Blog Post

The Ness of Brodgar

  • by Brian Alexander
  • 24 Jul, 2019
Today I took a group from the Hebridean Princess to the Ness of Brodgar, where the Site Director Nick Card gave a fascinating talk to us. The Ness of Brodgar is the name of the thin strip of land, in the West Mainland of Orkney, that separates the lochs of Harray and Stenness. Part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ness is covered in, and surrounded by archaeology and, until the beginning of the 21st century, was best-known as the location of the Ring of Brodgar. In 2002, that changed. On the south-eastern end of the isthmus, excavation has revealed a massive complex of monumental Neolithic buildings along with associated “artwork”, pottery, bones and stone tools.
by Brian Alexander 24 Apr, 2022
Today 24th April I had another peedie (little) milestone post COVID. I had my first German language Kirkwall Walking tour from the MSC Magnifica. I practiced my German for a day or two before, but it is fair to say there is room for improvement?!
by Brian Alexander 03 Apr, 2022
Today I had two tours to the Ring of Brodgar with American visitors from the Viking Venus. This was my first tour of the 2022 season and the weather was less then kind. My voice was shredded with talking so long. This is a bummer as I pick up a three day Harmony tour tomorrow.
by Brian Alexander 31 Dec, 2021
An early start this morning at 8.30am to make full use of the limited daylight. In the morning we visited the Broch of Gurness, the Earl's Palace and Skara Brae. Then after lunch, it was the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness and then back to Kirkwall via John Hamilton's stone pick-up.
by Brian Alexander 26 Dec, 2021
Normally in Kirkwall Orkney the Mens' Ba is thrown up at 1 o'clock on Christmas Day. Due to COVID this years games were again cancelled. However this lady took her father's Ba down to Broad Street, to display. A few die hard Ba players were down on the street to admire it.
by Brian Alexander 27 Nov, 2021
After Storm Arwen we now have an icy blast, which means I have to start feeding my cattle. This is later than normal, due to a mild Orkney Autumn. However I am short of silage, due to the very dry summer and therefore would have liked to put off feeding for a week or so yet.
by Brian Alexander 11 Oct, 2021
It’s Monday, so it must be another Harmony Coach Holiday tour and the weather looks like it’s going to be good?!
by Brian Alexander 29 Aug, 2021
I just finished another lovely Harmony Coach Holiday tour, with another great bunch of folks. There were quite a few folk from the North East of Scotland this time. I only have three more of them to go in 2021 sob, sob! But on the bright side the next one begins on Wednesday!
by Brian Alexander 25 Aug, 2021
Today I had two tours to Skara Brae, Skaill House and the Ring of Brodgar, from the Marella Explorer 2
by Brian Alexander 24 Aug, 2021
Today I had two tours across the barriers to the Italian Chapel and back along St Magnus Cathedral from MV Celebrity Silhouette.
by Brian Alexander 23 Aug, 2021
Today I said goodbye to my Harmony Coach Holiday Tour after visiting the Earls Palace Birsay and the Broch of Gurness in the West Mainland of Orkney
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