Sleep: Sensational Scotland (The Orkney Isles)

Sensational Scotland.

The Orkney Isles.

Welcome to this sleep story.

My name is Reuben.

This is close to my heart.

I was born in the Orkney Isles,

In Scotland.

Before we get into this,

Let's find that refuge within us.

A little meditation to help us settle.

Sensing around me,

My immediate surroundings,

And all is well.

Sensing around me,

My immediate surroundings,

And I am safe.

And my body heals itself,

Inside this conscious inner refuge that I have created.

In breath,

This safe space for me.

I am here for this sleep story.

I am here for me.

The Orkney Isles consist of approximately 70 islands,

Of which around 20 are inhabited.

The islands are located off the northeastern coast of Scotland and are known for their rich history,

Including Neolithic sites,

Neolithic as in relating to part of the Stone Age,

A history of Norwegian,

Also known as Norse,

Heritage and stunning natural landscapes.

The largest island,

Often referred to as the mainland,

Is home to approximately 17,

000 people.

And for comparison,

The island of Høj has around 400 people,

With the isle of Gersøy only 3 people.

Your first stop is the mainland,

Orkney's most famous historical and archaeological sites.

Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands,

Located on this mainland.

Kirkwall has a population of around 9,

000 people,

Making it the most populous settlement in Orkney.

Kirkwall is a key hub for the islands,

Known for its historic sites like St Magnus Cathedral,

The Earl's Palace and its vibrant harbour.

The town serves as the administrative centre of Orkney and plays a central role in the cultural and economic life of the islands.

You stand before the Ring of Brodgar.

The Ring of Brodgar is located on the mainland of Orkney,

About 10 miles west of Kirkwall.

It is situated within the heart of Neolithic Orkney.

The Ring of Brodgar is a large stone circle and hinge,

One of the most famous and well-preserved prehistoric monuments in the British Isles.

You look upon the stone circle,

How it glows in the twilight,

Its towering stones aligned with celestial bodies marking the solstices and equinoxes.

These stones,

Older than Stonehenge,

Are a testament to ancient wisdom and cosmic connection.

And now you find yourself floating,

Floating towards another island.

Now you find yourself on the island of Rousey,

Often called the Egypt of the North.

Due to its numerous archaeological sites,

Here you explore the Mid Howe Brock.

Mid Howe is relatively tall compared to many other brocks.

It stands at about 4.

5 meters in height in its current state,

Though it would have originally been much taller when fully intact.

Brocks were designed as tall,

Round stone towers that served as defensive structures,

And Mid Howe is one of the best-preserved examples on the Orkney Isles.

The structure's height,

Combined with its thick walls,

Made it a formidable stronghold during its time.

A tall stone tower perched for you to step inside.

And as you do,

The intricate stonework and defensive designs speak of a time when this brock was a stronghold for the island's inhabitants,

Guarding against the ever-present threat of invasion.

And now you decide to float into this kind,

Loving energy on the Sanday Island,

Known for its vast sandy beaches.

You stroll along the shore,

Feeling the cool sand beneath your feet as the waves gently lap against the coast.

As you walk,

You discover the Coinus Chambered Cairn,

A Neolithic tomb hidden among the dunes.

Entering the tomb,

You are enveloped by the silence of millennia,

A resting place for the ancient people long gone,

Who were honored in elaborate ceremonies that reflected their deep spiritual connection to the sea and the earth.

Your journey now takes you to the island of Hoi,

Floating in the sky as you do,

Where you stand in awe before the towering cliffs of St.

John's Head,

The highest vertical sea cliff in the UK.

The cliffs rise sharply from the sea,

Their rugged faces carved by the relentless waves.

Hoi is also home to the Old Man of Hoi,

A 450-foot-tall sea stack that defies gravity,

Standing as a sentinel against the powerful forces of nature.

It's a landscape shaped by wind and water,

Where the elements have sculpted the earth into something both majestic and untamed.

Finally,

You arrive on South Ronaldsay,

Where you visit the Tomb of the Eagles.

This Neolithic chambered tomb,

Discovered by a farmer in the 1950s,

Contains the remains of sea eagles,

Carefully laid to rest alongside human burials.

The tomb offers a glimpse into the spiritual practices of Orkney's earliest inhabitants,

Who revered the eagle as a symbol of power and connection to the divine.

As the sun sets,

Its golden light bathes the landscape in a warm glow,

And you feel a profound sense of peace and connection to the ancient past.

Here you are,

Standing on this huge,

Rugged cliff on the Isle of Hoi.

The night sky above is clear and vast.

Here it comes,

As if by magic,

The aurora dances across the heavens.

The aurora painting the sky with ribbons of green,

Pink,

And violet.

The lights ripple and flow like a cosmic river,

Their glow reflected on the dark waters below.

You feel a deep sense of awe as the auric lights seem to weave through the stars.

Casting a mystical glow over the entire landscape.

The cold air brushes against your skin,

But you're warmed by the ethereal beauty of this celestial display.

Returning to a cozy stone cottage on mainland Orkney,

You settle in for the night.

The fire crackles in the hearth,

Its warmth enveloping you like a comforting embrace.

Outside,

The wind gently rustles through the heather,

And the distant sound of the sea lulls you into a deep,

Restful sleep.

The stories and spirits of the Orkney Isles linger in your mind.

Their ancient energies guiding you into the tranquility of the night.

As you drift away,

This timeless beauty and mysticism of Orkney stay with you.

Filling your dreams with the echoes of history and the serenity of these sacred lands.

As your heart is filled with the magic of Scotland.

As I drift off to sleep,

I carry memories of this sensational journey.

Knowing Scotland will always hold a special place in my dreams.

The spiritual energy of the land,

The wisdom of this energy,

And the mystical beauty of its landscapes will continue to inspire and guide me into restful sleep.