Day Seven: A Fine, Soft Day in the Orkney Islands

This morning we took a tour that included a two and one half mile cliff top walk with views of the Atlantic. Our guide said it would be a “leisurely stroll.” My first clue that it may not be all that leisurely was that every other person going on the tour was dressed in high-tech hiking clothes and shoes, carrying back backs and wielding fancy hiking poles. I felt like yelling, “Wait! There’s been a huge mistake! I’m not ready for this; let me off this bus!” But instead, I just sat there quietly, feeling like an idiot in my sweater, jeans and black leather riding boots.When we arrived at the cliffs, the tour guide kept admonishing us to watch our step and not to get too close to the cliff edge because the sandstone can get a bit “slippy.” An understatement. For two and a half miles we walked on some of the roughest terrain imaginable, over land covered with big rocks, mud, sand and tall grass. We climbed three fence stiles, walked up and down numerous steep hillsides and practically crawled across several muddy ditches. I barely had time to note the scenery because I was so worried about: A. Falling down and busting myself, B. Trying to see where I was going with a hood that kept falling down over my eyes (did I mention it was raining?), C. Ruining my good leather boots, D. Sweating through all of my inappropriate clothing and, E. Keeping up with the “leisurely” pace without looking as if I were about to pass out.When we arrived at our destination, everyone else looked rejuvenated and ready for another go. I was hot, sweaty and breathing hard, my hair was bedraggled and my boots were splattered with mud. Oh, and as a final indignity, I slipped and fell flat right at the end of the hike.The upside: We saw Iron Age Brochs by the ocean and Skara Brae, a 5,000 year old village that was buried until 150 years ago, spectacular ocean views and archeological digs. So, in the end, as our Scottish guide pointed out, “It was a fine, soft day.” For some of us, anyway.

An Iron Age Broch