Orkney: A Historical Guide (Birlinn historical guides)

by Caroline Wickham - Jones (Author)

• Used

  Illustrated
  1998

  $3.25

  The Orkney Islands lie only twenty miles north of mainland Scoff and, yet for many centuries their culture was more Scandinavian than Scottish. Strong westerly winds account for the scarcity of trees on Orkney, so most buildings were constructed with stone. As a result, there are a number of exceptionally well-preserved remains to be found on the islands, providing a rounded view of society through the ages that is unique in Scotland. Sites and remains to be explored include settlements from the Stone Age, stone circles, and metalwork from the Bronze Age, Iron Age brochs, Pictish churches, Viking battle-grounds, the magnificent cathedral of St. Magnus, and a martello tower from the Napoleonic Wars.