Peggy, our grandson Cody, and I visited the main Orkney Island in June as part of our CIE tour of the Scottish Highlands. Seeing ginger haired coos (cows) and Neolithic standing stones and villages were the highlights of our visit to the island. The photos in this post were taken by Peggy, Cody, or me. The maps are from Apple Maps.
You’ve heard of Stonehenge and likely seen photos and even documentaries featuring these ancient and mysterious standing stones in southern England. But have you ever heard of the Ring of Brodgar on the Island of Orkney in the far north of Scotland? Erected in 2500 BCE, at approximately the same time Stonehenge was being built, 60 stones formed a circle that stretched for 340 feet (104 meters) across. 36 of these stones remain standing today in an impressive array. The clouds provided a dramatic backdrop.We took a ferry from the town of Thurso on mainland Scotland up to Stromness and then crossed the main island of Orkney to Kirkwall where we stayed. The road distance between Stromness to Kirkwall is 15 miles, which provides a perspective on the size of the island. The Ring of Brodgar was one of four neolithic sites we visited on Orkney, which also included the Standing Stones of Stenness plus the villages of Barnhouse Settlement and Skara Brae. All four are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The red pin on the bay above Stromness to the left is the location of Skara Brae. The one to the right between the two lochs/lakes is the Ring of Brodgar.This provides a closer view. The upper red dot between the two lochs/lakes is the Ring of Brodgar. The lower red dot is the location of the Stones of Stenness and the Barnhouse Settlement, which is next to it. The distance between the two red dots is approximately 1 mile. Skara Brae is located on the lower side of Skaill Bay at the top left corner, about 5 1/2 miles from the Ring of Brodgar.The stones of the Ring of Brodgar are impressive— either as a whole or looked at singularly— standing up to 15 feet tall, each with a unique personality. Visitors are invited to follow a path that leads around the complete 1,250 foot circle. A nine foot deep ditch surrounds the pillars. Known as a henge— think Stonehenge, it was carved out of sandstone by the original inhabitants.A view of 8 of the stones.The unique looks add to the mystery of what purpose the stones served.Opposites attract?The chief?A number of stones had triangular tops. Which provided great perches. Cody took this photo. In fact Cody took a lot of photos that included birds! “They just show up,” he claimed. We are glad they did. The numerous lichens on the rocks added to their photogenic quality. Lichens, BTW, are among the oldest living organisms on earth, the oldest reaching over 8000 years. They have been hanging out in Scotland for some 400 million years!The walk around the Ring of Brodgar also includes a burial mound as shown on the left of this photo. A number of burial mounds are found within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another one can be seen in the distance. The most famous is Maeshowe, which we didn’t visit. Traveling one mile south from the Ring of Brodgar over a stream that connects the sea water Loch of Stenness with the fresh water Loch of Harray, you come to the Stones of Stenness. Once consisting of 12 stones, it now has 4. It is thought to be the oldest henge site in the British Isles, dating back to 3100 BCE, some 500 years before Stonehenge and the Ring of Brodgar.An ancient hearth that is believed to have been utilized for ceremonial purposes (such as burning the bones of the dead and sacrificed animals) is located in the center of the stones.The ceremonies carried out at the hearth would have been connected to the Neolithic Barnhouse Settlement found a short walk away. Excavated between 1986-1991, the bases of at least 15 houses were discovered, each containing a central hearth, beds built against the walls, stone storage areas and internal drains. We felt they were quite sophisticated, especially considering that they dated back some 5,000 years. Another structure at the Barnhouse Settlement.Out trip north to Skara Brae on the Atlantic Coast of Orkney showed houses with a similar structure to the houses at the Barnhouse Settlement. Beds are in the lower right and upper left. A hearth is in the center and a storage area on the upper wall. People lived at the site from approximately 3180 BCE to around 2500 BCE. It is recognized as Europe’s most complete Neolithic village. The furniture is similar in several of the houses.The village looks out on Skaill Bay which opens up to the Atlantic Ocean.Skaill Bay.Paths and tunnels connected the various houses.Cody found his obligatory bird at Skara Brae, displaying a fat, juicy bug and a wild feather look.He also found these two rabbits snuggling up. Were baby rabbits in their future?
