A little more on the woods of Orkney. This is the conclusion of an article on pollen analyses at several sites in Orkney: "The presence of birch-hazel scrub on Orkney in the mid-Flandrian suggested by Moar (1969) is supported by this investigation. The status of trees other than Betula sp., Corylus avellana and Salix sp. is still doubtful. Sorbus aucuparia and Populus tremula, both found on Orkney today, may have contributed to the woodland, and the presence of a few grains of Ilex aquifolium pollen in the deposits described here and by Moar (1969) suggest the presence of this species also. The understorey appears to have consisted of tall herbs and ferns. Juniperus communis. is found on Orkney today and its pollen was recorded by Moar (1969) for the early Flandrian, so the presence of this species in exposed localities is likely throughout the Flandrian. "At the time of the regional elm decline, c. 5000 B.p., a climatic change is suggested involving increased onshore wind speeds. This may have been associated with, the formation of the Bay of Skaill, the initiation of sand-blow from the beach, the decline of scrub from around the Loch of Skaill and the establishment of machair. Further inland the decline of the scrub may have occurred some time later. Following the scrub clearance, the vegetation appears to have been dominated by tall herb and fern communities derived from the scrub understorey, similar to the present-day communities of the dales. This then gave way to pasture vegetation under the influence of increased grazing pressure associated with the neolithic occupation. The vegetation appears to have changed little since then apart from on certain areas of the hills where, possibly in response to climatic deterioration and human influences, blanket peat started to form c. 3400 B.P." http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1979.tb02684.x?cookieSet=1 The article supports what was said on the "Trees of Orkney" website, namely that the main types of trees were birch, hazel and willow — at least in certain places in Orkney. There may also have been rowan, aspen and holly. The article also mentions juniper as being found in Orkney today. Where would that be? Berriedale in Hoy? Norman Tulloch