Orkney-related links on the Internet

Orkney Sights and Sounds, Part 6

When we left Outbrecks we planned our schedule to see some of the magnificent antiquities in the islands. We had read first that there were more ancient monuments in Orkney than in all of Britain. Later we read that Orkney had more sites than anywhere in Europe. Since we enjoyed visiting these places on our own it was necessary to read everything we could find on the subjects. After a short drive we came to the Parish of Stenness. Stonehenge has received more attention than the Standing Stones mainly due to the remoteness. While other monuments have suffered from vandalism this area seems free of it. The others in the Orkney chain also lay claim to these monoliths but it is here on Mainland that they overwhelm you. "Yetnesteen", the name given to the solitary stone in Rousay, is an old Norse term for "stone of giants" indicating that they were there, a mystery, even in the times of the Norse invasion. They stand near the Bridge of Brogar where the Lochs of Stenness and Harray meet. Whether the four upright stones were ever part of a ring is not known but in the far distance one can see an 18 foot solitary monolith known as the Watch Stone.

About a kilometre beyond the Bridge the famous Ring of Brogar stands. Originally, it is estimated, about sixty monoliths were erected. Now twenty-seven stand upright with stumps of nine others while four stones are horizontal. Around the Ring is a moat about ten yards wide and six feet deep. Age is difficult to estimate however since the similarity to Avebury in England it is possible that they too are of the early Bronze age. It is doubtful that an accurate estimate will uncover the mystery theories suggest that it was of religious significance with some form of sun worship. Some mounds in the region have been excavated as they were assumed to be burial mounds but only a few relics of the past remain.

Not far from the Ring lies the magnificent Chambered Mound of Maeshowe, the principal Chambered Mound in Western Europe. It remained intact throughout the ages although the predatory Norse spent time here and have left animal and fish bones and other debris. The runic graffiti left by the Norse has made this mound of even greater interest. Maeshowe was erected in the 11th or 12th century but only in 1861 was it opened. The Mound is unusually large but the entrance is only two and a half feet by four feet. Alignment from the entrance of Maeshowe and the Standing Stone of Barnhouse is too exact to be considered accidental leaving the suposition that these are related to religious observance. Each of the monuments of interest is connected by measurement in feet. The highlight of these combined celebrations is at Hallow'en when superstitions are observed with witches and warlocks presiding.

Tormiston Mill was restored in 1844. This is where meal grinding took place. Although it is now a restaurant and craft shop the original workings are present. It is opposite the Maeshowe Mound.

Copyright Nancy and Glenn Bowieİ,
Red Wing, MN, 1998.
CorTech Training,
All rights reserved.