A lunar eclipse on the winter solstice is a rare event that few will witness. The last lunar Solstice eclipse was 372 years ago. The Orcadian newspaper astronomer, John Vetterlein of Rousay, takes …
Dr John Rae, Explorer
Orcadian, Dr. John Rae was an intrepid explorer whose important discoveries were met with indifference and even derision. Rae was born at the Hall of Clestrain in the parish of Orphir in Orkney, to …
St. Magnus Cathedral
A large part of the imposing and magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall has stood for over 850 years. In 1137, work started on this church built of red and yellow sandstone, to house the …
Ring of Brodgar
The Ring of Brodgar in Orkney is one of the largest neolithic stone circles and henges in Britain. Thought to have been built in the late Neolithic period, around 2500BC (a hundred years after …
Barnhouse Neolithic Settlement
The 5000 year old village of Barnhouse in Orkney, is one of the finest examples of neolithic settlement in the UK. Situated on the shore of Loch Harray, archaeological excavations in the 1980's …
Standing stones of Stenness
The imposing neolithic standing stones of Stenness in Orkney are thought to have been erected between 3000 and 2500 BC. Twelve standing stones originally formed the stone circle at Stenness but …