Scotland Tour 2019: Visiting the Flintstones

Let me first admit I stole the title for this post from Susie Malcolm. But on our second day in Orkney, we traveled far, far back in time.

We visited Skara Brae. What was once thought to be a Pictish village, some 500 years in age, was proven to date back to the Neolithic Era--over 5000 years ago.

This means it predates the first Crusade (AD 1095), the Fall of Rome (AD 476), the Great Pyramids, and even Stonehenge (2100 BC).

---

The path to the excavated village took us backward through time, past markers laid beside the path to show us just how far we traveled and how ancient Skara Brae is.

Originally excavated in early 1850 when a great storm uncovered a number of stone buildings, four ancient houses had been unearthed by 1868 when excavation was abandoned. Then, in 1925, another storm struck, damaging the exposed structures. A sea wall was built to help protect the houses, and during its construction even more buildings were discovered.

The eight houses are linked by covered passages, perfect for protection from invaders and the wrath of the sea. Over time (presumably about 600 years), the houses became increasingly embedded in sand and other rubbish, and were abandoned. Sand continued to be heaped over the ruins, protecting it from the elements, and leaving them wonderfully preserved.

The houses seem to have similar designs with large square rooms, a bed edged in stone on either side, a fire pit in the center, and a set of shelves on the wall facing the doorway.

Many artifacts have been discovered, including necklaces and other jewelry, pottery, and richly carved stone ornaments. No weapons have been found, suggesting life here may have been quite peaceful.

We also visited Skaill House, which is a very short walk from the Skara Brae excavations, and home of the man who discovered the village (the first 4 homes, anyway).

It is a lovely 17th century mansion overlooking Skaill Bay, and now reflects the home as the family lived in it in the 1950s.

---

At the gift shop at Skara Brae, I met Thorfinn the Mighty, destined to become my companion for the remainder of the tour. Feel free to introduce yourself to the Thorfinn. You'll see his handsome mug in pictures throughout the rest of my trip. Silly rascal.