Day 23 of the Olympic Torch relay – Kirkwall to Lerwick

Today is day 23 of 70 for the London 2012 Olympic torch relay and will see the torch travel from Kirkwall at 9:10am to Lerwick at 1:54pm.

This is the furthest north the Olympic flame will travel, first visiting Orkney and then Shetland, both with their long-established Norse traditions. One of Loganair’s Saab 340 aircrafts, chartered by British Airways, will be flown with the flame and around 60 Olympic dignitaries, landing at Sumburgh Airport at around 12.30pm. Dave Armour-Rubery, the captain, and his fellow pilot, Orkney man David Miller, will each take turns at flying the torch.  You’d be forgiven that flying with a naked flame might not be safe, but specially-commissioned Davey-lamps are used, and permission granted by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Anyone wishing to watch the Olympic torch relay live can do so by clicking here.

Useful links:
Orkney and Shetland hotels
Orkney and Shetland attractions