Skara Brae

Skara Brae on the Bay of Skaill. I love the sound of these names - ancient and mystical. And ancient it is. And a bit mystical, too.

Skara Brae is a neolithic village that was inhabited about 5000 years ago. In the 19th century, a storm uncovered the little houses, that lie hidden underneath the sand. Since then, it is explored by archeologists, which are still at work when you walk around there. It is a curious and impressive feeling to walk these houses that were build by humans so so long ago. It's surreal.

I was really surprized how much concept these houses already had and many things we have today, too. They even had chests of drawers and real beds separated in individual corners.

Oh, and obviously even back then they liked a room with a view.

The man who found the village after the storm lived near by in the House of Skaill. This is an old mansion out of the books: standing there mighty and lonely, facing the Atlantic ocean. Even from afar it has its very own mystical charme.

And like any good old Laird's mansion it is inhabited by ghosts. But good ghosts. The kind of ghosts that just move things or make creaky sounds. Just enough to let you not forget that it has been their house for over 400 years and you are just a tourist. Or maybe they have a deal with the local tourist bureau... :)

Ghosts or not, it's a magical place packed with thousands of years of history and when I think of it the memory is a bit like after when you read a book that completely soaked you in. I walked these rooms and they told me stories, these ancient ones down by the sea, too. I don't know how to put it different: They are so alive. But in a good way.