Orkney and Shetland, 1946, volume 1

Page Transcription
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-001 ORKNEY & SHETLAND ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS SCOTLAND
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-002 RCAHMS NMRS [note] 447 A1.1 INV (12)
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-003 [photograph inserted] FIG.I. - St. Magnus Church, Egilsay, from N.E. (No. 611).
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-004 [coat of arms] THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND TWELFTH REPORT WITH AN INVENTORY OF THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS OF ORKNEY & SHETLAND VOLUME I REPORT & INTRODUCTION Crown Copyright Reserved EDINBURGH
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-005 THE REPORT and INVENTORY are published in three volumes:- Vol. I - REPORT AND INTRODUCTION 10s. 0d. net Vol. II - INVENTORY OF ORKNEY -- £1 15s. 0d. net Vol. III - INVENTORY OF SHETLAND -- £1 0s. 0d. net The compleat set of three volumes may be purchased at the inclusive price of £3 3s. 0d. net EDINBURGH PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: 13A Castle Street. Edinburgh 2; York House, Kingsway, London W.C.2; 39-41 King Street, Manchester 2; 1 St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; 80 Chichester Street, Belfast; or through any bookseller 1946 Price 10s.d. net S.O. Code No. 49-140-12-1
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-006 CONTENTS -- page LIST OF PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS -- v ROYAL WARRANTS RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING THE TERMS OF THE COMMISSION -- vii ROYAL WARRANT APPOINTING A NEW CHAIRMAN -- ix ROYAL WARRANTS APPOINTING NEW COMMISSIONERS -- x TWELFTH REPORT OF THE COMMISSION -- xv LIST OF ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CON- STRUCTIONS IN ORKNEY AND SHETLAND WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS DEEM MOST WORTHY OF PRESERVATION -- xviii SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY -- xxii INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTORY OF ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN ORKNEY AND SHETLAND -- 1 GLOSSARY -- 63 INDEX -- 65 iii
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-007 LIST OF PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS Figure -- Name -- Plate or {p} Page 1 St. Magnus Church, Egilsay, from N.E. (No. 611) -- Frontisp 2 Types of chambered cairns -- p.16 3 The Dwarfie Stane, from N.W. (No. 385) -- 1 4 Chambered cairn, Calf of Eday (No 245) ; stalled chamber -- 2 5 Miscellaneous relics from Orkney and Shetland -- 3 6 Some typical Viking relics from Orkney and Shetland -- 4 7 Brooch from Clibberswick, Unst -- 5 8 Comb and case from Skaill (No. 767) -- 5 9 Gold discs and amber beads from the Knowes of Trotty (No. 73) -- 6 10 Sketch-map, after Thomas, showing monuments near the Bridge of Brodgar -- p27 11 Distributions map of Orkney brochs -- p29 12 Distribution map of Shetland brochs -- p30 13 Broch of Mousa, from S. (No. 1206) -- 7 14 Chambered cairns in Orkney. Head of Work, from E. (No. 414) -- 8 15 Do. The Knowe of Lingro, from E. (No. 562) -- 8 16 Do. The Knowe of Lairo, from N.E. (No. 577) -- 8 17 Do. The Knowe of Lairo, from E. (No. 577) -- 8 18 Cairns in Shetland. Hurdi Field (No. 1410) -- 9 19 Do. North End of South Houllan (No. 1425) -- 9 20 Do. Upper Loch of Brouster (No. 1437) -- 9 21 Do. Sclater's Cuml (No. 1624) -- 9 22 Do. Heoga Ness (No. 1727) -- 9 23 Do. Burga Water (No. 1616) -- 9 24 Mounds of burnt stones in Shetland. Lochs of Beosetter (No. 1090) -- 10 25 Do. Sefster (No. 1448) -- 10 26 Do. Skelberry (No. 1169) -- 10 27 Do. Will Houll (No. 1091) -- 10 28 Do. Quildrin Knowe (No. 1661) -- 10 29 Do. Swinister (No. 1166) -- 10 30 Earl's Palace, Kirkwall (No. 401) ; main block from S.W. -- 11 31 Standing stones in Orkney. Watch Stone (No. 879) -- 12 32 Do. Setter (No. 212) -- 12 33 Do. Cloddyhall (No. 823) -- 12 v
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-008 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. FIGURE -- NAME -- PLATE OR {p} PAGE 34 Standing stones in Orkney. Mor Stein (No. 782) -- 12 35 Do. Near Holland House, N. Ronaldsay (No. 196) -- 12 36 Do. Barnhouse Stone (No. 880) -- 12 37 Stone implements from Shetland. Rude implements -- 13 38 Do. Polished knives -- 13 39 Orkney arrow-heads -- 14 40 Orkney arrow-heads -- 15 41 Old water-mill at Millbridge, Orkney ; machinery -- 16 42 Typical Orkney kiln, at Kirkabist, Egilsay -- 16 43 Old water-mill at Millbridge, Orkney ; exterior -- 16 44 Kiln at Exnaboe, Shetland. Plan -- p.56 45 Broken stone hammers from Orkney -- 17 46 Polished stone axes and adzes from Shetland -- 18 47 Neolithic pottery from Orkney. From the Knowe of Onston (No. 893) -- 19 48 Do. From the Knowe of Onston (No. 893) -- 19 49 Do. From the chambered cairn (No. 245) on the Calf of Eday -- 19 50 Steatite urns -- 20 vi
