Standing Stones of Stenness
Monument Neolithic stone circle forming Orkney's ancient ceremonial site
A Neolithic stone circle on Mainland, Orkney, dating to the third millennium BCE. Archaeology enthusiasts visit for the monument’s age and context amid nearby sites such as the Ring of Brodgar and coastal moors.
The Standing Stones of Stenness are a Neolithic stone circle on the Mainland of Orkney, Scotland, dating to the late Neolithic period around 3000-2000 BC. The site comprises several large upright slabs and the remains of a prehistoric ceremonial complex.
The most striking elements are the surviving standing slabs and the surrounding earthworks; the stones are large, rough-hewn blocks that form part of a ritual landscape which includes nearby monuments such as the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe. Walkways and interpretation signage allow visitors to view the stones and the adjacent Loch of Stenness.
Archaeological evidence ties the site to ritual and ceremonial activity in the Neolithic and early Bronze Age. The stone circle and associated banks and ditches show changes and reuse over many centuries, with some stones fallen or removed in post-medieval times.
The stones sit on the low-lying peatlands of central Mainland Orkney beside the Loch of Stenness, within easy walking distance of other major Neolithic sites in the area and reachable from the islands’ main towns by road.
- UNESCO World Heritage: Part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney UNESCO World Heritage area and closely associated with the nearby Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe monuments.
How to Get to Standing Stones of Stenness #
The Standing Stones of Stenness are on Mainland, Orkney, close to the Ring of Brodgar. By road they are reached from Kirkwall or Stromness via the A965; turn off onto the minor road toward Stenness where there is a small car park and a very short walk to the stones.
If arriving by public transport on Orkney, use services between Kirkwall and Stromness and then a local taxi for the last few kilometres (check current Orkney bus timetables for connections).
Tips for Visiting Standing Stones of Stenness #
- Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light and fewer day-trip crowds from cruise ships and bus tours that arrive mid-day.
- Park at the small visitor parking area and follow the short signed path-the site is compact, so allow time to walk between the stones and the nearby interpretive panels.
- Combine this stop with the nearby Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe; they are within a short drive/walk of one another and give fuller context to the Neolithic landscape.
Best Time to Visit Standing Stones of Stenness #
Best in late spring to summer for milder conditions and long daylight when exploring the stones.
Weather & Climate near Standing Stones of Stenness #
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1067 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (129 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
