TOUR A - SKARA BRAE & SKAILL HOUSE
Excursions
- 35 - 45
- 4 hours
- Limited capacity
Passing through an area of rich farmland, rolling hills and moorland, fringed by magnificent cliffs, we shall see the ceremonial stone circles of Stenness and Brodgar. A short stop is made at the Ring of Brodgar, a perfect circle with almost half of its original 60 stones still standing.
Further on we arrive at Skara Brae – Orkney’s most exciting monument – a 5,000 year old Neolithic village, wonderfully preserved and interpreted in the modern visitors’ centre. Lying beside the pretty, sandy crescent of the Bay of Skaill, this Stone Age settlement lay buried under sand for thousands of years, until it was suddenly revealed during a fierce storm in 1850. Amongst the fascinating relics found here are tools, beads, pottery and whalebone artefacts, spanning many epochs of occupation. Looking across the village, it is easy to imagine how it looked all those centuries ago, and closer inspection of the houses gives a unique insight into how our ancient ancestors lived.
The hardship of life in Skara Brae can be directly contrasted with Orkney’s finest manor house. Skaill House, located nearby, is the next place we visit. The manor house was built in 1620 on an ancient graveyard, by a powerful bishop. We will walk from the coach park at Skara Brae to Skaill House and back again, around 500 metres (1,500 feet) each way – it is a fairly good path, though sometimes exposed to harsh weather.
We will return to Kirkwall via the historic Bay of Scapa Flow, where we hear stories of dramatic wartime experiences, which make this one of the most renowned stretches of water in the world.
TOUR NOTES: This tour involves walking over uneven ground at the Ring of Brodgar (optional), Skara Brae and Skaill House. As specified, the walk to and from Skaill House from the coach park at Skara Brae is approximately 500 metres (1,500 feet) each way. Not recommended for passengers with limited mobility, although passengers may remain on the coach at sights if they prefer. In order to preserve Skara Brae, we admire the houses from the outer walls above. The Skara Brae visitors’ centre is suitable for wheelchairs, with a ramped entry; just over half the site is accessible. The ground floor of Skaill House is wheelchair accessible. The quality of buses and the local road infrastructure are not comparable to mainland Scotland. Buses – which are often used for school runs as well as executive tours – do not usually have air conditioning or toilets. Sights may be visited in a different order to that described.
DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR THE 2011 SCANDINAVIA & BALTIC SEASON
Snack or meal provided
Refreshments available
Free time
Shopping opportunity
Wheelchair access
Swimming opportunity
All prices are based on operating costs, tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change without notice.
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