Latest news with #OrkneyIslands
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Shortest flights in UK including route that's quicker than making a Pot Noodle
With the kids breaking up for the school summer holidays today, many families will be gearing up to jet off to exotic locations abroad. And while many of us are used to sitting on planes for hours on end to get to our favourite destinations, you can actually take flights from the UK that last just minutes. 3 3 3 Westray to Papa Westray The shortest passenger flight in the entire world is the Loganair flight between Westray and Papa Wrestay, in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. Passengers can travel between the two tiny islands in just one and a half minutes, with the record for the fastest flight just 53 seconds. The distance between the two islands is just 1.7 miles, with flights running every single day. Tickets will set you back just £8, and the flight is much quicker than the alternative option, a 25 minute ferry. Other Orkney Inter-Island Flights Although the Westray to Papa Westray flight is by far the UK's shortest, there are also a number of other short flights connecting the Orkney Islands. These Loganair flights connect the islands to Kirkwall, Orkney's main hub. For example, Kirkwall to Westray takes between 10 and 15 minutes, and Kirkwall to Sanday takes around 15-20 minutes. London to Channel Islands Anyone looking for a holiday close to home this summer can fly from the capital to the Channel Islands, such as Jersey and Guernsey in around 30-40 minutes. Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, was named one of the world's best islands in the Conde Nast Travellers' 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Its beaches are well known for their beauty, with a range of landscapes on offer, from wide, open spaces to secluded coves and lunar-like expanses, making it the perfect destination for anyone who isn't a fan of long haul flights. Travel chaos as TWO flights have mid-air emergencies within A MINUTE at major UK airport UK mainland to Isle of Man Another popular tourist destination within the UK is the Isle of Man. which boasts stunning sandy beaches, seals and Victorian railways. You can access the island by ferry (as influencer Molly-Ma e recently did) or you can take a commercial flight. Regular flights take off from airports such as Manchester and Liverpool, and take between 30-50 minutes. Flights from mainland Scotland to Scottish Islands Loganair also runs short flights connecting people in other remote Scottish Islands to the mainland. For example, a flight from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to the Outer Hebrides takes around 50 minutes, and a flight from one of the main Scottish cities to Shetland takes approximately one hour. None of these islands are far from the mainland, but due to challenging ferry conditions, are often the preferred option for travellers. If you're looking for an adventure a bit more long haul, Qantas has unveiled plans to launch the world's longest flights between Sydney and London and New York. The non-stop flights are expected to take over 19 hours, and are set to launch in 2026. How to get a free upgrade to first class on a plane Travelers often wonder how to secure an upgrade to first class without paying the premium price. According to a flight attendant, there are several strategies passengers can employ to increase their chances. Firstly, loyalty to an airline is crucial; frequent flyers and those with elite status are more likely to receive upgrades. Additionally, booking directly with the airline rather than through third-party sites can improve your odds, as can being flexible with your travel dates and times. Dressing smartly and arriving early can also make a difference. While airlines generally prioritize upgrades based on status and fare class, a well-dressed passenger who checks in early may catch the staff's attention. It's also beneficial to be polite and friendly to the airline staff, as they have the discretion to upgrade passengers at their own judgment. Lastly, if you're celebrating a special occasion, such as a honeymoon or birthday, it doesn't hurt to mention it. While not guaranteed, some flight attendants might consider this when deciding on upgrades. Overall, while there's no surefire way to get a free upgrade, combining these strategies can certainly improve your chances.
