Experience the Ness of Brodgar in 3D

You can now get closer to the incredible excavations at the Ness of Brodgar than ever before – all from the comfort of your own home.

A scene from the Google Tour of the Ness of Brodgar excavation in Orkney

The sprawling Neolithic dig in the heart of Orkney’s World Heritage Site is the subject of a new Google Tour, giving users the chance to explore the main excavation work via Google Maps and Google Earth.

The project was carried out during the summer months and adds to the online presence of the already world famous site.

Earlier this year a truly stunning interactive 3D model of the Ness of Brodgar was produced by Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark, the result of more than six hundred photographs and hours of work. The incredibly detailed finished product lets you see the site from within the ancient structures themselves.

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Ness of Brodgar 2015 Excavations by Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark on Sketchfab

And there will be more to come. A new project being carried out between the dig team and Paul Nicolson from Albion Interactive Solutions will help bring the Ness into homes around the world.

"In this age of global communication and the internet, it is so important to promote the Ness and Orkney in as many ways as we can to allow access to as wide an audience as possible." said Dig Director Nick Card, from ORCA at Orkney College UHI. "Being able to experience the Ness in 3D through Google, Hugo’s fabulous models and the new project we’re working on is fantastic – especially for those who have not been able to visit in person."

The Ness of Brodgar in the heart of Orkney's World Heritage Site

There is nothing like the real thing though. Subject to funding, the Ness of Brodgar excavations will reopen on the 4th of July 2016 and run until the 26th of August. Officially opening times for public tours of the site will be confirmed closer to the date.

Find out more via the Ness of Brodgar website and book your trip to the islands with Visit Orkney.

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