travel united kingdom scotland orkney islands skara brae
Skara Brae is a 5000 year-old Neolithic settlement on the Bay of Skaill on the west coast of Mainland, largest of the Orkney Islands.
It is a dramatic setting on a barren wind-swept beach.
It is known as the most complete European Neolithic village and it is designated a UNESCO World Heritge Site.
Noted for its "excellent preservation," it is somewhat hard to believe that the ruins hadn't been mostly reassembled in modern times.
As small as the settlement is, it is still very interesting to see and, strangely, my impression of the experience improved greatly in retrospect.
The stone walls of the houses are said to be surrounded and insulated with old refuse from an earlier settlement.
There is parking available at the Visitors Center where an entrance fee is charged and historical exhibits may be viewed.
The settlement itself is about a two the three block walk away level walk along the bluff of the beach.
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S PAGE ON SKARA BRAE
TRAVEL: 2019
This location has earned an over-all four star (very good) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
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unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Overview of beach trail from the visitors center to the settlement, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Overview of houses with the Bay of Skaill in the background, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Informational sign on life in an ancient village, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
House 5, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Looking over another house at House 8, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Informational sign explaining how old refuse was used in construction of Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
House 8, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Houses 9 & 10, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Informational sign conservation of carvings and House 7, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Informational sign about the reconstruction of House 7, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
Reconstructed House 7, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
One exhibit at the Visitors Center, Skara Brae, Orkney Island, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2019.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised may 2019