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| Taken from a press release sent out this week. Does anyone else think this is just a bit feckin' weird????? ORKNEY REACHES FOR THE STARS Date: Saturday 12 April Time: 10am Location: Skara Brae, Orkney, KW16 3LR One of Scotland's most celebrated Neolithic sites is to commemorate a defining moment in the space race. The pathway to the Skara Brae prehistoric village, in Orkney, is lined with carved stones that form a time trail of major events in human history. Historic Scotland created it as a way of emphasising the immensity of the changes that have taken place since the settlement was inhabited 5,000 years ago. This month a new stone will be unveiled, marking the anniversary of Russia's success in sending the first man into space. On 12 April, 1961 cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who grew up west of Moscow, orbited the Earth in his spaceship Vostok 1. Doreen Grove, Historic Scotland head of access and understanding, said: "Uri Gagarin's mission was a defining moment in human history. By sending the first man into space the Russians heralded the dawn of a new age and at Historic Scotland we are delighted to commemorate an event of such importance by including it in the Skara Brae timeline. It will help underline just how much has changed since the days of the Neolithic farmers who built Skara Brae." The idea for the new stone was suggested by Alexander Korobko who visited in 2006 in search of his Orcadian roots. Mr Korobko and a series of Russian dignitaries, as well as cosmonaut Georgi Michailovich Grechko, are due to be present at the unveiling which will take place at 10.30am. The event is attracting much local and international interest with the attendance of two Russian film crews. The stone, which is around 20cm by 30cm, was engraved by Leslie Merriman, a member of Historic Scotland's Orkney Monument Conservation Unit and simply states "1961, First Man in Space". Other events marked in the timeline include the building of the Great Pyramids in 2500BC, the American Declaration of Independence in 1776 and invention of the telephone in 1876. Mr Korobko said: "I am delighted that Historic Scotland is commemorating the space flight of Uri Gagarin at Skara Brae." Tourism leaders have welcomed the unveiling of the stone. Tatiana Danilova, trade marketing executive at VisitScotland for Central and Eastern Europe, said: "It is great that a moment of such significance in the history of Russia and all mankind is being recognised with the placing of a stone at Skara Brae. Russia is an important emerging tourism market for Scotland thanks to its growing economy. I hope that the stone will be something Russian visitors enjoy seeing and will talk about when they return home." The event has also been supported by VisitOrkney. Barbara Foulkes, area director, said: "We are delighted at the prospect of welcoming the Russian party to Orkney this week. It is right and proper that the journey of the first man into space is recognised in this way and I hope that the addition of the stone will please Russians visiting Orkney in the years to come." This year's Historic Scotland Free Weekend takes place on 12 and 13 April so visitors can see Skara Brae without paying. Reply | with quote |  11th April 2008ce 18:11 2 replies: Re: Skara Brae reaches for the stars! (wysefool) Re: Skara Brae reaches for the stars! (goffik) |
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