CBS News
13 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Shipwreck found by schoolboy on Scottish island identified as Revolutionary War frigate later used to hunt whales in Arctic
When a schoolboy going for a run found the ribs of a wooden ship poking through the dunes of a remote Scottish beach, it sparked a hunt by archaeologists, scientists and local historians to uncover its story. Through a mix of high-tech science and community research, they have an answer. Researchers announced Wednesday that the vessel is very likely the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-century warship that saw action in the American War of Independence before a second life hunting whales in the Arctic - and then a stormy demise. "I would regard it as a lucky ship, which is a strange thing to say about a ship that's wrecked," said Ben Saunders, senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, a charity that helped community researchers conduct the investigation. The group posted video about the shipwreck early Wednesday. "I think if it had been found in many other places, it wouldn't necessarily have had that community drive, that desire to recover and study that material, and also the community spirit to do it," Saunders said. The wreck was discovered in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand covering it on Sanday, one of the rugged Orkney Islands that lie off Scotland's northern tip. As CBS News partner BBC News reported at the time, the timbers were held together with large wooden pegs, and locals on the island said they believed the ship may have been released from the seabed by violent winter storms. It excited interest on the island of 500 people, whose history is bound up with the sea and its dangers. Around 270 shipwrecks have been recorded around the 20-square-mile island since the 15th century. Resident David Walker told BBC Radio he was a history buff and he headed straight to the scene to take photos when he heard word of the discovery. "My interest made me jump straight in the van and head over and have a look," he told BBC Radio Orkney. "It's incredible, that was why I took so many pictures." Local farmers used their tractors and trailers to haul the 12 tons of oak timbers off the beach, before local researchers set to work trying to identify it. "That was really good fun, and it was such a good feeling about the community – everybody pulling together to get it back," said Sylvia Thorne, one of the island's community researchers. "Quite a few people are really getting interested in it and becoming experts." In September 2024, the shipwreck was put in a water tank for preservation and study, BBC News reported. Dendrochronology - the science of dating wood from tree rings - showed the timber came from southern England in the middle of the 18th century. That was one bit of luck, Saunders said, because it coincides with "the point where British bureaucracy's really starting to kick off" and detailed records were being kept. "And so we can then start to look at the archive evidence that we have for the wrecks in Orkney," Saunders said. "It becomes a process of elimination. "You remove ones that are Northern European as opposed to British, you remove wrecks that are too small or operating out of the north of England and you really are down to two or three … and Earl of Chatham is the last one left." Further research found that before it was the Earl of Chatham, the ship was HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate built in Chichester on England's south coast in 1749. Its military career saw it play a part in the expansion - and contraction - of the British Empire. It helped Britain wrest control of Canada from France during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s, and in the 1770s served as a convoy escort during Britain's failed effort to hold onto its American colonies. Sold off by the navy in 1784 and renamed, the vessel became a whaling ship, hunting the huge mammals in the Arctic waters off Greenland. Whale oil was an essential fuel of the Industrial Revolution, used to lubricate machinery, soften fabric and light city streets. Saunders said that in 1787 there were 120 London-based whaling ships in the Greenland Sea, the Earl of Chatham among them. A year later, while heading out to the whaling ground, it was wrecked in bad weather off Sanday. All 56 crew members survived - more evidence, Saunders says, that this was a vessel blessed with luck. The ship's timbers are being preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre while plans are discussed to put it on permanent display. Saunders said that the project is a model of community involvement in archaeology. "The community have been so keen, have been so desirous to be involved and to find out things to learn, and they're so proud of it. It's down to them it was discovered, it's down to them it was recovered and it's been stabilized and been protected," he said. For locals, it's a link to the island's maritime past - and future. Finding long-buried wrecks could become more common as climate change alters the wind patterns around Britain and reshapes the coastline. "One of the biggest things I've got out of this project is realizing how much the past in Sanday is just constantly with you - either visible or just under the surface," said Ruth Peace, another community researcher.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Science
- The Independent
Archaeologists solve mystery of 250-year-old shipwreck found on Scottish island
A schoolboy's chance discovery of the ribs of a wooden ship poking through the dunes of a remote Scottish beach sparked an extensive hunt by archaeologists, scientists, and local historians. Their mission: to uncover the vessel's long-lost story. Now, through a blend of high-tech science and dedicated community research, an answer has finally emerged. Researchers announced on Wednesday that the wreck is very likely the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-century warship that saw action in the American War of Independence, before a second life hunting whales in the Arctic, and ultimately met a stormy demise. 'I would regard it as a lucky ship, which is a strange thing to say about a ship that's wrecked,' said Ben Saunders, senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology. 'I think if it had been found in many other places, it wouldn't necessarily have had that community drive, that desire to recover and study that material, and also the community spirit to do it.' Uncovered after 250 years The wreck was discovered in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand covering it on Sanday, one of the rugged Orkney Islands that lie off Scotland's northern tip. It excited interest on the island of 500 people, whose history is bound up with the sea and its dangers. Around 270 shipwrecks have been recorded around the 20-square-mile (50-square-kilometre) island since the 15th century. Local farmers used their tractors and trailers to haul the 12 tons of oak timbers off the beach before local researchers set to work trying to identify it. 'That was really good fun, and it was such a good feeling about the community – everybody pulling together to get it back,' said Sylvia Thorne, one of the island's community researchers. 