Scotland

Orkney Stone Circles and other Ancient Sites

Covering Stone circles, chambered cairns, brochs, deserted villages, and more

Overview
Orkney is a paradise of the past. There are probably more ancient sites in Orkney than anywhere else in the UK, many are free entry, and most are uncrowded. Several of the most famous sites are clustered together near Loch Harray and form the Heart of Orkney World Heritage Site.

Barnhouse Settlement   A Neolithic village located on the shores of Loch Harray beside the Stones of Stennes circle and just a short distance from the Ring of Brogar. The village was inhabited from about 3200 BCE, suggesting that this may posssibly have been where the builders of Maes Howe, Brogar, and Stenness lived. There are several different sizes of hut, but nothing beyond the foundations remain. Stenness, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Park at the Stones of Stenness on the B9055 and follow a short path to the settlement. Website: Barnhouse Settlement Historic Scotland OS HY307127 Photo Credit: David Ross

Blackhammer Chambered Tomb   A Neolithic chambered cairn dating to approximately 2500 BCE. Entry to the interior reveals an elongated corbeled chamber with upright partitions. The interior is unusuallly well lit due to plexiglass skylights inserted in the roof. Tratland, Rousay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: On the B9064 1 mile west of the Trumland ferry landing. Signposted. Free entry. Website: Blackhammer Chambered Tomb Historic Scotland OS HY414276 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Broch of Gurness   One of the finest brochs in Scotland, Gurness stands on the shore looking across to Rousay. The very extensive remains include striking earth ramparts and the remains of several Iron Age buildings. Aikerness, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: NW Kirkwall, off the A966 Website: Broch of Gurness Phone: 0831 579478 Historic Scotland Details of Broch of Gurness OS HY 381268 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Brough of Birsay   Remains of Pictish and Norse settlements in a spectacular coastal setting. Pict remains are houses and metalworking debris. Norse remains are of farmsteads, domestic buildings and the Norse cathedral dating from the early 12th century. Graves have been unearthed on the island. Museum at the site. Brough Head, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Tidal island offshore from northwestern point of Mainland, Orkney. Reached at low tide by walking across a causeway. (Ask at local TIC in Stromness or Kirkwall for tide times, or at the village shop in Birsay.) Website: Brough of Birsay Historic Scotland Details of Brough of Birsay - Photos of Brough of Birsay OS HY239284 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn   A Neolithic chambered tomb with four cells-once contained bones of men, dogs and oxen. Access on hands and knees. Finstown, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: on A965 Website: Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn Historic Scotland OS HY 364 128 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Grain Earth-House    Iron Age earth-house with underground chamber supported on stone pillars. Kirkwall, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 1 m (1.6 km) NW Kirkwall, A965 Historic Scotland OS HY442117

Holm of Papa Westray Chambered Cairn    Massive tomb. Long narrow chamber with 14 cells and wall engravings. Holm of Papa Westray, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Historic Scotland OS HY509518

Knap of Howar    Two Neolithic standing stone houses with stone cupboards and stalls. Papa Westray, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Historic Scotland OS HY483518

Maes Howe Chambered Cairn   The finest megalithic tomb in the British Isles, consisting of a large Neolithic mound, 26ft high, 115ft in diameter, encircled by a ditch, covering a stone-built 39 ft passage leading to large burial chamber with 2 cells. The tomb contains the richest collection of Viking runes in the UK. Finstown, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 9 miles west of Kirkwall, on the A965 Website: Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Phone: 01856 761 606 Historic Scotland Details of Maes Howe Chambered Cairn OS HY318128 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Midhowe Broch   One of the finest Iron Age brochs in Scotland, located in a superb coastal location directly beside the chambered cairn of Midhowe. The central building measures 30 feet in diameter, with walls still standing to a height of 14 feet. This is easily one ofg the most impressive sites on Orkney, and well worth the journey to Rousay. A signposted path leads from the broch to Midhowe Chambered Cairn and past numerous other historic buildings along the shore. Westness, Rousay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Parking on the B9064 coastal road a few miles west of the ferry terminal. Well signposted, and easily visible from the parking lot. Walk downhill 5 minutes - good footwear advised. Free entry. Website: Midhowe Broch Historic Scotland OS HY372306 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Midhowe Chambered Cairn   A huge Neolithic chambered tomb in an oval mound with 25 stalls. Midhowe is protected by a modern building, which has walkways over the tomb, proviing excellent views down into the chambers. Rousay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Website: Midhowe Chambered Cairn Historic Scotland OS HY372304 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Mine Howe   Access by steep stone steps to underground chamber, then another set of steps to a further underground chamber. Archaeologists date it from 200BC to 500AD. Its use is uncertain but thought to be religious. Bones, pottery and other artifacts were found in the chamber. Tankerness, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: off A960 on minor road Website: Mine Howe OS HY512058 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Quoyness Chambered Cairn    Megalithic tomb with retaining walls, passage, main chamber and cells. Neolithic. Sandsay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Historic Scotland OS HY676378

