Category: Uncategorized

  • Nether Largie Standing Stones

    Visiting the Standing Stones at Nether Largie in the Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

    The standing stones in Nether Largie were my next stop in the Kilmartin Glen. Five large standing stones form a X.

    There are many theories as to why the stones were put there, and in this form, it might have been a lunar observatory, which marks where the moon will rise and set at certain points in its cycle. But there are also some solar alignments.

    Visiting the Standing Stones at Nether Largie in the Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

    The lunar observatory, if that is what it is, was built about 3,200 years ago. The interesting thing about this date is that cup and ring carvings are thought to date back to a period 1,500 years earlier still. (Undiscovered Scotland)

    Visiting the Standing Stones at Nether Largie in the Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

    Even when we don´t know why these stones were put there, quite a few superstitions surround them. Camping nearby will bring good luck, but touching them might bring bad luck. (I hope I didn´t touch them!)

    Visiting the Standing Stones at Nether Largie in the Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

    The Nether Largie Standing Stones remains to be one of the greatest mysteries of Kilmartin Glen. What can be interpreted, however, is that these archaeological features were of great importance to the inhabitants of the Bronze Age, even if the reasons behind their placement are kept a fascinating secret. (Hidden Sotland)

    Visiting the Standing Stones at Nether Largie in the Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

     

    Temple Wood Stone Circle

    Just a short walk from the standing stones, Temple Wood has two stone circles.

    The earliest remains on the site indicate it was first used in about 3500–3000 BC, when a timber circle was built. Work began on a stone circle to replace the timber one, but was never finished.

    In about 3000 BC an oval setting of 22 standing stones was built south-west of the timber circle. None is taller than 1.6m, and one is marked with a spiral motif –paralleled in Irish passage-grave art – which strongly suggests contact between Kilmartin and Ireland. (Historic Enviroment Scotland)

    Temple Wood Stone Circle in Kilmartin GLen, Scotland.

    In about 2000 BC two small burial cairns outside the stone circle were constructed.

    Sir John Malcolm, a landowner, was so fascinated by the circles that he planted trees around them at the end of the 1800s, which he named Temple Wood.

    Temple Wood Stone Circle in Kilmartin GLen, Scotland.

  • Arnol

    Walking through the blackhouses in Arnol, Isle of Lewis.

    Coming back to one of my favourite places to visit in the Isle of Lewis – the blackhouses in Arnol. Again I took a little walk through the village before visiting the museum.

    Walking through the blackhouses in Arnol, Isle of Lewis.

    The White House looks inviting, and I think the furniture has changed around a little bit since last year.

    Walking through the blackhouses in Arnol, Isle of Lewis.

    Walking through the blackhouses in Arnol, Isle of Lewis.

    And going inside the blackhouse – it was smoky, like last year. But at least I didn´t wear a mask, that I had to throw out afterwards.

    Walking through the blackhouses in Arnol, Isle of Lewis.

    Walking through the blackhouses in Arnol, Isle of Lewis.

    The teapot is always on.

    Walking through the blackhouses in Arnol, Isle of Lewis.

    After my visit to Arnol, I continued to drive northward towards the Butt of Lewis, but there had to be a few stops. Like visiting the amazing vintage shop “Sea in Design” and a single-standing stone.

    Clach An Truishal

    Clach An Truishal Standing Stone in the north of the Isle of Lewis.

    It is the last remainder of a stone circle and also the tallest standing stone in Scotland.

    Clach An Truishal Standing Stone in the north of the Isle of Lewis.

  • Summer 2023

    Now that all about summer 2021 is published, before I start with all the posts about My Hebridean Summer 2022 this Thursday, so let´s talk about this upcoming summer!

    2023 will be a mixture of 2021 and 2022 – I am going back to Shetland, but this time for a whole month! I am already looking forward to seeing the difference to 2021 when I was probably one of the very very few “foreign” tourists on the islands and it was so calm and quiet. This year there will be even a boat race while I a there.

    In August I will be going back to the Inner Hebrides, to Tiree and Coll. Coll will be the only new island this year and I am looking forward to exploring the island next to Tiree. And yeah, Tiree – one-week last year just wasn´t enough for that little paradise!

    exploring Yell, an island north of Shetland mainland.
    Yell, Shetland
    View over some rocks in Tiree, right next to the Tiree Gin distillery.
    Tiree