Spirits of the Standing Stones
The early antiquarians who documented Orkney's ancient monuments paid little attention to the local beliefs surrounding the sites. Read more
Category: Stones of Stenness
Vestrafiold – the megalithic quarry
From at least the early 19th century, Vestrafiold was considered to be a source of the megaliths found in the Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar. Why? Although several quarries were traditionally said to have produced standing stones, Vestrafiold had the proof in situ - quarried, but abandoned, megaliths scattered across the hillside. Read more
Link: Podcast puts spotlight on Neolithic megalithic structures
Melvyn Bragg is joined by Professor Vicki Cummings (University of Central Lancashire), Professor Julian Thomas (University of Manchester) and Susan Greaney (University of Exeter) to discuss megalithic structures.
Click here… Read more
Time for the old house to die? – henges and houses in the Neolithic
Over the past few weeks, we have looked at expedient architecture - the idea that some Neolithic buildings were hastily built, perhaps dismantled or simply left to become ruinous. This is not restricted to structures. Read more
The Stones of Stenness – part two
In December 1814, disaster struck the Stones of Stenness when a tenant farmer took it upon himself to obliterate them. Read more
The Stones of Stenness
The second stone circle in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site is now most commonly known as the Stones of Stenness. Read more
Photographic mastery – Jim Richardson views from around the Ness
In 2012, Jim Richardson visited the Ness to capture images for a planned National Geographic feature article.
The resultant images were truly awe-inspiring and today, thanks to Jim’s generosity, we’re… Read more
A natural cursus? Water, walls and walking the Ness
Previously we saw that the Dyke of Sean was perhaps once one of three — or possibly four — walls that ran the width of the Ness of Brodgar in the Neolithic. Did these define specific areas – dividing the isthmus into distinct segments of “graded” space – and controlled movement and visibility through them? Read more
The Watchstone
One of Orkney's most imposing standing stones, the Watchstone dominates the south-eastern end of the Brig o’ Brodgar – the place where the Harray and Stenness lochs meet. Read more
Pictures from the Past – The Stones of Stenness
Following our appeal for old photographs of the Ness and its environs, Pat Long sent us these early postcards showing the Stones of Stenness. Thanks Pat.
If you’ve been digging… Read more
Solved! The perplexing puzzle of the Stones of Stenness ‘building’
The Standing Stones of Stenness (1906).
There’s nothing like finally getting to the bottom of an irksome puzzle. In this case, the puzzle related to an old photograph of the… Read more