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-009 ROYAL WARRANTS RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING THE TERMS OF THE COMMISSION WHITEHALL February 12, 1936 The KING has been pleased to issue a Warrant under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual to the following effect:— EDWARD R.I. EDWARD THE EIGHTH by the Grace if God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, to all to whom these Presents shall come:— GREETING! Whereas it pleased His late Majesty from time to time to issue Royal Com- missions of Enquiry for various purposes therein specified@ And whereas in the case of certain of these Commissions, namely, those known as— ........................................................................................................................ Ancient and Historical Monuments (Scotland) Commission ........................................................................................................................ the Commissioners appointed by His late Majesty, or such of them as were then acting as Commissioners, were at the late Demise of the Crown still engaged upon the business entrusted to them : And whereas We deem it expedient that the said Commissioners should continue their labours in connection with the said enquiries notwithstanding the late Demise of the Crown : Now Know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in the zeal, discretion and ability of the present members of each of the said Commissions, do by these Presents authorize them to continue their labours and do hereby in every essential particular ratify and confirm the terms of the said several Commissions. And we do further ordain that the said Commissioners do report to Us under their hands or under the hands of such of their number as may be specified in the Com- missions respectively, their opinion upon the matters presented for their consideration ; and that any proceedings which they or any of them may have taken under and in pursuance of the said Commissions since the late Demise of the Crown and before the issue of these Presents shall be deemed and adjudged to have been taken under and in virtue of this Our Commission. Given at Our Court at St James's the tenth day of February, 1936 ; in the first Year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, JOHN SIMON vii
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-010 WHITEHALL, December , 1936 The KING has been pleased to issue a Warrant under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual to the following effect: — GEORGE R.I. GEORGE THE SIXTH, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the seas, King Defender of the Faith, to all all to whom these Presents shall come :— GREETING ! Whereas it pleased our Royal Predecessors from time to time to issue Royal Commissions of Enquiry for various purposes therein specified : And whereas in the case of certain of these Commissions, namely, those known as— ............................................................................................................................... Ancient and Historical Monuments (Scotland) Commission ............................................................................................................................... the Commissioners appointed by Our Royal Predecessors, or such of them as were then acting as Commissioners, were at the late Demise of the Crown still engaged upon the business entrusted to them ; And whereas We deem it expedient that the said Commissioners should continue their labours in connection with the said enquiries notwithstanding the late Demise of the Crown : Now Know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in the zeal, dis- cretion and ability of the present members of each of the said Commissions, do by these Presents authorize them to continue their labours and do hereby in every essential particular ratify and confirm the terms of the said several Commissions. And We do further ordain that the said Commissioners do report to Us under their hands or under the hands of such of their number as may be specified in the Commissions respectively, their opinion upon the matters presented for their considera- tion ; and that any proceedings which they or any of them may have taken under and in pursuance of the said Commissions since the late Demise of the Crown and before the issue of these Presents shall be deemed and adjudged to have been taken under and in virtue of this Our Commission. Given at Our Court at Saint James's the seventeenth day of December, 1936 ; in the first Year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, JOHN SIMON viii
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-011 ROYAL WARRANT APPOINTING A NEW CHAIRMAN GEORGE R.I. GEORGE THE FIFTH, by the Grace of God, of Great Britian, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir GEORGE MACDONALD, Knight Commander of Our Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Master of Arts, Fellow of the British Academy, Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Laws, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland:- GREETING! Whereas it pleased His late Majesty by Warrant under His Royal Sign Manual bearing date the seventh day of February, Nineteen hundred and eight, to direct the issue of Letters Patent under the Seal appointed by the Treaty of Union to be kept and made use of in place of the Great Seal of Scotland appointing Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell, Baronet, together with the several persons therein mentioned