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Sadly, the Maeshowe Winter Solstice webcam presentation to the world via the Internet which fascinated and intrigued thousands if not millions of people around our planet is now no more. The cameras have been removed, and if this wasn't bad enough, this truly wonderful monument is now CLOSED to the general public so one cannot witness amazing phenomenon in person. Historic Environment Scotland claim this is to prevent deterioration of the fabric of the interior such as the famous Runic inscriptions and the Maeshowe 'Dragon' etc. which in a way I can understand; particularly with the recent 'insurge' of literally thousands of cruise liner passenger tourists every year but surely the presence of a couple of video cameras and minimum lighting (which could be automatically time-controlled for the short time it takes for the setting sun to creep down the passageway and light the 'altar' stone wouldn't do much harm after all this time they've braved the atmosphere; together with all the dehumidifying technology we now have available?) All that remains for any visitor is the view of the exterior from the (very) busy road (no parking facilities of course as the place is surrounded by open fields!) and a so-called 'Visitor Center' where one can indulge in videos which one has probably already seen on YouTube/ Orkneyjar etc. and pick up the usual selection of relevant postcards/leaflets/guide books etc. together with a good selection of 'mementoes'/gifts etc. and I understand there is a minibus 'shuttle service' to the site available as there is good parking facilities at the Centre for cars/coaches etc. and the Centre itself is on a main bus service from Kirkwall and Stromness and passengers can be 'dropped off' there and the bus hailed for the return journey; but overall, a very poor response for what is truly an 'Eighth Wonder of the World' - particularly at Winter Solstice time. Very sad.
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road