Journey to Stone Age along Viking Route

Travel along the coastal Viking Route among the Shetlands and Orkney Islands and the coast of Scotland and you will take a journey back to the Stone Age. There much ancient history of mankind to explore here. Visitors to this area are amazed to see there is so much more than golf courses in Scotland. The entire area is an archaeologist dream.

The first hint of the world you are about to explore is the terrain. You will see green rolling hills dotted with ancient burial mounds, and miles and miles of beautiful stone fences, but very few trees. .It does take awhile for one to notice the trees are missing. They say long ago there were trees, but it is hard to imagine looking at the surface today. Stones however are a different story. Even after the miles of stone fences, and houses and brocks built centuries ago the terrain is still laden with small rock and stones. After experiencing a day of their gale force winds, I realize nature has provided the area with life sustaining material stone, wood would not do.

Sailing down the coast in a small ship allowed us the freedom to tour the smaller island and port cities where the larger ships cannot maneuver. The ship being a perfect, less hassled way to get to the harder to reach destinations and less frequently visited places. Many of the sites we visited are older than the famous Stonehenge Circle in England, but very similar in structure, such as the Callandish standing stones at Stornoway on the Lewis Island in the Western Isles. Here there is Roman graffiti left on the stones that can be seen and read by all.

The Carloway Broch is also on the island although only one half of it is left standing, it is enough to be one of the best examples left see how they were built and used. The broch is atop a hill; even with the ample pathway some will not be able climb to it. Wear a sturdy shoe. Not a place for sandals.

Kirkwall is an experience. The castle/palace sitting in the mist of town was built for the earl, Patrick Steward. The great thing about the castle is the fact it is just sitting there as is, or was. No one has refurbished it or furnished it. You may walk the halls, feel the large indentations in the steps, wore down by the Seward family. See and feel the enormous size of the kitchen .you can easily imagine the long tables filled with hungry worriers. You can see how each of the stones are fitted together. You can walk the stairway to the large receiving room with the many fireplaces. Walk through the bedrooms, and see even the latrine area. As you get to the third floor you notice there is no roof. According to our guide they sold it. After the castle was abandon someone bought the roof stones. Further outside the town, Neolithic Maes Howe, built 5000 year ago, is standing well preserved for us enter and stand surrounded by the presence of ancient man. One can read the 12th century Viking Crusaders graffiti on the walls of stone. One can also see how cleverly the use of sunlight was projected through the entryway.

Before the pyramids in Egypt were built man was living in Skara Brae on the mainland of the Orkney Islands. This stone-age village is said to be the best-preserved in all of northern Europe. Absolutely fascinating original details in tack, beds, dressers and storage spaces, all made of stone. It is easy to imagine Fred Flintstone in one of the houses. This whole enormous site sits on a rise just above the ocean. The site was exposed during a storm in 1850. It is still being excavated today.

Besides the many mysterious ancients sites of man to explore in this area of the world, the sights of nature are also interesting. If you are lucky enough to be aboard a smaller ship as we were, with zodiacs you can go over to Muckle Flugea. Here you will find a lighthouse and fulfillment of a bird watchers dream, with many birds of different & rare varieties. On the islands you will see the rare breed of the ancient sheep and of course the famous Highland bulls. There are flocks of sheep everywhere, grazing on the rolling green hills. Anyone wishes to see and archeological dig will find this is the place to be. There are numerous digs going on at any giving time.

This article has only touched on a few of the sites left here from the past. The opportunity to visit the many burial sites, ancient stone brocks and houses, and villages are abundant in these islands. They are waiting to be visited by the adventurous and inquisitive that would like to journey back to the Stone Age.

I took this journey aboard the “Clipper Adventurer” a wonderful small ship line that can be booked through Clipper ships or Intrav. They take very good care of their passengers while providing amazing adventures most seniors can enjoy.