to be Commissioners to make an Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illus- trative of the contemporary culture, civilisation, and conditions of life of the people in Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707. And whereas the office of Chairman of the said Commission has become vacant by the resignation of the said Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell, Baronet. Now Know ye that We reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge, discretion and ability have nominated, constituted and appointed and do by these Presents nominate, constitute and appoint you the said Sir George Macdonald, one of the Members of the said Commission, to be Chairman thereof, subject to the provisions of the aforesaid Letters Patent. Given at Our Court at Windsor [italics] the tewenty-seventh day of April [italics], 1934, in the twenty-fourth year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, GODFREY P. COLLINS. b[italics] ix
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-012 ROYAL WARRANTS APPOINTING NEW COMMISSIONERS GEORGE R.I. GEORGE THE FIFTH, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir John Maxwell Stirling Maxwell, Baronet, Knight of our most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle:- GREETING! Whereas it pleased HIs late Majexty by Warrant under HIs Royal Sign Manual bearing date the seventh day of February, Nineteen hundred and eight, to direct the issue of Letters Patent under the Seal appointed by the Treaty of Union to be kept and made use of in place of the Great Seal of Scotland appointing Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell, Baronet, together with the several persons therein mentioned to be Commissioners to make an Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation, and conditions of life of the people in Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707. And whereas a vacancy has occurred amongst the Commissioners so appointed. Now Know ye that We reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge, discretion and ability have nominated, constituted and appointed and do by these Presents nominate, constitute and appoint you the said Sir John Maxwell Stirling Maxwell to be one of the Commissioners for the purposes of the said Inquiry. Given at Our Court at Saint James's the thirteenth day of March 1934, in the twenty-fourth Year of Our Reign. By HIs Majesty's Command, GODFREY P COLLINS
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-013 GEORGE R.I. GEORGE THE FIFTH, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved John Graham Callander, Esquire, Doctor of Laws, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland:- GREETING! Whereas it pleased his late Majesty by Warrant under His Royal Sign Manual bearing date the seventh day of February, Nineteen hundred and eight, to direct the issue of Letters Patent under the Seal appointed by the Treaty of Union to be kept and made use of in place of the Great Seal of Scotland appointing Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor Sir Herbert Eustace Maxwell, Baronet, together with the several persons therein mentioned to be Commissioners to make an Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation, and conditions of life of the people in Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707. And whereas a vacancy has occurred amongst the Commissioners so appointed. Now know ye that We reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge, discretion and ability have nominated, constituted and appointed and do by these Presents nominate, constitute and appoint you the said John Graham Callander to be one of the Commissioners for the purposes of the said Inquiry. Given at Our Court at Saint james's the thirteenth day of March 1934 in the twenty-fourth Year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, GODFREY P COLLINS
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-014 GEORGE R. I. GEORGE THE FIFTH, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King. Defender of the Faith, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Iain Colquhoun, Baronet, Companion of Our Distinguished Service Order, Lieutenant-Colonel in Our Regular Army Reserve of Officers:- GREETING! Whereas it pleased His late Majesty by Warrant under His Royal Sign Manual bearing date seventh day of February, Nineteen hundred and eight, to direct the issue of Letters Patent under the Seal appointed by the Treaty of Union to be kept and made use of in place of the Great Seal of Scotland appointing Commissioners to make an Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation and conditions of life of the people of Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707. And whereas a vacancy has occurred amongst the Commissioners so appointed. Now Know ye that We reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge, discretion and ability have nominated, constituted and appointed and do by these Presents nominate, constitute and appoint you the said Sir Iain Colquhoun to be one of the Commissioners for the purposes of the said Inquiry. Given at Our Court of Saint James's the fifteenth day of May 1934, in the twenty-fifth Year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, GODFREY P. COLLINS. xii
