For those living in the bustling South East it is hard to imagine a part of the UK where the population is as sparse as that along the north coast of Scotland. The main West-East route from Durness to Caithness is designated a primary route (A road), but for much of its length is a single track with passing places. There are only two places of shelter along the 60+miles of coast, but these offer spectacular scenery and glorious solitude. Continuing east we reach Orkney, an archipelago of around 70 islands which is a cruising ground in its own right. A pastoral place with thriving communities, it overflows with history. Shetland is more rugged, more dramatic and by the end of our journey at Muckle Flugga we are further north than Oslo or St.Petersburg. With few trees, building on these isles has largely been of stone and as a result much remains after 5,000 years. Indeed the neolithic village of Skara Brae has one of the best preserved prehistoric houses in Western Europe. It is believed to be older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. More Norse than Gaelic, these Isles have been at the crossroads of Northern Europe for Millennia.
Our Celtic Section Secretary will take you on a journey round his favourite places in this remote area.
Date: Wednesday 12 February
Time: Lectures and talks start promptly at 1900 hrs
Place: CA House
Booking: To book places on any lecture, and to indicate whether you’ll be ordering food, click on [Book Events Online]. Please pay on the door as usual. Any problems with the booking system, call or email Jeremy on 020 7537 2828/reception@theca.org.uk. Tickets are: £4 for members and £7 for non-members. Season tickets are available at £20 for the seven lectures from 5 February to 18 March. Please note that the season ticket price excludes the Hanson Lecture which must be booked separately.