Orkney Islands
Historic Sites & Landmarks in Orkney Islands
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Skara Brae
Orkney Islands, Scotland
c. 3000-2500 BCE
Located on a scenic coast in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, Skara Brae is the best-preserved Neolithic village in northern Europe. Dating from around 3000 BCE (older than Stonehenge), the prehistoric homes even include original stone furniture.
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Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn
Orkney Islands, Scotland
c. 3000 BCE
Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn is a Neolithic burial monument dating from c. 3000 BCE, which contained the remains of 8 people and 24 dog skulls. It is open to visitor access and there are spectacular views from the hill.
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Ring of Brodgar
Orkney Islands, Scotland
2600-2400 BCE
Dating from around 2500 BCE, this magnificent stone circle occupies a scenic location between two lakes on Orkney. At nearly 104 meters in diameter, the Ring of Brodgar is the third-largest stone circle in Britain.
- Stones of Stenness Stromness, Scotland
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Italian Chapel
Holm, Scotland
The Italian Chapel is a Catholic chapel created out of two Nissen huts by Italian prisoners in World War II, who had been captured in North Africa and transported to the Orkney Islands.
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Comet Stone
Orkney Islands
Located just outside the Ring of Brodgar, the Comet Stone is a heavy stone 1.8 m high. Lying at right angles to it are the remains of two other stones.
- Churchill Barriers Orkney, Scotland 1940-44
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North Ronaldsay, Old Kirk (Formerly Free Church)
Cross and Burness, Scotland
1812; belltower, probably T S Peace, 1906. 4 x single bay, rectangular-plan, crowstepped-gabled church with square-plan, 3-stage, crenellated belltower to E gable and low vestry to W. Harled. Corbelled string course below crenellations to tower.
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North Ronaldsay, Holland House
Cross and Burness, Scotland
Early 19th century core, enlarged, S Baikie, 1872, and T S Peace, 1905. 2-storey house with single storey additions and outbuildings in rambling plan. Tower in re-entrant angle, 1905.
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North Ronaldsay, Dennis Head Beacon
Cross and Burness, Scotland
Thomas Smith and Ezekiel Walker, 1798. Tall, circular-plan 2-stage tower with bracketed cornice below flagstone ball finial. Harl-pointed rubble. Window (blocked) at 1st stage to E; window at 2nd stage above.