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Photo of Norse Ruins on the Brough of Birsay, Orkney
The Brough of Birsay was an important defensive site in Orkney from the earliest settlement. It was under Norse control from the ninth century, and most of the ruins on the Brough (ON Byrgisey, or 'Fort Island') date from this time. The causeway…
Photo of Tait's Closs Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Tait is a common Scottish surname derived from the Old Norse 'teitr', meaning cheerful. Many surnames and place names in Shetland have a Norse origin.
Photo of the Brough of Birsay, Orkney
The Brough of Birsay was an important defensive site in Orkney from the earliest settlement. It was under Norse control from the ninth century, and most of the ruins on the Brough (ON Byrgisey, or 'Fort Island') date from this time. The causeway…
Photo of Twageos Road Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Twageos is a place name incorporating the common Norse place name element 'gjá', meaning 'ravine' and rendered in Shetland as 'geo' or 'gjo'. Twageos may refer to the 'two ravines'.
Placename - Carbost
Carbost (Gaelic: Càrrabost) at Loch Harport is the home of the Talisker distillery, but more importantly is a Norse place name on the Isle of Skye. The name is thought to mean Brushwood Farm or Copse Farm from ON kjarr 'copse, brushwood, fen or…
Plaque indicating location of St Olaf's Kirk in Kirkwall
This plaque in Orkney indicates the location of St Olaf's Kirk in Kirkwall, from which Kirkwall may derive it's name.
Postcard of Up Helly Aa with Runes
Postcard of the burning of the galley at Lerwick's Up Helly Aa. On the reverse there are runes which appear to read 'Viking Prints', though the alphabet used is the older futhark.
Princes Street Gardens Runestone
This Swedish runestone (U 1173) was brought to Edinburgh in the 18th century.
Replica Galley from the Up Helly Aa Exhibition
Brightly painted replica galley with a dragon head on display in the Up Helly A' Exhibition in Lerwick, Shetland.
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a parade of 1000…
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a parade of 1000…
Replica of a drawing of a bird from Jarlshof, in Shetland Museum and Archives
A drawing of a bird on slate, with the tail suggested by the lines of the stone. From the Norse site at Jarlshof, Shetland. This is a replica: the original is in the National Museum of Scotland.
Replica of a drawing of a dragon prow from Jarlshof, in Shetland Museum and Archives
A drawing of a dragon prow on slate, with part of the ship visible on this fragment. From the Norse site at Jarlshof, Shetland. This is a replica: the original is in the National Museum of Scotland.
Replica of a drawing of a horse from Jarlshof, in Shetland Museum and Archives
A drawing of a horse on slate, with dense etching (partially reconstructed). From the Norse site at Jarlshof, Shetland. This is a replica: the original is in the National Museum of Scotland.
Replica of a drawing of a Viking ship from Jarlshof in Shetland Museum and Archives
A replica of a slate drawing from the important site of Jarlshof, dating to 800-1100. The drawing elegantly depicts a Viking ship with rigging. The original is in the National Museum of Scotland. For a higher-quality image see…
Replica of a rune stone from Cunningsburgh, on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Replica of a rune stone from Cunningsburgh (Br Sh3) on display in Shetland Museum and Archives (the original is in the National Museum of Scotland). According to Rundata, it reads
§A ...þi---- (+) -ftir + foþur (:) sin (:) þurbio-...
§B…
§A ...þi---- (+) -ftir + foþur (:) sin (:) þurbio-...
§B…
Replica of interlace drawing from Jarlshof in Shetland Museum and Archives
An interlace design on slate, from the Norse site at Jarlshof, Shetland. This is a replica: the original is in the National Museum of Scotland.
Replica Shields from the Up Helly Aa Festival
Different shields designed for the Guizer Jarl in the Lerwick Up Helly Aa festival. They draw heavily on Norse artwork and imagery.
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a…
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a…
Replicas of Viking brooches from Unst on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Brooches from a woman's grave discovered on Unst, on display in Shetland Museum and Archives. These are replicas of the items held in the National Museum of Scotland.
Ring money on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Ring-money from an unknown location in Shetland (donated by Lerwick Town Council) and replica of ring-money from Dunrossness on display in the National Museum of Scotland.
Rune stone from Papil, on display in Shetland Museum and Archives
Viking-Age Rune stone from Papil, West Burra (Br Sh4) photographed in the Shetland Museum. According to Rundata, it reads
...r : ra(i)s(t)(i) : s... ...
... reisti s[tein] ...
'...Raised the stone...'
...r : ra(i)s(t)(i) : s... ...
... reisti s[tein] ...
'...Raised the stone...'