This was an area where local farmers used the power of a burn (creek) to grind their grain. This was instead of paying the laird (lord) a fee to do it. The stone walls have a luxuriance of lichen because of the damp, clean air. Our guide for the walk was local crafter and archaeologist, Chris Dyer.
This is the site of Calliesbrough on the little Island of Bressay, just across the harbour from Lerwick.
This site has been used since Mesolithic times. The Mesolithic Broch is underneath the Viking cruciform church, the churchyard of which includes this Pictish, Christian headstone. The original is in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Chris described the use and symbolism of the stone.
Even the side had what looked like runes on it. That’s my friend Terri taking photos.
And listening with rapt attention to the description of the time and place of that stone.
A Dutch trader who had been coming to this cove for decades, passed away from natural causes and was buried inside the ruins of the Viking church with other great and good worthies of the area.
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