I’ve spent the last few days in Orkney. Its quite a place, amazing sea views. There is nothing quite like a walk along the cliffs. Orkney has a wonderful shoreline. As you walk you become aware of the amazing power of the sea. It is this sea power that can change a coastline.

We visited a place called Skarabrae. It is on the southern shore of the Bay o’ Skaill, in the West Mainland parish of Sandwick. It is here that the Neolithic village of Skara Brae was discovered in the mid 19th century. Today, it is one of Orkney’s most-visited ancient sites. It was certainly busy when we viewed it yesterday. I believe it has achieved world heritage status. It is truly worth visiting

In the winter of 1850, a great storm battered Orkney. The notorious Orkney winds and extremely high tides stripped the grass from a large mound known then as Skerrabra.

What was revealed was in fact the outline of a number of stone buildings. The discovery intrigued the local laird, William Watt of Skaill, so he embarked on an excavation of the site. The Lairds house is close by and today you can visit the house and wander around the rooms. Its a facinating place that was built in the 17th century as a home for Bishop Graham.

Anyway back to the story. By 1868, after the remains of four ancient houses had been unearthed, work at Skerrabra was abandoned until 1925, when another storm damaged some of the previously-excavated structures. A sea-wall was built to preserve these remains, but during the construction work more ancient structures were discovered. Today it is well and truly secured and worth a visit. Makes you think though. Here is a civilization that dates before Abraham its over 5000 years old. As you ask questions you find they too were looking for answers seeking after God. Anway I hope you enjoy the pictures. They’re meant to get you to think – to begin to put life into a proper perspective. People have been before us and will be after us. We too have to make our contribution. Looking out from where we are