We were visited on Saturday by Howie Firth, (historian, writer and broadcaster) and Selena (a student of fine arts and photographer). The objective was to do the Pictish walk linked with Howie's talk in Caithness Horizons which took place on 7th October. There was some reorganising to do as Howie was not able to do the talk and walk on the 9th as planned, so things were rearranged. The event was part of the Highland Archaeological Festival and the British Science Association's Travelling Scholar programme.
Howie, Selena and I did a tour of the Brough area. Howie and Selena had never been to Dunnet Head, and Howie was fascinated by the sight of his native Orkney from this side of the water. We did a very brief tour of Dunnet Head, but clearly WWII was not high on the agenda. We then went to Brough Bay where Howie was able to speak to Mervyn Sinclair and get more local insights to the area about the fishing and history of the Bay.
Next we went to Brough Castle, the remains of a promontory fort, and where I have always been fascinated by the presence of perfectly formed circles in the ground which could have been brochs. Howie thought it would make a good archaeological study. Brough Castle is twinned with Wick Castle, but very little is known about it.
Then on to the souterraine at Ham Farm which has variously been described as the Pictish house and souterraine. Howie thought it was actually a small Neolithic tomb with a broch on top. He explained the importance of these for the defence of the harbours, of which Ham would have been one. They were all on high places so the occupants could signal to each other in the event of marauders coming up the Pentland firth.
Finally, we retired to Windhaven where Brian explained the role of the inn in the days of smugglers' - which is now our kitchen.
Hands Across the Firth Collaboration between Orkney and mainland Scotland.
