Читать книгу The Magic Ring of Brodgar онлайн

“Thank you, captain, you're very kind!” she thanked him with a smile.

The day was clear and sunny. The sky was cloudless. But Megan knew that despite the good weather, it would definitely be cold on the way due to the headwind.

“How long will it take us to get there?” she asked.

“About an hour,” Duncan replied.

The company was made up of interesting conversationalists, and time flew by unnoticed.

From Kirkwall, they began their exploration of the island. Megan couldn't get enough of the beauty that unfolded before her eyes. Magnificent cliffs of various shapes and heights extended deep into the sea. The delightful sandy beaches invited peace and solitude. She couldn't have imagined such a variety of landscapes in this area. Moving from one place to another, they eventually arrived at the famous Ring of Brodgar. This ring consisted of 27 megalithic stones and had been here for several thousand years. It was unknown who built it and for what purpose – whether it was the Celts or those before them, there were no answers to these questions.

“Originally, the ring had about 60 stones, the rest hadn’t survived to our time,” Warren began. “Legends say that for many centuries, sacrifices were made on an altar situated in the center of the megalithic circle to appease various gods. Locals say that at first, virgins and children were offered as sacrifices, and in later times – animals. Nowadays, this place is just a tourist attraction, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

“Such gigantic stones,” Megan exclaimed in admiration.

“And how many terrifying stories they hold in their memory,” Duncan said. “I really like this place; it's definitely filled with mystique.”

Craig also contributed, “The local legend says, once every four years, according to the Celtic calendar, on the night of November 11th to 12th, a unique astronomical event occurs. Stars and planets align in a special order, creating a connection with the altar within the ancient stone circle. It's said that if you lie on the altar at midnight, you can momentarily connect with cosmic forces and receive answers to the most important questions about the past and the future. However, the altar must first be sprinkled with the blood of those seeking knowledge.”