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Skara Brae and Neolithic Orkney,

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The prehistoric village of Skara Brae in Orkney, dated to around 3000BC, was preserved beneath sand dunes and grass, until a storm around 1850 blew away these coverings. Further excavations since 1850 have revealed more of the village, and work has been carried out to protect excavations from the sea. There are eight stone built houses, connected by narrow stone lined lanes and alleys. The houses are remarkably preserved, as is stone furniture inside them. The living areas are dominated by large dressers made from large flat slabs of stone. On shelves rest pots and jars.

The settlement reflects the warmer climate that prevailed 5000 years ago, the climate that was well on the way to creating the English Channel as we know it today.

Opening Times: Skara Brae is open all year, from April to September 9.30am - 5.30pm and from October to March 9.30am - 4.30pm.

Directions: Skara Brae is near the beach at the Bay of Skaill, West Mainland on the B9056. The village is owned by Historic Scotland. Click here for an interactive map centred on Skara Brae.

Access: There is ramp access to the visitors centre, and about half the site itself is accessible to wheelchair users. There are adapted toilet facilities.

Contact: 01856 841815

Orkney also has a number of other unique Neolithic sites, which together make up The Heart of Orkney World Heritage Site. The Maeshawe Chambered Cairn is perhaps the best preserved neolithic tomb in Europe. In the twelfth century Viking raiders broke into the tomb and carved their own version of graffiti on the wall of the main chamber. There are two rings of standing stones, the Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brogdar, along with solitary standing stones, the Watch Stone and the Barnhouse Stone. There is also the Barnhouse Settlement, the remains of a Neolithic town, not as well preserved as Skara Brae, and seemingly demolished about five hundred years before the building of Skara Brae. All of these sites lie close to each other on the West Mainland of Orkney.

If you are on foot take the ferry, May to September, from John O Groats, landing at Burwick, with a bus taking you on to Kirkwall, a convenient place from which to explore the West Mainland. Car ferries run from Gills Bay near John O Groats, Thurso, Stromness or Aberdeen.

Contact:

telephone:

John O Groats Ferries: 01955 611353,

Northlink Car Ferry: 0845 6000449

web:

www.jogferry.co.uk

www.northlinkferries.co.uk