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Scotland |
Unstan Chambered Cairn
Summary
A Neolithic chambered tomb on the shores of Stenness Loch. Part of the
Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
When was it built?
Unstan is generally described as Neolithic, though Historic Scotland,
whsao are responsible for the site, seem a bit doubtful on that dating.
It is contemporary with similar sites around the southern ends of
Loch Stenness and Loch Harray.
The location
Unstan is located on the shore of Loch Stenness, about one mile from
the Stones of Stenness stone circle. The scenic location is part
of the allure of Unstan. 
The cairn
Though often described as a circular cairn, Unstan is not, in fact,
circular, but elongated at one end.
Entry is through a very low central passage, necessitating a duck-waddle
or hands and knees effort to get inside. You emerge into a long
passage divided into 5 partitions by upright slabs. The cairn appears
to have been used as a communal burial chamber. When it was excavated
in 1850 piles of bones were found in each partition, and two crouched
burials were discovered in the single side chamber. Along with the
bones were found sherds of pottery. This pottery was of such unique
construction that the name 'Unstan ware' was thereafter used to describe
similar finds throughout Britain. Unstan ware is characterised by
a round base and grooved patterns below the rim. It is generally
considered to date to at least 3000 BCE.
On
the lintel of the side
chamber is an incised carving of a bird, thought to be Viking in
origin. Look closely, it isn't apparent at first glance! The roof has
been much repaired and now sports a concrete cap, with skylights inserted
to allow natural daylight to illuminate the interior.
Getting There
Unstan cairn is visibly signposted from the A965 road, but when we visited
the signpost to the cairn was right at the turning, with no advance
warning, so it is easy to drive right past, as we discovered. The road
looks like a driveway to the nearby farm rather than an access road
- that's because it is the
farm driveway, but carry on past the farmhouse to a small parking area
which can handle a maximum of a half-dozen cars. The path from the
parking area is very short, and level, though it can be muddy after
a rain.
 Our verdict
Not
as striking as nearby Maes Howe, but on the other hand, there are no
crowds, and no waiting to get in! Unstan is rather intriguing, and
I couldn't help wondering what purpose the submerged foundation wall
to the rear of the cairn might have originally served. The interior
is well supplied with natural light and in a very good state of repair.
Perhaps not reason alone to visit the area, but a very nice addition
if you are visiting the other sites around Lochs Stenness and Harray.
Details
Unstan Chambered Cairn
Stromness
Mainland
Orkney
HIghlands and Islands
Scotland
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
OS HY282117
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