4-Xtremes – Part 59: A touch of the Caribbean in the North Atlantic

Series: 4-Xtremes – The World Tour

White sand and ancient sites.

On single lane tracks and white sand, Mike and Andrea explore the Orkneys – a group of islands full of surprises.

Unusual for continental Europeans: There are plenty of single lane tracks on the Orkneys.


Logically, where do you go when you reach the north of Scotland? To the Orkney Islands which are even further north and also Scottish! After a short crossing, the ferry docks on the island of South Ronaldsay in the village called St. Margaret’s Hope.

On the other hand, the island that we want to explore is aptly named: Mainland, the largest of the 70 or so Orkneys, of around 40 by 26 kilometres. There are plenty of bridges – and often single lane tracks in between. It takes some getting used to, but no problem. There is little traffic here, and the passing places are big enough for the Axor.


Enthusiasm about the home on wheels.

Mainland welcomes us with sunshine. White sandy beaches, crystal clear water, that could give you that Caribbean feeling. But only until you put your foot in the water. And a seal poking its head out of the water makes it clear: This is the North Atlantic! When camping on the beach, we often get to talk to locals. "What’s that," is the question when looking at the Axor. "Our home on wheels," we respond, generating enthusiasm.

In summer, you can see puffins here. Although the colourful birds have already left for the south, we still hike along the cliffs with binoculars and discover lots of fowl. And spectacular rock formations shaped over thousands of years by wild weather and the crashing sea.


Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.
Cliffs and fowl, ancient sites and shipwrecks – impressions from the Orkney Islands.

Rusty hulls in crystal clear water.

The Orkneys are among the places in Europe with the greatest density of ancient sites. 5,000-year-old Neolithic villages and circles of metre-high stones amaze us. Just like the World War wrecks off the coast. We explore a few by kayak.

Finally, we explore the main town of Kirkwall with the 850-year-old St. Magnus cathedral made of yellow and red sandstone. Inside, their walls are lined with tombstones. On them you see: Skull, crossbones, spades – spooky but beautiful! It is fitting that our ferry departs at the witching hour. Where to? We will say this much: On we go further north!


Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.
Sightseeing in the island capital – Kirkwall’s residents are particularly proud of the many centuries-old St. Magnus Cathedral, which fascinates with its well-kept spookiness.

4-Xtremes – The World Tour.

An unparalleled journey.

Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on tour in their Axor for three years. "4-Xtremes – The World Tour" is the motto of the journey that the two Swiss nationals embarked on in mid-2020 and which they share with the RoadStars community. Keep up to date and don't miss out on any of the stunning destinations visited by the adventurous pair.

You can find the current parts from the “4-Xtremes – The World Tour” series here.

You can find the route of the trip before the crossing to South America here.

 


Photos: 4-Xtremes

 

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