The Ring of Brodgar

Following dinner, we [aid a 10 ‘o clock visit to the Ring of Brodgar, 11 huge stones still standing. Remember, there’s plenty of daylight at 10 pm here, so that wasn’t an issue. The Ring of Brodgar is one of the most perfectly circular stone circles, and the radius was far larger than any I’d seen before. Less powerful, more friendly was the feeling I took from the circle.

It was so much more truly circular than any other I’ve seen, more intact than most, and all the stones were clearly made of the same peculiar type of rock. The stones were reddish, with a texture that differed distinctly from rock to rock. Some stones had a texture of calm water, smooth with minor outcroppings and indentations. Other rocks were the texture of rougher waters, with larger indentations, outcroppings, and wave-like ripples. But the most common texture was that of truly wild water, smashing against walls, with huge swirl patterns, large pooling indentations, and that unique feel of peaceful chaos. The stone’s height ranged from half my size (though I imagine they were much taller 5000 years ago) to probably about twice my height.

One stone, split down the side most of the way, looks in essence like two intimately positioned people, like a man and a womanstanding together. A traditional song, “The Standing Stones of Storness” speaks of a lover’s stone.

“Lovers came and grasped their hands, what words of love were said. They spoke of futures, happy days, as through the stones they strayed. They walked up to the lover’s stone and through it passed their hands. They played it there, a constant troth sealed by lover’s steadfast bands.” We believe that the song probably meant this stone, for my mother and father were able to do the same thing.

Standing from the center (where visitors are requested not to go, but what can I say, I’m a dick) during the sunset is truly amazing. In fact, I’ve seen at least half a dozen postcards of this spectacle, and it is the illustration on all bottled of Dark Island beer. All the cards are quite beautiful, but no card could capture the atmosphere. The circle has such unity to it, and both the stones and the sunset are beauties in their own right. The result is a magnificent and powerful serenity.

The other people we saw there did not seem like tourists. They felt like locals out for a perambulation. A couple walking their dog certainly was. I am unbelievably envious of them, to incorporate such magnificence into their every day life. The idea of one day making this my place of home has become increasingly appealing with every day that passes.