A sea lion making a splash and hoping for a feeding during out boat trip around Noss

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One of many birds we saw around Noss

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Up, up and away...

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There were thousands of birds consuming every nook and cranny on the cliff faces

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A bit of a snack

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More snacking

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In flight; the Gannets were truly beautiful

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Incoming!

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Drying out after a dip in the ocean

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These birds don't have the same oils on their feathers so they have to air-dry

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This guy was pacing our boat for a while. Quite impressive!

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A quiet afternoon of lawn bowling

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Got a ruler?

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Getting ready to burn the boat on the loch at the Up Helly Aa celebration

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Hundreds of participants marched around the loch

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YOung an old, making up one of the many clans that participated.

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Bringing the next generation into the celebratory fold

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There were dozens on clans represented in the event

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Each group had their own costumes

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He was quite excited

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Riding the thermals off the coase of Esha Ness

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Another bird enjoying the winds off Esha Ness

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Phenomenal hiking - it appeared possible to make it down to the beach if desired.

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A panorama of the cliffs at Esha Ness

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Soaking it all in after getting out to a tiny point on Esha Ness

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The red of the cliffs was amazing

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Our LoganAir pilot, getting ready for the departure from Kirkwall

The Knap of Howar: The oldest known standing structures in Northern Europe

Just some of the locals on Papa Westray

We cut through this guy's yard to get to the Knap of Howar. Well marked trail, at least.

Some classic machinery on the side of one field in Papa Westray

The ferry terminal at Papa Westray

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Riding on the ferry from Papa Westray to Westray

The harbour at Pierowall - blue water like the Mediterranean

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The graveyard at Lady Kirk on Westray; built in the late 1600s on the site of a church from the 1200s

A beautiful beach on the northwest side of Westray

Headed up the stairs in Noltland Castle

Noltland Castle from the outside

The end of the trail to the Old Man of Hoy

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