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Recently added

Kilmartin chalets in the beautiful Glenurquhart available for Christmas more info

Silver Birch luxury cottage situated in Glenurquhart available for Christmas more info

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Golf
Golf in the highlands

Strathpeffer spa Golf Club was founded in 1888, one of the original course designers was the grand old man of golf Tom Morris of St Andrews, in more recent times Peter Allis has described the course as a jewel in the Highlands of Scotland.

Spring

Spring in the Scottish Highlands

From Easter the whole of Scotland opens up all the, zoos, parks, national parks, museums, science centres, workshops, open days, Live history in the shape of out door shows and pageantry, castles, gardens, art galleries, activity centres for the water sports, sailing, golf, horse riding,  whisky tasting -Follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail. Read More 

Summer

Summer in the Scottish Highlands

In the summer this area is stunningly beautiful with a wild landscape, becoming a Highland playground for out door activities with whale and seal watching, sailing in a glass bottomed boat from Kyle of Lochalsh, or higher a mountain bike and use the many off road bike areas set up for people to use a good one is just by Balnain. Read More

Autumn

Autumn in the Scottish Highlands

Autumn's crisp chill and vibrant colorations provide the perfect backdrop for a visit to the Highlands. There are rivers, lochs and forests offering spectacular colours of the trees, from golden yellow to fiery red, bright orange and dark cranberry, miles of white sand beaches, mountain ranges with hiking, fishing villages, and coastal resorts with elegant yachts bobbing in the harbour. Read More

Winter

Winter in the Scottish Highlands

The winters are mild at low altitude but become snowier and colder with the higher mountains they can have up to 6 months of snow The days are shorter and the secret is to get up a wee bit earlier. Read More

Brough Of Birsay (Island) vist Orkney islands PDF Print E-mail
Brough Of Birsay (Island) This tidal island lying just offshore from the north-western point of Mainland has important remains of Pictish and Norse settlements. The island can be reached On foot at low tide across a causeway.
For times of low tide apply to the local tourist offices in Stromness or Kirkwslt. The earliest remains are houses and metalworking debris of the Pictish period. Recent archaeological excavations have thrown much doubt on the original interpretation of the remains as a monastery. The site includes a fine Pictish symbol stone replica. Norse occupation. - In the 1 OC and 11 C Norsemen lived on the Brough and a group of farmsteads marks this period. The Norse Earls (Jarls) of Orkney, made Birsay one of their principal seats in Orkney.
Earl Thorfinn the Mighty (cl009·65), on his return from a pilgrimage to Rome, built a church either on the Brough or in Birsay village.
Was the church on the Brough the Christchurch of the Orkneyinga Saga In the early 12C it is likely there was a Norse monastery on the Brough. Thorf'inn's church became the cathedral of Orkney and this was the initial resting place of St Magnus. His holy relics remained enshrined here for over twenty years before Bishop William finally had them translated to Kirkwall. In the mid-12C the new church in Kirkwall took over the functions of cathedral.		 Birsay 
The church on the Brough continued to be visited throughout the medieval period but eventually fell into ruin. The church on the Brough has a small oblong nave, short narrow choir and rounded apse. It is unlikely to date from before the early 12C. The church is set within an enclosure representing the Norse graveyard.
Both Pictish and Norse graves have been uncovered. An important example of the former is the Birsay Stone (replica) portraying three armed warriors. On the far side (to the north) of the church are the domestic buildings of the priests, in three ranges enclosing a courtyard. Norse long houses. - To the southwest and higher up the slope are typical Norse houses with the living quarters at the upper end and byre lower down. The walls had cores of turf. Between the church and the cliff (to the east) are the complex remains of Norse buildings of various periods, some of which have been thought to represent Earl Thorfinns palace. Site museum. - Display of objects found during excavations.		  Birsay
Last Updated on Saturday, 17 October 2009 08:47
 

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