Motorcycle Road Trips - Scottish Islands - S01E30

[@CountryHouseGent]

Buy Me A Coffee is a great way for anyone, anywhere in the world, to contribute to the channel, and future videos, or if you just want to buy me a coffee, tea, pork pie, or chicken vindaloo. Cheers buymeacoffee.com/countryhousegent

[@judietallman]

I wish I could have a cup of coffee with you in person! Happy New Year, Kevin. Your friend in New York, Judie

[@simongould3135]

I believe these causeways were built as coastal defenses in WWII and were known as 'Churchill Barriers' and later became the roads you were traveling on; also the wrecks are remains of blockships that were also part of the coastal defenses. All this occurred after the Royal Oak was sunk in Scarpa Flow. Great Vlog again, thanks.

[@davidrobertthomas1515]

A great comment by you as well. Thanks Simon!

[@MrFloridadaz]

The German sailors scuttled the fleet in Scapa Flow while it was impounded there after WW1 as part of the Armistice agreement. The Admiral didn’t want the fleet to fall into British hands. 52 vessels were sunk.

[@CountryHouseGent]

I had no idea. Just thought they were fishing vessels that got unlucky. Takes on a different light now. Wow.

[@2gray2care]

My understanding is that the causeways were built to keep German U Boats out of the areas between the islands so they couldn’t hide and then harass the fleets of ships that went in convoys to keep the UK supplied during the war. They were called the Churchill Barriers and also protected the Royal Navy in their anchorages.

[@Setinmywaysalways]

The blockships of Scapa flow - The Orkney Islands are home to three naval war graves. The HMS Royal Oak is the most well-known of the three. Of the other two war graves, one is located outside of Scapa Flow; the other is north of the oil terminal on Flotta. These ships are the HMS Hampshire and the HMS Vanguard.

[@mattv7851]

Thank you so much for your videos. I'm a Vet and I thoughly enjoy seeing the beautiful landscapes of Scotland. I will never own a bike but your videos on bike are so enjoyable! I also enjoy your longboat series also. Once again thank you Kevin, and have a happy new year!

[@CountryHouseGent]

Hi Matt. Thank you so much. It's good to know the road trip and canal videos are being enjoyed in equal measure. A happy new year to you.

[@CarolWhite-il7ki]

Thankyou another good video hope you had a good season holiday. Take care.look forward to next week.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Many thanks Carol. Yes Christmas day turned out to be very enjoyable. Wishing you all the best for 2025.

[@anniemethold3326]

So enjoying your motorcycle trip. I am seeing the Highlands and Islands for the first time and it's incredible. I would love to see it all but due to disability I won't be able to. So seeing it through your eyes is really special. Thank you Kevin.

[@CountryHouseGent]

You're very welcome Annie. Happy new year

[@loripotter6296]

Today's ride was awesome thank you!

[@richardwilliams2606]

Thanks a again for another enjoyable Friday evening. May you have a safe and Happy New Year's.

[@ronaldmcinnes7840]

thanks for the visit to Cathedral and other ancient old buildings and walking tour of Kirkwall.

[@CountryHouseGent]

You're very welcome Ronald. Cheers,

[@lspringerjones]

Outstanding. I could actually sense your joy at several points. Good ride.

[@AndrewShort-bh6hm]

Great video Kevin, Really interesting as we have not been to Orkney or Shetland although on my list. Have a Happy New year Kevin. Dave and Elaine ❤

[@CountryHouseGent]

Thank you Dave and Elaine. Orkney and especially Shetland are the real highlights of this journey. Wishing you both a peaceful 2025.

[@bettywales3631]

Awe, Kevin, somebody has to do it and you do it well! Thanks for saving us a trip to Scotland.

[@Dave_The_Drone]

Thank you for your videos this year Kevin, they've been great, hope you had a good Christmas and have a Happy & safe New Year - see you in 25 :)

[@mark_vandy1969]

Orkney sure changes quickly…vibrant to remote all in one episode.😁 Indeed, your channel shows the beauty & intrigue of your travels, but it’s also chock-full of uplifting messages that more than trump the gloom & doom crowd.👍🏻 Thanks again, brother for bringing us up a notch.😃 Cheers & season’s greetings!

