The Ring of Bookan

All pictures copyright © 1998 Martin McCarthy

Looking south west across the ditch to the central mound and over to the hills of Hoy Large image (36k 401x268) Looking south west from the base of the ditch which extends ahead Large image (33k 389x261) Looking south west across the ditch at the south east side of the ring Large image (30k 400x266) Looking south west from the central mound. Stones from a possible cairn are in the foreground. Large image (32k 266x392) Looking south west from the central mound. Stones from a possible cairn are in the foreground. Large image (40k 398x267)

The Ring of Bookan lies about a mile to the north west of the Ring of Brodgar. Today there is little to see other than a ditch, but this is itself quite impressive being about 13 metres wide, at least two metres deep, and enclosing an area about 40 metres in diameter. The site has not been excavated and it is not known what kind of monument may have stood here. Popular opinion holds that there may have been a Maes Howe type tomb, or a smaller cairn or cairns, and/or a stone circle.