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Orkney Islands – Islands of northern Scotland, consisting of 70 islands. It is famous for its various monuments of Neolithic tombs and Celtic tribes. Tourists are attracted by the rugged coastline and the island’s unique flora and fauna. Who is going to visit Scotland to see what the Orkney tourist sees?
History of these islands
Since the Stone Age, the Orkney Islands have been inhabited by the Picts themselves. The first written back in the century BC I mentioned the settlement of this side of the date of Scotland. e. – Roman conquest of the British Isles. In the IX century Orkneys many Vikings sailed to those islands far away in Norway. They Christianized the Christian Islands in 995.
In 1468, the islands were handed over to King James III of Scotland as a dowry. After that, Norway repeatedly tried to buy them back, but those efforts failed. Later, in the 17th century, the Orkneys became part of the United Kingdom, together with Scotland.
The peat industry has always flourished on this Orkney’s land. There are also several factories engaged in the production of Scotch whisky. In the 20th century, the island was home to a naval base that was disbanded after World War II.
HOW TO GET TO THE ORKNEY ISLANDS?
Orkney is far removed from the civilized world, but it is not difficult to get to them. Kirkwall is within reach of the island’s largest city. Flights to Edinburgh, Inverness, London, and Birmingham airports fly to the island daily.
There are also passenger ferries between Inverness and Kirkwall. The journey takes about 3 hours. Edinburgh to Inverness buses, in particular, can be reached by a schedule structured to catch the departure of passengers. This tour should take care of advance tickets and book them for a few days before departure. In summer, especially in July and August, ferries can be overcrowded. The South Orkney Islands are connected to central-use motorways.
Eagle Graves
The Eagle Tomb is located northwest of Kirkwall on the island of China mainland, near the settlement of Isbister. It is a Neolithic quality of the tombs of the old Chamber of Commerce. It is located on a rocky cliff. According to archaeologists, there are at least 15,000 human remains and 700 bird remains. According to legend, burials took place here over the years. The inhabitants were caught by eagles and taken to sacrifices to the goddess of death.
The burial was discovered by Scottish archaeologists in 1958 and major excavations were carried out in 1970. Eagle’s Tomb is now open for tours, and tours are held regularly.
SAINT MAGNUS CATHEDRAL
Tourist attractions Orkney Islands – not only archaeological sites but also architectural masterpieces. One of them is Kirkwall St. Magnus Cathedral – Great Britain, Northern Congregation. Among the islands of Jeevan, the temple Yogeswaran was built in the 12th century. It was named in honor of St. Magnus – the son of the Norwegian king, who was known for his gentleness and righteousness. His relics are still kept in the temple.
The cathedral is the oldest monument of Norman architecture. It is made of red sandstone in the Romanesque style. Also on the grounds is an old Catholic cemetery. The ruins of the temple are located near Bishop’s Castle, which is the remains of the old castle that once ruled the Orkney Islands. There are many caves that once served as prisons under a church. The congregation also conducts regular sermons, which are dedicated to and near the ruins below.
SKARA BRAE
Skara Brae – a unique Neolithic solution that is almost completely preserved to this day. Archaeologists believe that the village existed for 600 years from 3100 to 2500 BC. e. It has been assumed that natural disasters, which have hidden people’s eyes from the solution, have been destroyed. Skara Brae was accidentally discovered in 1850 after a strong storm. At first, archaeologists could not determine the age and culture of the settlement, taking him to the village of Vikings. Later, in 1926, excavations revealed that Skara Brae – one of the oldest monuments of human culture.
The settlement consists of 10 circular buildings, recessed in the ground to protect against the cold. Each of them is equipped with a hinged door, as well as a primary sewage system. Skara Brae is believed to be the birthplace of modern toilets. Residents eat seafood: fish, mussels, and oysters. They were skilled masons. In some houses, decorative elements are preserved: beads, necklaces, and rings with decorative languages unknown to science.
Dwarf Stein
Dwarfie Stane translates from the Scottish way “dwarf stone.” There are many monuments of this kind on the territory of the Orkney Islands, but these ancient stones are the oldest and most valuable to science. Monolith – a red limestone hill and a whole tomb. The entrance is now closed by a plate lying next to the stone. Meany allegedly robbed in the XVI century, but it is not certain – by whom. There are many Persian inscriptions on the stone, probably carved in the XIX century. Dwarf Stein is located on the island of Hoy.
The small South Orkney Islands, one of the most unique in the UK, is a must for wildlife tourists. In addition to this kuru-stein, you can see beautiful stone landscapes that are almost touched by people. Algae-eating sheep are the only species in the world that live here.
Orkney Islands tourist attractions will provide a real advantage for those who take their eyes off the average tourist and want something new. People interested in ancient history and northern beauty should visit this group of islands.
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