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-015 GEORGE R. I. GEORGE THE SIXTH, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King. Defender of the Faith, to Our Trusty and Well-beloved Reginald Francis Joseph Fairlie, Esquire, Royal Scottish Academician, Doctor of Laws, Fellow of the Royal Institue of British Architects, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland:- GREETING! Whereas it pleased His late Majesty King Edward the Seventh by Warrant under His Royal Sign Manual bearing the date seventh day of February Nineteen hundred and eight, to direct the issue of Letters Patent under the Seal appointed by the Treaty of Union to be kept and made use of in place of the Great Seal of Scotland appointing Commissioners to make an Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation and conditions of life of the people in Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707. And whereas a vacancy has occurred amongst the Commissioners so appointed. Now Know ye that We reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge, discretion and ability have nominated, constituted and appointed and do by these Presents nominate, constitute and appoint you the said Reginald Francis Joseph Fairlie to be one of the Commissioners for the purposes of the said Inquiry. Given at Our Court of Saint James's the seventh day of June 1938 in the second Year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command, JOHN COLVILLE. xiii
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-016 TWELFTH REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND To The King's Most Excellent Majesty. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,- We, Your Majesty's Commissioners, appointed to make an Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation and conditions of the life of the people in Scotland from the earliest times to the year 1707, and to specify those which seem most worthy of preservation, humbly present to Your Majesty this our Twelfth Report. The Inventory deals with the monuments and constructions in the counties of Orkney and Shetland, and appended to the Report is a list of those which, in our opinion, are most worthy of preservation. We record with grateful respect the receipt of the gracious message which accompanied the acceptance by His Late Majesty King George V. of the volume embodying our Eleventh Report with Inventory of the Monuments in Fife, Kinross, and Clackmannan. We desire to acknowledge the welcome assistance given us by owners and occupiers of historic buildings and sites in the area under review, and to express our special thanks to Mr. W.G. Grant of Trumland for valuable co-operation of many kinds in connection with the monuments of Rousay; to Mr. H. Marwick, O.B.E., M.A.,D. Litt., Kirkwall, for much local information and many useful suggestions and criticisms; to Mr. J. S. Richardson, one of Your Majesty's Inspectors of Ancient Monuments, and Professor V. Gordon Childe, D.Litt., D.Sc., F.S.A., for material contributed; to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotlandfor the use of blocks and other facilities; to Messrs. J.W. Cursiter, A.H. Bishop, J. Flett (Kirkwall), W. J. Hemp, F.S.A., B.S. Jamieson (Whalsay), H.E. Kilbride-Jones, J. Logan Mack, F.S.A., Star Photos (Perth), and J. Rattar (Lerwick), for permission to reproduce certain photographs; and to the following gentlemen, among others, for special help rendered in a variety of ways;- Sir Francis J. Grant, K.C.V.O., LL.D., Lord Lyon King of Arms; the Rev D.G.Barron, O.B.E., V.D., D.D.; Major B.H. Neven-Spence, M.D., M.P., of Uyea; Major H.H. Hebden, M.C., of Eday; Captain H.L. Norton Traill, F.R.G.S.; the late Rev. W. G. Carson, M.A., Fetlar; Messrs. J. S. Clouston, O.B.E., of Smoogroo; J.J.Duncan; A. J. H. Edwards; A. H. Ferguson, Nesting; J. Fraser; the late W. Laidlaw McDougall, Sumburgh; D.L. Macintyre, V.C., and the staff of Your xv
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-017 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION Majesty's Office of Works, Edinburgh ; T. Mainland, Bressay ; P Moar, Lerwick ; J. Mooney, J.P., Kirkwall ; W. Ratter, Lerwick; D. J. Robertson, Kirkwall ; G. Russell, Lerwick ; H. W. Scarth of Breckness ; L. Scott, Lerwick ; J. Stewart, Whalsay ; E.S. Reid Tait, Lerwick ; W. Traill, C.E., J.P., of Holland ; and G. Mackie Watson, F.R.I.B.A. Orkney and Shetland are well known for the number, variety and interest of their prehistoric remains. Such monuments as Maes Howe, the Rings of Brodgar and of Stenness, and the Broch of Mousa, have long been famous. The present survey has afforded an opportunity, not only for reviewing earlier knowledge of all the prehistoric monuments found in the islands, but also for assembling the results of some very important discoveries which have been made during the past few years, while, in addition, much completely new matter is now published for the first time. It may be mentioned further that this Inventory practically completes our survey of the areas in which brochs are found in any numbers, and that in consequence the present volumes, together with those dealing with Caithness, Sutherland, and the Outer Hebrides and Skye, may be taken as containing nearly all