Rennibister Earth-House   Access by trap door and ladder down into the chamber that has 5 wall recesses and an entrance passage. Human bones were found here. Thought to be Iron Age. Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: on A965, western Mainland, situated behind a farmhouse OS HY397127 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Ring of Brodgar   A late Neolithic circle of 27 upright stones (originally 60 stones) with an enclosing ditch. Located a short distance from the Stenness Standing Stones. The location above two lochs is superb. Stenness, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 5 miles east of Stromness, on the B9055 Website: Ring of Brodgar Historic Scotland Details of Ring of Brodgar - Photos of Ring of Brodgar OS HY294134 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Skara Brae Prehistoric Village   Best preserved group of Stone Age (main periods of settlement between 3100-2500BC) houses in western Europe. Long covered by sand, they were uncovered by a storm. The houses, linked by covered passageways, contain stone furniture. Exhibition, museum. Skaill, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: on B9056 NW Kirkwall Website: Skara Brae Prehistoric Village Phone: 01856 841 815 Historic Scotland Details of Skara Brae Prehistoric Village - Photos of Skara Brae Prehistoric Village OS HY231187 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge   The dramatic remains of a stone circle surrounded by remains of a circular earthwork. There are several extremely tall and slender stones, with several small and squat stones. Stenness is sited in a beautiful loch-side location, a short walk from the Ring of Brodgar. Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 5 m (8 km) NE Stromness Website: Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge Historic Scotland Details of Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge OS HY306126 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Taversoe Tuick Chambered Cairn   Neolithic chambered mound with two burial chambers. Rousay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Historic Scotland OS HY426276 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Tomb of the Eagles   Two attractions in one; the Tomb is a chambered cairn dating to approximately 3000 BCE. When excavated it was found to contain the bones of over 340 people, and the remains of sea eagles, pottery, bead, and stone tools. These artefacts can be viewed - and handled - in the modern visitor centre. The Bronze Age Burnt Mound (also known as Liddle Burnt Mound) consists of a burnt stone and refuse mound with an associated dwelling. The dwelling, which had a form of running water, may have been used as a kind of ceremonial sweat lodge. The Tomb of the Eagles is also known as Isbister Chambered Cairn. Burwick, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: In the south east corner of South Ronaldsay, 7 miles south of St Margaret's Hope. Signposted off the A961. Access to the tomb is an adventure; you lie on a wheeled dolly and pull yourself along the short passage with a rope. Website: Tomb of the Eagles Email: info@tomboftheeagles.co.uk Phone: 01856 831 339 Details of Tomb of the Eagles OS ND470846 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Unstan Chambered Cairn   A Neolithic mound beside a loch, covering a communal stone burial chamber of 5 compartments. Pottery was found in the chamber. Stromness, Mainland, Orkney, HIghlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 3.5 m northeast of Stromness, on a farm road off A965. The road is signposted from the A965, but nevertheless it is easy to miss, so keep your eyes open! Website: Unstan Chambered Cairn Historic Scotland Details of Unstan Chambered Cairn OS HY282117 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn   A chambered Neolithic (3500-2500BC) tomb in a cairn with 3 concentric walls and a burial chamber. There are excellent views from the hillside. Kirkwall, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: 2 m (3 km) W Kirkwall, then 1 m on foot from the road; access by trap door and ladder Website: Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn Historic Scotland OS HY409121 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

Yetnasteen Standing Stone   A solitary standing stone measuring over 7 feet in height. Unusually, the stone stands at the bottom of a hill, rather than in an exposed, elevated position where it might more easily be seen. Legend tells that on New Years Day the stone walks down to the nearby loch to drink. The name of the stone derives from Old Norse 'Jotunna-steinn', meaning 'Giant Stone', and when you see Yetnasteen it is easy to see why it was so named. Yetnasteen, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Attraction Type: Prehistoric Location: Parking for several cars at the end of the minor road at Faraclett. Signposted path from the parking area. Good footwear advised. Accessible at any time. OS HY447327 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express

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