Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STANDING STONES OF STENNESS
Within sight of Maes Howe, four mighty
stones
(HS;
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
; ad-
mission free; 24hr)
remain of what was once a circle of 12. Research suggests they
were perhaps erected as long ago as 3300 BC, and they impose by their sheer size; the
tallest measures 5.7m. The narrow strip of land they're on, the Ness of Brodgar, separates
the Harray and Stenness lochs and was the site of a large settlement, inhabited throughout
the Neolithic period (3500-1800 BC). A short walk to the east are the excavated remains
of
Barnhouse Neolithic Village
, thought to have been inhabited by the builders of Maes
Howe. Don't skip this: it brings the area to life.
RING OF BRODGAR
A mile north of Stenness is this wide circle of
standing stones
(HS;
www.historic-scot-
land.gov.uk
;
admission free; 24hr)
, some over 5m tall. The last of the three Stenness
monuments to be built (2500-2000 BC), it remains a most atmospheric location. Twenty-
one of the original 60 stones still stand among the heather. On a grey day with dark clouds
thudding low across the sky, the stones are a spine-tingling sight. Free guided tours leave
from the car park at 1pm from June to August (Thursdays only rest of year).
ORKNEY FOLKLORE & STORYTELLING VISITOR CENTRE
Located between Brodgar and Skara Brae, this offbeat
centre
(
01856-841207;
www.orkneyattractions.com
;
)
focuses on the islands' folkloric tradition. The best way
to experience it is on one of its atmospheric storytelling evenings,
Peatfire Tales of
Orkney
(Sunday, Tuesday and Friday at 8.30pm March to October, adult/child £10/6)
where local legends are told with musical accompaniment around a peat fire. It also runs
interesting guided walks of the coastline and of Stromness (£7) and offers B&B. The
building,
Via House
(
01856-841207;
www.orkneyattractions.com
;
s/d £26/52;
)
, is characterful and a bit chaotic; this could make a relaxing away-from-it-all retreat,
with great starwatching on clear nights and opportunities for various workshops for adults
and children.
SKARA BRAE & SKAILL HOUSE
A visit to extraordinary
Skara Brae
(HS;
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
;
joint ticket with
Skaill House adult/child £6.90/4.10; 9.30am-5.30pm Apr-Sep, to 4.30pm Oct-Mar)
, one
of the world's most evocative prehistoric sites, offers the best opportunity in Scotland for
a glimpse of Stone Age life. Idyllically situated by a sandy bay 8 miles north of Strom-
ness, and predating Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza, Skara Brae is northern Europe's
best-preserved prehistoric village.
