Broch of Gurness

Skara Brae 3100 BC -Orkney - Scotland

In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney.

There was nothing particularly unusual about that, but, on this occasion, the combination of wind and extremely high tides stripped the grass from a large mound, then known as Skerrabra.

This revealed the outline of a number of stone buildings - something that intrigued the local laird, William Watt, of Skaill, who embarked on an excavation of the site.

In 1868, after the remains of four ancient houses had been unearthed, work at Skerrabra was abandoned. The settlement remained undisturbed until 1925, when another storm damaged some of the previously excavated structures. A sea-wall was built to preserve these remains, but during the construction work, yet more ancient buildings were discovered.

Barony Mill Orkney

The water wheel starting up to begin milling. The last mill producing bere flour - an ancient variety of barley. Also used for one Aran malt whisky.