Welcome to Orkneyjar - a website
dedicated to the preserving, exploring and documenting the ancient history, folklore
and traditions of Orkney - a group of islands lying off the northern tip of Scotland,
where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
Until the winter of 1814, approximately 140 metres (150 yards) to the north of the Standing Stones o' Stenness, stood a solitary holed monolith that occupied a special place in the customs, traditions and lore of the Orcadian people.
The potency of the Odin Stone was unparalleled. It was the focus of a number of "magical" rites, the site of an unbreakable oath and was said to possess miraculous healing powers.
One of the best known of Orkney's prehistoric monuments lies on the south-eastern tip of the island of South Ronaldsay.
The Tomb of the Eagles - the Isbister chambered cairn - was uncovered by local farmer Ronald Simison in 1958.
Where many of Orkney's old chambered cairns were found to be empty, the Isbister cairn was filled with over 16,000 assorted bones - belonging to at least 342 people.
But of particular interest was the number of sea-eagle bones that littered the tomb...
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contact the author about any element of this site, click
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Update Schedule
Orkneyjar is generally updated at least once a month - more over the summer excavation season - incorporating new
content with relevant news and information relating to Orkney's rich archaeology,
heritage and history.
Quicklinks
Why Orkneyjar? Find out what
the site's name means here.
Got a question? Check out the
FAQ or visit the About
Orkney Pages.
One of Orkney's most important archaeological finds of the 20th century came to light on the island of 
Until the winter of 1814, approximately 140 metres (150 yards) to the north of the 
One of the best known of Orkney's prehistoric monuments lies on the south-eastern tip of the island of 
To
contact the author about any element of this site, 
