Hill forts · Scottish Islands
Stones of Stenness
In or near Finstown.
Stones of Stenness — henge in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–2 h
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit the Stones of Stenness, use the postcode KW16 3JZ for sat-nav directions. Entry is free.
About
Stones of Stenness is a hill fort in the United Kingdom. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Part of Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Wikidata describes it as: "henge in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 58.9939°, -3.2081°.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2022
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the official site
The Stones of Stenness are a group of Neolithic standing stones located in Orkney, Scotland. Dating back to around 3000 BC, they are part of a larger ceremonial complex and are known for their impressive size and historical significance.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
The Standing Stones of Stenness are a Neolithic monument five miles northeast of Stromness on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland. This may be the oldest henge site in the British Isles. Various traditions associated with the stones survived into the modern era and they form part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. They are cared for by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Architecture
The surviving stones are sited on a promontory at the south bank of the stream that joins the southern ends of the sea loch Loch of Stenness and the freshwater Loch of Harray. The name, which is pronounced stane-is in Orcadian dialect, comes from Old Norse meaning stone headland. The stream is now bridged, but at one time was crossed by a stepping stone causeway, and the Ring of Brodgar lies about away to the north-west, across the stream and near the tip of the isthmus formed between the two lochs. Maeshowe chambered cairn is about to the east of the Standing Stones of Stenness and several other Neolithic monuments also lie in the vicinity, suggesting that this area had particular…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 58.9939, -3.2081
- District
- Orkney Islands
- Postcode
- KW16 3JZ
- Parliamentary constituency
- Orkney and Shetland
- Official site
- www.megalithic.co.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q1478558 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Standing Stones of Stenness (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Standing Stones of Stenness 062015.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Standing Stones of Stenness
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📷 3Archaeological sites · Scottish Islands
Stone of Odin (probable site)
Stone of Odin (probable site) — a archaeological in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
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Big Howe, Broch — a archaeological in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Windmills · Scottish Islands
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Watch Stone (Orkney) — a archaeological in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Historic houses · Scottish Islands
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Structure 8 — a historic house in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Stones of Stenness
Places to stay
📷 7Hotels · Scottish Islands
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The Stromness Hotel — a hotel in scotland islands.
📷 5
📷 5Campsites · Scottish Islands
Point of Ness Campsite
Point of Ness Campsite — a campsite in scotland islands.
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Islands
Orkney Caravan Park at the Pickaquoy Centre
Orkney Caravan Park at the Pickaquoy Centre — a caravan park in scotland islands.
📷 5Hostels · Scottish Islands
Orcades Hostel
Orcades Hostel — a hostel in scotland islands.
Places to eat & drink
📷 4More places in this region
📷 3
📷 5Hill forts · Scottish Islands
Calanais Stones
Calanais Stones — neolithic standing stones near Calanais, Scotland.
📷 5Hill forts · Scottish Islands
Callanish II
Callanish II — archaeological site in Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Hill forts · Scottish Islands
Callanish III
Callanish III — archaeological site in Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Stones of Stenness?
- Stones of Stenness is in the Scottish Islands, United Kingdom (postcode KW16 3JZ).
- What is Stones of Stenness?
- Stones of Stenness — henge in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Stones of Stenness?
- Drivers can use postcode KW16 3JZ.
- Who owns Stones of Stenness?
- Stones of Stenness is owned by Historic Environment Scotland.
- Is Stones of Stenness a listed building?
- Stones of Stenness is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Is Stones of Stenness free to visit?
- Yes, Stones of Stenness is free to enter.
- How do I get to Stones of Stenness?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode KW16 3JZ. It sits within the Orkney and Shetland parliamentary constituency.