Skara Brae: Scotland’s Hidden Gem

Hidden away in the Orkney Islands is an ancient settlement that’s older than the Great Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge. It’s a small cluster of stone dwellings dating back to 3180BC, and it’s so beautifully preserved it’s gained the nickname of “Scottish Pompeii”.

Skara Brae is Europe’s most complete Neolithic Village, and it’s played a big part in archaeologists discovering more about the way our ancestors lived. There are bits of pottery, plus built-in furniture like cupboards, that we can still recognise today.

How such an important and interesting place has escaped wider acclaim I’m not quite sure, but I can say one thing for certain, the next time I’m in Scotland I’m going to do my best to get to Orkney Mainland and see this place for myself.

all images by yellow book