Economic Importance
The flagstone facies of the Middle Devonian lacustrine sequence has provided local building material since at least the neolithic period. The houses at Skara Brae, the tomb at Maes Howe, the Ring of Brodgar and Standing Stones of Stenness, were all built with flagstone. The quarrying of flagstone became an important industry in the 18th century, particularly in Caithness. Flagstones from Caithness were exported round the world and are still being produced, although in more limited quantities.
The lacustrine sequence has also acted as an oil source rock, being responsible at least in part for the oil accumulation in the Beatrice field in the Inner Moray Firth.
Read more about this topic: Orcadian Basin
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