Day 5 - Discovering the history of the Orkneys
Our day begins with a special talk from archaeologist Nick Card,
who is an expert on the Neolithic history of the Orkney Isles.
Since 2004, Nick has been in charge of leading excavations at the
Ness of Brodgar, one of the most important collections of Neolithic
buildings in Western Europe.
Next, we head to Kirkwall, the lively capital of Orkney, where
we visit the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral. From there, we make
our way to the awe-inspiring Ring of Brodgar, an enigmatic
arrangement of standing stones that ignites the mystery of our
ancestors. We also visit the Italian Chapel, a highly ornate
catholic chapel built during WWII by Italian prisoners of war.
Continuing our exploration of Neolithic Orkney, we move on to
the Standing Stones of Stenness. Now comprising four tall standing
stones, this UNESCO-listed site is believed to have been built
around 3100 BC with 12 stones.
We then delve into the ancient stones, structures, and remains
at the Brough of Birsay and Broch of Gurness before reaching the
remarkably preserved Neolithic village of Skara Brae. Often
referred to as the 'Scottish Pompeii', we discover its intriguing
stone dwellings with interconnected passageways and stone
furniture.
Our final stop is Maeshowe, a Neolithic chambered cairn. We
explore this impressive stone structure, admiring the Viking
graffiti and runes etched into the walls.
After our day of exploration, our coach takes us to the ferry
port where we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before the
overnight ferry to Scrabster.
Includes