CARL

Visited 16.6.12

4th stone circle of the morning – can’t be bad!

We parked at the cemetery and the others stayed in the car while I walked up through the oak trees to the stone circle. (5 minute walk)
After the last 3 weeks it was nice to be able to walk through trees for a change!

The stone circle itself is tiny – only about 5 metres across.
2 stones are about 0.5m high – 1 of pink stone
3 stones are about 1m high.
All the stones are covered in lichen.

This is a lovely little circle and well worth stopping off to visit.

Visited 16.6.12

Just up the road from Elsie the Greater stone circle.
Also visible from the road and also appears to have been built on a slight mound

The rain kept a’ coming down!

There are 3 stones standing and you will need to navigate a wall and barbed wire fence if you want to go in a straight line!

Although the site is overgrown it is worth a look when visiting the other two stone circles in the area.
There can’t be many places with 3 stone circles in such a small area.
Must have been an important place in ancient times?

Visited 16.6.12

Just up the road from the wonderful Nine Stanes stone circle.
The circle is visible from the road on what appears to be a slight mound.

By now the drizzle had turned to heavy rain so I didn’t hang around long.

Access to the circle is via a wooden gate which is falling apart.

There are 7 standing stones plus the recumbent.

Well worth a visit.

Visited 16.6.12

This is a fantastic stone circle to visit and a ‘must see’ site.

The circle is visible from the road amongst the trees although the sign refers to it as Mulloch Stone Circle. You can park next to a gate and follow the path to the circle.

Despite the drizzle and the mist/fog it is a lovely place to visit and must be quite magical on a nice day.

There are 7 standing stones, 1 fallen flanker and the recumbent stone.
Most of the stones are covered in moss.

Visited 16.6.12

Well, here we are, back on mainland Scotland with all roads heading south (sort of)
After a restful overnight sleep in the ferry cabin followed by breakfast it was time to head home.
Of course, being several hundred miles from home does give ample opportunity for a bit of ‘old stoning’ on the way!

First up was the huge Cairnlee Cairn on the outskirts of Aberdeen.

The directions I would give is:
Turn into Cairn Road off the A93.
When you reach the T-junction turn right into Manse Road and then left into Cairn Crescent.

This is a seriously large cairn and well worth visiting.
It is quite amazing that the cairn has survived so well when all around has been developed.
I would estimate it to be 4 metres high x 20 metres across.

The info board refers to the cairn as the Bieldside Cairn.

Visited 15.6.12

My last site visit on Shetland – and I couldn’t find the stone!

We parked in a layby near the entrance to the hotel opposite and Karen and the children stayed in the car while I carefully crossed the road and headed up the steep grassy hill.

My walk uphill was slow – partly because it was so steep but also with the realisation that this was my last site before catching the overnight ferry to Aberdeen.
Rabbits were in abundance and scattered as I approached.

The hill is covered in large boulders with quartz running through them although I couldn’t see anything which was an obvious standing stone.
Perhaps the stone is only small and I couldn’t see it amongst the erratics?

But with views like this from the top of the hill I really didn’t mind.
The views were stunning – hills, lochs, the sea, islands all visible in the distance.
The sky was blue with white fluffy clouds – contrasting with the dark blue waters below.

After the Western Isles, Orkney and now Shetland I am physically tired but emotionally recharged.
I have been so lucky to have had the opportunity to visit these places.
Shetland is a wonderful island to visit and will always has a place in my heart.
I hope to return one day. If you ever get the chance to visit – do it. You won’t be disappointed.

I head back down hill towards the car and ultimately home with a heavy heart……

Visited 15.6.12

This is a huge stone that you can’t miss!

It is approached via a scenic drive down a single track road south of the A971
Only in Shetland would such a minor road be in such good condition!

The stone is rectangular in shape and the top is covered in ‘hairy’ lichen.
Quartz veins run through the stone.
There are two large slabs of stone and several large boulders near the standing stone.

There are good views to be had up and down the loch.

Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area – top stone!

Visited 14.6.12

Directions:
From Staneydale Temple continue south along the minor road. The Chambered Cairn is on the left shortly before you reach Setter. You can park in the passing place.

Step over the field fence and it’s a stiff climb up to the Chambered Cairn.
Head towards the highest point to find the Cairn.

