Blog 205 - The Orkney Islands, 1985 (a retrospective travel blog)
- Keef Hellinger
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Created by KeefH Web Designs , September 12th, 2025, 15.18 PM
Not The Motorhome trip No 24 : 14 days, August 1985
“Wind, ruins, and woolly jumpers—step back to the Orkneys, 1985. A family holiday full of ancient stones, salty breezes, and unforgettable memories. 📸✨ #RetroTravel #OrkneyIslands #FamilyAdventure”
If you would prefer this blog as an Audiobook?
🏴 Our 1985 Orkneys Holiday – A Windswept Retrospective
In the summer of 1985, we packed up our car, loaded the kids, and set off on a journey that would become one of our most cherished family adventures: a holiday to the Orkney Islands. Remote, rugged, and rich with history, the Orkneys offered a perfect blend of windswept landscapes, ancient ruins, and quiet moments that still linger in memory.
🚗 The Journey Begins
The slideshow opens with snapshots of our trusty car, parked beside ferry terminals and winding coastal roads. There’s a sense of anticipation in those early frames—bags stacked high, maps unfolded, and the unmistakable excitement of heading somewhere new.
🌊 Crossing the Pentland Firth
Boarding the ferry SS Claire (no longer in existence, replaced by North Link Ferries) across the Pentland Firth was an adventure in itself. The sea was choppy, the wind relentless, but spirits were high. There’s a photo of us bracing against the breeze on deck, hair tousled, eyes squinting toward the horizon. The Orkneys loomed ahead, mysterious and inviting.
🏡 Our Home Away from Home
We stayed in a modest cottage nestled among rolling fields and stone walls. The images show a cozy setup—tea on the table, wellies by the door, and a view that stretched endlessly toward the sea. It was simple, but it felt like home.
🏰 Exploring Ancient Wonders
The Orkneys are steeped in history, and we made sure to soak it all in. The slideshow features hauntingly beautiful shots of:
Skara Brae, the Neolithic village, with its stone dwellings and winding paths.
The Ring of Brodgar, standing proud against a moody sky.
Maeshowe, where we marveled at Viking runes carved into ancient stone.
Each site whispered stories of lives lived long before ours, and we listened with awe.
🐑 Rural Life & Local Charm
Between the ruins and the cliffs, we found charm in the everyday. Sheep dotted the hillsides, often wandering into our photos uninvited. We visited local shops, chatted with friendly islanders, and sampled Orkney fudge that was dangerously moreish.
There’s a lovely image of a local farmer waving from his tractor, and another of the kids petting a lamb—moments that grounded the trip in warmth and connection.
🌅 Windswept Beauty
The landscapes were breathtaking. The slideshow captures:
Craggy cliffs plunging into foaming seas
Golden sunsets over calm bays
Wildflowers clinging to stone walls
Gulls wheeling overhead in the ever-present wind
One photo, in particular, shows the family silhouetted against a glowing horizon—an image that feels like the emotional heart of the trip.
🎣 Quiet Moments & Family Fun
We fished off rocky outcrops, skipped stones across glassy lochs, and played board games by candlelight when the wind howled outside. The slideshow includes candid shots of laughter, shared meals, and sleepy faces wrapped in blankets.
It wasn’t just a holiday—it was a time capsule of togetherness.
📸 Final Reflections
The last few images fade out with views from the ferry as we departed, looking back at the islands that had welcomed us so generously. There’s a bittersweet tone—grateful for the memories, reluctant to leave.
💬 Why It Still Matters
Looking back, our 1985 Orkneys holiday wasn’t just about the places we visited—it was about the people we were then, the bonds we strengthened, and the stories we still tell. The slideshow is more than a collection of images; it’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest trips leave the deepest footprints.
If you’ve ever considered visiting the Orkneys, let this retrospective be your nudge. And if you’ve already been, maybe it’s time to go back.
We did , why not read blog 206, 40 years later... bit more old and crinkly but we loved it, then and now!
Ahhh....