[@CountryHouseGent]

Wishing you an awesome New Year Mark, cheers.

[@midnightdreemz1509]

I hope you and Asland has very Merry Christmas and boxing day. Safe travels ❤ from a little town in Texas 🇺🇲

[@ben8mag]

Those old towns are a trip. Throw dirt on the road and you are instantly 600 years in the past. Thanks Kevin. Hey from Kentucky home of bourbon and bluegrass. ♥️

[@CountryHouseGent]

Ah loves me some Bluegrass, Ben. Have a happy new year 🙂

[@angelaaz6282]

The Orkney Brewery looked like the most interesting spot there!

[@annh8885]

Hey! Hey! Hey! It's Friday! What great weather again. Seems you have made out mostly well in the luck of Mother Nature on this journey. The shipwrecks always bring me back to my Michigan roots, Lake Superior and the Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald legendary song. Stay safe out there and Hope your New Year remains healthy and filled with more journeys. -Cheers from Seattle!

[@CountryHouseGent]

It's easy to forget The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald was about an actual shipwreck. Wishing you a peaceful New Year, Ann. Cheers,

[@martyb3783]

Another great video Kevin. I always look forward to them. I always trace your path along in google maps. Stay safe and thank for the effort you put into your videos.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Thank you Marty. Have a peaceful New Year.

[@flossysmith7307]

Cheers Kevin. Nothing so calming as being by water, wether calm and peaceful or rough sea's, simply beautiful. Thanks again. All the best for the new year Kevin. Floss and Jan.

[@Dannyshort1003]

Hope you’re having a nice chilled Christmas Kev. Friday night viewing sorted as usual. All the best for the new year ❤️

[@CountryHouseGent]

Wishing you a peaceful New Year Danny.

[@ralphp3057]

Thanks for the views Kevin . Hope your Christmas was nice ! 😊

[@Balthazar1963]

Great architectural and cultural tour! YES! Fishing Trawler!! LOL... Aslan... she would be jealous. As always, a fine installment in your Hebridean Travel Loge! The stonework in the fishing village... so much craftsmanship! Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025!

[@The101stEagle]

Wow, "In an hour that ya think not, the son of Man cometh." Deep

[@CountryHouseGent]

Indeed.

[@SusanC147]

Hey Kevin-so glad you've had such great weather! It's nice that stop sometimes to take it all in. That woman in the church was a humorless old bag. I wanted to forewarn you about wearing your helmet at that old church-when I asked if you were going to SkaraBrae- you told me that when you were visiting an old church you almost got beaned😯. I was wondering about the different water you'd have to deal with on a fishing trawler! It Has to be a Lot safer on the canals! Hope your holidays are Merry & wishing you a safe and HappyNewYear

[@RickDeckard6531]

And we're watching pictures of someone telling us he talked to a woman taking pictures of a man making a picture. Wheels within wheels...

[@jacquedonahue]

Have a Happy New Year.

[@CountryHouseGent]

And best wishes to you Jacque, cheers

[@Ian-ir7wo]

p.s. i was amused when you passed, lidl, the co-op, then tesco - but missed the left turn into the pickaquoy camp site. it is amazing that the campsite feels "isolated" but is just behind the supermarkets. (i have stayef there several times).

[@CountryHouseGent]

Yes, no way I'd have thought the campsite was mere yards from the Tesco. Took a slight detour but got there in the end. 🙂

[@annjarvis9300]

Thinking of you Kevin not sure on time line fir you but seasins Greetings and Blessings rc niw the oldies 🌟🎅🤶🏻🌟😅

[@phatdaddy1955]

Wonderful! Really enjoyed the latest installment. I wish you a very Happy New Year and can't wait for the next episode!! Peace!

[@marionjohansson4235]

Thank you.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Cheers Marion and a happy new year to you,

[@marionjohansson4235]

@ thank you and let’s hope 2025 is a good year for us all.

