Burn of Ayreland facts for kids
The Burn of Ayreland (also called Ireland) is a small stream in Orkney, Scotland. It flows towards the northwest and empties into the Clestrain Sound, which is an arm of the sea. This burn is located about two miles south of a place called Stenness.
The Burn of Ayreland flows mostly through farmland, but also through some marshy areas (called mosses) and open, wild land (moorland). The water in this stream is very clear, meaning it has a "lack of turbidity." This means you can see through it easily. The water's "pH level" is about 8, which means it's slightly alkaline, not acidic. The bottom of the stream is covered with small stones like pebbles, larger rounded stones called cobbles, and sometimes even bigger rocks called boulders.
Ancient History Nearby
This stream flows just a few miles south of some very important ancient sites. These places show us how people lived a very long time ago.
A few miles to the north, you can find the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. These are huge circles of standing stones that were built by people during the Neolithic period, which was the New Stone Age. This was thousands of years ago!
About three miles to the northeast is Maes Howe. This is an amazing ancient tomb, also from the Neolithic period. It's a large mound built over a stone chamber. These sites are very important for understanding the history of Orkney and the people who lived there long, long ago.