It was sunny but blowing a gale.
The views from the top are wonderful – great views over the loch and down the valley.

As for the Cairn itself there are 3 very large stones in the middle of the cairn which may be the remains of a cist? There are many smaller stones scattered about.

Canmore states:
‘A Heel-shaped chambered cairn lies on a rocky outcrop at the end of a spur. Little of the cairn remains. The length of the cairn is 22ft with a maximum width of 24ft. The façade stones have flat outer faces and stand 1ft 3inch to 2ft high. Some of the stones of the chamber survive in situ projecting through the turf, the tallest being 1ft 3inch’.

Visited 14.6.12

Directions:
From Walls head west past the school and when you come to the fork in the road go left.
You will eventually see the stone on your right next to a ruined farm house.

The stone is approximately 2 metres high and the top half is covered in ‘hairy’ lichen.

Canmore states:
‘An irregular shaped standing stone. Quadrangular at base, with a girth of 10inch and rising to a height of 7ft 2inch. Its position is somewhat unusual for a prehistoric monument of this kind and it may have been erected as a boundary marker or for some similar purpose’.

Visited 15.6.12

Directions:
From Hamnavoe (B9074) take the minor road south to the hamlet of Bridge End.
Take the left fork after the telephone box and the stone is in a field on your left. Easily spotted and access is via a simple hop over the fence.

This is a beautiful area of Shetland and is well worth a visit.

In my humble opinion this is the best standing stone on Shetland.

It is approx 2.5m high x 1.5m across and covered in masses of ‘hairy’ lichen

The stone is in a stunning location (ignoring the nearby buildings) with fantastic views of lochs and mountains.

Great stone – great spot.
In a word – visit!

Visited 15.6.12

Directions:
From Hamnavoe (B9074) take the minor road south to the hamlet of Bridge End.
Turn left at the memorial and park at the next turning on the left.
You will see the standing stone from the junction.
There is plenty of room to park and it is a short, flat walk with no fence to cross.

Walking over to the stone I scared a rabbit who ran and hid behind the stone – not a good choice of hiding place!

Ignoring the nearby sheep pens the stone has pretty decent views.

The stone is approximately 1.5m high x 1m wide.
Covered in masses of green ‘hairy’ lichen and sheep wool.

Canmore reports that when visited in 1930the stone stood 7ft high but since then the top has broken off.

Worth a visit when in the area.

Visited 15.6.12

Directions:
Right next to the road at the junction of the B9074 and A970. Near Scalloway.

Easy to spot as a large grass covered mound – on the left when heading north.

Canmore states:
‘A turf covered mound 17m in diameter and 2m high with a hollow centre’.

Visited 15.6.12

The stone is easy to find being directly opposite the entrance to a golf course.

It is on a slight raised mound and is covered in the ever present ‘hairy’ lichen.

There are good views down the valley – now overlooking the golf course.

(I forgot to make a note of how tall the stone was – sorry!)

Visited 15.6.12

I know this is a reconstructed site but if you want to get a ‘feel’ of how a Broch would have looked when in use you can do a lot worse than come here.

Access is very easy – park at the garage opposite and it is a nice flat walk along the path.

There are lots of nooks and crannies to wander about in and it doesn’t take too much imagination to see how this place would have worked.

Despite the urban setting, if you look straight ahead across the loch, you could be just about anywhere.

Don’t be put off with the fact it’s a reconstruction, this site is definitely worth a visit.

Visited 14.6.12

Directions:
Next to the A971 – a bit south of the Scord of Brouster ancient village.

The Chambered Cairn is easily seen next to the road.
You can park in the passing place directly opposite and a quick hop over the fence and you are there.
The site is now no more than a mass of large jumbled stones.

Canmore states:
‘A cairn about 84ft in diameter, unusually large for Shetland. It has been greatly robbed and is now reduced to a large mass of irregular boulders. At the centre there is a pile of cairn material 3ft high, amongst which it is possible to trace the tops of a number of larger stones set upright, which appear to form the NW half of a circular chamber about 8ft in diameter’.

Visited 14.6.12

Easily access from the road. A circle of stones.

Canmore states:
‘A circle of bare stones, about 11.5m in diameter and 0.7m high. There are slight traces of a kerb protruding through the tumble, but no internal features’.

