One place that I suspect everyone visiting Orkney makes for first is Skara Brae, a 5,000 year old neolithic settlement which was uncovered after a huge storm in 1850 displaced the sand that had been hiding it for thousands of years. It does look very like The Flintstones with the furniture being made of stone. I rather like the ‘sideboard’ which is situated opposite the front door, pride of place.
There are the remains of several different buildings, one of which seems to have been a workshop.
There is a reconstruction of a house on the site too, but it’s dark and was full of people (quiet scary nowadays) so it wasn’t possible to take photos. But you can see some photos here.
As the site is right on the edge of the sea it’s only a matter of time before it’s lost completely as the rough weather will eventually overcome the area and wash it all away, I wonder how much has already been lost.
Lovely to see your photos from Orkney! I’ve been there twice, but haven’t been to see Skara Brae – yet. There’s just so much to see, Brough of Birsay I went to see on my last trip. My first must-see was the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe. From there I’ve continued to other islands, since I’ve really wanted to discover them too. Orkney is lovely and I doubt one could see all even on fifty visits! Long to be there again. Lovely weather you had this time!
Saila,
THat was our second visit to Orkney. We ran about mad the first time but as you say there’s a lot to see. We didn’t manage to see the Tomb of the Eagles and it’s now not open to the public. I think we’ve seen most of the places we wanted to visit around Stromness, but not so much around Kirkwall. There are so many islands we want to visit, we haven’t been to Lewis, Mull ….or even Arran, but there are ferry problems to Arran this year I think.
Oh, I like this! Have you ever come across King, Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett? It may be her only standalone and my mother’s best friend gave it to me as a graduation present (and I later got it autographed by the author). It is set in Orkney. I think Jack might like it too.
Constance,
Yes I’ve read King, Hereafter and loved it, but have loaned it to a friend – for a few years! You’re lucky to have an autographed copy. You are right, Jack would enjoy it. I think it was that book that pushed me to visit Orkney.
Very cool! Sadly, you are right about the whole place eventually disappearing into the sea.
Stefanie,
I suspect that a lot of the settlement has already been washed away over the centuries, it would be the wild weather that did it rather than a rising sea level though I think.