There are so many fascinating stones and settlements clustered together in this particular area that you can visit them all in a day.
The light and colours are fabulous and the wildflower machair and meadows are deliberately encouraged adding so much wonderful life. Some hardy varieties even grow in rock crevices! http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/sites.htm
@happypat well interestingly there is no Gaelic spoken on Orkney. They have their own wonderful dialect / accent but largely Scottish -English based. Though the Norse invaded both the northern and western isles, the place names in both are hugely influenced by their language, the Celtic and Gaelic influences moved up the west coast from Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, and Scottish Western Isles. It is a fascinating study which Allan knows lots about and I pick up bits and pieces!
@annielf@jmj
Thanks!
"There were originally 60 megaliths in the ring, however only 27 remain standing. Next to one of the fallen stones is a sign that advises that the stone was struck by lightning on the 5th of June 1980, causing it to shatter. It’s possible that such lightning strikes might have occurred in earlier times and might account for the damaged state of several other stones in the ring."
Fascinating places! Somewhere in my family tree I have a connection to some of the Gaelic and Celtic history but I'm not sure how. Lord willing, some day I will be able to come over and see if I can trace the family history. Until then, I'll learn by viewing your beautiful pictures!
Thanks!
"There were originally 60 megaliths in the ring, however only 27 remain standing. Next to one of the fallen stones is a sign that advises that the stone was struck by lightning on the 5th of June 1980, causing it to shatter. It’s possible that such lightning strikes might have occurred in earlier times and might account for the damaged state of several other stones in the ring."
well hope you do make it over this way and see them for yourself!