We started
our trip by going to Maeshowe – a Neolithic burial chamber which the Vikings
broke into and vandalised! It was really
interesting to see and it boggled our minds a little bit to think we were
standing where the Vikings actually stood and we could touch their carvings and
runes in the stone!
Then we
headed into Kirkwall. We had a quick
break outside the Cathedral and then went in for our guided tour. We learned about some of the features of the
cathedral, including the most valuable item in the building! Fran also told us lots of details about St
Magnus and St Rognvald and why the Cathedral was built. We saw where St Magnus’ bones are kept and saw
pictures of his skull where Lifolf had struck him with his axe.
Next we
nipped into the Museum to have a look at the Scar Plaque and also the box they
found St Magnus’ bones in. Then we went
into Tankerness House Gardens to have our lunch – we enjoyed our picnic outside
and having a run around the gardens!
After our
lunch we met Sandra and began our tour of Kirkwall. She showed us a map of Kirkwall in the Viking
times – we were most surprised to find out that the sea would have come right
up to the front of the Cathedral! There
were some really interesting facts about the buildings and street in Kirkwall –
ask us to tell you some of them next time we’re in Kirkwall!
We also
had a quick visit to Grooves to see our Hamnavoe in situ and add some final
touches of people and cars to it! It was
also an opportunity to see some of the other models in the exhibition.
By the
time we were picked up we were all tired from walking all day and learning so
much! In fact we thought we were going
to fall asleep in the bus on the way back! We had a brilliant day!
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