We were welcomed to Orkney with blue skies and sunshine and crystal-clear waters. If it wasn’t for the chilly wind, we might have wanted to dip into the sea for a swim!

Our first stop was at Papa Westray, where we walked to the remains of the earliest permanent settlement at Knap of Howar. Dating from 3500 BC, the houses at this settlement are some of the best preserved and most visible early Neolithic settlement in Europe. We also saw St. Boniface Kirk, standing tall above the rocky shore.

We then returned to the ship for lunch before heading out again to North Ronaldsay, where we visited the grave of Halfdan Longlegs, the son of the Norwegian King Harald Fairhair. At the nearby lighthouse, we heard stories from the lighthouse keeper who had worked there for over 50 years.