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Scotland |
Stones of Stenness
Summary
A Neolithic stone circle in a stunning loch-side location. Nearby are
the Ring of Brodgar and Maes
Howe chambered cairn.
See also: Stones
of Stenness Photo Gallery >>
When was it built?
Like the nearby Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness were built around
3000 BCE. Unlike Brodgar, however, Stenness contains very large stones,
some standing to a height of 6 metres. The ring of stones was built
inside an enclosing ditch and bank of about 44 metres (roughly 136
feet) in diameter. A causeway in the north east provided entry to the
interior of the enclosure. This entry opens towards the Barnhouse Settlement
a few hundred yards away on the shore of Loch Harray. There were originally
12 stones in the ring, of which only 4 remain upright.
In the centre of the ring is a hearth, and between the hearth and
the enclosure entrance were two small stones and a larger 'altar' stone.The
most impressive thing about the largest stones - apart from their sheer
height - is how slender they are. It scarcely seems possible that they
could survive millennia without cracking apart, but they have.
Why was it built?
Given its proximity to Maes Howe and the Ring of Brodgar it seems likely
that Stenness filled some kind of ceremonial role. There is a suggestion
that at one time an avenue of stones stretched from Stenness to the
Ring of Brodgar. This hypothesis is somewhat supported by the presence
of several small standing stones in the yard of a farmhouse on the
way to Brodgar.
The Watchstone
Outside the circle, standing in solitary splendour by the shore of
Loch Stenness is a monolithic stone called The Watchstone. At one
time there was a smaller second stone beside the Watchstone, called
Odin's Stone. This latter was destroyed by a farmer in the
early 19th century, who was annoyed that visitors to the circle
were trampling his crops. He destroyed the Odin Stone and pushed
over another stone before angry locals threatened to burn his house
if he did not stop.
Getting There
The
stones are on the east side of the B9055 close to the A965 junction,
which is well signposted. There is a pull-by off the road which can
take about a dozen cars. Alternatively, you could park at the Ring
of Brodgar parking area about a mile away and walk back along the B9055
to Stenness.
Our verdict
 Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, the Ring of Brodgar
and Maes Howe, the Stones of Stenness are my personal favourite of
the three sites. Part of the attraction is that you can wander among
the stones, and really experience how tall the larger stones are.
The location is fantastic, and if you stand beside the monolithic stones
and watch the sun go down over the horizon you will never forget it.
Related:
Stones
of Stenness Photo Gallery >>
Details
Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge
Mainland
Orkney
Highlands and Islands
Scotland
Location: 5 m (8 km) NE Stromness
Website: Stones of Stenness Circle and Henge
OS HY306126
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