Scottish Islands Explorer 40: Nov / Dec 2016

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‘Archaeologists exposed the building with its stone trough, water system and hearth.’
Ages of Man and Tomb of Eagles Ages of Man and Tomb of Eagles James Hendrie visits the archaeological finds of two people The leaflet, which showed the head of an eagle alongside a skull against a dark-sea background, grabbed my attention in the Kirkwall tourist office, as did the name on it - Tomb of the Eagles. e leaflet told me that this Orkney tourist attraction would offer a chance to see two ancient sites, as well as the ability to handle Neolithic artefacts. It quickly convinced me that I needed to visit it. A sea mist covered South Ronaldsay and added to the experience in a strange way. e Tomb of the Eagles is at Isbister where its Visitor Centre offers the opportunity to see a 5000-year-old Stone Age tomb and a 3000-year-old Bronze Age building discovered by Orcadian farmer, Ronnie Simison. anks to him and his wife, Morgan, this centre opened. Aer an introductory talk and handling of relics, we opted to go via the Liddle Burnt Mound and Chambered Cairn before returning to the centre. e leaflet had indicated allowing around two hours to enjoy the site fully, in fact for us it was probably nearly three hours. Ronnie’s search for stones to use on a farm track in the 1970s had led him and Morgan to develop a long-held passion for archaeology. Impressive … Majestic Archaeologists exposed the building with its stone trough, water system and hearth. e domestic setup was impressive as the Tomb of the Eagles was majestic, being perched on sea cliffs. e chambered cairn, within a retaining wall, looks no more than a mound of grassy earth with some surrounding stones and rocks. Closer inspection reveals much more. e entrance to it is in fact 10’ long, but only 34” high and 28” wide. Stone Age dwellers would have gained access by scrambling in; today a trolley linked to a pulley is the method. It’s definitely fun for the kids and, if truth be told, for adults alike! Once inside the chamber is actually 6.5’ high with central and side chambers as well as two end cells. Like many such sites, subsequent research of it has revealed much, particularly of the clear alignment to the rising sun. e purpose of this site was to be a tomb, but one constructed over many years. Experts suggest it was used for perhaps a period of 800 years before its roof was removed and central chamber filled in. e reason is not clear as the area alongside it continued to be used as a burial site. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER <strong>2016</strong> SCOTTISH ISLANDS EXPLORER 33
Page 1 and 2: SCOTTISH ISLANDS THE UK’S ONLY MA
Page 3 and 4: Morvern - page 35 Lerwick - page 8
Page 5 and 6: VISION FOR 2020 Here we are with th
Page 7 and 8: INSIGHTS Page Index Header A Gift f
Page 9 and 10: Lerwick ‘Lerwick may have seen it
Page 11 and 12: Lerwick The Inconvenience e Shetlan
Page 13 and 14: From the Static to the Dynamic Jack
Page 15 and 16: ISLANDS BEYOND Hew Prendergast find
Page 17 and 18: ‘is huge granite structure oen pu
Page 19 and 20: Oban a golf course, extensive garde
Page 21 and 22: The Cladh Hallan Mummies NOVEMBER /
Page 23 and 24: The Cladh Hallan Mummies different
Page 25 and 26: READERS’ OPPORTUNITIES Page Index
Page 27 and 28: NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 SCOTTISH I
Page 29 and 30: ‘Wherever you go on the island, b
Page 31: e fire was fuelled by coal and work
Page 35 and 36: Morvern James Petre sees it more as
Page 37 and 38: Morvern Remoteness and Emptiness e
Page 39 and 40: The Corryvreckan ‘Local fishermen
Page 41 and 42: The Corryvreckan topography. e word
Page 43 and 44: The Beehive Cells A Pastoral Site I
Page 45 and 46: Inchcolm ‘ ... a hermit who serve
Page 47 and 48: Inchcolm Page 44 Top: Inchcolm by F
Page 49 and 50: CROSSWORD Page Index 25 Header by T
Page 51: Scottish Explorer 20% EXPLORER RHEN

Scottish Islands Explorer 40: Nov / Dec 2016

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