The Orkney Islands have always been popular desinations by sea - first the Celts, the Picts, Vikings and then dduring both world wars - Orkney is used to being over run by hords of incomers.
Now it is the turn of the Cruise Ships!
All summer, cruises stop briefly in the Kirkwall Harbour and thousands of guests (cruisers?) disembark and join whistle-stop tours of the main nearby sites - by coach.
Some use mini bus tours - infact the life blood of a band of tour guides.
No matter whether in a mini bus or a full coach, they all go the same places, on the same few roads, and in the same limited time, before the ship sails off. Result = congestion and crowds at the big, popular sites. Worse still, the sites are being destroyed by all the wear and tear - so needing further protection, removing you from being able to exerience the place.
To be honest, just head off in the opposite direction, with one of the few guides prepared to take people to special and quiet places.
If you are planning a cruise yourself (good idea - saves accommodation and travel cost!) look into the alternatives - and try not to be swept along with a "must see" madness - you will only miss out on the best part of Orkney, its relaxed pace of life, clean air, friendly people and a vast richness of ancient sites.
Don't follow the crowd - explore - use your sense!!!
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on Aug 10, 2005
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