Scotland Tigers-8: UK-Scotland-Orkney Islands: Wick (EGPC) to North Ronaldsay (EGEN)

There are only two more Scotland trips remaining before we have covered the entire county of Scotland in this series. This second to last excursion covers the Orkney Islands. Orkney also known as the Orkney Islands or, the often deprecated, Orkneys, is an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. Part of the Northern Isles along with Shetland, Orkney is 10 miles (16 km) north of Caithness and has about 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The largest island, the Mainland, has an area of 523 square kilometers (202 sq mi), making it the sixth-largest Scottish island and the tenth-largest island in the British Isles. Orkney's largest settlement, and also its administrative center, is Kirkwall.

The 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' is a group of 5,000-year-old sites on Mainland, the largest island including Skara Brae, a preserved village with a reconstructed house, and Maeshowe, a chambered burial tomb incorporating 12th-century Viking carvings. The Northern Islands possess a vibrant Viking Heritage and influence. We will explore these islands which encompass many Neolithic sites, and even Mesolithic treasures. The Orkneys contain ancient archaeological site, from tall sea stacks along the west coast of Hoy to the circle and henge at Brodgar and the vaulting stones at Stenness, plus the incomparable burial cairn of Maeshowe. Those are just the best-known sites, with myriad more to explore, where a treasure hundreds of years even older than anything on Orkney’s mainland awaits. The Knap of Howar on Papa Westray offers a unique chance to peer into life almost 6,000 years ago! ‘Orkney imagination is haunted by time’. It’s where ‘hills tell old stories’ and ‘cliffs are poets with harps.’

In this trip we fly from the town of Wick (EGPC) which is on the Scotland UK mainland and head northward to the Northern Isles of Orkney to explore some of the points of interest and ancient locations.

In reality, for others on the mainland, getting to the Northern Isles is all part of the fun with NorthLink Ferries. Forging out from the mainland and seeing the dolphins that often leap around just outside on a journey to another world bound for Kirkwall in Orkney. And it is no ordinary journey as you can quaff a gorgeous pint of local ale, and dine on Northern Isles produce. Or take a scenic sailing between Caithness in the north of Scotland, and Stromness in Orkney. Time it right, and you’ll see the setting sun turning the sandstone cliffs of Hoy, and the famous landmark, the Old Man of Hoy, a flaming red!

Our Excursion:

 

We depart Wick (EGPC) and head north passing Keiss Village, Duncansby Stacks and John o’ Groats Village and Ferry terminal before leaving the mainland. We cross northward over the Pentland Firth and we are in the Orkney Islands. We’ll pass over the small island of Stroma to Longhope Ferry Terminal and Museum on the island of Brims to our first stop on Flotta Island: Flotta Isle Airport EGZQ. From Flotta we will head east across the island of South Ronaldsay to land on Burray Island at Land Holm Airfield EGKF and along the way we’ll pass two lighthouses and Barns of Ayre Wind Farm. From Land Holm airfield we will, more or less, zigzag through the Islands of Hoy, Graemsay and Mainland to view the historical attractions and other poi before landing at Kirkwall Airport EGPA, Kirkwall is the administrative center of the Northern Isles.

From Kirkwall we’ll head north and cover the north side of Mainland, Rousay Islands then continue to Eday Island and land at the Eday airport (EGED). From Eday we head east to Sanday Airport (EGES) on the island of Sanday. From Sanday we head northwest to Westray and Papa Westray Islands. Both small islands have their own airports, so plan for so we’ll plan for full stop at Westray (EGEW) and perhaps just a Touch n’ Go at Papa Westray (EGEP) before continuing our way east to North Ronaldsay (EGEN).

This trip is 235 nm with eight landings: Departing Wick (EGPC) to: Flotta Isle Airport (EGZQ), Lamb Holm Airfield (EGKF), Kirkwall Airport (EGPA), Stronsay (EGER), Eday (EGED), Sanday (EGES), Westray (EGEW), Papa Westray (EGEP) (touch and Go) and to our final stop at North Ronaldsay (EGEN).

