Going a bit stir crazy so went out for a walk with the dog, despite the atrocious weather. Drove over to the Yesnaby cliffs on the west coast of Mainland Orkney, and was pleased to find that the weather was slightly better; tolerable, at least. One or two people about, but I soon left them behind as I headed south. The seas were up quite a bit, and the wind maybe about Force 7, strong enough to impede progress, as they say in the mountain forecasts, and I was heading into it, but at least the rain had stopped.
The Brough of Bigging headland at Yesnaby, the Old Man of Hoy just visible in the distance
South of the prominent headland, the cliffs turned a corner and I encountered the first of many 'anti gravity' waterfalls, the water being whipped up the cliffs by the strong winds, a drenching plume of spray to negotiate. Flecks of white spume filled the air at times, much to the excitement of Tess, our spaniel.
Passed a sea stack in the making, a leaning tower of rock supported by a single stone block - I wonder how many people have dared to climb across it? Certainly not me, especially in this gusty wind.
Shortly afterwards there is another sea stack, the Castle of Yesnaby, not long for this world as it is top heavy, and the base has been perforated!
The Castle of YesnabyFrom the side it looks even more precariousThe cliffs gain in height after this, and I continued southwards along a grassy waterlogged path. Had to negotiate another waterfall flowing uphill, and then another; the plume of spray from this one blowing directly down the path as I approached, so I got a prolonged battering. Even Tess didn't like it, but the tail soon started wagging again once we were through.
Anti gravity waterfall, one of manySouthwards we continued, passing yet another precarious sea stack being battered by the relentless sea, and then I got a bit of a fright when I was buffeted by a particularly strong gust of wind as the path crosses a sloping shaley ledge above the cliffs.
The Castle of North GaultonGoodness knows how this thin blade of rock survives!We continued onwards until we rounded a corner and saw the coastline ahead. I had intended continuing on to Black Craig, a prominent headland a mile or so to the south, but the wind had picked up and the weather was closing in again - the walk was turning into a bit of a battle, and at times I could barely stand up. Also, I'm not afraid to admit that my experience on the ledge had rattled me a bit.
The views were spectacular though, storm ravaged cliffs with Hoy as a backdrop, and a larger burn was being savaged by the wind ahead - quite a plume of spray being driven inland. Definitely time to turn back.
Storm wracked shores, Black Craig ahead, Hoy in the backgroundThe mother of all water plumes - a good place to turn back. I could barely stand up when I took this shot.Anxious about the ledge, I traversed up the gentle grassy slopes and passed safely behind it - better safe than sorry, the wind picking up all the while.
The walk back turned into a bit of a battle, the horizontal waterfalls that were interesting novelties on the way out were now menacing water cannons hurling spray at me as I retreated, at times the noise of the water striking my hood was quite deafening. Really struggling to stay upright in places - I was shamelessly using the dog as an anchor on the upwind side, Tess less than impressed!
I took a short video with my phone just to give you a flavour of what conditions were like -
https://youtu.be/G9ELkz04yssOne last water cannon to negotiate, and then around a corner into a bit of shelter by a small bay.
Last one, I promise, Tess!Another short video showing what conditions were like -
https://youtu.be/tfRQ7KjusLEQuite a relief to get back to the car. A short 5 mile walk that felt much longer - but it is good to get out in foul conditions from time to time - makes me feel more alive, somehow!