Ring of Brodgar

We also had a quick trip to the Ring of Brodgar after visiting the Broch of Gurness.  There were coachloads of folk there and as you will have noticed, I don't like people in my photos. Ha!  Anyway here are a few to give you a flavour of the beautiful Ring of stones which date from the late neolithic to early bronze age period (around 2500 to 2000 BC).  The stones are about 7 feet tall and of course there will be a substantial amount of each stone below the surface.  In the centre is heather, and round the outside a large ditch.

I love the profile of this stone.

Tradition says one should walk round it clockwise (with the sun) and not "widdershins" (against the sun).

Some of the stones are splitting....

And the view looks across to the Hoy Hills.... (and Graemsay too of course!).

There are mounds around the circle which haven't been excavated (so much archaeology, so little time and money!).

The stories the stones could tell....

They can have a mystical feel in the landscape...

Because of so many tourists visiting the circle, Historic Scotland are having to take remedial measures to repair the paths and surrounding areas. Unfortunately not all visitors stick to the paths and damage is occurring to the more sensitive areas.  So a wooden fence is placed around areas being worked on. It spoils the view but is necessary to ensure these monuments continue through the ages.

Of course Button is unable to come adventuring but stays at home snoozing... here is a gratuitous picture of Madam Button....

Broch of Gurness

Winter I don't do much and so don't have much to post, summer is so busy I don't have TIME to post.  Anyway here are some photos of the Broch of Gurness that I visited recently when a friend came to stay.

Brochs were built during the Iron Age and are unique to Scotland, mostly at the northerly tip and also the Northern Isles (Orkney & Shetland). They may have been built as defensive structures or as status symbols.  Either way they are quite impressive, with much of the stone work remaining.  This broch, like many others, was two stories high with a central staircase. The one at Gurness in Evie is well worth a visit.  Here are some photos - it's close to the shore with the island of Rousay across Eynhallow Sound.

The site is managed by Historic Scotland and there is a small museum/interpretation centre for visitors.  Here is a picture of a model of a completed broch. Obviously there is some speculation as to final construction and use, but there is enough stone for quite a bit of interpretation.

The central part is circular with various "houses" outside, and the whole surrounded by ditches.

The ditch - currently colonised by primulas!

It's possible to walk around inside.....

These lined pits are thought to have been filled with water and maybe held fish, lobster etc.

And the staircase I mentioned!

In, looking out....

Out, looking in....

Outside you can see remains of some dwellings.  This is thought to be a fire pit in the centre of a house.

And one final look back at the broch and village, and over the Sound to Rousay.

Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Broch of Gurness in Evie on the Orkney Mainland!

Hens, Button & garden...

Ahem, Big Ginger says he is NOT a hen.  Well no, he's a cockerel, obviously.  One of three, sigh. No that was NOT intentional. But one was supposed to be a hen and turned out to be a cockerel and one of last year's chicks was a male.  Hence 3 of them.  They ought to be "dispatched" as I really don't want more chicks, but I can't do it myself and so far no takers....  So I have Big, Medium and Peedie Ginger.....and no, fortunately they don't fight.  A bit of posturing, but with so many hens (about 12)
they kind of have their own little harem.

As I say - their own harem.  Now THIS is why I have to keep the hens OUT of the veg patch....too many dust baths!

The girls strutting their stuff and having a drink too.....

The girls (and boys) love rootling around in the grass and among the garden plants.  They do eat grass (which surprised me), but of course they prefer other things given the chance, so I am usually pursued around the garden in the hope of scraps or seeds or whatever.

And here is Tallulah, she's a Shetland Black hen. Very pretty with a top knot of feathers (hence her exotic name).  She's gone broody today (along with 3 others) so she'll be in hiding for about 3 weeks now. Sigh...

Now to the garden.... yes the fence is still keeping the hens (and Button) OUT! Hooray! The slugs got various tender plants (if it's not one thing it's another!) so I'm now trying pots for some runner beans, and a courgette.  Strawberries too as the strawberry patch is rather full.