This is another “low and slow expedition” using our favourite bi-plane! We won’t have too much time for doddling if we want to reach our destination in the bi-planes. Time permitting; we’ll make our destination but no worries as there will definitely be a final part nine of the Scotland Tigers to cover the Shetland Islands and finally reaching our ultimate destination of the Scotland tour at Unst, Scotland. 

Flight Plan and Itinerary: LINK: HERE

Aircraft:

The Tiger Moth, Bucker, Fairey-Swordfish, Stearman or similar biplane type aircraft that can maintain 90-130 kts would fit the requirements. Will plan to use the Tiger Moth dh.82 in a stock livery or the Bucker for this trip but as always please feel free to use your choice of aircraft.

Add-on Scenery: Flightsim.to: Freeware:

https://flightsim.to/file/28746/egpc-wick-airport by scotflight-v1.4

NOTAM:  Orbx EU Great Britain North (Landmarks scenery) (Payware): Please feel free to use if you have but it is not necessary to go out and purchase this add-on for this trip. (LINK: HERE)

https://flightsim.to/file/29976/orkney-islands-landscape by Gaiiden-v2.2

(There are two different versions: One for default sim (without Orbx EU Great Britain North Landscape Scenery), and the other compatible for use with the Orbx EU Great Britain North Landscape Scenery add-on).
1. Download/use the Main File DL if you do NOT have the Orbx EU Great Britain North Landscape scenery.
2. Download/use the Secondary File: Orkney Island Landscape that is compatible with the Orbx EU Great Britain North Landscape scenery.
I put both versions in the pre-assembled package but use only ONE version: that is, the version that is appropriate for your scenery!

https://flightsim.to/file/15276/orkney-airports-upgrade-eday-sanday-stronsay-north-ronaldsay by superspud-v1.1

https://flightsim.to/file/14826/egpa-kirkwall-airport-orkney-upgrade by superspud-v1.2

https://flightsim.to/file/28121/old-man-of-hoy-orkney by superspud-v1.1

https://flightsim.to/file/7834/westray-papa-westray-pack by FloydWaterhouse-v2.1

Required lib:

https://flightsim.to/file/23692/superspud-airport-asset-library by superspud-v1.1

Link to a Pre-assembled scenery package containing the above freeware pieces temporarily found: HERE (zip-59.5 mb, expands to 151 mb).

Time and Weather
Prefer to fly real weather if possible but if not, the few clouds Jeff 1, Jeff 2 or Josh preset. OR the stock few or high clouds preset might make a nice choice but best if we are on the same weather preset. For takeoff: set the simulator time to @1400 local.  Hope you enjoy this scenic flight.

Old Man of Hoy:  

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Wednesday, October 02, 2024 - 1800 UTC, (1400 Eastern)
AVSIM Discord Server: https://discord.gg/K5Vy6UxWNm  - AVSIM GROUP EVENTS-WED. COM1
Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: EAST-USA Server

If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!

Norm Richards Sept. 2024

Edited September 26, 20241 yr by nbrich1

Hi Norm,

It seems the Orkney Islands Landscape version for ORBX users is no longer available, or I can't find it. At the TO site,  only one version is available.  Do you maybe have a link for that version?

Thanks!

It's here: https://flightsim.to/file/29976/orkney-islands-landscape

When the download screen shows up: you will see main download file but below it is the secondary file: that is the orbx gb version.

Thanks Norm, that was what I expected. However, when I select "download", this screen appears and after clicking "Start Download" again, there is no selection option.

Never mind, I fly without the addon. 

See you later..

You have to click in the Download Main file box and it scrolls.. under the main file is the link for the orbx version.  (It's also in my pre-packaged).

Edited October 2, 20241 yr by nbrich1

Thanks, Norm, I take it from your package. I don't know why I don't get the scroll option on my end. I could demonstrate that tonight on Discord, if you are interested.

When you click on the Download Main File (it is a window)  .. the window opens to show this:

 

So then you click on Orkney Islands Landscape Orbx UK North Compatibility..    then that is the file which downloads.

Thanks, Norm, I finally ! got it 😳