Stenness & Brodgar Stones

Orkney Islands, Scotland

The trail:

  • Location: Orkney Islands, Scotland
  • Categories: Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Highland / Lowland / Islands / Rural / Lake
  • Duration: 1-2 Hours
  • Distance: 2.5 miles

Walking the trail:

  • Summary: Visit the site of stone circles dating back 5000 years, arguably the most iconic symbol of Orkneys prehistoric past. An easy walk between the Stones of Stenness and Brodgar stone circle located between 2 magnificent lochs. Visit at sunrise or sunset for the best atmosphere!



I think it’s impossible to visit Scotland’s Orkney Islands without going to visit or passing the 2 neolithic stone monuments of The Stones of Stenness and The Ring of Brodgar.

Both being a mile from each other and only 5 miles from the port town of Stromness, it’s a MUST see!

Both monuments are over 5000 years old and are believed to be some of the oldest in the British Isles.

The Stones of Stenness have 4 massive 6m high stones. Originally it would have been 12 in total.

The Ring of Brodgar is a massive stone circular, originally consisting of 60 stones, 36 surviving today. All circled around a rock cut ditch.

Both of these sites are surrounded by the Locks of Stenness and Harray.

I personally parked up at Stenness and walked to the ring of Brodgar along the lochs enjoying an easy 2 mile walk during an early evening sunset. The light is key to doing these monuments justice so

Pick yourself a good sunset or sunrise! They are very much in the open countryside so you will get fantastic light just after sunrise and before sunset.

Both monument’s are open all year and can just be accessed easily via road/footpaths. No fee is required.

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