Almost ten years ago my pregnant wife, daughter and myself were staying at a cottage in Skipness near the Isle of Arran with my parents, from there we drove north all the way to Scrabster for the Orkney ferry, we stopped by Loch Ness had food and threw stones at the monster for a while and failed to find The Clava cairns. Sailing past the Old man of Hoy was especially captivating as I'm as much into the natural world as I am our ancient heritage.

Arriving on Orkney we erected our tent at Stromness campsite and had more food, then we drove over to the Stenness circle, but it was off limits due to foot'n mouth, so we went on to Brodgar, by now our two year old girl was fast asleep in the back of the car and Hayley was nitting, I blamed it on nesting instincts away from home and went for a look see on my own.

It was pre inernet for me so all I had was two books with pictures so didnt really know what to expect, it was gone 9pm and I was all alone the sun was setting and the moon was mid transit, I dont know if it was the long trip up or something but I had the most freakiest of moments, goosebumps, inexplicable giggling, hairs standing up, it was like nothing I had ever experienced, the most healthy natural high ever.

Ive never had that same feeling again, but everytime I go out it comes back a little bit, it's a feeling I love, and all it costs is the time and petrol/legs to get there, whether its a mountain top, a couple of cairns, or a waterfall or a big famous monument, it makes me remember how much I love this world and being alive.