Take the 10 am ferry to Graemsay and enjoy a rather special day on the island, with a walk and lunch and stories of the sea – and welcome the arrival of the drone that now carries the mail from Stromness, providing the UK’s first full time drone delivery service.

The ferry goes via Moaness so you’ll see more of the Hoy coast on the way, and then you’ll be met at the Graemsay pier and taken to the Community Centre for tea/coffee, before moving to the take-off and landing point to watch the mail arriving by drone.

Back in the Community Centre you can hear the story of the development of the service from Charlie Alway and Charlotte Jarvis of Royal Mail along with Cheska Rojas of the drone operators, Skyports. One of the drones will be there on view.

After a buffet lunch, kindly provided by Royal Mail, we look back to Graemsay’s long seafaring tradition with Len Wilson, former boatbuilder, and naval architect Dennis Davidson, who describe the days of transport in Orkney yoles and the stories of some of the islanders who sailed deep sea.

The walk back to the pier will be a guided one, looking at roadside nature with Alexandra Wright of Orkney Field Club and hearing more stories about the island, and the 4.15 pm ferry back goes by Moaness, to arrive in Stromness at 4.55 pm.

You can read more about Going to Graemsay in Frontiers magazine, in an excerpt from the book on the island by Len’s brother, Bryce Wilson.

In association with Royal Mail

Numbers limited to 10: booking essential. Tickets £20. Island residents free.

Booking your ferry is essential: go to Orkney Ferries online or phone 01856 872044.