Travel Tuesday: The Port at Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

I spotted this rusty old tub in the port of Kirkwall, on a rare sunny day a couple of summers ago. Kirkwall is the main city of the Orkney Islands, which are just off the north coast of Scotland. They are most famous for their Neolithic monuments such as the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. The landscape is alluring too, with windswept coastline and impressive cliffs where puffins and other sea birds nest. Jump the cut for some more photos.

These boats are in better condition. Kirkwall is the island chain's main port and from there you can get ferries to many of the other islands. Some of the smaller ones only have a few people living on them, who rely on regular ferries to get to Kirkwall for the shopping.

Here's an artsy closeup shot of some lobster traps. If you like seafood, Orkney is the place to be!