Orkney & Shetland: 5000 Years of Wonder

presented by Gillian Hovell

The beautiful and remarkable islands of Orkney and Shetland lie beyond the northern coasts of Scotland. Each has its own breathtaking scenery and remote beauty, populated by wildlife, cliff-loving seabirds and carpets of wildflowers. The islands are famous for their truly astonishing 5,000-year-old Neolithic stone circles, tombs and houses. Everywhere, there is a wealth and variety of archaeological sites; the islands were also full of Iron Agebrochs (enigmatic stone towers), a vibrant Viking world, fortified medieval castles and brave explorers. The World Wars left in their wake stories and wrecks, defences and the astonishing and delightful Italian Chapel. Here you can step off the frantic modern world and go back in time, to lands with a slower life where you can breathe in the natural beauty and timeless tales.

Gillian Hovell

Gillian Hovell BA (Hons), is an ancient historian and an archaeologist. She previously worked at BBC Television and is an award-winning freelance writer, author, and public speaker, specializing in archaeology, ancient history, and prehistory. Gillian is actively involved in digs at major sites, including Orkney’s famous Ness of Brodgar Neolithic site, and she also lectures across the United Kingdom regularly.

Find out more about Gillian here.