Day 5 Around Orkney

NOTE: I think I have changed permissions so that others can comment on our blog. Would appreciate it if one of you could add a comment so I know if it is working. 

Today was our day to visit Orkneys’ main archeological sites.  We started off with Maeshowe, a multi chambered tomb  quite close to our hotel. The visitor centre was a lovely old mill and the staff very obliging and knowledgable. It is only possible to visit the tomb as part of a guided tour but there were only 6 of us.  The guide really knew her stuff, “ye ken”.  Sadly photography is not allowed in the tomb so you will have to make do with one from outside. 

I am going to check out their web cameras during the northern winter solstice as it is supposed to be quite spectacular.  http://www.maeshowe.co.uk

After Maeshowe we visited Scara Brae, a costal village which dates back to 3100 BC (600 yrs before the pyramids). Again words are not sufficient to describe it so I will post a couple of photos.  I can't believe the weather we are having (and neither can the locals!).  

See what I mean about the weather?

After this we visited a couple of other archeological sites – the Standing Stones do Steness and the Ring of Brodgar.  

Sadly the most recent discovery – the Ness of Brodgar is only open for 6 weeks in June/July when the archeologists are working on it.  I think that Orkney has the most amazing history of any place I have visited.

We rounded off the day with a visit to a local brewery and a quick look at a potential bird watching site for Suzanne. I'll drop her there tomorrow and let her check out all the chicks while I visit a few more ancient ruins.   We finished the day off with another lovely sunset. 

The people here are all helpful and obliging and the accent is lovely to listen to.  I keep chatting to people just so I get to  listen to them speaking. 

I have just started receiving aurora alerts for the northern hemisphere so I will check out the night sky after it gets dark so long as there is no smirr and the haar stays away. Ye ken?

PS No aurora last night but did get some airglow for anyone who knows what that is!