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<< Our Photo Pages >> Midhowe Chambered Cairn - Chambered Cairn in Scotland in Orkney

Submitted by jeffrep on Monday, 18 February 2019  Page Views: 14394

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Country: Scotland County: Orkney Type: Chambered Cairn
Nearest Town: Rousay (Island)
Map Ref: HY37223051  Landranger Map Number: 6
Latitude: 59.156691N  Longitude: 3.099469W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 2 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

coin whese001 would like to visit

drolaf visited on 9th Jun 2022 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

bishop_pam visited on 23rd Apr 2018 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

Jansold visited on 6th Jun 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 2

jeffrep visited on 26th Jun 2010 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 2 First visited on August 16, 2007. Second Visit on June 26, 2010.

PAB SandyG DrewParsons TimPrevett Redfun have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3 Ambience: 4 Access: 2.5

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by SandyG : Looking north along the chamber. (3rd June 2015). (Vote or comment on this photo)
On the island of Rousay, originally built ca.3500 B.C. and discovered in 1932 by the landowner, the huge Midhowe Chambered Cairn is the largest cairn on Orkney - over 75 feet long. It is divided by pairs of upright slabs into 12 compartments, several of which contained stone benches. The remains of 25 people were found in the compartments, and pottery was also recovered.

Today, the tomb is protected under a large shed. An overhead walkway allows visitors to view the cairn from above and its sophisticated structure can be viewed also from a overhead walkway. Despite the protective shed and the internal overhead walkway, the site is superb.

Note: Prof. Colin Richards chambered tombs talk free via video/audio conference from Orkney, 28th Feb 1pm. Prof Richards will argue that archaeologists have misunderstood the role of Neolithic chambered tomb monuments and the role and participation of the dead. Title: Decaying flesh and instability of substances: rethinking Neolithic chambered tombs. More details in the comments on our page
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Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by TimPrevett : Looking along again - notice the green algae carpet growing. Testimony to the proximity of the sea nearby? (Vote or comment on this photo)

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by SandyG : Compartments at the northern end of the chambered tomb. (3rd June 2015). (Vote or comment on this photo)

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by DrewParsons : The chamber with its stalls. September 2010. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by DrewParsons : A view along the main chamber. September 2010. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by jeffrep : Individual Burial Compartment, Midhowe Chambered Cairn, Rousay, Orkney, Scotland

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by jeffrep

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by PAB : View along the huge cairn - over 75ft long. June 2016

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by MapmakerJenny2 : Midhowe Chambered Cairn

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by SandyG : Compartment denoted by large slabs. Note the bench on the left. (3rd June 2015).

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by DrewParsons : Detail showing some of the stalls in this stalled cairn. September 2010.

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by jeffrep : Individual Burial Compartment, Midhowe Chambered Cairn, Rousay, Orkney, Scotland

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by TimPrevett : Viewing from the gangway down onto a stall.

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by TimPrevett : Looking through the Midhowe Chambered Cairn - about one of the biggest, though access is difficult, and ambience not so pleasing!

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by PaulH : Midhowe chambered tomb Rousay, Orkney HY372304 Oblique view showing internal partitions (see houses of Knap of Howar) (1 comment)

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by PAB : This image shows part of the sloping external wall, with the overhead walkway visible and running left to right along the full length of the cairn. As the warning signs declare, the structure is very vulnerable - this photo shows just how necessary the protective building has been in preserving this amazing cairn. June 2016

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by PAB : Looking down from the overhead walkway into one of the individual compartments. The outer wall slopes away to the right, and the (slightly rusting) metal walkway on the left of the photo runs above the central passageway. June 2016

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by PAB : Looking down from the walkway into the central passageway. The upright slabs are in pairs, and form 12 compartments. June 2016

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by PAB : View along the southern edge of the cairn, showing the overhead walkway from which you can look down into the individual chambers. June 2016

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by SandyG : Cairn in a "barn". View from north west. (3rd June 2015).

