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|
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| Rousay
(Old Norse Hrólfs-øy ‘Rolf's
Island’), which is only a short ferry ride from
the Mainland, has a wonderfully rich archaeological
heritage (over 100 sites have been identified). The
island is thick with neolithic tombs and their study
has had a profound impact on how we relate them to the
landscape. The most common type is the ‘Stalled
Cairn’ so-called from the partition slabs that
subdivide the interior. |
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|
Knowe
of Yarso. View of the Tomb |
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|
Knowe
of Yarso. Interior showing the stalls on either side |
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| Both
shores of Eynhallow sides are lined with brochs—
Gurness is but one of them. On Rousay the best-preserved
example is at Midhowe. |
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|
Midhowe
Broch |
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| Midhowe
is located next to the north shore of Eynhallow Sound
(see title photo above) but there has been considerable
erosion since it was built. Like Gurness it was surrounded
by outer defences, which enclosed a number of small
dwellings and workshops. |
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|
The
Outer Defences at Midhowe Broch |
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| The
entrance faces the water and the building would be unihabitable
today, but the sea was presumably a good deal further
off in the Iron Age. Typically, the walls of the superstructure
are hollow and there is a staircase winding through
the space. |
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|
Intermural
Staircase |
Looking
out the Entrance |
|
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| The
broch interior is divided into two by a partition wall
of thin, upright slabs, each room with its own hearth
and water tank. There are bins and compartments built
into the wall for storage and areas set aside for sleeping
and work activities. |
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|
The
Interior of Midhowe Broch |
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|
Midhowe
Broch. One of the extramural buildings |
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| A
short distance from the broch are the remains of one
of the largest stalled cairns in Orkney, having no less
than 25 compartments. |
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|
Midhowe
Chambered Tomb |
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| From
Midhowe we walked back to the car following the Westness
Walk along the shore. Westness was an important Norse
settlement and the remains of their settlements and
graves can be found all along the shore. |
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|
Skaill Village |
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| Rousay
was the only one of the Orkney islands to be affected
by the ‘clearances’ of the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries when small farmers were evicted
from their lands to be replaced by sheep and one of
the most poignant sights are the ruins of Skaill Village. |
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|
Saint Mary's Church |
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