Scottish fact of the day: Skara Brae, Scotland’s Neolithic village

Published on 13/02/2013 16:40

SKARA Brae is a Neolithic settlement on the Orkney Islands dating back to 3180 BC, and is recognised as the oldest group of buildings in the UK, predating even Stonehenge.

The settlement, made up of ten low-lying houses clustered closely together, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site was uncovered in 1850 after a storm ripped through the island, revealing the houses that had been covered by a mound of grass. William Watt of Skaill later led an excavation to uncover the buildings.

However, the dig was later abandoned by 1868 and remained untouched until the 1925, where further excavations were carried out. A particularly well-preserved historic site given its age, Skara Brae is a popular visitor attraction in Orkney.