The Standing Stones of Orkney: Complete Guide to Stone Circles and Monoliths

Orkney's landscape is dominated by the enigmatic presence of Neolithic standing stones, remnants of a sophisticated prehistoric culture that flourished here over 5,000 years ago. These towering monoliths and vast stone circles, particularly those within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent some of the most impressive megalithic architecture in Europe. They offer tantalising clues about the beliefs, rituals, and astronomical knowledge of Orkney's earliest farming communities. This guide explores the major stone circles and standing stones, delving into their history, purpose, and how to experience their enduring mystery.

Orkney's Megalithic Landscape: An Overview

The Neolithic period (roughly 4000 BCE to 2200 BCE) saw an extraordinary flourishing of monumental construction in Orkney. Using the readily available flagstone, communities erected complex chambered tombs (like Maeshowe), settlements (like Skara Brae), and, most strikingly, massive stone circles and standing stones. These monuments weren't isolated; they formed part of a wider ceremonial landscape, particularly concentrated around the lochs of Harray and Stenness on the Orkney Mainland. This area, now the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe, and Skara Brae, recognised for their outstanding testimony to prehistoric life.

The Ring of Brodgar: A Ceremonial Amphitheatre

One of Britain's largest and most perfect stone circles, the Ring of Brodgar is breathtaking in scale and setting:

• Size & Structure: A vast circle, 104 metres (341 ft) in diameter, originally comprising an estimated 60 standing stones, of which 27 remain upright today. The stones, up to 4.7 metres tall, are set within a massive rock-cut ditch, 3 metres deep and 9 metres wide – itself a major feat of engineering.
• Date: Constructed later than Stenness, likely between 2500 and 2000 BCE.
• Astronomical Alignments?: Theories abound regarding alignments to solar and lunar events. Archaeoastronomers suggest alignments with solstice sunrises/sunsets and major lunar standstills, potentially using surrounding hills as markers. The nearby 'Comet Stone' may have played a role in these observations.
• Purpose: Its scale suggests it was a major regional ceremonial centre, perhaps used for large gatherings, rituals, or astronomical observations related to the agricultural calendar. Its location on a narrow isthmus between two lochs, close to other major sites, underscores its importance.

The Stones of Stenness: Ancient Sentinels

Possibly the oldest henge monument in the British Isles, the Stones of Stenness possess a different, perhaps more ancient, power:

• Structure: Originally comprising 10 or 12 tall, thin stones (up to 6 metres high) arranged in an ellipse within a henge ditch. Only four remain standing today.
• Date: Believed to date from around 3100 BCE, predating Brodgar.
• Features: A large central hearth suggests ceremonial feasting or fires. Nearby structures like the Barnhouse Settlement indicate associated domestic or ritual activity.
• The Odin Stone: A famous holed stone that once stood nearby was destroyed by a tenant farmer in 1814. Legend holds it was used for binding oaths and engagements ('plighting troth').
• Purpose: Likely served as an earlier ceremonial focus, possibly linked to ancestor veneration (given proximity to tombs) or astronomical events like equinoxes.

Ness of Brodgar: The Complex Between the Circles

Excavations since 2003 on the Ness of Brodgar, the strip of land connecting Stenness and Brodgar, have revolutionised understanding of Neolithic Orkney. This site revealed a massive complex of monumental buildings, occupied for over a millennium (c. 3300-2300 BCE):

• Monumental Architecture: Includes large, sophisticated stone buildings ('temples' or 'halls') with features like paved walkways, internal piers, coloured clay walls, and even slate roofing – unprecedented for Neolithic Britain.
• Ritual Activity: Evidence of large-scale feasting (thousands of cattle bones), deposition of decorated stonework (including carved stone balls), and ceremonial closure of the site around 2300 BCE.
• Significance: The Ness demonstrates that the area between the stone circles was not empty but was itself a major ceremonial and social hub, potentially the spiritual heart of Neolithic Orkney, connecting the living communities with the monuments to the ancestors and the cosmos.

Other Standing Stones Across Orkney

Beyond the main circles, solitary standing stones (monoliths) dot the Orkney landscape:

• The Watchstone: A massive 5.6-metre stone standing near the Bridge of Brodgar, seemingly guarding the narrow isthmus between the lochs. It aligns with the setting midwinter sun behind Hoy.
• The Barnhouse Stone: Located near the Stones of Stenness and Barnhouse Settlement.
• Stone of Setter (Eday): At 4.5 metres, the tallest monolith on the North Isles, possibly associated with nearby chambered cairns.
• Stones of Via (Sanday): A row of three stones, potentially part of a larger alignment or structure.

The purpose of these individual stones is debated – they could be astronomical markers, territorial boundaries, commemorative stones, or part of lost ceremonial avenues.

Theories and Interpretations

The exact purpose of Orkney's standing stones remains debated:

• Astronomical Observatories: Strong evidence exists for solar and lunar alignments at Brodgar, Stenness, and Maeshowe, suggesting sophisticated knowledge of celestial cycles, likely important for agriculture and ritual timing.
• Ceremonial Gathering Places: The scale of Brodgar and the Ness complex points to large-scale social and ritual gatherings, perhaps involving communities from across Orkney and beyond.
• Links to the Dead: Proximity to major tombs like Maeshowe suggests connections between ceremonies at the stones and beliefs about ancestors and the afterlife.

It's likely the stones served multiple, overlapping functions – astronomical, social, and spiritual – central to the lives of Orkney's Neolithic people.

Visiting Orkney's Standing Stones

• Access: The Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness are managed by Historic Environment Scotland and are freely accessible year-round during daylight hours.
• Best Times: Sunrise and sunset offer the most dramatic light for photography and atmosphere. Visiting early or late can help avoid summer crowds.
• Respectful Visiting: These are ancient monuments. Do not climb on or touch the stones, as this causes erosion. Stick to designated paths. Drones may be restricted.
• Resources: The nearby Skara Brae visitor centre provides context. Guided walks are sometimes offered by HES rangers or local guides. The Ness of Brodgar site has public tours during its summer excavation season (check their website).

To find relevant videos, search YouTube for "Ring of Brodgar documentary" or "Ness of Brodgar excavation".

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness older than Stonehenge?

The Stones of Stenness (c. 3100 BCE) are older than the main sarsen circle at Stonehenge (c. 2500 BCE). The Ring of Brodgar (c. 2500-2000 BCE) is roughly contemporary with Stonehenge's main phase.

Can you walk inside the stone circles?

Yes, both the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness allow visitors to walk amongst the stones, but staying on paths and not touching the stones is crucial for preservation.

What is the Ness of Brodgar?

It's a major archaeological site located on the land between the Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness, containing complex Neolithic buildings, suggesting it was a central ceremonial place.

Why are there so many standing stones in Orkney?

A combination of factors: a large, organised Neolithic population, readily available flagstone for building, a landscape suited to astronomical observation, and strong cultural traditions emphasising monumental construction.

Standing amidst Orkney's ancient stone circles is a humbling experience, connecting you across millennia to the people who engineered these incredible monuments. Their enduring presence against the windswept landscape speaks volumes about the ingenuity, beliefs, and social organisation of Neolithic Orkney. Find Orkney accommodation nearby to fully immerse yourself in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.