Editing Skara Brae (section)

==World Heritage status==
[[File:Skara Brae ground plan 1950.jpg|thumb|right|Site Plan]]
"The [[Heart of Neolithic Orkney]]" was inscribed as a World Heritage site in December 1999. In addition to Skara Brae the site includes [[Maeshowe]], the [[Ring of Brodgar]], the [[Standing Stones of Stenness]] and other nearby sites. It is managed by [[Historic Environment Scotland]], whose "Statement of Significance" for the site begins:

{{Quote|The monuments at the heart of Neolithic Orkney and Skara Brae proclaim the triumphs of the human spirit in early ages and isolated places. They were approximately contemporary with the [[mastaba]]s of the archaic period of Egypt (first and second dynasties), the brick temples of Sumeria, and the first cities of the Harappa culture in India, and a century or two earlier than the Golden Age of China. Unusually fine for their early date, and with a remarkably rich survival of evidence, these sites stand as a visible symbol of the achievements of early peoples away from the traditional centres of civilisation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/policyandguidance/world_heritage_scotland/world_heritage_sites/world-heritage-neolithic-orkney.htm |title=The Heart of Neolithic Orkney |publisher=Historic Scotland |access-date=5 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911121359/http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/policyandguidance/world_heritage_scotland/world_heritage_sites/world-heritage-neolithic-orkney.htm |archive-date=11 September 2007 }}</ref>
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Some areas and facilities were closed due to the worldwide [[COVID-19 pandemic]] during parts of 2020 and into 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/skara-brae/prices-and-opening-times/ |title=Prices and opening times |date=1 February 2021 |work=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=13 February 2021 |quote=Some areas/facilities will remain closed for now, we have a phased approach to re-opening while we work to make them safe}}</ref>