat it. They track ship progress on marinetraffic.com
click on thumbnails for full image