What is the secret of Crudale Meadow?
A damp patch of land in Orkney holds answers locked in time
In the west of the Mainland island of Orkney, UK, lies a patch of damp ground, a mile inland from the Old Red Sandstone cliffs and dramatic sea stacks of Yesnaby. Here, visitors are grateful for a waterproof jacket to protect against the chilly grey of the Scottish summer. This boggy patch is Crudale Meadow. One would be forgiven for judging the ground beneath one’s feet a little unremarkable, but to do so would be a mistake – Crudale Meadow holds ice age secrets.