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Just about 300 years ago (about 1695), a writer named Martin Martin visits the Orkney Islands. His journey must have been very uncomfortable, but Martin, not famous these days, knew that here in the inhospitable and only partly inhabited islands he would find some things to feed the just awaking interest of the common british past and make his name famous.
On the Island of Hoy he was successful: he was led to a grand block of red sandstone on the south flank of the highest mountain, the Ward Hill, between Quoy and Rackwick, that had certainly always occupied the fantasy of the few islanders.
Into the almost 9 metres long block that seems to impossible to have been transported over the soft ground a housing has been carved, seemingly a dwarf's home, why the landmark of the island is called Dwarfie Stane. Actually the stone measures 8.5 m in length, 4.5 m in breadth and 2 m in height.
To the left and the right of the narrow hallway there are sleeping-chambers and in one there is a stone-pillow to be found. The ceiling is not completely closed, thus it was thought to be a chimney being needed in every stone-age house. A large rock that would fit into the entrance lies before it, but it is far too heavy to be moved even with the aid of machines.
Since a few decades ago prehistorians began to coordinate their research it is known that this "dwarf's dwelling" is in fact a tomb, obviously for noble and rich masters of the isles, maybe for a reigning couple. The heavy rock in front of the Dwarfie Stane - still there in the 16th century - should prevent from robbery, and maybe for this purpose the
