Stone of the Norse Gods
Caithness flagstone is a form of devonian sandstone. The name “flagstone” is thought to have come from the Norse word “flaga” meaning stone slabs which refers to how the stone can be naturally split. Vikings used Caithness flagstone to build huge forts and brochs as well as croft houses and farm buildings. To this day, rows of field flags, huge pieces of flagstone placed vertically in the ground, are still used as perimeter fences all over Caithness.
It is our stones natural ‘coding’ and splitting ability that makes it so unique with each layer splitting differently from the next as well as having a different surface patterns so our skilled team can tell exactly which layer of stone it is just from looking at it and know what product it can be used to make!
The differences definitely give each layer its own personality so we thought they each needed names as unique as them and what better inspiration to use than that of the Norse gods and goddess’ themselves!
Layer 1: Hel The goddess and ruler of the Norse underworld who protects those in her realm. What is layer 1 if not the protector of the Norse stone layers that lie underneath?
Layer 2: Heimdall: Forever alert and guarding Asgard, he was also known for having the shiniest and whitest skin which ties in perfectly with layer 2 which has the most silica content giving it a paler colour.
Layer 3: Thor The god of thunder, known for his power and strength. This matches layer 3 as it too is known as the strongest layer in our quarries.
Layer 4: Odin The ruler of Asgard and greatest among the Norse gods, layer 4 holds this same status as the greatest of all the quarry layers.
Layer 5: Vidor A son of Odin and a giantess, Vidor’s strength, like layer 5, is matched only by Thor.
Layer 6: Freya Associated with love and beauty, it was only fitting to name the most beautiful layer of stone after her.
Layer 7: Loki A mischievous god who can shape-shift, this perfectly suits layer 7 as, unlike the other layers, it causes mischief by changing and shifting how it splits.
Layer 8: Freyr A symbol of prosperity and pleasant weather conditions, these are reflected in layer 8 being the flattest layer due to the beautifully calm tropical weather when it was part of the bottom of lake Orcadia at the beginning of it’s journey to becoming Caithness flagstone some 370million years later!