Grey Ortlieb Back Roller Classic panniers a Stealthy Colour?

[nztony]

SDG,

That is all good info, very many thanks for writing all up for me - I will refer back to it closer to my departure and use it to help me make my plans/bookings. Good advice too about the Orkneys - if time permitted I'd love to cycle the Shetlands too, but I can't do it all on my first trip! Nothing to stop me making a second trip though ;-)
As for the distillerys I'm afraid whiskey isn't my thing, well I wouldn't really know, but I don't think it is.
Give me a nice cold coke after a ride on a hot day and I'm more than happy.

Tony

[sdg_77]

whiskey isn't my thing,  ... a nice cold coke

perhaps best to keep that under your hat when in Scotland ;-)

The seafood is good in many places and there is the Orkney Cheese which I was quite fond of when I could bring some home from the place it was made in.

These links might help

http://www.jogferry.co.uk/Home.aspx  (JoG to South Ronaldsay)  The politicking this caused when we were living there ... ye gods!

http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/  (Stromness to Scrabster) This is the 'big' year round ferry.

http://www.visitorkney.com/southronaldsay/index.asp  Some info on South Ronaldsay (South East Orkney)

 In general the Orkney Islanders make more of their history than they do in Caithness - which makes it easier for a tourist to understand the place.  That is a pity as there are some fascinating pre history sites in Caithness.

Around JoG there are the Duncansby Stacks - sandstone pinnacles just off the coast,  Dunnet Head - source of many a heated discussion about which is the most distant point from Lands End.  Once you get West of Thurso and Dounreay towards Durness the road is good but it can be a fair way between places to stop and find accomodation.  I would have thought stealth camping was a possibility though.


enjoy
sdg.

[nztony]

SDG,

Thanks for all the good info, fascinating stuff. As for accommodation, I am looking forward to wild camping in Scotland, and have been practicing here in NZ: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nztony/8301203707
As for upsetting the locals for not being mad about whiskey, I will do my best to get them back onside by pulling out my "Scottish" card but telling them my mother was born and bred in Scotland (Peebles.) (although she left to come to NZ 60 or more years ago and hasn't been back since.) So I guess that makes me half Scottish myself.

Tony