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Reeky Knowes

Heritage Site in Orkney

Scotland

Reeky Knowes

Ruined cottage, Newhouse, Rousay, Orkney The cottage lies on the southern slopes of Sinclair's Hill. The Knowe of Ramsay chambered cairn can be seen below the cottage and Eynhallow Sound and Orkney mainland are beyond. The OS six-inch map published in 1882 shows the cottage to be called London.
Ruined cottage, Newhouse, Rousay, Orkney Credit: Claire Pegrum

Reeky Knowes is a heritage site located in Orkney, a group of islands off the northeastern coast of Scotland. This site holds great historical and cultural significance, providing visitors with a glimpse into the ancient past of the region.

The name "Reeky Knowes" translates to "smoky hills" in the local dialect, which perfectly captures the essence of this site. It is an ancient settlement, dating back to the Neolithic period, around 5000 years ago. The site consists of a cluster of stone structures, including dwellings and a communal chamber, known as a chambered cairn.

One of the most remarkable features of Reeky Knowes is the preservation of its original structures. The stone houses, built with flagstone roofs and walls made of local sandstone, have withstood the test of time remarkably well. This allows visitors to witness the layout and construction techniques used by the Neolithic inhabitants.

The chambered cairn at Reeky Knowes is particularly noteworthy. It is a burial monument, consisting of a central chamber with smaller side chambers. The entrance is marked by an impressive stone slab. Archaeologists have discovered human remains and various artifacts, shedding light on burial practices and social customs of the time.

Reeky Knowes provides a unique opportunity for visitors to connect with the distant past and gain insights into the lives of the Neolithic inhabitants of Orkney. It is a significant heritage site, offering a tangible link to the region's rich archaeological history.

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Reeky Knowes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 59.122/-3.073 or Grid Reference HY3826. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ruined cottage, Newhouse, Rousay, Orkney The cottage lies on the southern slopes of Sinclair's Hill. The Knowe of Ramsay chambered cairn can be seen below the cottage and Eynhallow Sound and Orkney mainland are beyond. The OS six-inch map published in 1882 shows the cottage to be called London.
Ruined cottage, Newhouse, Rousay, Orkney
The cottage lies on the southern slopes of Sinclair's Hill. The Knowe of Ramsay chambered cairn can be seen below the cottage and Eynhallow Sound and Orkney mainland are beyond. The OS six-inch map published in 1882 shows the cottage to be called London.
Rousay: postbox № KW17 52, Frotoft A fairly modern postbox (1994 at the earliest, otherwise it would have POST OFFICE instead of ROYAL MAIL) serving this small hamlet on the southern side of the island.
Rousay: postbox № KW17 52, Frotoft
A fairly modern postbox (1994 at the earliest, otherwise it would have POST OFFICE instead of ROYAL MAIL) serving this small hamlet on the southern side of the island.
Standing stone known as the Long Stone at Frotoft Large standing stone situated beside the public highway. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/2667/rousay-frotoft-long-stone" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/2667/rousay-frotoft-long-stone">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Standing stone known as the Long Stone at Frotoft
Large standing stone situated beside the public highway. LinkExternal link
The Long Stone Ancient standing stone by the roadside at Frotoft.
The Long Stone
Ancient standing stone by the roadside at Frotoft.
Entrance to the Broch of Gurness The broch is surrounded by the stonework of neolithic dwellings.
Entrance to the Broch of Gurness
The broch is surrounded by the stonework of neolithic dwellings.
Neolithic dwellings at the Broch of Gurness Looking across Eynhallow Sound to Rousay.
Neolithic dwellings at the Broch of Gurness
Looking across Eynhallow Sound to Rousay.
Neolithic dwellings at the Broch of Gurness
Neolithic dwellings at the Broch of Gurness
A vegetated verge by the storage area
A vegetated verge by the storage area
Two figures on the Sands of Evie
Two figures on the Sands of Evie
Shattered sandstone slabs at the Point of Hellia
Shattered sandstone slabs at the Point of Hellia
Sand and slabs below the car park
Sand and slabs below the car park
The wall and ditch of the Broch of Gurness
The wall and ditch of the Broch of Gurness
The complex interior of the Broch of Gurness With Eynhallow Sound in the background.
The complex interior of the Broch of Gurness
With Eynhallow Sound in the background.
The minor road near Windbreck
The minor road near Windbreck
Fields above Eynhallow Sound
Fields above Eynhallow Sound
A disused quarry below Vishall Hill Disused as a quarry, now used for storing road materials.
A disused quarry below Vishall Hill
Disused as a quarry, now used for storing road materials.
Arwick farm with Gairsay in the distance
Arwick farm with Gairsay in the distance
A modern bungalow on the road near Westness
A modern bungalow on the road near Westness
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Reeky Knowes is located at Grid Ref: HY3826 (Lat: 59.122, Lng: -3.073)

Unitary Authority: Orkney Islands

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///sampled.promoting.machinery. Near Evie, Orkney Islands

Nearby Locations

Noust of Aikerness Broch of Gurness Aiker Ness Muckle Gurness Reeky Knowes Mavie

Related Wikis

Broch of Gurness
Broch of Gurness

The Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village on the northeast coast of Mainland Orkney in Scotland overlooking Eynhallow Sound, about 15 miles north...

Point of Hellia
Point of Hellia

The Point of Hellia is a headland on the northwest coast of the Orkney Mainland, Scotland. This landform extends into the southern part of Eynhallow Sound...

Sands of Evie
Sands of Evie

The Sands of Evie is a sandy beach landform near the village of Evie on Mainland Orkney, Scotland, protected by the Point of Hellia headland. This beach...

Eynhallow Sound
Eynhallow Sound

Eynhallow Sound is a seaway lying between Mainland Orkney and the island of Rousay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The tidal indraught is "scarcely felt...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 59.122,-3.073
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.1239844/-3.0759334
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.1229526/-3.0758592
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.1218028/-3.0757835
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.1208094/-3.0756693
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.1193293/-3.0755535
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 59.1179538/-3.0754701
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Source: wind
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.119567/-3.0746486
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Generator Method: wind_turbine
Generator Source: wind
Power: generator
Lat/Long: 59.1195868/-3.0738804
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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