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FIELD SITES of Archaeological
Interest (a few of many)
(References are Ordinance Survey Map
references)
Broch Remains:
Oxtro, (Hedges #3,
HY254268) between the main road A986 and the Loch of Boardhouse.
Skogar, (Hedges #1,
HY264234), on land of the WWII Twatt Aerodrome, about 400m east of the Loch
of Isbister. Completely ruined.
Knowe of Taft (Hedges
#2, HY284223) near the Loch of Sabiston. Ruined.
Other possible brochs
are questionable: Savar Howe, sites on Loch of Hundland &
of Isbister. The so-called Picki-house, the Knowe of Nesthouse
is another possibility. (map
references)
The Birsay Bay Project
sites:
During 1976-1982 major archaeological
work was done around Birsay Bay, including Links, Saevar Howe, Point
of Buckquoy and the Brough. Except for the scheduled monuments,
the sites have covered, but it well worth a visit to gain a feel
for the landscape and environment and to see the relation to the
present village. St.
Magnus Church and the Earl's
Palace are in the village. The archaeological findings are
reported in The Birsay Bay Project by C.D. Morris,
et.al., in two volumes published by the University of Durham, 1989.
Chambered Cairns:
Newan (Davidson &
Henshall #39, HY271277),
Holy Kirk (Davidson &
Henshall #65, HY249216) and
Vestra Fiold(#79, HY240218) are now in Sandwick, but they are on the Birsay
road.
Chapel sites:
Marwick Bay (HY230241)
remains of a Norse Chapel
Spurdigrove (HY255244) Standing Stone
and probable chapel/burial ground
Manse Well is not a
chapel, but waters from this well were formerly said to have healing waters
attributed to St. Magnus
Kirbuster Hill Barrows
(Ritchie #68, HY284263), Queenafiold
Standing Stones:
Quoybune (Ritchie #66, HY252262)
prominent Standing Stone, said to drink from the nearby loch on New Year's Eve
Stanerandy,
(HY267276), a mound and two Standing Stones
RURAL LIFE and INDUSTRY
Sabiston Mill, not
open to the public but right on main road A986 to the Palace.
Sand Geo (Marwick) and Northside
Fishermen's Huts & nousts
Peat Workings (Dounby - Evie Road)
Kelp burning
WARTIME MEMORIALS
Twatt & Skeabrae
Aerodromes (see Gregor Lamb "Sky over Scapa 1939- 1945" publisher:
Byrgisey, 1991)
Kitchener's Memorial
Tower, Marwick Head.
HMS Tern, the Royal Naval Air Station
at Twatt
SCENIC
WALKS along North Side, Marwick Head, the Loons and the Moorlands
References:
Orkney,
Anna Ritchie, 1996. Edinburgh: HM Stationery Office
Bu, Gurness and the Brochs of
Orkney, Vol III. John W. Hedges, 1987. Oxford: B.A.R. British Series 165.
The Chambered Cairns of Orkney,
Davidson and Henshall, 1989. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
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