Our final stop of the voyage took us to Kirkwall, the largest village in Orkney. Although the many islands of Orkney are as close as six miles from the mainland of Scotland, they possess a flavour and feel distinct from the more populated south. Strong traces of the Norse culture, which founded Kirkwall in the 11th century, abound and none is more obvious than the towering point of Saint Magnus Cathedral. Begun in 1137, this magnificent church is constructed of local red sandstone and the sharp-eyed visitor can spy elements of Gothic, Romanesque, and Transitional architectural styles. The blend was not originally intended, but when it takes 300 years to finish a job, it is not surprising that liberties are taken with the original plans. Our plans now have us heading south again, this time bound for Edinburgh and the completion of a voyage that has spanned more than 1500 miles from north to south.