Skara Brae

A little village of 8 or so Stone Age houses, so well preserved (they were under sand dunes til about 150 years ago) that we can see how people lived there 5000 years ago. There is a hearth in the centre, beds left and right, with alcoves beside them for storage.  And shelves directly opposite us. One is left open like this without a roof for us to see in. All the houses are the same size and layout, with only minor differences.  No weapons were found.  Historians have concluded therefore that the society was based on conformity and equality.  It was assumed that these people grew some crops, fished, hunted, gathered nuts, berries and honey.  A healthy diet.  But they cannot be sure, and it’s made clear that we cannot really know.  Maybe it was something else entirely - say a religious community.  But to me, it looks like a family home. 
Beyond the village is a beautiful huge sandy beach.  I watched seals (lots), terns, oystercatchers, skylarks, ravens. The fields nearby are mainly used for cattle - and, rather wonderful if you’re used to farming methods in the South of England - in the same field are cows,  calves and gentle bulls. (bred to not be aggressive).