Prehistoric Orkney
Orkney has a huge number of prehistoric sites: a result of the local flagstone, which splits easily into a perfect building material.
Perhaps most famous is the neolithic village of Skara Brae, dating from 3000-2500BC. The house pictured contains a stone dresser, a central hearth and stone beds. The oldest house in NW Europe is thought to be Knap of Howar in Papa Westray.
The tomb of Maeshowe was built around 2750BC. At the midwinter solstice, the sun shines directly along its entrance passage. It was raided by Vikings who left a unique collection of runes and carvings.
The Ring of Brodgar is a ring of standing stones set in a haunting location between two lochs at the centre of the Mainland and dates from c.2500BC.
The Broch of Gurness is an Iron-Age defensive tower of about 100 BC with encircling village. Brochs are unique to Northern Scotland and there are more remains in Orkney than anywhere else.
All of these sites are in the care of Historic Scotland.