'Quite a few people are really getting interested in it and becoming experts.' Dendrochronology — the science of dating wood from tree rings — showed the timber came from southern England in the middle of the 18th century. That was one bit of luck, Saunders said, because it coincides with 'the point where British bureaucracy's really starting to kick off' and detailed records were being kept. 'And so we can then start to look at the archive evidence that we have for the wrecks in Orkney,' Saunders said. 'It becomes a process of elimination. 'You remove ones that are Northern European as opposed to British, you remove wrecks that are too small or operating out of the north of England, and you really are down to two or three … and Earl of Chatham is the last one left.' Wars and whaling Further research found that before it was the Earl of Chatham, the ship was HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate built in Chichester on England's south coast in 1749. Its military career saw it play a part in the expansion — and contraction — of the British Empire. It helped Britain wrest control of Canada from France during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s, and in the 1770s served as a convoy escort during Britain's failed effort to hold onto its American colonies. Sold off by the navy in 1784 and renamed, the vessel became a whaling ship, hunting the huge mammals in the Arctic waters off Greenland. Whale oil was an essential fuel of the Industrial Revolution, used to lubricate machinery, soften fabric and light city streets. Saunders said that in 1787, there were 120 London-based whaling ships in the Greenland Sea, the Earl of Chatham among them. A year later, while heading out to the whaling ground, it was wrecked in bad weather off Sanday. All 56 crew members survived — more evidence, Saunders says, that this was a vessel blessed with luck. Community effort The ship's timbers are being preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre while plans are discussed to put it on permanent display. Saunders said that the project is a model of community involvement in archaeology. 'The community have been so keen, has been so desirous to be involved and to find out things to learn, and they're so proud of it. It's down to them it was discovered, it's down to them it was recovered and it's been stabilised and been protected,' he said. For locals, it's a link to the island's maritime past — and future. Finding long-buried wrecks could become more common as climate change alters the wind patterns around Britain and reshapes the coastline. 'One of the biggest things I've got out of this project is realising how much the past in Sanday is just constantly with you — either visible or just under the surface,' said Ruth Peace, another community researcher.
Times
a day ago
- General
- Times
Solved: riddle of the shipwreck that emerged from island sands
On a cold bright February morning last year, in the still that follows a winter storm, the people of Sanday discovered the timbers of a boat on one of their sweeping beaches. There is nothing unusual about wrecks in this northern outpost of the Orkney Islands, on the edge of the treacherous gap between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. But this ship was clearly very old, its hull held together with wooden pegs rather than nails. It was so old that even specialist archaeologists were not confident they would ever find out what it was. Until the timbers told their own story. A detailed dendrochronological study has revealed the vessel was made with oaks grown in the south of England and felled in the middle of the 18th century. Now, after more than a year of painstaking research, archaeologists and historians have solved the mystery of the Sanday wreck and revealed it is a Royal Navy frigate called HMS Hind, which sank in 1788. 'There was always a hope,' Ben Saunders of Wessex Archaeology said, when asked if he thought he would ever find out what exactly had emerged from the sands of Sanday. 'But we've been very, very lucky with this. We started out with the list of wrecks, which had been collated through various researches over the years. On Sanday alone that is 270, a colossal number.' The wood, Saunders explained, was key. Many ships in the early modern period were built with timber harvested from the great forests of Poland and the Baltic. That kind of vessel would have been almost impossible to trace. Rarer English oak was another story. Historians scouring records eventually realised the Sanday wreck must be the Hind. And this was a ship with an incredible history of her own. The 24-gunner fought at Louisbourg and Quebec in the Seven Years War with France before helping the British Empire try, unsuccessfully, to quell rebellion in its American colonies. Old and obsolete, the Hind was eventually sold and converted to a 500-ton Arctic whaler, feeding fast-industrialising Britain's almost insatiable demand for oil. Renamed the Earl of Chatham, it was on an Arctic journey, under a new skipper, a Captain Paterson, when it wrecked off Sanday in March 1788. Its entire 56-man crew was saved. The accident even made the pages of The Aberdeen Journal, a predecessor of today's Press and Journal, the following month. The paper called Sanday 'the cradle of shipwrecks in Scotland'. Saunders and his team, supported by Historic Environment Scotland and Sanday and wider Orkney volunteers, also dug into the written history of the Northern Isles and their astonishing kindness to mariners thrown on to their shores. He said: 'Throughout this project, we have learnt so much about the wreck, but also about the community in Sanday in the 1780s. Sanday was infamous for shipwrecks at the time, called 'the cradle of shipwrecks in Scotland', but the community was equally well known for its hospitality as it looked after sailors who fell afoul of the area's stormy seas.' Sanday over the years has snared Danish and Swedish East Indiamen, Dutch warships, emigrant ships headed from Germany for a new life in America and dozens of smaller trading vessels. Islanders had speculated that last year's wreck might have been a vessel from the Spanish Armada as it scattered north after skirmishing with the English in 1588. Local lore has long claimed any islanders with dark hair or olive skin must be descended from one of Philip II's would-be invaders of England. Deep in the files of the Statistical Accounts of Scotland, which began in the late 18th century, a Northern Isles minister called William Clouston boasted of the way his parishioners handled wrecks. In impeccable English, he said one captain from Danzig (modern-day Gdansk) who had lost his ship in Orkney in 1774 had declared that 'if he was to be wrecked he would wish it to be on Sanday'. Saunders believed the Orcadian cleric was contrasting the hospitality of his community with a myth of Cornish 'wreckers', but the archaeologist added: 'I spent a lot of time in Sanday over the last year. It's a very hospitable place, it's very kind. They've been very, very welcoming to me. And I massively appreciate all the work they've done on the project as well.' The archaeologist may have to return. Climate change is hitting hard in Sanday and some of the other low-lying north isles of Orkney. Experts expect more wrecks to be exposed as storms move the islands' sands. The Hind, meanwhile, has been preserved. Its timbers are in a freshwater tank at Sanday Heritage Centre.