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by SandyG : View from the north. (3rd June 2015).

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by SandyG : View from the south. (3rd June 2015).

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by DrewParsons : This is the shed which covers the site. This is what you look for as you walk down the path from the car park on the road. There is also a trail along the coast from Westness Farm marked on the Ordnance Survey map.

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by jeffrep : Historic Scotland Sign for Midhowe Chambered Cairn, Rousay, Orkney, Scotland

Midhowe Chambered Cairn
Midhowe Chambered Cairn submitted by jeffrep : Structure Covering Midhowe Chambered Cairn, Rousay, Orkney, Scotland

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 92m NNW 347° Midhowe Broch* Broch or Nuraghe (HY372306)
 271m NW 321° North Howe Broch* Broch or Nuraghe (HY3705130722)
 737m S 171° Knowe of Rowiegar* Chambered Cairn (HY37332978)
 903m SSE 159° Knowe of Swandro* Chambered Cairn (HY37532966)
 1.7km N 6° Knowe of Dale* Misc. Earthwork (HY37423217)
 1.9km SE 141° Westness Chambererd Tomb* Chambered Tomb (HY38402898)
 3.1km NE 51° Knowe of Lingro Cairn (HY3964832378)
 3.1km SE 140° Viera Lodge Broch or Nuraghe (HY392281)
 3.5km SW 215° Burgar* Broch or Nuraghe (HY352277)
 3.6km SSW 205° Knowe of Grugar* Broch or Nuraghe (HY35642730)
 3.6km SW 221° West Broch of Burgar* Chambered Cairn (HY34822782)
 3.7km NE 37° Wasbister* Crannog (HY395334)
 3.7km NE 41° Bretta Ness* Ancient Village or Settlement (HY39723324)
 3.7km SE 132° Knowe of Lairo* Chambered Cairn (HY39922796)
 3.8km SE 131° Knowe of Ramsay* Chambered Cairn (HY40042800)
 3.8km SSE 164° Aikerness Class I Pictish Symbol Stone (HY38182685)
 3.8km SSE 164° Gurness* Broch or Nuraghe (HY3818926842)
 3.8km SSW 191° Knowe of Stenso* Broch or Nuraghe (HY3639426747)
 3.9km WSW 242° Peterkirk* Broch or Nuraghe (HY337287)
 4.0km SSW 208° Grugar* Carving (HY353270)
 4.1km SE 127° Knowe of Yarso* Chambered Cairn (HY40482795)
 4.2km SE 136° Knowe of Burrian (Frotoft)* Broch or Nuraghe (HY40062745)
 4.4km SE 133° Langstane (Orkney)* Standing Stone (Menhir) (HY404275)
 4.8km ENE 77° Knowe of Craie* Chambered Cairn (HY41963153)
 5.0km WSW 243° Vinquin* Broch or Nuraghe (HY32682830)
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Lines on the Landscape, Circles from the Sky: Monuments of Neolithic Orkney

Lines on the Landscape, Circles from the Sky: Monuments of Neolithic Orkney

Archived Web links for Midhowe Chambered Cairn

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"Midhowe Chambered Cairn" | Login/Create an Account | 10 News and Comments
  
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Re: Midhowe by AKFisher on Saturday, 13 April 2024
(User Info | Send a Message)
Additional information links:
1. archaeologyorkney.com/tombs-of-the-isles/rousay/midhowe-rousay/
2. canmore.org.uk/site/2274/rousay-midhowe
3. www.orkneystonetools.org.uk/themes/sites/funerary/midhowe-cairn
4. www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/midhowe-cairn/
[ Reply to This ]

Prof. Colin Richards chambered tombs talk free via video/audio conference - 28th Feb by Andy B on Monday, 18 February 2019
(User Info | Send a Message)
Decaying flesh and instability of substances: rethinking Neolithic chambered tombs
Professor Colin Richards of the University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute will speak about the nature of Neolithic chambered tombs and the decaying corpses within.