Visited 14.6.12

Direction:
On the junction of a minor road south to the village of Walls off the main A971

Very easy site to access being right next to the road.
You just need to hop over the fence.

This cairn is well mangled and has now been reduced to a low mound of stones.
There are many large stones and countless smaller ones.

Two modern (Second World War?) ruined round stone buildings stand right next to the cairn – no prizes for guessing where they got the stone from!

Canmore states:
‘By 1931 the Long Cairn was already much disturbed and the interior completely destroyed. The Long Cairn was further reduced during the war so that the edges are now very indefinite. The site is merely a litter of stones – 2ft maximum height. It appeared to have measured 140ft NE/SW with a max width of 47ft’.

Visited 13.6.12

Probably the most northern British standing stones I will ever visit
Easily spotted from the main A970.

The stones are red/pink coloured and covered in ‘hairy’ lichen.
There is a large flat stone lying on the ground between the two standing stones – a fallen stone?

One standing stone is about 1.5m high x 1 metre across.
The other is about 2.5m high x 1 metre across.

There is certainly a high concentration of stones / cairns in this small area.

Visited 14.6.12

This is a great place to visit!

The site is sign posted and has a parking area.
The sign states it is a 1½ mile walk – it’s not – it’s about half mile and only takes 15 minutes to walk to the site along the ‘path’ through the fields. You have to cross over a small burn.

It was a pleasant walk in the sunshine with only birdsong for company.
It wet weather this would be a very boggy walk so be prepared.

Before getting to the ‘Temple’ I was surprised to come across an information board and a Neolithic house! I sat inside, out of the wind. It was amazing to think that I was sat in someone’s house from 4,500 years ago!

Another surprise was the ‘standing stones’ either side of the ‘Temple’.
These are mentioned on the notice board near the ‘Temple’.
There are 5 stones on the left – forming a rough circle? – the tallest about 1.5m high and covered in ‘hairy’ lichen.
There are 10 stones to the right – a ‘mish mash’ with no obvious shape to them

As for the ‘Temple’ itself it is in very good condition although no doubt restored.
Access is through a small wooden gate.
The wide walls are about 1.5m high and topped with turf.
The inside measurement of the ‘Temple’ is about 5 metres x 10 metres.
In the middle of the room are two stone lined holes which once held wooden posts to support the roof.

I sat inside and tried to contemplate its meaning?
It is an odd place as the walls seem too wide to be domestic – certainly disproportionate to the inside measurements. But there again maybe someone wanted a super strong house?
After all, the much more recent Black Houses have disproportionately wide walls.

Either way, this is a great place to visit and it is certainly an unusual building.
It was no surprise that I had the place to myself as it does feel quite remote when you are here.

The clouds have gathered and it is starting to rain. Time to walk back to the car.
If you ever get the chance, visit this place. You won’t be disappointed.

Visited 14.6.12

There is a small layby you can park in with an information board.

The info board states the farm was in use between 3,000bc and 1,500 bc
The site is signposted.

I walked up the hill and was able to look down on the village.
There are the remains of 3 houses and a cairn. The cairn is about 5 metres across.

The largest house is similar to the one at Stanydale – oval in shape – about 5m x 8m.

I was pleasantly surprised by this site and would certainly recommend a visit.

Visible from the road when approaching from the east but not when directly south of the Cairns.

Canmore describes the three cairns thus:
‘East Cairn – round cairn 47ft in diameter and 5ft high. Much disturbed.
West Cairn – round cairn 50ft in diameter and 3ft high. Much destroyed.
Central Cairn – round cairn 35ft in diameter – a mass of debris’

Visited 14.6.12

Directions:
West of a minor road north of the A971.

Karen stayed in the car with the children while I hopped over the fence and walked across the field up to the Chambered Cairn.

On a wet day the walk across the peat would be very boggy.

The Cairn is now no more than a large jumble of stones, easily visible from the road.

I sat amongst the stones in the warm sunshine and admired the views down the valley.
Birds danced in the air above me.
A lovely spot for a final resting place.

Peat is encroaching onto the stones and there is a lot of moss and lichen to be seen.

Canmore states:
‘A much robbed, round, chambered cairn, partly overgrown with heather and peat, about 50ft in diameter’

Visited 13.6.12

This Chambered Cairn is a short distance north of the Beorgs of Housetter Standing Stones.

