CARL

View from road 9.6.12

I spotted 2 Barrows on the brow of the hill near a couple of buildings.

Easily seen from the road as grass covered mounds.

View from road 9.6.12

I could spot 4 Barrows from the road.
Grass covered mounds behind a bungalow.

The Barrows had a herd of cows traipsing all over them!

Visited 9.6.12

A scraggy grass covered low mound easily seen from the minor road to the north.
Although there are good views I saw no point in trying to get past the electric fence.

Viewed from road 9.6.12

Visible as a low mound half way up the hill – at least I think this was the Barrow!

Canmore states:
‘This is a well shaped turf covered Barrow on a conspicuous false crest. It is 12m in diameter and 1.2m high’.

Viewed from road 9.6.12

This Barrow is just about visible from the road as a very low mound covered in rough grass.
It would be easily missed if you weren’t specifically looking for it.

Canmore states:
‘The mound is 35ft in diameter and generally 3ft high, in a prominent position’.

Visited 9.6.12

This is an excellent site and well worth a visit.

The Broch is very well preserved but perhaps the best thing about the site is the preservation of the buildings just outside the Broch. The walls of these are well over head height.

Despite the wind it was a sunny day and once sheltered from the wind inside the Broch it was pleasantly warm. Dafydd, Sophie and myself walked amongst the ruins whilst Karen sat in the car to read her book!

There were quite a few visitors and of the H.S. guides was giving a talk but with the two little ones in tow I didn’t get change to have a listen.

After visiting the Broch we had some time on the beach which we all enjoyed.

Visited 9.6.12

Directions:
As per Redland South but this Chambered Cairn is on the left (west) of the road.

The field was full of cows so I observed the cairn from the safety of the road.

It is no more than a low, heather covered mound – easily visible from the road.

Canmore states:
‘A turf covered Orkney-Cromarty stalled cairn. The centre has been hollowed out. It is oval in shape and the width across the chamber is 32ft. In the centre of the mound are the stumps of 3 stones, they appear to represent the back slab and two divisional stones of the stalled chamber’.

Visited 9.6.12

Directions:
Right next to the minor road which leads to the Broch of Gurness off the A966.
Access is via a quick hop over the fence.

A mangled grass covered mound which has one large stone sticking out of its centre.
Several smaller stones are sticking out of the grass.

Canmore states:
‘This turf covered cairn has been greatly robbed and disturbed by the intrusion of structures of a levelled farmstead. It possibly measured 27m in length. Cairn debris remains to a height of 0.6m’.

Visited 9.6.12

Rough grass covered mound – viewed from road.

Canmore states:
‘A turf covered Orkney-Cromarty type stalled cairn. It has been greatly robbed and ruined but up to 3ft of cairn material remains’

Visited 9.6.12

Couldn’t see a thing – ploughed out?

Canmore states:
‘A turf covered barrow 0.5m high and mainly of earth and small stones, situated on near ground level’.

Visited 9.6.12

Couldn’t see a thing – ploughed out?

Canmore states:
‘A turf covered barrow of earth and small stones 0.5m high x 9m in diameter’.

Visited 9.6.12

No more than a low grass covered mound.
It you weren’t looking for it specifically you wouldn’t know it was there.
Not one to recommend.

Canmore states:
‘The remains of a probable barrow, grass covered, composed mainly of earth, some 70m north of the main road. It measures 9m in diameter and 0.7m in height’.

Visited 9.6.12

Directions:
Next to a minor road off the A986 near Hourston

A large grass covered mound easily seen next to the road.
The mound is approximately 1.5m high x 20m across.

There is a depression in the centre of the mound with several stones sticking out.

Canmore states:
‘The remains of a broch which was excavated in 1935. Parts of massive walling and passageways were exposed but no trace of this walling can now be seen’.

Visited 9.6.12

These stones are easy enough to spot from the minor road to the north.
They are on a slight mound, the other side of a barbed wire fence.

Access to the field is via a metal field gate.

Due too not feeling well I settled for a view from the road.