The Independent
a day ago
- Science
- The Independent
Science and local sleuthing identify a 250-year-old shipwreck on a Scottish island
When a schoolboy going for a run found the ribs of a wooden ship poking through the dunes of a remote Scottish beach, it sparked a hunt by archaeologists, scientists and local historians to uncover its story. Through a mix of high-tech science and community research, they have an answer. Researchers announced Wednesday that the vessel is very likely the Earl of Chatham, an 18th-century warship that saw action in the American War of Independence before a second life hunting whales in the Arctic — and then a stormy demise. 'I would regard it as a lucky ship, which is a strange thing to say about a ship that's wrecked,' said Ben Saunders, senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, a charity that helped community researchers conduct the investigation. 'I think if it had been found in many other places, it wouldn't necessarily have had that community drive, that desire to recover and study that material, and also the community spirit to do it,' Saunders said. Uncovered after 250 years The wreck was discovered in February 2024 after a storm swept away sand covering it on Sanday, one of the rugged Orkney Islands that lie off Scotland's northern tip. It excited interest on the island of 500 people, whose history is bound up with the sea and its dangers. Around 270 shipwrecks have been recorded around the 20-square-mile (50-square-kilometer) island since the 15th century. Local farmers used their tractors and trailers to haul the 12 tons of oak timbers off the beach, before local researchers set to work trying to identify it. 'That was really good fun, and it was such a good feeling about the community – everybody pulling together to get it back,' said Sylvia Thorne, one of the island's community researchers. 'Quite a few people are really getting interested in it and becoming experts.' Dendrochronology — the science of dating wood from tree rings — showed the timber came from southern England in the middle of the 18th century. That was one bit of luck, Saunders said, because it coincides with 'the point where British bureaucracy's really starting to kick off' and detailed records were being kept. 'And so we can then start to look at the archive evidence that we have for the wrecks in Orkney,' Saunders said. 'It becomes a process of elimination. 'You remove ones that are Northern European as opposed to British, you remove wrecks that are too small or operating out of the north of England and you really are down to two or three … and Earl of Chatham is the last one left.' Wars and whaling Further research found that before it was the Earl of Chatham, the ship was HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate built in Chichester on England's south coast in 1749. Its military career saw it play a part in the expansion — and contraction — of the British Empire. It helped Britain wrest control of Canada from France during the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec in the 1750s, and in the 1770s served as a convoy escort during Britain's failed effort to hold onto its American colonies. Sold off by the navy in 1784 and renamed, the vessel became a whaling ship, hunting the huge mammals in the Arctic waters off Greenland. Whale oil was an essential fuel of the Industrial Revolution, used to lubricate machinery, soften fabric and light city streets. Saunders said that in 1787 there were 120 London-based whaling ships in the Greenland Sea, the Earl of Chatham among them. A year later, while heading out to the whaling ground, it was wrecked in bad weather off Sanday. All 56 crew members survived — more evidence, Saunders says, that this was a vessel blessed with luck. Community effort The ship's timbers are being preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre while plans are discussed to put it on permanent display. Saunders said that the project is a model of community involvement in archaeology. 'The community have been so keen, have been so desirous to be involved and to find out things to learn, and they're so proud of it. It's down to them it was discovered, it's down to them it was recovered and it's been stabilized and been protected,' he said. For locals, it's a link to the island's maritime past — and future. Finding long-buried wrecks could become more common as climate change alters the wind patterns around Britain and reshapes the coastline. 'One of the biggest things I've got out of this project is realizing how much the past in Sanday is just constantly with you — either visible or just under the surface,' said Ruth Peace, another community researcher.