the material likely to be helpful to students of these structures without further excavation. The records of the early domestic sites, again, as well as the evidence of Celtic Christianity provided by ogham inscriptions and symbol carvings, are also of considerable interest. In view of the fact that these islands were for centuries the seat of a Norwgian Earldom, the number of monuments attributable to the Norse régime is disappoint- ingly small. However, the mere grouping together of all the available matter, some of it new, does something to facilitate the study of this period. In particular, the runic inscriptions in Maes Howe have been given very full treatment. Architectural remains of the Norse and succeeding periods, such as the series of early churches which have survived without material alteration, are in general of much interest in their anti- quarian aspect though not very distinguished artistically. But at least three of the buildings here recorded - St. Magnus Cathedral and the Earl's Palace in Kirkwall, and Muness Castle in Unst - are amongst the finest examples of their types in Scotland. The present description of St. Magnus Cathedral is much more fully detailed than any which has previously appeared. The general condition of the monuments is unsatisfactory, and those which are not under the protection of Your Majesty's Office of Works are deteriorating rapidly. The advance of dilapidation was noted by our officers even during the eight years occupied by the present survey. In the case of buildings of the historic periods the cause appears to be lack of attention suffered for a long period in the past, the effects of which are now becoming patent. The decay of the prehistoric structures, on the other hand, seems rather to be due to a secular process of attrition whether at the hands of farmers and builders, or of careless persons of all sorts. We note, however, that the work of the Orkney Antiquarian Society and the visits made by our own officers in the course of the survey have resulted in a gratifying increase in the interest taken in, and the respect felt for; their heritage by the people of the islands. We desire to record that a full description of the post-Reformation tombstones in the Cathedral Churchyard at St. Andrews, which was inadvertently omitted from the Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Fife, has been duly prepared and published in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Volume lxx (1935-6), pages 40 to 121. xvi
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-019 LIST OF ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN ORKNEY AND SHETLAND WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS DEEM MOST WORTHY OF PRESERVATION. NOTE.-While it is hoped that this list may prove useful to H.M. Office of Works, upon whom rests the responsibility of scheduling under the Ancient Monuments Acts, the Commissioners would not wish it to be regarded as exhaustive from that point of view. It includes only those monuments which can, in their opinion, be strictly described as "most worthy of preservation." Monuments in the custody of H.M. Office of Works are marked * . ORKNEY BIRSAY AND HARRAY. Earth-house, Resting Hill (No. 243). St. Peter's Chapel, etc., Brough of Birsay (Nos. Chambered Cairn and Indeterminate Structures, 1 and 6).* Calf of Eday (No. 245). Earl's Palace, Birsay (No. 8). * Chambered Cairn, Calf of Eday (No. 246). Broch (probable), Mithouse, Mirbister (No, 19). Chambered Cairn, Calf of Eday (No. 247). Broch (probable), Burrian, Garth (No. 21). Knowe of Nesthouse, Kirbister (No. 26).
orkney-shetland-1946-vol-1/05-025 INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTORY OF ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS IN ORKNEY AND SHETLAND GENERAL The most remarkable feature of the present Inventory is the wealth of archæo- logical remains, especially those dating from the era of the megalithic monuments. Nor is this really surprising, seeing that in early prehistoric times Orkney and Shetland were more accessible to those in search of a home than were many parts of the interior of Great Britain. Save for the crossing of the English Channel, one could hug the shore all the way from the south of Spain through the Hebrides to Caithness, and we know from the distribution of megalithic tombs in Scotland that this must have been the main route followed by their builders. Thereafter, although the currents and tide- rips of the Pentland Firth would prevent small primitive craft from making anything like a direct passage, the distance from Duncansby Head in Caithness to Brough Ness in South Ronaldsay is just over six miles as the crow flies, Again, while it is true that North Ronaldsay is separated from Sumburgh Head in Shetland by fifty miles of open water, Fair Isle, which is in full view of both, provides a convenient stepping-stone. Given reasonable visibility, therefore, it would be possible to sail from Gibraltar to the Muckle Flugga without losing sight of land, a consideration in the first importance when navigation was in infancy. The two groups of islands were this closely connected with the western European seaboard. They are usually spoken of together and those who have never seen them are apt