The cairn is easy to spot being near the A970

The cairn is well mangled but still survives to a height of about 1.5 metres x 15 meters long.

It is a mass of pretty pink stones – the same as the larger standing stones.

Canmore states:
‘A heel-shaped cairn with an irregular chamber, lies on the gently sloping moorland at the foot of the steep screes of the Beorgs of Housetter. It is built of pink granite boulders. It has been greatly disturbed by three attempts at excavation and by quarrying for road metal’.

Visited 13.6.12

Directions:
On the left of the A970, just north of Skelberry, north Shetland

I had a quick look at the mound as we headed up to Isbister – the furthest north we would be travelling on our holiday.

A grass covered mound right next to the road.
It appears to have been dug into?

Canmore states:
‘A large horseshoe-shaped burnt mound, measuring 19m x 15m transversely and 2.1m maximum height’.

Visited 13.6.12

Despite being located by a minor road, access is no problem as the road (as all roads on Shetland are) is perfectly tarmaced.

The two stones are 22 paces apart and are heavily covered in ‘hairy’ lichen.
They appear to be pointing towards Hamna Voe bay?

Well worth a visit if you are ever in the area.

Visited 13.6.12

Directions:
North of a rough track off the B9078 in Esha Ness.
If you intend to visit this site DO NOT attempt to drive up the track unless you are in a 4x4.
Park at the junction and walk up – your car suspension will appreciate it!

Failed to find this one.

This is an area of features peat land, covered in heather.
In wet weather it would be a bog. Luckily the weather was dry and sunny.

I did at least see some great coastal views with rock formations out to sea.

Canmore states:
‘A square cairn with a cruciform chamber. Stands in rough pasture on a low ridge known as The Hamars of Houlland. It now stands about 3ft high’.

Visited 13.6.12

Directions:
Right next to a minor road leading to a lighthouse – off the B9078
Next to a loch – just before a cattle grid.

A low grass covered mound approximately 1 metre high x 15 metres across.
Looks to have been dug into?

The coastal views from the lighthouse have to be seen to be believed!

Canmore states:
‘A concentric turf covered mound of burnt stones and black earth’.

Visited 12.6.12

From the road (at the right angle) it does look like the figure of a woman!

It is a short but fairly steep walk up from the road to the stone.

The top half of the stone is covered in ‘hairy’ lichen.
Several large stones are at its base.

There are lovely coastal views to be savoured.

Well worth a look when in the area.

(I forgot to make a note of how tall the stone was! From memory I think it was about 2 meters)

Directions:
Next to a minor road off the B9075

Due to time constraints I settled for a road side view.
The Cairn is easily seen from the road.

Canmore states:
‘A denuded cairn with affine marginal setting of large stones lies about 300 yards west of Loch of Benston. It has a diameter of about 26 ft. It cannot be determined if the cairn was chambered. The surrounding enclosure is almost certainly a field wall, not associated with the cairn’.

Visited 12.6.12

Directions:
Next to a minor road in the hamlet of Garth – off the B9075.

A grass covered mound on top of a large rock/grass mound.
Easily visible from the road.

Canmore states:
‘On the summit of a knoll named ‘The Burrian’ are the mutilated remains of a broch mound c16.5m in diameter and 0.6m high. Large deposits of midden material have been uncovered around the broch’.

Visited 12.6.12

Directions:
Right next to the B907 – to the north of Aith
Near a parking area. Access is via a metal field gate.

This is a lovely little cairn despite being well mangled.
Dug into and full of rabbit holes.

There are many large boulders visible – some two courses high.

There are good views down the valley and well worth a look when in this fairly remote area.

Canmore states:
‘A chambered cairn, 30ft in diameter up to 3ft high. The central chamber is trefoil-shaped and built of massive walling of which no more than 3 courses are visible. Two large displaced slabs lie in the chamber and one in the entrance’ – 1965

Visited 12.6.12

Directions:
At the junction of the B9071 / B9075

A horse-shoe grass covered mound with many stones sticking out of the grass.

Access to the field is via a metal field gate.

Great views down the loch.

Canmore states:
‘A cairn standing on an outcrop of rock. At the base it is roughly oblong; the upper part of the mound is almost circular. It’s present height is not more than 10’. Several large stones are exposed at the top – 1930.