Peggy and I have long been fascinated with ancient cultures and found the standing stones and villages of Orkney of considerable interest. In many ways, we were reminded of our trips through the Southwestern United States searching petroglyphs left behind by the Anasazi and other ancient peoples.
This is a good time to remind my readers of Peggy’s word search book on petroglyphs: Artistic Word Searches Unique and Magical Discovering Petroglyphs from the South West. As puzzle solvers work their way through the puzzles, petroglyphs will emerge. This makes an excellent gift for retired seniors (and others) who love word games (and helps keep senior minds sharp—grin). The book can be obtained through Amazon.
The solution to the Kokopelli puzzle is an example of how the images appear as the puzzle is solved.
23 thoughts on “Step Back in Time 4-5,000 years to the Mysterious and Ancient Stone Circles, Villages, and Burial Mounds of Neolithic Orkney Island…”
I wonder if the people who erected the stones thought “People are going to remember what we did here forever” rather than what actually happens: people wondering why they did it. My reeflections on a current politician desperately seeking immortality.
The contrast between the layered stones and that lush grass is wonderful. If I were a Neolith looking for a place to build, I would have been more than willing to settle there. Of course, options were somewhat limited in those days: no Zillow for those folks! (Now I’m wondering if they might have cleaned the areas around their dwellings; it would have made sense.)
The choice of location for the Ring of Brodgar raises an interesting point, Linda. Archeologists believe that the stones were placed there because they overlook the whole area and can be seen from miles around. We often found major petroglyph sites located in the same way.
As for the wide open grassy areas, sheep can be given some credit. Who needs a lawn mower? In terms of the ancients, climate-wise the area could have been grasslands.
I love the clever use of available building materials for those homes. I also love Ray’s comment about how we look at these old monoliths and wonder what on earth they were doing, and how they did it…and applying that same perspective to our current life. So funny and sad, but mostly humbling.
I must not remember Peggy’s book! Or never knew? Or whichever. But I have now purchased one!! I am so excited to do the puzzles!
Peggy will love to hear that, Crystal! And petroglyphs are sort of right down your alley. Grin.
Speaking of the stones, I couldn’t be in more agreement. They are fascinating to see and interesting to speculate about, even though we may never know the answers. They create a similar awe in me to petroglyphs and ancient American ruins.
Both the standing stones and homes are fascinating, Curt, and I loved the greenery too. Thanks also for spotlighting Peggy’s book. What an adventure this was for the three of you! Take care wherever you may be! 🙂
These stones are so cool Curt and it’s amazing how long they’ve been standing. Cody got some great shots and the birds in their houses. It’s fascinating they are still standing after all of this time and such treasured times for the 3 of you. Peggy’s book and the Kokopelli puzzle looks incredible!
I’m happy you had such a great time❣️
Things made out of stone (or carved in stone) are one of the best chances for survival. Which is why we enjoy petroglyphs so much. Ancient times speaking to you. Thanks on Peggy’s book.
It’s soooo incredible, Curt.. You’re so welcome, always❣️
😁
Just when I think I can cross an entire country or region off my list because I’ve seen (some of) it, I see a post like this that makes me want to look into going to Scotland again! Seeing John O’Groats on the map also made me smile – have you seen “Long Way Down,” the movie about a motorcycle journey from there to Cape Town? Anyway, very cool stuff you saw and did there, and what a great trip to take with your grandson!
Stone circles are Intriguing, Lexi. No doubt about it. Visiting one has a feeling of time travel. No, I haven’t see “Long Way Down” but it sounds like something I would like. Cody loved the trip. We took his brother to Greece for a week in May.