I think I saw this small standing stone near the loch from the roadside; although I am not 100% sure.

My 200th site added (never thought that would happen!)

I awoke this morning suffering from my second stomach bug of the holiday, which is strange given than I am rarely ill. However, as this was my final full day on Orkney I was determined to battle on and visit as many of the sites on my itinerary as possible.

Looking at the O/S map it looked as though these Barrows would be easy enough to spot from the road but I couldn’t see any.
I certainly didn’t feel up to hiking across fields so left it at that.

Canmore states:
‘A scattered group of 11 mounds varying from 17 to 30ft in diameter and up to 3ft in height – 1946.
Of the 11 barrows described be the Commission, one has disappeared and the others have been reduced by ploughing’.

View from road 9.6.12

Time was against me so it was only going to be a ‘drive by’ view.

The mound was easy enough to spot when travelling south but I couldn’t see the stone.

Visited 9.6.12

Access to the site is easy enough via a handy field gate but there is not much to see – just 3 small scruffy grass covered mounds.

Not a site I would recommend making an effort to visit.

Visited 8.6.12

This is a strange old place.

We parked in the car park and myself and Dafydd walked into the cabin which acts as a ‘visitor centre’. There wasn’t much to see other than a series of press cuttings attached to notice boards and a small tray of ‘finds’. It certainly doesn’t have the ‘polish’ of the other Orkney sites you have to pay to visit. No guidebook here.
The girl behind the desk was pleasant enough but seemed rather bored.

We picked up our hard hats and headed across the field towards the burial chamber.

The first thing you come to is a fenced off dug out area which shows a section of the original ditch which surrounded the chamber, although this had started to become overgrown.
It is a bit of an eye opener to see how deep and wide these ditches were.

We then walked up to what looks like an old fashioned out-house but which in fact is the protected entranceway into the tomb.

The steps were wet and steep. Water dripped down through the stone passageway.
I have never been to a site like this before – it reminded me more of a cave than a burial chamber. It didn’t have the ‘finish’ of all the other Orkney sites I had visited.
There is a handrail to help you down the steps with strip lighting attached. It is easier to go down backwards.

Half way down the steps is a small side chamber on your right.

We worked our way down to the bottom where there is an extra deep step onto the bottom.
Looking up from the bottom it again reminded me of being in a cave.

Now Dafydd has been in many burial chambers in his 4 years and has always appeared ‘at home’ – however narrow, deep or dark they are.
For the first time ever he said to me ‘I don’t like it in here’ and wanted to get out.
We headed back up the steps and I took him back to the car.
I returned on my own to go down again – it is an odd feeling being alone in the chamber looking up the dark, wet narrow steps with only the sound of dripping water for company.

I remember watching a Time Team special when Tony Robinson was stood in exactly the same place and said he felt ‘uneasy’ and was quick to leave.
I can’t say I felt any ‘bad vibes’ but it did ‘feel’ different from other burial chambers I have visited.

I returned my hard hat and jumped over the gate to visit the Time Team reconstruction in the next field. It is fenced off so I guess they don’t actually want people to go inside – but there you go. There was certainly no one around to stop me!
The Time Team effort is about a quarter scale and is completely dry.
In fact this ‘tomb’ has a better finish to it than the rough and ready real one.

I would say Mine Howe is a ‘must see’ as it is so different to the other burial tombs on Orkney (or elsewhere for that matter).
There isn’t a massive amount to see and the whole site is a bit ‘rough and ready’ but worth a visit nonetheless.

View from road 8.6.12

The burnt mound is easily seen from the road

The mound is completely covered in grass.

I didn’t stop.

Visited 8.6.12

Unless you knew better you would think this was no more than a very large grass covered sand dune.
It is right next to a house and you can’t miss it.

The nearby toilets came in handy!

Visited 8.6.12

Somehow I was unable to spot this stone.

I thought I was looking in the right but obviously I wasn’t
(Unless it has since fallen down!)

Visited 8.6.12

There is little left of this Broch which is now no more than a 1 metre high mangled mound covered in rough grass.