The centre of the cairn has now been removed by quarrying – 1968’.

Visited 12.6.12

This is a stunning location – the beach isthmus is something to behold.
White sand / turquoise waters – like something from a Bounty advert!

On the way to the beach we spotted a group of about 20 seals sunning themselves on a secluded cove. We stopped the car and looked down from the top of the cliff. They saw us and shuffled into the water. The sea was so clear we could see them all swimming about – what a sight!

Karen and the children played on the beach while I walked out to the island for a quick look at the chapel ruins. The ruins are fenced off but access is available through a gate.
An information board and bench have been thoughtfully provided.

This is a ‘must see’ site – more for the surroundings than the actual ruins.

Non visit!

This was the only site I had on my 3 week itinerary that I failed to visit.

Due to the times of the sailings I didn’t have chance for a daytime visit so I thought I would go on one of the shorter evening sailings.

We arrived at booking centre only to discover that the evening sailings only operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays! (My fault for not checking in advance)

I therefore had no option but to settle for a very far of view.
On a clear day like today the Broch is actually quite easy to see on the Mousa. Shoreline.

It certainly gives as idea of how it must have looked along the coast when all the Brochs were in use – very impressive sight!

I hope to return to the wonderful Shetland Islands one day – this will be at the top of my ‘hit list’!

Visited 11.6.12

This is a fab place to visit!

After visiting Jarlshof we stopped off at Old Scatness.
Very easy to find; next to the airport on the A970.

We parked in the car park and headed into the visitor centre.
In addition to the usual gifts etc the centre also has ‘Viking’ clothes that both children and adults can dress up in! Dafydd quickly got fully dressed while Sophie (not to miss out) insisted on wearing a hat.

We were then introduced to our guide Vicky – yes it was Vicky the Viking! (she said she has heard every possible joke there is!) Myself, Vicky and Dafydd went outside while Karen had a cuppa.

There were few people about and in affect we had a private tour of the site which was great.
Vicky was very informative and answered any questions we had as we moved all around the Broch. Vicky explained the development of the Broch and I found the talk about the Wheel Houses particularly interesting as I had just been to Jarlshof where they also have them.

We were informed that the Shetland Trust had bought the field next door to the site which has a suspicious looking large ‘mound’ in the middle of it. They hope that it also contains buildings of some sort. They plan to excavate the field when funding allows.

The tour lasted for about 45 minutes and we were then left alone to have a look around the excellent reconstructed buildings – including a Wheel House.
We headed back to the visitor centre we were given a demonstration of weaving by a lady and invited to have a go. But Karen and Sophie had already waiting a long time for use so I had to unfortunately decline the offer.

All the guides were dressed in ‘Viking’ clothes and were very, very friendly – particularly with the children. It was an absolute pleasure to visit Old Scatness and I would heartily recommend a visit.

As an aside can I also recommend a visit to the not too far away Croft Museum – also fab!

Visited 11.6.12

It’s a bit of an adventure visiting this H.S site!
This is one of those places you want to visit in nice weather.
Luckily for me it was a beautiful day of blue skies, white fluffy clouds and light wind.

We parked where the road ends, south of Scatness, and Karen stayed with the children while I headed out towards the headland. It was a pleasant 20 minute walk through green fields of little pink flowers.

The walk is flat and the ‘path’ across the fields is easy enough to follow.
That is until you get further out towards the site when you have to clamber over rocks with the help of a chain-link fence. This would only be possible for those who are fairly mobile. Certainly not suitable for anyone with walking problems or young children.
This would not be a good place to cross in rough weather.

Upon arrival at the site the first thought to strike me is that this doesn’t seem much of a fort.
It doesn’t seem very defensible – but there again what do I know?
There is an outer rampart and two ditches.
The reconstructed walls are about 1.5m high and there is a walkway through the middle with a ‘guard’ chamber each side.

This is one of those places where the location is greater than the remains.
I sat down between the rocky crags out of the wind.
Above me birds were hovering in the pale blue sky.
Below me dark blue waves gently lapped on the rocks – the sea glistened in the afternoon sunshine.
I looked across to Sumburgh Head and observed white sand beaches in the distance.

