Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney, United Kingdom

The Standing Stones of Stenness is a Neolithic monument and may be the oldest henge site in the British Isles. Various traditions associated with the stones survived into the modern era and they form part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. Maeshowe chambered cairn is about 1.2 km to the east of the Standing Stones of Stenness and several other Neolithic monuments also lie in the vicinity, suggesting that this area had particular importance.

The Stenness Watch Stone stands outside the circle, next to the modern bridge leading to the Ring of Brodgar.Although the site today lacks the encircling ditch and bank, excavation has shown that this used to be a henge monument. The stones are thin slabs, approximately 300 mm thick with sharply angled tops. Four, up to about 5 m high, were originally elements of a stone circle of up to 12 stones, laid out in an ellipse about 32 m diameter on a levelled platform of 44 m diameter surrounded by a ditch. The ditch is cut into rock by as much as 2 m and is 7 m wide, surrounded by an earth bank, with a single entrance causeway on the north side. The entrance faces towards the Neolithic Barnhouse Settlement which has been found adjacent to the Loch of Harray. The Watch Stone stands outside the circle to the north-west and is 5.6 m high. Once there were at least two stones there, as in the 1930s the stump of a second stone was found. Other smaller stones include a square stone setting in the centre of the circle platform where cremated bone, charcoal and pottery were found. This is referred to as a 'hearth', similar to the one found at Barnhouse. Animal bones were found in the ditch. The pottery links the monument to Skara Brae and Maeshowe. Based on radiocarbon dating, it is thought that work on the site had begun by 3100 BC.

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney was inscribed as a World Heritage site in December 1999. In addition to the Standing Stones of Stenness, the site includes Maeshowe, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and other nearby sites.

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User Reviews

Pragya Kumari (16 months ago)
It's must go to place in Orkney, we used public transport, there is bus X1 every hour, buy a day tickets £8.70 and you are sorted, just be sure walking is amazing. Try walk around Orkney it's like you get to explore more freely.

Frank Murphy (2 years ago)
Breathtaking ancient stone circle/alignment that offers superb photo opportunities when the light is right. Easy access as ground is level. Perhaps part of, or linked to the Ring of Brodgur nearby as there is a solitary standing stone between them. Parking nearby. No charge to view, and rightly so.

Rolf Asphaug (2 years ago)
I don’t know why anyone would give this magical, historic place less than 5 stars - unless maybe they were wearing stiletto heels or stepped in sheep dung. (Or if there crowds when they visited.) This is like walking inside Stonehenge except it’s thousands of years older, with fewer crowds (at least when we were there in early October), and free. There are no tickets; you just park and walk right in.

Ian Fidler (2 years ago)
Free to visit but there are timed tours provided. Elaine was our Heritage guide and we loved her! She was engaging and incredibly knowledgeable on these neolithic stones. Highly recommended to visit.

Michael Hagmann (2 years ago)
Echoes of the Past - The Standing Stones of Stenness A key highlight of our NC500 tour was undoubtedly the Standing Stones of Stenness, one of Scotland's most awe-inspiring prehistoric sites. An integral part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, this henge monument offers a profound connection to a time long past. Upon arriving, we were immediately struck by the majesty of the towering stones. Standing on a narrow isthmus framed by two lochs, these megaliths against the dramatic Scottish landscape created a sight to behold. Their sheer size and ancient origin left us feeling both humbled and intrigued. Exploring the site was a unique experience. Being able to walk among the stones, touch them, and feel their cold, weathered surfaces gave us a tangible sense of the site's antiquity. The site's atmosphere is peaceful, fostering reflection and wonder. The informative panels scattered around the site provided a rich context for understanding the monument's historical significance. They narrated the story of the people who might have erected these stones and the possible ceremonial role they played. Despite its popularity, the Standing Stones of Stenness maintained a serene atmosphere. The site's accessibility is commendable, with ample parking available and clear paths leading up to the monument. In conclusion, the Standing Stones of Stenness serve as an evocative testament to Scotland's ancient history. They offer more than just a photographic opportunity; they provide a direct, palpable link to our shared human past. A visit to this timeless monument is an absolute must while embarking on the NC500 journey.

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