We parked on the verge and I hopped over the fence for a quick inspection.
Other than several stones sticking out of the grass there is little else to report.

If you didn’t know it was here you would easily drive right past without as much as a look.
Not really worth stopping for.

The weather was still against me so I settled for a ‘drive by’ look.

From the A961 to the south I could see two grass covered mounds.

A visit on a dry day would be in order.

The weather was foul this morning (strong wind and rain) so I had no intention of traipsing across a field and settled to see what I could see from the road – which turned out to be very little.

All I could see from the road was one mound away in the distance

Visited 8.6.12

We parked in the car park right next to the beach and despite being windy the weather was fine.

Karen, Sophie and Dafydd played on the beach while I followed the sign posted path (Aikerskaill road) around the headland to the site of the ruined chapel. It is only a 5 minute walk.

The Souterrain was easy to spot; near the beach and blocked up with brieze blocks and stones.
It looks as though the Souterrain has been exposed due to coastal erosion?

A family of ducks paddled past, battling against the wind – good luck to them!

If you are ever in this area try to also take in a visit to the nearby St Ninian’s church (Hogg-back grave) and the Gloup sea cave – both worth a visit in their own right.

Road side view 8.6.12

The barrow can be easily seen from the road as a large grass covered mound when heading north.
It is behind some farm buildings

Visited 8.6.12

There is room to park opposite a B+B.

The Broch is in a nice loch side location but is now no more than a rough grass covered mound approximately 2 metres high x 50 metres across.
It appears to have been cut through the middle at some point in the past?

Visited 7.6.12

Directions:
Right next to the B9047 on the way to the Hackness Martello Tower (H.S. site)

The remains of the Broch as easily visible from the main road – the other side of a barbed wire fence.
The remains consist of a large grass covered mound – on the shoreline.

Canmore states:
‘A turf covered mound 7ft 9ins in height land side / 30ft in height shore side. The remains cover an area almost half an acre and seem to have been disturbed by random unrecorded excavations’.

Visited 7.6.12

Directions:
Next to the minor road which leads to the lighthouse at Cantick Head.

You can’t miss this as it is a large grass covered mound right next to the road.
The mound has several large stones sticking out of the turf.

Canmore states:
‘This turf covered stony mound is 20m in diameter and 2.5m high. It is substantial enough to contain a modest broch. Some protruding slabs on the outermost fringes of the mound suggest outbuildings’.

Visited 7.6.12

I think I saw this standing stone on the brow of the hill from the minor road to the north.
If it is the stone it is near the fence line.
I didn’t have time to get a closer look as I had a ferry to catch!

Canmore states:
‘The standing stone on the SW shoulder of Gallow Tuag leans heavily towards the north. If vertical it would stand 1.6m high. It rises from a pronounced and circular mound 15m in diameter badly mutilated by quarrying’.

Visited 7.6.12

We drove off the ferry and headed straight for the Dwarfie Stane.
The wind was blowing a gale and the crossing was somewhat bumpy!

The drizzle was coming down and the mountains were shrouded in mist.
As we drove north through Hoy the road climbed and the mist worsened.
I had planned to stop at Betty Corrigall’s grave but drove past it as we couldn’t see it!

We then came off the B9047 and scanned the hillside to try to spot the tomb.
We headed south until we reached the small parking area and peered across the moor to see the path leading to the tomb vanish in the mist.
North Hoy is a very desolate and remote place – a land of peat moorland.
In this area there are no houses, no farms – no signs of habitation at all.

Karen thought we were mad as Dafydd and myself put our waterproofs on and headed out into the gloom.
To say the walk was atmospheric would be an understatement.
The mist swirled around us; one minute we could see perhaps 20 metres ahead – the next 2 metres.
The wooden slats on the walkway were wet and slippery. The ‘path’ then becomes a small stream as we headed higher up the hillside.

Then we saw it.
Peeping out of the mist – then it was gone.
I have to confess I started to get very excited, my pulse quickened – so did my steps.
I encouraged Dafydd on and eventually we reached the tomb.
Needless to say we had the place to ourselves!