On a day like today this is a great place to be.

Visited 11.6.12

My first Shetland site!

After catching the overnight ferry from Orkney we arrived early morning on Shetland.
After staying on board for breakfast it was time to go exploring.
Karen has been desperate to see puffins so we headed south to Sumburgh Head.
If you want to see puffins – this is the place to go all right! (yes – they are cute!)
After what seemed like a couple of hundred photos later it was time to head for Jarlshof.

We didn’t realise that you had to take the side road towards the hotel and instead we incorrectly parked near the beach / toilet block.
Karen stayed on the beach with the children while I walked around the headland and approached the H.S. site from the back. This involved jumping over a fence and walking over to the visitor centre to buy the guide book and use the portable audio device which was very good.

Coming out of the visitor centre the first thing you see are the remains of various houses dating back to the Neolithic through to the Iron Age.
It is a bit like Skara Brae – not so well preserved but you are free to wander around inside.
For me the highlight of the site are the Wheel Houses.
These are well preserved and give a good idea how they would have looked when lived in.
There is not much left of the Broch due to coastal erosion.

All in all, a complicated site which can be hard to understand.
I would strongly recommend using the audio guide as this makes things a lot clearer.
A guide book would also come in handy!

Well worth a visit when on Shetland.

Visited 11.6.12

A large grass covered mound right next to the A970 – can’t miss it.

Canmore states:
‘A concentric turf covered mound of burnt stones c1.5m high’.

Visited 11.6.12

Directions:
North of a small track off the B9076 near Brae.

We parked where the track starts and I headed east, through a couple of field gates.

The field is full of large scatterings of stone and I couldn’t make out which stones were the cairns? I did however see a nice rainbow.

In the distance I became aware of a herd of cows heading straight towards me (no doubt thought I had brought them food). I stated walking back towards the gate but the cows were gaining ground. I then heard them running and gaining fast. I upped my speed and made it to the gate just before they got to me!

There is nothing to really recommend a visit to this one.

Visited 11.6.12

After enjoying a rather nice fish supper in Frankie’s (the most northern chippie in Britain) there was just time to go and have a look at the Busta Stone.

This is a very large prominent stone which can be seen from a distance.

We parked next to the field in which the stone resides and a quick hop over the metal field gate and I was up close and personal. The field was full of sheep with lambs who didn’t seem too pleased to see me there as they were using it as a rubbing post!

This is an attractive stone – looks like it has white ‘pebble dash’ with black speckles.
It is also covered in that light green ‘hairy’ lichen I have seen so much of over the last two weeks.

There are great views over the loch and down the valley.

Visited 11.6.12

Although there is nothing here to see in way of standing stones, Barrows, ruined hut circles etc it is worth visiting for the views.

You can’t miss it as there is a massive roadside sign pronouncing that you are at Mavis Grind!

There is a small parking area with picnic tables provided.
This is an area where otters are sometimes spotted – we didn’t see any.

This is a very pretty place to stop and just unwind a while.

Visited 10.6.12

A bitter-sweet moment. My last site on Orkney before catching the ferry to Shetland.

We parked in the parking area and Karen and Sophie sat in the car whilst myself and Dafydd heading uphill towards the chambered cairn.
The cairn itself is prominent as a grass covered mound surrounded by heather.

Dafydd ran on ahead as I struggled behind.
I was feeling at my worst and my legs felt they were made of lead after visiting Wideford Hill chambered cairn.
We passed a couple of people coming back from the tomb so when we got there we had the place to ourselves.

It was overcast but dry and we had the added bonus of no wind.
There are splendid views from the cairn.

The crawl into the chamber was helped by the flag stone floor which helped keep mud to a minimum.
As with many sites on Orkney the stone construction of the chamber is first class.
Probably because I wasn’t feeling too good I don’t think I fully appreciated this site.
Only on Orkney can you become almost blasé about such magnificent sites.

This is yet another ‘must see’ site – one of very many on these special islands.
I know for most of us it is a long way to travel but it is most certainly worth the effort.
You couldn’t go anywhere else in the UK to have such a rang of magnificent prehistoric monuments.

Thank you Orkney.

Visited 10.6.12

We took the minor road to the top of the hill and parked near to where the road takes a sharp right. From here a ‘path’ can be seen which heads north, across the hill, to the chambered cairn. I didn’t feel up to taking Dafydd with me and I ventured out alone.

