Day 4 Monday 5th September Scrabster Scotland
The weather was kind to us overnight as the ship raced to her maiden call at Scrabster at over 20 knots.
On Oriana we had a cabin with a window on the starboard side of the ship and this morning I look out and I saw the dome of the fast breeder reactor at Dounreay that I remembered from my childhood. This is where the UK experimented with nuclear power that was to generate electricity as well as making new nuclear material (hence the term breeder reactor).
Growing up this nuclear facility was heralded as being the hope for limitless electricity.
If like me you haven’t heard of Scrabster, then look at a map for John O’Groats and then follow the coast West and Scrabster is close to Thurso. No pilot was needed and Oriana dropped anchor off the harbour. There was a strong wind but as the ship was near the harbour, conditions were sheltered enough for tenders to take passengers ashore. From the cruise log I subsequently learned that Oriana’s engines were kept ready for the whole time she was anchored close to the rocky shore.
After breakfast we went to catch a tender, waiting for the passengers going on the early trips to catch one first. We were given tickets around 150 and the first calls were for passengers with tickets from 40 to 60. We watched passengers who had picked up tickets after us going off to board the tender and causing the hotel officer a little trouble as the tender then received too many passengers.
Our tender docked at the ferry quay in the harbour at Scrabster and we then caught a bus for the short ride into Thurso. We walked away from the bus stop and followed the signs to the tourist board and museum in the pedestrian precinct. The museum had exhibits of Celtic stones as well as an interesting section on the building of Dounreay on the site of an old RAF airfield, its testing, its operation and subsequent closure. Now it is being de-commissioned and still provides local jobs.
As we left the museum the heavens opened and we went into the cafe along the pedestrian precinct. The cafe was packed with passengers sheltering from the rain but it did serve lovely cakes with large beakers of tea/coffee. I took advantage of the free wi-fi.
After our bus ride back to the pier at Scrabster we had only a short wait for our tender ride back to the ship. Here are the views around the pier at Scrabster.
For lunch we decided to try another of the ship’s restaurants – Al Fresco.
Scrabster/Thurso have been promoting themselves as cruise ship destination on the North Coast. Later that day we did hear of an interesting conversation taking place in one of the local shops.
First lady “It is busy in town today”
Second lady, looking around the shop at all the strangers “Yes it is a ship calling from Britain”
Back to eating at Al Fresco on Oriana. I am not sure if this restaurant will survive after her upcoming refit as it certainly is unique. Passengers are shown to tables and then go and pick up hot food and salads from the serving stations. I decided to have American pizza slices with a salad followed by Jello. The alternative (to pizza) hot food changes each day we were assured.
As we ate lunch we watched MV Amadea come slowly into dock at one of the piers in the harbour.
By now the rain had passed and out on deck for a closer look at Thurso Bay. When we visit Scrabster again I plan to pack hiking boots and walk along the side of the bay past the lighthouse to the cliffs.
In The Lord Taverner’s for a late afternoon drink I tried another of the wide choice of bottled beers . This time it was from the North East and was Silver Dollar from the Tyne Bank Brewery.
I went for a walk around the ship and noted the distance needed for a mile and this bell at the stern on the Promenade deck.
I watched walkers along the cliffs past the lighthouse.
Once all the the tenders had been loaded we left and as Oriana left Thurso Bay we passed by the cliffs that had provided stones for the world over the years.
And then we passed the light house on top of the cliffs.
As we were getting changed for dinner I looked out and saw reflected on the sea a wonderful sunset. Once I was out on deck I was not the only passenger watching the sun set over the Pentland Firth.
And here’s what we were all watching.
The post left the ship at 14:00 and for a postcard it was only £1.
Next we visited Kirkwall, Stornoway and lastly Dublin
Cruise around British Isles – Kirkwall, Stornoway then Dublin