Wow – this is fantastic.
The huge lump of rock was bigger than I expected and we both quickly dived inside to get out of the wind and drizzle.
Once inside all was perfectly quiet. Dafydd seemed to be completely at home.

The quality of the workmanship to create this tomb is simply stunning.
It is incredible to think that this was created without metal tools.
The carving of the tomb, the quality of the finish easily compares with the great burial chambers of Orkney. In fact I would say this tomb rates as highly as any other final resting place you would care to think of.

The side chamber with the ‘bed’ and ‘pillow’ is a work of art and a fitting resting place for someone obviously very important.

The weather outside seemed to be getting worse but inside all was well.
I could have stayed here for hours but Dafydd was by now starting to get a bit restless and I was conscious of Karen and Sophie waiting in the car.

We ventured outside and walked around this mighty lump of rock and its equally mighty blocking stone.

I am sure on a clear day the views would be excellent but not today.
Not that I mind at all as I think the swirling mist only added to the experience.
In all the sites I have ever visited I would say this one has been the most atmospheric.
It is certainly one that will always stay fondly in my memory.

This is a truly magical place and I can’t recommend a visit highly enough.
Yes I know it is a long way to travel and yes I know it is in a remote spot.
But even if I had not visited another site on Orkney it would have been worth the cost and effort just to visit the Dwarfie Stane.
If you are at all able please make the effort to visit – you will not be disappointed.

On the back south through Hoy the mist started to lift and this time we could see Betty’s grave from the road.
There is a small parking area and a sign post – the white picket fence had seen better days but was still standing.
I walked over and paid my respects. A very poignant place given Betty’s story.
A small donation box was next to her grave for the upkeep of the grave. I of course made a contribution.

It is strange how two graves in a remote area on a Scottish island; separated in time by thousands of years; could have such a profound affect on me.
I wonder what it all means?

View from the road 6.6.12

All I could make out from the minor road to the north was two slight ‘bumps’ on the horizon.

Canmore states:
‘The remains of 14 barrows, in two distinct groups, composed mainly of earth with some stones visible. The western group are situated on the top of a prominent ridge. The eastern group at the bottom of the same ridge’.

Visited 6.6.12

All that is left to see is a large, low grass mound.
Not worth going out of your way for.

Visited 6.6.12

Directions:
Park in the car park for Skaill Beach – just up the road from Skara Brae.
The Barrows are at the end of a small track directly opposite the car park.

The terrain here is one of ‘lumpy bumpy’ grass covered mounds.
I have no idea which ones are the Barrows?

Canmore states:
‘Only two sandy grass-covered mounds can now be identified with any of those published on the OS 6’’ map. One is 1.8m high and the other 1.2m high’.

Saw these cairns marked on the OS map and thought I would take a look.

Unfortunately the weather had other ideas!
Despite it being 2.00pm the rain was coming down and we had full headlights on!
It was very misty/rainy and to be honest I couldn’t see a thing from the road.

Canmore states:
‘Vestrafiold is a compact group of large burial mounds placed in a prominent location overlooking Skara Brae. The mounds havehad large blocks of stone dumped on them and have been impacted by war buildings’.

Visited 6.6.12

The Barrow is visible from the road as a low mound.

I would put its height at only about 1 metre at most.

It is certainly now looks lower than when last visited.

Visited 6.6.12

This stone is right next to the road and acts as a fence post.

There are many stones like this all over Orkney acting as fence posts.

I am no expert but I don’t know why this one has been listed as prehistoric when clearly most/all of the others are ‘modern’.

Although I am sure Wideord knows more about these things than me (which wouldn’t be hard!)

Visited 6.6.12

The standing stones are in the field next to the church car park.

Access is easy but the rain was coming down so I didn’t hang around long.

The stones are covered in lichen and on a nice day there would be good views to be had – today was not a nice day!

