92 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



locality observed on the way, while at the same 

 time keeping in view that it was desirable to be 

 on board our steamer again about ten o'clock. 



Leaving Stromness by the Kirkwall road, I ere 

 long reached the side of Loch Stenness. The scenery 

 along the shores of this loch is rather tame and 

 uninviting to those familiar with our Highland 

 landscapes ; but its interesting associations with 

 the dim past more than compensate for its tameness, 

 for here the old Vikings, in all their rude strength 

 and fearless courage, dominated the land. 



Crossing the bridge that spans the outlet of Loch 

 Stenness, I proceeded eastward along the highway 

 leading to Kirkwall as far as the road that strikes 

 off northward across the so-called "Bridge of Brogar" 

 which divides Loch Stenness into two parts, the lower 

 part being recognised as Loch Stenness proper while 

 the upper part is known as Loch Harray. The w^ater 

 in the vicinity of the " Bridge " is ratlier brackish, 

 but is fresh or nearly so at the upper end of Loch 

 Harray. 



A few of the stones, and these considerably the 

 tallest, are met with before the " Bridge " is reached, 

 but the famous circle is situated a good distance 

 beyond its further or north end. Of the stones 

 comprising the circle, 16, large and small, are still 

 standing, while many are lying prone. The circle is 

 of great extent, being about 400 yards in diameter, 

 and the mound and fosse (or trench) surrounding it 

 are still well-defined, especially the latter. The 

 stones bear ample evidence of hoary age, and well 

 they may, for we see them looming up through the 

 mists of uncertainty that form the borderland of 

 authentic history as even then the memorials of an 

 unknown past. We stand beside the old grey lichen- 

 covered stones, and try to peer into the impenetrable 

 gloom and catch perchance a glimpse, though only 

 of the shadowy outline, of the men who, either by 

 some ingenious though doubtless rude contrivance 

 or by mere physical strength, set these ponderous 



