Well, it’s done. I’ve said good-bye to Orkney. It was December 2019 when I got it into my head to move to Scotland; January 2020 when I decided on Orkney over Shetland or the Western Isles; we’ll gloss over COVID; then April 2021 when I got my British passport. I left Canada on October 4, 2021; arrived in Kirkwall on the 14th and took possession of my house on the 18th. I furnished my peedie hoose in Papdale; met people and toured the islands; moved into Pipersquoy Cottage in October 2022; said good bye to good friends and favourite landmarks over the past few weeks; and am now sailing out of Stromness Harbour.
I got up early and headed out on deck in order to watch us leave the dock and head into the Pentland Firth, but now I’m back in my cabin typing this and getting ready to drive south to Braidwood.
Yes, I’m sad. I’m not sad because I’m leaving Orkney; I always knew this was at most a two-year stay. I’m sad because I’m leaving Orkney now. I wanted another spring, summer, & autumn here on the islands. Last year I was still finding my footing, learning the ropes. Last year my social network was much smaller, and the people I did know were what I would have called acquaintances. But that has all changed. These people have become dear friends, people whose company I have come to treasure, and whom I will miss very much. I would have loved longer with them, more time exploring all there is to see in Orkney, and hosting friends and family over the summer months. So yes, I am sad. Oddly, this morning I wasn’t choked up at all as we pulled away from the dock and I had my last view of the Mainland. It was yesterday, as I confidently drove along winding country lanes that had scared me 19 months ago that I felt myself tearing up (not too many tears, though – those roads are still kinda scary); or when we walked out to the cliffs and stood in the sunshine looking at the spectacular views all around; or even as I drove past the Cathedral one last time – that’s when I reflected on my experiences here and realised how much I would miss all of this.
And this is a final farewell; I won’t be back. Yes, Orkney is wonderful, and I wish I were staying longer. But I’ve done it. I’ve ‘done’ Orkney. There is so much else in the world to see, so many more adventures to have. And the next adventure starts in about 40 minutes, when we dock at Scrabster, and I drive south on the A9 for the last time, heading to my new home for the remainder of 2023 in Braidwood, Lanarkshire.
Good bye Orkney. (Okay, I admit it – I did choke up typing those last three words.)