Wandering through Time and Place 
I wonder if the people who erected the stones thought “People are going to remember what we did here forever” rather than what actually happens: people wondering why they did it. My reeflections on a current politician desperately seeking immortality.
Laughing about the current politician seeking immortality, Ray. I like to think the ancients had more sense. More soul than ego.
Wow, you sure covered a lot of ground in this post. I hadn’t know (or remembered) about Peggy’s book. Thanks.
Laughing. It could have been four separate posts, Peggy. Or at least two. Peggy is working on a revision, now.
The contrast between the layered stones and that lush grass is wonderful. If I were a Neolith looking for a place to build, I would have been more than willing to settle there. Of course, options were somewhat limited in those days: no Zillow for those folks! (Now I’m wondering if they might have cleaned the areas around their dwellings; it would have made sense.)
The choice of location for the Ring of Brodgar raises an interesting point, Linda. Archeologists believe that the stones were placed there because they overlook the whole area and can be seen from miles around. We often found major petroglyph sites located in the same way.
As for the wide open grassy areas, sheep can be given some credit. Who needs a lawn mower? In terms of the ancients, climate-wise the area could have been grasslands.
Amazing landscape! So much energy, even through the photos!
I like your observation, Arati. It’s an amazing place.
I love the clever use of available building materials for those homes. I also love Ray’s comment about how we look at these old monoliths and wonder what on earth they were doing, and how they did it…and applying that same perspective to our current life. So funny and sad, but mostly humbling.
I must not remember Peggy’s book! Or never knew? Or whichever. But I have now purchased one!! I am so excited to do the puzzles!
Peggy will love to hear that, Crystal! And petroglyphs are sort of right down your alley. Grin.
Speaking of the stones, I couldn’t be in more agreement. They are fascinating to see and interesting to speculate about, even though we may never know the answers. They create a similar awe in me to petroglyphs and ancient American ruins.
Both the standing stones and homes are fascinating, Curt, and I loved the greenery too. Thanks also for spotlighting Peggy’s book. What an adventure this was for the three of you! Take care wherever you may be! 🙂
It was a great adventure, Lauren. I suspect Cody will remember it for years to come. Thanks from Peggy.
Wow, I’ve never heard of these stones. Very interesting!
We hadn’t either before the trip, Diana. We found more when we were in Ireland!
These stones are so cool Curt and it’s amazing how long they’ve been standing. Cody got some great shots and the birds in their houses. It’s fascinating they are still standing after all of this time and such treasured times for the 3 of you. Peggy’s book and the Kokopelli puzzle looks incredible!
I’m happy you had such a great time❣️
Things made out of stone (or carved in stone) are one of the best chances for survival. Which is why we enjoy petroglyphs so much. Ancient times speaking to you. Thanks on Peggy’s book.
It’s soooo incredible, Curt.. You’re so welcome, always❣️
😁
Just when I think I can cross an entire country or region off my list because I’ve seen (some of) it, I see a post like this that makes me want to look into going to Scotland again! Seeing John O’Groats on the map also made me smile – have you seen “Long Way Down,” the movie about a motorcycle journey from there to Cape Town? Anyway, very cool stuff you saw and did there, and what a great trip to take with your grandson!
Stone circles are Intriguing, Lexi. No doubt about it. Visiting one has a feeling of time travel. No, I haven’t see “Long Way Down” but it sounds like something I would like. Cody loved the trip. We took his brother to Greece for a week in May.
Compliments to Peggy.
And thanks for sharing those stones. (My ancestors in Brittany would have approved…)
Peggy says thank you.
I’m sure your ancestors would have, Brian. I would love to see the field of them at Carnac.
Likewise, my ancestors in Scotland.
Sadly, the fields at Carnac (about 5,000 stone menhirs) have been closed to the public. Fenced away. Too many people climbing on the rocks…)