Standing Stones of Stenness & Ring of Brodgar
Two Henges (or sets of standing stones) in walking distance of each. Catch them at sunset or early evening when you will virtually have them to yourself. Amazing and so much more exciting than Stonehenge!
Northeast of Stromness on the road to Kirkwall is the tiny village of Stenness, near some of Orkney's most interesting prehistoric sites. The Standing Stones of Stenness comprise the four remaining stones from an original circle of 12 stones, dating from 3000 BC. The largest of the stones stands over 15 ft high. Info - Free.
A path leads from the stones to the nearby Barnhouse Settlement, a recently excavated Neolithic village. - see separate entry
About a mile northwest of Stenness is another stone circle, the Ring of Brodgar. This is a particularly impressive henge monument. It is over 100yds in diameter and 27 of the original 60 stones are still standing, some of them up to 15 ft high. Given the importance of these sites, it is particularly refreshing to realize when you get there that you can walk about amongst the stones in the still calm of a summer evening, with only a few oyster catchers for company, but both do get busy with coach parties during the day. Info - Free
Nearby Castles
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Maeshowe or Maes Howe
Maeshowe is a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave situated on Mainland. It was probably built in around 2800 BC. It gives its name to the Maeshowe type of chambered cairn, which is only found in Orkney.
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Barnhouse Settlement
ONly discovered in 1984, this is another fascinating neolithic monument that makes this area absolutely remarkable. 15 houses that date back to 3000BC. Walk from the Standing Stones of Stenness.
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Ness of Brodgar
The most recent Neolithic site in the area and to some accounts the most important. Dates back to 3500BC and was occupied for 1500 years. In the summer months, archeologists are hard at work.
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Skara Brae
The best preserved stone age village in Europe: an extraordinary insight into life 5000 years ago.
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Buxa Farm Chalets & Croft sleeps 4
3 Norwegian style semi-detached chalets & recently renovated croft house on the A964 between Houton Stromness in Orphir. Waterfront property on 20 acres of land with stunning panoramic views of Hoy.
- Sleeps: 4
Standing Stones of Stenness & Ring of Brodgar Cottages and Holiday SelfCatering
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Harbour View, Stromness, sleeps 4
Lying in the heart of a bustling ferry and fishing harbour, this comfortable first floor holiday apartment was originally a warehouse, constructed in the 1760s. Steeped in history, it boasts fascinating vi... -
Lower Midgarth, Orkney Isles - Sleeps 7
Croft on Mainland, Orkney in 2.5 acres of ground with panoramic views. Sleeps 7