The courgette is in flower!

And look! Gooseberries!  First time in YEARS I have had gooseberries as the hens loved them when they were tiny little berries and would scoff the lot! Jumping up to nip them off the branches despite some prickly branches.  Cheeky hens! These are tiny I know but in a few weeks....whoo hoo - gooseberry crumble?

Here are peas and broad beans.  In Orkney it's unwise to plant out tender plants much before May so these are still quite small but they are growing quickly now the sun is out and the ground has warmed up!

I think the hens are still plotting how to get into the veg patch though....

Now this wee patch has been sown with wildflower seeds to attract bees and other insects.  Coming along not too badly.  It will be interesting to see what grows!

And here is the strawberry patch coming along nicely too. Flowers out and lots of growth.  I'll need to cover them once they start to fruit as these are outside the fenced off bit.  But I usually get a reasonable crop.

And where is Button I hear you ask?  Well she's snoozing on top of the compost heap of course! Warmth above and below!

She does come for a wander to see what I'm doing. But won't always pose for a photo. Ha!

Let's try again.....

Nope.... I'll give up then..... spot the contrary cat in this!

One thing is for sure, we all love the sunny warm days!

Orkney Folk Festival

Last weekend was the Orkney Folk Festival (it's been going for 34 years and goes from strength to strength).  I managed to get over for some of the concerts and pub sessions.  The weather was glorious (for a change) and on the Saturday when I was over there was also lots going on in the street with impromptu groups, as well as local produce being sold at stalls, and tea and cake available to help raise money for charity.  The atmosphere is lively and an opportunity to catch up with folk too as often those who have moved away from Orkney come back for the festival.  Here are a few photos I took over the weekend.

I went to Ivan Drever's Birthday Bash concert in the Stromness Town Hall (a converted church and the location for many a great night). He had a string of Orkney musicians joining him on stage and there was a real party atmosphere! Ivan is originally from Orkney but now lives in Norway but comes back to perform at various gigs.  First time I'd been able to see him though.  I had to leave before the end to get the ferry home, but it was still a fantastic concert!

To the right of him in this photo is Andy Cant, also an acclaimed Orkney musician who plays a multiplicity of instruments and composes too. He is also Button's vet.  The one that said she needed to lose a little weight.  After seeing him perform I have forgiven him.  Button on the other hand...

Many of Ivan's musician friends were performing too including the Wrigley Sisters, the Songshop Choir, Saltfishforty, and the Kirkwall City Pipe Band. A variety of musicians and styles accompanying Ivan made for a musical extravaganza!

Saturday began with a concert in the Stromness Hotel with several groups of musicians taking the stage including the local community band the Stronsay Silver Darlings. Again the first chance I've had to see them play.  I was quite a way back in the hall so probably not the best of photos! The group is made up of youngsters and adults from the Orkney island of Stronsay.

They were followed by a band from Dublin, Lynched, I loved their kind of music, lively,  and great voices harmonising..

And finally Julie Fowlis, a Gaelic folk singer with a beautiful sweet voice.  I particularly loved her Gaelic voice music - sounds made in a rhythm as women would have worked the tweed.

Then it was outside into the bright sunshine and time to meet up with a friend and wander around listening to some MORE great music. This group were playing at the pier head by the John Rae statue.

We ended up at a pub session in "The Legion" (The Royal British Legion) up the road in Stromness to hear Gnoss playing.

They were soon joined by a group of their pals and played for hours! It was so energising to see such young musicians playing great music.

Then it was time to head home, the festival goes on for 4 days and I only managed a day and a half! Lightweight!  Though it's not so easy from Graemsay unless I stay in town. But I still had a fun time!

Stromness was buzzing too with visitors and locals, and the town was "dressed" for the part.

So that's it for another year, and a good time was had by all, by all accounts!