Day 7: 17 August 2019 ~ Skara Brae – Skaill House

• Location: Skaill House, Skara Brae, Orkney, Scotland
• Date Taken: 2019-08-17
• Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Lens: Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-200 mm F/3-5.6 IS
• Exposure Program: Manual
• Image Quality: JPEG
• F-Stop: f/5
• Exposure Time: 1/2000 sec
• ISO Speed: ISO-320
• Focal Length: 80 mm
• Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average
• Handheld

Skaill House is a historic manor house in Sandwick parish on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands, Scotland. The house overlooks the Neolithic site, Skara Brae, and the Bay of Skaill.

Skaill House is situated near to the site of Skara Brae, and the lands were in use from Neolithic times. Various finds from the Bronze- and Iron Ages show continuing use. The name Skaill derives from the Old Norse word for “hall”. The names of all the surrounding farms are also derived from that language, and it is presumed that the lands have been permanently settled for over a thousand years.

After the execution of Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney for treason in 1615, the lands were given to the Bishop of Orkney. In 1620, Bishop George Graham constructed a simple manor house, the first part of what is now Skaill House. His son became the laird of the estate, and the property was from that time passed down to succeeding lairds.

Over the years, the building was expanded. In 1997, after six years of restoration work, Skaill House was opened to the public. It can be rented as a holiday home or for receptions and events.

Thank you very much for taking the time to join me on my travels through Scotland one Photo at a time. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did.

If you like what you see please press the like button, share and leave a comment. I read all my comments, and try to answer them all.

Till next time, safe travels and keep dreaming.

Have a fabulous day.

Coreen