Hill o' Many Stanes
Why are 200 stones aligned in a pattern in this field (and there were probably 600 to start with). What was there purpose? This is the most striking and most mysterious of the stone lines in Caithness. Just off A99 South of Wick and easy to visit. (signposted)
The Hill o’ Many Stanes is the largest and best preserved of several multiple rows of small stones which were erected by the inhabitants of Caithness and eastern Sutherland, around 4,000 years ago.
The 200-plus stones, none of which are more than waist height, are arranged in at least 22 rows. These rows fan out slightly as they descend the south-facing slope. In the last 100 years, 50 stones may have been lost. If the pattern was once complete there would probably have been some 600 stones covering the hillside.
Stone rows, like stone circles, may have been used for gatherings and religious ceremonies. It is also possible that they were used to follow the solar and lunar cycles. What is clear is that considerable time, effort and organisation were expended by the Neolithic farming community to create this strange arrangement.
Similar multiple stone rows are also found on Dartmoor in south-west England, and Carnac in southern Brittany.
Travel Directions to Hill o' Many Stanes
Follow sign from A99 and drive down minor road for half a mile and the field is on the left. There is limited parking and the site is quiet.
Nearby Castles
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Forse Castle
The castle stands on a peninsula about 50 metres above sea level overlooking the sea. It is surrounded on all sides by steep rocks and is cut off from the mainland by a natural ditch at the neck of the peninsula. It was inhabited until 1600s and is now ruined.
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Castle of Mey
Castle on far North coast that was home to the Queen Mother. Now open for visitors. Excellent gardens.
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Ackergill Tower
15th Century tower in an absurdly remarkable position overlooking the sea near Wick. Now super chic boutique accommodation and castle hotel. You can stay or just have tea!
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Girnigoe & Sinclair Castle
Castle Sinclair Girnigoe is located about 3 miles north of Wick on the east coast of Caithness.. It is considered to be one of the earliest seats of Clan Sinclair. It is a ruin in spectacular position on the coast facing north.
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Keiss Castle
Ruinous C16th castle near to Wick in Caithness. Its most striking characteristic is its position teetering on the efge of the cliff! Walk able or view from the beach. A photographer's delight.
Hill o' Many Stanes Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Rose Cottage in Lybster - Sleeps 5
Single-storey cottage situated two miles from Lybster on the road to Forse in Northern Scotland. Sleeps five people in three bedrooms. -
The Cottage, Barrock House, nr Wick - Sleeps 2
The Ivy Wing and The Cottage are situated in the courtyard of Barrock House, and surrounded by landscaped grounds and mature woodland. This provides shelter for an abundance of bird and wild life with plea... -
The Herons, nr Wick - Sleeps 6/7
A warm welcome awaits you at the Herons which is set on the edge of a 3-mile stretch of sandy beach and enjoys panoramic views across Sinclair’s Bay towards Noss Head Lighthouse. This spacious house ... -
The Cottage, nr Wick - Sleeps 6
Set on a working farm, this simply and cosily furnished property enjoys a quiet and unspoilt location in the Caithness countryside. Just a mile or so off the A9, The Cottage makes a super base for touring ... -
Seaview Cottage, nr Wick - Sleeps 4
This traditional single storey holiday cottage, overlooking Girnigoe Castle, is situated a few hundred yards from the sea on a single track road leading to Noss Head Lighthouse. Spectacular seascapes, unsp... -
The Ivy Wing, Barrock House nr Wick - Sleeps 5
The Ivy Wing and The Cottage are situated in the courtyard of Barrock House, and surrounded by landscaped grounds and mature woodland. This provides shelter for an abundance of bird and wild life with plea...