Tagged: Vestrafiold

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Vestrafiold – the enclosure

On the lower slopes of Vestrafiold, south-west of the megalithic quarry are the remains of a large, possible prehistoric, enclosure. Covering an area of around seven acres (2.8 hectares), the oval feature was defined by a “wall” of upright flagstones running around its perimeter. Little is known about the site, which, in terms of construction, “is completely unlike any other enclosure in Orkney”. Read more

The Vestrafiold enclosure on the 1882 25-inch OS map. (Courtesy of National Library of Scotland)

Chambered Cairns / Further Afield

Monday, May 1, 2023

Vestrafiold – the fake horned cairn

Lying 50 metres east of the megalith quarry on Vestrafiold is an oval mound that was suggested to be the remains of a very poorly preserved stalled cairn. Excavation, however, revealed otherwise. Read more

Further Afield / Ring of Brodgar / Standing Stones / Stones of Stenness

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Vestrafiold – the megalithic quarry

From at least the early 19th century, Vestrafiold was considered to be a source of the megaliths found in the Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar. Why? Although several quarries were traditionally said to have produced standing stones, Vestrafiold had the proof in situ - quarried, but abandoned, megaliths scattered across the hillside. Read more

Map courtesy of National Library of Scotland.

Chambered Cairns / Further Afield

Monday, April 17, 2023

Halykirk – dolmen or stalled cairn?

As regular readers will have noted, 19th century antiquarians were very keen to find evidence of dolmens in Orkney. Haleykirk/Helyakirk/Halykirk/Holykirk lies about a quarter of a mile to the south-east of the megalithic quarries on Vestrafiold, on the hill of Cruaday. Read more