Orkney, a group of islands off Britain's north coast, famed for their stunning scenery.

Today it's easy to see this as a place very much on the periphery, far away from bustling

centres such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

But 5,000 years ago during the Neolithic period or new Stone Age, well it was a completely

different story.

Like then, these islands were rich in stunning art and architecture.

A great centre of the Stone Age world with connections that stretched across Britain,

Ireland and beyond.

When you look at the map of Britain and see Orkney, that kind of pivotal position

ranks at the Tipa Scotland with access to the East and West coast.

I think it was very important then.

And it is almost like turning the map of Britain on its head.

It's too easy to assume, oh well, the Neolithic must have been a bit grey.

Nope, they had colour.

This is the old thing if you scratch the surface of Orkney, it bleeds archaeology.

The studies we've done so far are about 50, 50 milk and meat, so that was their diet,

though there is a problem.

Now in this very special episode, the first in a new mini series about prehistoric Scotland,

we'll be highlighting the extraordinary Stone Age story of Orkney.

We'll start first with an overview of its Neolithic remains, before we focus in on an incredible

excavation that has revealed so much about Orkney's Stone Age importance.

How this was a great centre of a Neolithic world that stretched across the British Isles

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