Plan revealed for a 'Neolithic Landscapes of the Dead' chambered tomb trail on Orkney

[Judi Lynn]

by Alistair Munro
September 23, 2019, 7:14 am



Skara Brae

A £60,000 research project is to be undertaken to create a ‘Neolithic Landscapes of the Dead’ chambered tomb trail in Orkney.

The initiative aims to connect historic monuments across the North Isles, some of which are currently rarely visited.

In 1999, a number of sites and monuments on Orkney’s Mainland were awarded World Heritage Site status, including Skara Brae.

This listing has raised the archaeological profile of Mainland Orkney and resulted in an increase in tourism.

More:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/1848067/plan-revealed-for-a-neolithic-landscapes-of-the-dead-chambered-tomb-trail-in-orkney/

[csziggy]

1. Wow! We visited the Mainland Island of the Orkneys last month

"The four monuments that make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney are unquestionably among the most important Neolithic sites in Western Europe. These are the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe and Skara Brae."

We got to see all of those sites (though I missed seeing the interior of Maeshowe), and in addition the Ness of Brodgar, which was a settlement near the Ring of Brodgar. On the day we visited there, the archeologists were having an "open day" with explanatory talks about what they have found and what they think their finds mean. They do this just before they close the digs for the winter. It was wonderful.

I hope to soon post some pictures from the sites on my blog. When I do, I will put a link here.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Oh, my gosh. I have been fascinated by the images of these places for a long time. How wonderful.

There is so much which must be learned about this area, so much has happened there so long ago.

You most definitely got well off the beaten trail, didn't you?

Please do add a link, it would be so good to see.

Amazing!

[csziggy]

3. We don't like cities much so off the beaten track is where we end up.

You want off the beaten track, look up Altnaharrah, Scotland. It is miles and miles from anywhere. we spent a night at a B&B there. Nice place, lovely scenery, but I would not want to live there!

We spent a week in London, mostly in the museums (British, Victoria & Albert, Natural History) and I was feeling very worn out. Today we left and stopped at a RSPB reserve. While I am physically tired, I feel mentally restored. London was neat, but there are too many people and no wild areas.

I'm a month behind on my blog - between three weeks in Scotland with poor or no internet, taking thousands of pictures that have to be sorted and edited, and my computer dying along the way, I just have not been able to catch up. The pictures are safe on an external drive and I bought a new computer, so I will try to catch up before we climb on a ship and be without affordable internet for two weeks.