Editing Chambered cairn (section)

===Orkney-Cromarty===
[[File:Unstan chambered cairn entrance by Bruce McAdam.jpg|thumb|right|Entrance to [[Unstan Chambered Cairn]], [[Orkney]]]]
The Orkney-Cromarty group is by far the largest and most diverse. It has been subdivided into Yarrows, Camster and Cromarty subtypes but the differences are extremely subtle. The design is of dividing slabs at either side of a rectangular chamber, separating it into compartments or stalls.<ref name=Ritch29>Ritchie, Graham "The Early Peoples" in Omand (2003) p. 29</ref> The number of these compartments ranges from 4 in the earliest examples to over 24 in an extreme example on [[Orkney]]. The actual shape of the cairn varies from simple circular designs to elaborate 'forecourts' protruding from each end, creating what look like small [[amphitheatres]]. It is likely that these are the result of cultural influences from mainland [[Europe]], as they are similar to designs found in [[France]] and [[Spain]].

Examples include [[Midhowe Chambered Cairn|Midhowe]] on [[Rousay]], and both the [[Unstan Chambered Cairn]] and [[Wideford Hill chambered cairn]] from the [[Mainland, Orkney|Orkney Mainland]], both of which date from the mid 4th millennium BC and were probably in use over long periods of time. When the latter was excavated in 1884, grave goods were found that gave their name to [[Unstan ware]] pottery.<ref name=Ritch29/><ref>[http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/tombs/midhowe/index.html "The Midhowe Stalled Cairn, Rousay"]. Orkneyjar. Retrieved 13 July 2012.</ref><ref name=Fraser13/><ref>[http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_296&PropName=Unstan%20Chambered%20Cairn "Unstan Chambered Cairn"]. Historic Scotland. Retrieved 21 July 2012.</ref><ref name="Wickham-Jones 2007 p. 48">Wickham-Jones (2007) p. 48</ref> [[Blackhammer Chambered Cairn|Blackhammer]] cairn on Rousay is another example dating from the 3rd millennium BC.<ref>Wickham-Jones (2007) p. 56</ref>

The Grey Cairns of Camster in [[Caithness]] are examples of this type from mainland Scotland.<ref>[http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=10839 "Grey Cairns of Camster"]. Megalithic Portal. Retrieved 21 July 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_146&PropName=Grey%20Cairns%20Of%20Camster "Grey Cairns of Camster"]. Historic Scotland. Retrieved 21 July 2012.</ref> The [[Tomb of the Eagles]] on [[South Ronaldsay]] is a stalled cairn that shows some similarities with the later Maeshowe type. It was in use for 800 years or more and numerous bird bones were found here, predominantly [[white-tailed sea eagle]].<ref>[http://www.tomboftheeagles.co.uk/ "Tomb of the Eagles"] tomboftheeagles.co.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2008.</ref><ref>Hedges, J. 1990. Tomb of the Eagles: Death and Life in a Stone Age Tribe. New Amsterdam Books. {{ISBN|0941533050}} p. 73</ref>