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Mini-brochs? What and where are these?
Picture added on 21 February 2012 at 09:45
This picture is in the following groups
Mystery places or things or people
Mystery places or things or people
They are very similar to what remains of the old windmill structure on the Eastside of South Ronaldsay
Added by Ross Flett on 21 February 2012
These are the lime kilns on Papa Stronsay.
Anonymous comment added on 23 February 2012
I'll let this run a day or two longer before revealing all, but don't get too fixated on the North Ronaldsay tag, which wasn't my doing.
[I've detagged it pending revelation. Or Revelation. - Steven]
[I've detagged it pending revelation. Or Revelation. - Steven]
Added by Ian Hourston on 24 February 2012
Anonymous is nearly right. They are kilns and they are on Papa Stronsay, but their purpose - never properly fulfilled - was kelp-burning. They date from around the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, and were intended by their designer, James Chalmers, to be a more efficient means of reducing kelp to ash than the traditional open pits. The kilns' fatal flaw turned out be their cast-iron firebars; the extreme heat of the burning kelp consumed them.
Added by Ian Hourston on 25 February 2012
I was lucky enough to be able to visit these a couple of years ago. Also very proud as James Chalmers was my Great Grandpa.
Added by Carolyn on 05 May 2012
Splendid Carolyn! Speaking as one myself, I say all Great Grandpas need great-grandchildren who are proud of them.
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Added by Ian Hourston on 21 May 2012
Stronsay