The ‘path’ starts fairly flat and it gradually descends down the far side of the hill.
You can see the fenced off tomb from quite a distance.
Although the weather had been mainly dry for a week the ‘path’ was still very muddy in places.
Luckily the weather was again fine although it was a bit windy – not surprising given where I was!

On the way towards the tomb was a wooden gate festooned with what I guess were some sort of woollen ‘offerings’ – teddies, woollen squares, bits of material etc – all very odd.
Somebody had left a name attached to one of the ‘offerings’ – Hegasaer.

Going through the gate I went straight to the H.S. box to get the torch.
Unfortunately the torch was broken (looked like it had been dropped) but luckily I had my head light with me.

I slid the metal hatch back and descended down the ladder into a large puddle of water.
The tomb was a lot larger than I was expecting – particularly given the size of the original entrance.
The stonework was of the high standard I had now come to expect on Orkney – these builders certainly knew what they were doing.
There were lots of names and dates scratched into the stonework.

In terms of location I would say this is the best burial chamber I have ever visited.
The views from the tomb are fantastic and are worth the walk in their own right.

I now had the task of walking back to the car – this time uphill.
Normally this wouldn’t have been a problem but the way I was feeling it felt like I was walking up Mount Kilimanjaro!
I huffed and puffed, stopping more than walking, my legs felt like they had turned to lead.
By the time I got back to the car I wasn’t looking my best!

I was glad I made the effort to see this site as it is most certainly worth the effort.
It is just a pity that I wasn’t feeling too good to perhaps fully appreciate it.

At least it wasn’t raining!!

Viewed 10.6.12

This H.S. site is very easy to access being sign posted off the main road.

As the day wore on I was feeling rougher and rougher but as we were due to catch the night ferry to Shetland I knew this would be my last chance to visit any ‘must see’ sites.

The views from the tomb are good with the Ring of Brodgar, Maes Howe and the Stones of Stenness all visible in the distance.

Dafydd of course was his usual keen self to get inside the tomb and shot off ahead of me.
I dawdled behind as best I could.

As soon as I entered the tomb I could detect a funny smell – I put it down to my imagination.
We first looked at the chambers to the left and then the chambers to the right.
Then I saw it – a putrid, festering fish ‘offering’ left in the last chamber!
Now normally this wouldn’t have bothered me – but not the way I was feeling today.
I scampered back down the entrance as fast as I could and was sick over the fence – not wanting to be sick next to the tomb!

I have seen all sorts of ‘offerings’ over the years – nuts, berries, money, candles etc but never a fish! Did the person who left it not consider the stench it would cause?

Due to this I didn’t spend as much time in the tomb as I would have liked and decided to head for my next site. Dafydd enjoyed telling the story of the fish to his mother!

Visited 10.6.12

This H.S. site is very easy to access being sign posted off the main road.

We parked at the top of the drive to the farm and myself, Dafydd and Sophie walked down towards the farm.

We found the Souterrain easy enough and I carried Sophie down the metal ladder while Dafydd made his own way down. This was Sophie’s first visit to a Souterrain (well, she is only 18 months) and I was unsure how she would react once inside. I needn’t have worried, as like her brother, she didn’t think twice before toddling down the very low passage. In fact it was so low even Dafydd had to duck – Sophie was just able to remain upright.

The roof for the main chamber is supported by four pillars approximately 1.5m tall.
There are 3 small dark alcoves off the main chamber.

On the way back up the ladder Sophie thought it would be good fun to drop the metal grill on Dafydd’s head – luckily it was tied with rope to prevent such things from happening!

Well worth a visit – bring a torch.

Visited 10.6.12

A large grass covered mound, approximately 2.5m high x 25m across

When in this area a visit to the Orkney ice cream parlour is a must.
Sitting in the window eating the delicious ice cream whilst looking over to the Stone of Stenness is an experience not to be missed!

Viewed from road 10.6.12

The stone is easily seen from the road on the brow of a rise.

I would have gone for a closer look but I wasn’t feeling too good.

Visited from atop the mound 10.6.12

Not much to see.
A low grass mound of rough grass approximately 0.5m high.
The field was full of sheep when I visited.