Day 11 - South West Mainland

It was very misty for most of the morning and then brighted up with a bit of sunshine.  We decided to see some of the historic sites on Mainland.  Paul had looked at the cameras at home and saw it was raining heavily.  We knew it was on its way north and Thursdays forecast is not good.  We had been advised not to try and take an inter island ferry on Thursday.

We drove to the Standing Stones of Stenness and then cycled to The Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae.

The Standing Stones of Stenness is a ceremonial site with only 4 remaining stones out of an original circle of 12 stones and dates from 3000BC.  

Nearby is the Barnhouse Village, discovered during an excavation in the 1980s with houses similar to those at Skara Brae. 

Both sites are situated between Loch of Stenness and Loch of Harray, where there are many other standing stones still in existance.



 
Standing Stones of Stenness
 
BarnhouseVillage - ceremonial function area
 
 
House at Barnhouse Village
 
 
Loch of Stenness

The Ring of Brodgar is another ring of standing stones over 100 m in diameter with a ditch surrounding it.   36 of the original 60 remain.

 
Ring of Brodgar

 
Ring of Brodgar with Loch of Harray in background

 
Ring of Brodgar

 
Redshank resting on top of one of the stones.

The neolithic village of Skara Brae was discovered after a particularly severe storm in 1850 when the winds were so strong it moved the sand dunes and exposed parts of the village so a major excavation project began.  The village dates back over 5000 years and the houses had turfed roofs.  It is the best preserved Stone Age village in Europe.  As the houses were so well preserved, many artifacts were found including tools made from stone and bones and stone furniture.  Some of these are now in the exhibition centre.  

 


 
House at Skara Bray


 
Houses with roofs intact at Skara Bray

 
Starling who had nest inside one of the Skara Bray houses

 
House with dresser, hearth and bedroom areas

Houses at Skara Brae 
 
House entrances at Skara Brae 
House entrance at Skara Brae
 
  
House at Skara Brae

 
The beach at Skara Brae

 
The beach at Skara Brae

We then went to nearby Skaill House which was built in the 17th centuary and was owned by a succession of Lairds of Brackness.

 
Skaill House

On the ride back to the car we saw a Swan nesting at the side of the Loch of Stenness and she was adjusting her eggs before sitting on them.  There were at least 5 eggs.  She wasnt bothered by me taking photos.

 
Swan on nest

 
Video of Swan on nest

It was just starting to rain as we got back to the lodge.  It got heavier as the evening went on but the mist cleared and we could see the island of Shapinsay in the distance.  The forecast for tomorrow is not as bad now as it was earlier.







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