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 isc 
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 water 
in the vicinity of the “Bridge” is rather 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 