Visited 6.6.12

For a change we all visited this very important site.
I had been nagging Karen for a long time that she simply ‘must’ see Skara Brae.
I think the fact there was a visitor centre with shop and café helped!
(Although these facts did little for my bank balance!)

It goes without say that this is a definite ‘must see’ when visiting Orkney.
I had read so much about it, seen so many photos and heard so much about Skara Brae that it was quite surreal actually being here.

We parked in the large car park (several coaches already here) and walked up to the visitor centre.

As members of CADW we had free entry although I did buy the guide book – something I do at all the places I visit. We first went to watch the film show which I thought was a bit naff and then went outside to see the reconstructed house you can walk around. I thought this was very well done and certainly gives a good idea of how it must have been to live at Skara Brae all those years ago.

We then headed over to the real houses. Luckily the rain had now stopped but it was very windy. The stones you pass giving a time-line for the settlement is a nice touch.

There were a number of people milling around and all were being watched by a member of staff to make sure no-one went inside the houses – although there would be no-one to stop you if you visited after closing time!

I won’t bother to describe the houses as this has been done many times before and I am sure everyone knows what they look like!
All I would reiterate is that the site IS a lot smaller than it looks in photos / on TV.

I originally planned to have a paddle in Skaill Bay but given the weather I chickened out!

I couldn’t see any sign of the cairn – ploughed out?

Canmore states:
‘A cairn, mainly of stones, 29ft in diameter and 2ft high. Situated in a pasture field’. 1967

Visited 6.6.12

No sign of them! Perhaps they have been ploughed out?

Canmore states:
‘A group of 5 mounds and varying between 19 and 38ft in diameter and from ‘mere foundations’ to almost 5ft in height’ RCAHMS 1946.

Visited 6.6.12

A slight mound which is easy to miss although it is visible from the road.

Canmore states:
‘A well shaped turf covered barrow 0.5m high and 8m in diameter, situated on a slight eminence. A small excavation trench is visible in the east side’.

Visited 6.6.12

I parked at the locked metal gate which gives access to a track which leads to the Barrow.
I jumped over the gate and walked up for a closer look.

The Barrow is now no more than a mangled grass covered mound.

Canmore states:
‘A turf covered mound of earth and stones, 1m high, truncated by quarrying and mutilated by the addition of a WD gun post. It is too indefinite to classify but its conspicuous position on a broad back low eminence suggests a barrow’.

Visited 6.6.12

Three Barrows can be seen from the road as low grass covered mounds.
All three are approximately 0.5 metre high.

Canmore states:
‘Only the remains of 3 of the 9 barrows shown on the 1903 OS map can still be seen, situated in conspicuous positions on the top and gentle slopes of a low rise’.

Visited 6.6.12

The Barrow sits in an undulating field which was in crop when I visited.
I was unable to spot the Barrow.

Canmore states:
‘A barrow of earth and small stones, recently spread by ploughing, and now measuring 9m in diameter and 0.4m high’.

Viewed from road 6.6.12

Easily seen from road – looks like a scratching post to me.

Viewed from the roadside 6.6.12

Just north of the hamlet of Twatt, either side of the A986.

Looking north, the Barrow on the left hand side of the road is about 1 metre high x 8 metres across.
The 3 Barrows on the right hand side of the road are between 0.5 metre and 1 metre in height and between 5 metres and 10 metres across.

Visited 6.6.12

This is a huge stone very close to the road so you can’t really miss it.

We parked on the verge and I went over for a close up look.

As I was standing next to the stone when the local farmer pulled up in his tractor.
‘Want to buy the stone?’ he asked in I assume a joking manner.
‘No thanks’; I replied ‘It won’t fit on the roof rack’
‘Nay bother’ says he and off he tootled back to the farm!

You would need a seriously large vehicle to transport this 4 metre high monster.
The stone was covered in that ‘hairy’ lichen I have seen so much of.

Certainly worth a visit when in the area.

Visited 6.6.12

This large grass covered mound is easily seen on the way to the Brough of Birsay.
It is behind a wall but can still be seen from the road as you approach from the east.

There are lots of stones sticking out of the grass mound.