Scottish Highlands - Prehistoric Sites
- Map of Prehistoric Sites in Highlands and Islands
- Map of ALL Prehistoric Sites in Scotland
- Map of all attractions in Highlands and Islands
Taking in the Highlands, and Scottish islands including Orkney, Shetland, Skye, and the Western Isles (Harris, Lewis, North Uist, South Uist, Benbecula, Berneray, Barra, and Eriskay).
A Neolithic chambered cairn dating to approximately 2500 BCE. Entry to the interior reveals an elongated corbeled chamber with upright partitions. The interior is unusually well lit due to a plexiglass skylights inserted in the roof.
Tratland, Rousay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
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The Bone Caves are a series of natural caves set into a high limestone cliff called Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves). The caves are named for the large numbers of animal bones found during excavations.
Inchnadamph, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
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The Borve Standing Stone is a solitary standing stone looking rather lost in the midst of thick machair about 50 yards from the coastal road opposite the signposted road to Borve village. Haphazard excavations here have turned up evidence of human remains, possibly a Viking burial.
A888, Borve, Barra, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
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In 1993 a heavy storm uncovered an Iron Age village beneath the dunes at Bostadh, on the northern tip of Great Bernera, Isle of Lewis. Though the village itself was carefully excavated and then recovered to preserve it, a replica hut was built to show how the original huts would have looked.
Bosta, Great Bernera, Bostadh, Isle of Lewis, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, HS2 9LZ
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Heritage Highlight: Replica 1500 year-old thatched hut.
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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
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Birsay is a tidal island joined to the mainland by a causeway. On the island are extensive remains of both Pictish and Norse settlements, including a 12th-century Norse cathedral. A small museum displays artefacts found during excavations. The location is superb, and the remains of buildings quite impressive.
Brough Head, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
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The remains of a 10th-century chapel stand in a spectacular headland setting on the eastern tip of Deerness, Orkney. Some debate exists whether the site is that of a Norse settlement, early Christian monastery, or Iron Age promontory fort. The Brough has been a traditional site of pilgrimage for centuries.
Deerness, Mull Head, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
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A Neolithic burial cairn just west of Loch Watenan, composed of two chambers, accessed via a horned entrance forecourt. The exposed inner passage makes for easy access to the cairn interior, and you can easily see how the passage was built, and how large upright stones were used to create three small compartments.
Ulbster, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
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Heritage Highlight: Drystone corbelling of the inner chamber
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Callanish Stone Circle is a fascinating complex of stone circles and avenues dating to the late Stone Age and early Bronze Age, over 4000 years ago. Inside the main circle is a central burial chamber from the Neolithic period. Callanish is one of the most important archaeological sites in Britain.
Callanais, Isle of Lewis and Harris, Lewis, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, HS2 9DY
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Set in a stunning location above Camas nan Geall (Bay of Strangers) is a Neolithic chambered cairn. Many of the stones have been robbed for nearby buildings, but the cairn structure survives. A stone's throw away is a standing stone carved with an early Christian cross.
B8007, Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
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