[@Ian-ir7wo]

next time you go to orkney book a tour with Andrew Hollinrake - covers the wartime stuff.

[@noken11]

Kevin, if you want some uplifting British KZbin check out Ed Pratt. He’s traveling from the source of the Thames to the sea without leaving the water. Watching people offering him cups of tea while he wades through their back yards is very British.

[@christopherbutler7588]

Looks a very nice place to visit. Happy new year 🎉 😊

[@CountryHouseGent]

A peaceful New Year to you Christopher.

[@christopherbutler7588]

@CountryHouseGent thank you 😊

[@johnnydollar666]

Merry Christmas, Kevin!

[@CountryHouseGent]

Cheers Johnny and season's best wishes to you.

[@ThomasChicoine-i2v]

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2025 Kevin

[@CountryHouseGent]

Many thanks Thomas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year to you. Cheers 🥂

[@arkansasboy45]

What a great ride this was. The church was nice. The poor lady was apparently was lost on the humor of the picture.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Cheers and wishing you a peaceful New Year.

[@iainmckelvie6930]

Shame you didn't stop at the Italian chapel. It is at the south end of one of the Churchill barriers and was built by Italian POW's who assisted in building the barrier. It's still pristine today.

[@Ian-ir7wo]

i hope you spotted the Chapel just north of st margarets hope on the way back to kirkwall !!

[@Daytona2]

There seems to be a decent amount of activity there - yup, the media misleading people yet again. Episode 30!? I guess you've built up a great bank of vids for the future, to take the pressure off. Talking about not changing the ferry as you'd already made the video with your schedule, it sounds as if you were editing as you went along, which is mighty impressive ? Thanks for sharing, Kevin

[@garry9999]

Hello Kevin, I thought I would have a butchers in what you're up to, and it looks like the adventure is going well. Methinks, you're giving me thoughts on getting on my xj900s and sussing out Scotland. But can you buy a pork pie and have you come across any haggis animals grazing on the slopes? Let me know if you have.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Hi Gary. Yes I can highly recommend a trip to Scotland. Any area, just stick a pin in the map, you won't be disappointed. I didn't encounter many pork pies but there's plenty of wild haggis. Have a great 2025.

[@barryl8857]

The secret to eternal youth? Ride a motorcycle.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Absolutely.

[@charlesebyjr2925]

Kevin, I’ve got a question? How do most of the rural homes heat their dwellings? Peat or peet, coal, oil, or electric? Just wondering because I saw a home with at least 3 chimneys.😊, nice back country roads my wife and I always looked for roads we never traveled before. Cheers, Charlie from Pennsylvania 😊

[@maobfh]

As with most things, size is relative and perspective is often based on surroundings. The turrets, at 2:16. From inside, does anyone know what they can hold? A chair? A desk? Dining table for 4? A Doll’s house? A flower pot? I am unaware of any turrets similar in scale, in the states. But, that’s an assumption based on what I THINK I see! Can anyone advise with some familiarity? As always, great video. My curiosity BEGGED me to post this question, lest I forget, but I have not finished the video. If more comments or questions come to mind that I think are of critical importance, I will edit this comment and add more after this spot!

[@Moffit366]

Following along on google earth, I’m not certain why Aikers is a farm either.

[@CountryHouseGent]

Yes it's a bit odd that the only thing at Aikers is a farm.

[@davebentley3542]

No Xmas meal on Aslan again this year chap?

[@loripotter6296]

Question: what do people do for work on these islands? I'm thinking farming, fishing, tourists? I see no industries.

[@stirlingfromla]

What a great way to piss off your dedicated views… Another boring motorcycle trip

[@mfuller1093]

Is someone holding a gun to your head and forcing you to watch ? The whole series is a motorcycle trip ! ffs ! 😂😂😂

[@Myworldrightnow]

Trot along

[@follow_the_money_trail]

You don't sound very dedicated. 🤔

[@ja1a100]

I will assume this missive is tongue-in-cheek.