The Dutch dials take on great significance to the Scots dials as the close cultural links between the two nations at the time could have led to the dial craze in Scotland.
Does this look familiar? It bears an uncanny resemblance to the lectern type of Scottish dial but predates them. Was this an influence?
It is a stone polyhedron sundial dating from 1578 and is currently in the garden of the Huize van Loon Museum in Amsterdam, Keizersgracht 672.
It has 22 sundials covering it, a considerable number being hollow cylinder dials.
The dial in the garden of Vollenhove Town Hall.
Notice the number of dials hollowed out of the stone in different shapes, sizes and orientations - a key feature of Scottish dials.
