Stones of Stenness
Finstown, Orkney Islands
Stone Circle Canmore

The Stones of Stenness, on Orkney, form a very impressive site. Now there are only four stones remaining (plus four stumps) out of an original (probable) twelve and the circle encloses a relatively small area. However, three of the stones are impressively tall making the visitor feel dwarfed.

The circle of stones are surrounded by a very deep ditch (now effectively filled), crossed by a causeway on the north side. At the centre of the circle a rectangular setting of stones are sunk cist-like into the ground. And between the centre and the northern entrance to the circle is another arrangement of three stones - two are standing and one lies before them now, but the original arrangement of these stones is unknown.

An outlying stone, possibly part of the Stenness complex, is the massive Watch Stone a couple of hundred metres away. Even closer is the Barnhouse neolithic settlement. South is the wonderful Maeshowe chambered cairn. And just a mile away is the great Ring of Brodgar.

Images ©1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2011 Martin McCarthy, Theasis Photography

Nearby Sites

0km Barnhouse Neolithic Settlement Neolithic Settlement
0km Watch Stone Standing Stone
1km Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
1km Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle
2km Unstan Chambered Cairn Chambered Cairn
3km Ring of Bookan Chambered Cairn; Henge
5km Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn
8km Orphir Round Church Church
9km Rennibister Earth House Souterrain
10km Skara Brae Neolithic Village Neolithic Settlement
10km Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn
14km St Magnus Cathedral Cathedral
16km Gurness Broch
(NB: All distances are as-the-crow-flies. Lochs, mountains and beautiful winding roads will make it further. Sometimes much further.)