Disney Magic in Kirkwall Scotland

Today we are visiting the port of Kirkwall Scotland (June 9th).  I visited here last year on the Disney Magic’s Inaugural visit.  I remember it being windy and cold the whole day.

Sunrise is at 4:02 a.m. and Sunset is 10:21 p.m.  All ashore is 8:15 a.m. and all aboard 4:45 p.m.

Kirkwall is known as the City of Chains. 

Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkney archipelago a collection of 70 islands located north of mainland Scotland and strategically situated on a broad bay at the dividing point between the East and West Mainland.

Kirkwall was founded in the early 11^th century when Earl Rognvald Brusson established his kingdom here.  

The city’s has long, winding, paved main roads and twisting lanes (a lot is just one lane).

We are scheduled on the Port Adventure to go to the Standing Stones of Stenness and to Skara Brae and the Skaill House.

Our first stop is the Standing Stones of Stenness.  This is one of the earliest stone circles in Britain.  The stones were raised about 5,000 years ago.  Originally the circle contained 11 or 12 stones, and was surrounded by a ditch.

At the centre of the circle was a large hearth.  The hearth formed a focal point, which may have had a symbolic role linked to the stones, but historians are not sure of this.

While there was come upon a beautiful swan in the water along with seals sunbathing on the rocks.

The next stop is Skara Brae and the Skaill House.  This is the best prehistoric village in Europe and the house (Skaill House) of the man who discovered it.  It sits on the ocean.  Can you believe what a beautiful day Mickey has brought to Kirkwall?  Quite a difference from one year ago.

Access to the stone lined houses was through a stone-lined passage.  

Can you imagine with all the wind here what it might have been like to live right next to the sea?

We next walked to the Skaill House.  This was actually occupied until the 1990's and some parts of the home are still closed off.

There is even a chair in the house with a hidden Mickey

When we return to the ship we are welcomed back by Kirkwall’s finest playing bagpipes.  Then we had a couple who is on the ship get married in Scotland today so they played for them before the couple came back on the ship.

 

Mickey and Minnie are out on deck 4 for sailaway welcoming us back!

Goofy stops by for a visit with his Scottish attire

Next the girls dance for us

During sailaway about 15 minutes after leaving port, a coast guard helicopter decided to do a fly by.  Guess they wanted some close up pictures of the Disney Magic!

The Pilot Boat also wanted pictures of us!

Tonight in the Walt Disney Theater we saw Alton Fitzgerald White in “Disney My Way”.  Alton portrayed the role of Mufasa on Broadway in the Lion King for over 13 years and for more than 4,000 shows.  His voice was awesome.  His arrangements on Disney songs were really interesting to listen to and have him perform from his perspective.  He concluded the show by singing “Feed the Birds.”  It was a very enjoyable show.

After that it was time for Bingo and then we headed straight to dinner in Lumiere’s for the Prince and Princess Menu.  They are still including regional favorites on the menus each night, and we are enjoying trying different menu options.

Tonight in Fathom’s we have the adult show for Junnk.  I have seen these guys 4 summers in a row now.  They are from England.  They have a very entertaining show.  I really enjoy watching them and will go see the family show in a couple of night’s time.

It is after midnight by the time the show is done and we head to the room.  Now typing on the blog and headed to bed.  Will upload pictures when I can get good internet service again.

Tomorrow is Palo Brunch and Tangled: The Musical.  And it is a sea day!  Can’t wait for that. 

So for now goodnight from the Disney Magic!