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This is a modern reconstruction of a Crannog at Loch Tay in Scotland.
Image from Wikipedia.

I was glued to Neil Oliver's A History of Celtic Britain last night - first for the segments on art, decoration and jewellery, and then for the amazing Crannog structures in Scotland. I had never heard of them before but they were - to my layperson's understanding! - essentially long houses built on raised stump foundations above water. They look beautiful. When Neil Oliver and another academic talking head were gathered around the fire and the cooking pot in a Crannog, I wanted to climb right into the TV set!

Image from http://structuralarchaeology.blogspot.com.au/ (which looks like a really interesting site - I've just discovered it!)

Speaking Stones

The Standing Stones at Callanish, Scotland
Image: Wikipedia

I have been absolutely captivated by the Scottish archeologist Neil Oliver's latest documentary series, A History of Ancient Britain. I must shamefully admit that prior to watching this series, words like 'Neolithic' just shut my brain down but I am now quite absorbed in the topic and I want to go back to the British Isles (I was last there in 2000)! The beautiful and powerful simplicity of the Standing Stones and Stone Circles throughout the United Kingdom as well as the stone dwellings like those at Skara Brae would truly be a sight to behold.

Have you been to any of these sites?

Stonehenge in Winter
Image: http://england-visit.blogspot.com/2010/04/stonehenge.html

Skara Brae
Image: http://heritageaction.wordpress.com/2009/04/page/2/