Orkney Things To Do

Skara Brae stone house

by bluesmama

Skara Brae is a stone age village and was discovered in 1850. There was a big storn and the sand that had covered Skara Brae for 4500 (!!) years blew away and revealed this treasure.
A path from the visitors centre take you to Skara Brae and on the way are small stones with years on them taking you back in time. I.e. Walking on the moon, birth of Jesus Christ and so on. They are placed proportionally apart so that it really feels like you are going back in time.
In the background you can see Bay of Skails. So strange to imagine how it must have been to live here 4500 years ago.

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	Skara Brae

By bluesmama on May 23, 2004

passage between houses

by bluesmama

There are about 20 houses/dwellings in Skara Brae. There are walkways around the top of them and you are able to look down into the rooms - many complete with beds, fireplaces and shelving.
Some places you can walk into the houses for a closer look and look through the narrow passages between the houses. Must have been very small and skinny back then.

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	Skara Brae -reconstructed house

By bluesmama on May 23, 2004

reconstructed house

by bluesmama

After you leave the visitors centre at the entrance you first come to a reconstruction of a house from Skara Brae. The ceiling is made from hides covered with hay and dirt which then again has grass growing on it. You see shelves, a fireplace and beds.

Address: West coast

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	Bay of Skail

By bluesmama on May 23, 2004

Bay of Skail

by bluesmama

This is where you find the stoneage village Skara Brae.

Address: West coast

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	Kirkwall

By bluesmama on May 23, 2004

Ruin in the centre of Kirkwall

by bluesmama

Kirkwall is the main town on Orkney. In the middle of town is St Magnus Cathedral which is made from sandstone. There are lots of small streets with many arts&crafts shops and many good museums. Right next to the cathedral was this ruin of an old castle.

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	Stones of Stenness (+Ring of Brodgar & Maes Howe)

Updated By bluesmama on May 23, 2004

Stenness standing stones

by bluesmama

Stenness standing stones are right by the road side.
All the bustours stop either here or at the Ring of Brodgar which is right nearby. Unfortunately there were too many busses at Brodgar so we couldn't stop. The Ring of Brodgar looked rather impressive from the window - it is also right by the road and you can easily make out the ring.
The Stenness Standing stones looked to have fewer stones but was still impressive!
Unfortunately a farmer had torn down some of the stones. I don't know why??
Nearby is also Maes Howe a tomb from 2000BC with rune inscription on the walls (made by norwegian vikings in about 1150).

Address: west of Kirkwall

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	Tomb of the Eagles. Tip Rating:

By leics on May 9, 2004

Skulls in the tomb.

by leics

The Bronze Age Tomb of the Eagles is so-called because of the sea-eagle talons found inside. The farmer, Ronald Simison, discovered both the tomb and a Bronze age house nearby, and both have since been professionally excavated. A new visitor's centre opened in 2002, but it's still very much a family concern ..... when I've been Mr Simison himself has guided us. There's a lovely cliffside walk (with seals, of course) to finish your visit. Highly recommended.

Address: Liddle, South Ronaldsay.

Phone: 01856 831339

Directions: About 30 minutes drive from Kirkwall.

Website: www.tomboftheeagles.co.uk

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	Rousay Tip Rating:

By leics on May 3, 2004

Midhowe broch.

by leics

If you are interested in history and archaeology, try to visit Rousay for a day. The ferry goes from St. Margaret's Hope and, when I visited, you could book a minibus day tour of the island (well worth it .... ask at the tourist information office in Kirkwall). The 'archaeological mile' is just one part of the island, a well-signed walk which includes a passage tomb, a broch, a ruined church and a Viking settlement as well as a beautiful bay. Rousay is wilder than Mainland but just as full of history and beauty.

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	Prehistoric ritual landscape. Tip Rating:

By leics on May 3, 2004

The Stones of Stenness

by leics

The area which includes the Ring of Brodgar , Maes Howe and the Stones of Stenness is part of a huge 'ritual' prehistoric landscape (now a World Heritage site). There's more to see than just those three main sites....get an OS map and look at how many other tombs and monuments are nearby. Visit the excavated Bronze Age village next to the Stones of Stenness too. It's thought that the position of this particular part of the island ....between a freshwater loch and a seawater loch.......may have represented the link between the living and the ancestors. Whatever the beliefs of the past, it still holds its magic today.

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	Bay of Skaill Tip Rating:

By leics on May 3, 2004

A perfect beach.

by leics

When you visit Skara Brae, allow some time to explore the beautiful Bay of Skaill too. White sand, crystal-clear sea..........perfection. The cliffs to the east (towards the Brough of Birsay) are home to thousands of seabirds, so take your binoculars and go for an exhilarating walk!