In his lecture, Prof Richards will argue that archaeologists have misunderstood the role of Neolithic chambered tomb monuments and the role and participation of the dead.

Organised by the Humanities and Arts Research Cluster (HARC), this seminar is the first in a series of seminars and events around the themes of ruination and decay that will culminate with a conference in December.

No prior registration is required for this event.
1.00PM to 2.00PM Thu 28 February 2019
Room G4.02 - Orkney College UHI, East Road, Kirkwall, Orkney
and Remote access via video / audio conference:
External Dial in details:
SIP/IP: 53051@uhi.ac.uk
IP Address: 194.35.196.110##53051
ISDN: 01463 279005 when prompted enter 53051#

Internal Dial in Details:
UHI VC Room dial : 53051
Cisco Spark dial: 53051@uhi.ac.uk

To Join by Audio dial: 01463 279005 when prompted enter 53051#
£ Cost: Free

More details:
https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/media/events/decaying-flesh-and-instability-of-substances-rethinking-neolithic-chambered-tombs.html
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Prof. Colin Richards chambered tombs talk free via video/audio conference - 28th by Anonymous on Tuesday, 19 February 2019
    I shall have a go at the phone in, as Colin Richards is very good.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Midhowe by Anonymous on Sunday, 11 October 2015
We visited Rousay around 1981 and had a look around Midhowe amongst others. It is well worth a visit! We came back for another look around 5 years ago. It is still unspoilt. Orkney is really special place.
Definitely best to cycle if you can although there is quite a steep hill if you're going all the way around Rousay.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Midhowe Chambered Cairn by DrewParsons on Sunday, 17 October 2010
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I walked to this site from the wharf, visiting a number of other sites along the way in what was a long but excellent day of visits. From the car park above the site I walked west down the footpath to the site as a clay pigeon shooting competition took place some 300 metres away, the shots being fired directly towards the path where I was walking. I am not sure how far shot carries but was glad then I reached the shed!! On my return back up the path they had fortunately compeleted the competition. Anyway it and the nearby broch were well worth the visit.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Midhowe Chambered Cairn by PAB on Sunday, 17 October 2010
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Thanks for this latest batch Drew - did you manage to see all of the sites on Rousay you've posted recently on a day visit, or would it be necessary to stay there to appreciate them? We are hoping to visit Orkney in the next 12 months, and wondered about the logistics...
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Midhowe Chambered Cairn by DrewParsons on Monday, 18 October 2010
      (User Info | Send a Message)
      Hi, I got the early ferry over and the last ferry back giving me about 8 hours. I am a fast walker and was able to see all these sites with some time at each during the one day. I covered around 16 kilometres in the day. It is possible to hire bikes near the wharf sometimes. It is quite expensive to take the car over on the ferry. I am from NZ so I have to make the most of the short time I have available on such trips. If I had more time I would have loved to stop on the island. Next batch are for the outer Orkney Islands - some wonderful sites on Eday, Sanday and Papa Westray!! Best wishes, Drew in NZ
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: Midhowe Chambered Cairn by jeffrep on Monday, 30 August 2010
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Originally built ca.3500 B.C. and discovered in 1932 by a landowner, the huge Midhowe Chambered Cairn is over 75 feet long and is divided by pairs of upright slabs into 12 compartments, several of which contained stone benches. The remains of 25 people were found in the compartments, and pottery was also recovered.
Today, the tomb is protected under a large shed. An overhead walkway allows visitors to view the cairn from above and its sophisticated structure can be viewed also from a overhead walkway. Despite the protective shed and the internal overhead walkway, the site is superb.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Midhowe Chambered Cairn by jeffrep on Monday, 30 August 2010
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Condition: 2
Ambience: 5
Access: 2
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Midhowe by Anonymous on Saturday, 23 February 2002
This is the largest chambered cairn I have ever seen. Initially put off by the large 'bunker' it is housed in, once inside I could appreciate the need for it to be protected in such a way. I can imagine it being venerated by the builders of the later broch nextdoor also.
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