Pentland Ferries new build Alfred at Kirkwall

AIDAvita at anchor and MSC Splendida alongside Hatston (what romantic names modern cruise-ships have!). They were lucky with the weather; the last of the April showers didn't move in until evening, showing us the location of the legendary crock of gold.

During a visit to Orkney by HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, King Olav also briefly called by in his Royal Yacht Norge and charmingly greeted the Queen Mother on stepping ashore on the Corn Slip in Kirkwall harbour basin.

Ruby Princess, Hatston, today.

At anchor today in Kirkwall Bay.

Fram alongside, and Pilot boat John Rae returning from shepherding another cruise ship out into the String.

17-10 and 17-13 at Kirkwall.

A 1970s view of the Harbour.

2 very tidy fishing boats in Kirkwall harbour.

Orkney Isles : Kirkwall. There`s gotta be a `story` about this, can someone `enlighten/inform` me regarding this please :o)

Could someone tell me the name/info of this sailing yacht please ?

Could someone tell me the name/info of this sailing yacht please ? :o)

A contrast in vessels.

Pauline returns to Kirkwall pier from work site, 23 July 2010.

Gann and jack-up barge Pauline alongside Kirkwall Pier, Orkney, 20 July 2010. Gann took over her name from her predecessor in 2007.

At Kirkwall pier, Orkney, 5 July 2010.

At anchor in Kirkwall Bay, Orkney, 7 July 2010. (I think the prominent sloping circular structure between the exhausts is the skylight of the 'Observation Bar'.)

Alongside Hatston, Kirkwall, Orkney, 15 May 2010. (Sorry about the photo quality; shot from a distance of one-and-a-quarter miles.)

Safe alongside in Kirkwall tonight after engine failure west of Orkney