The Ring of Brodgar in Orkney is one of the largest neolithic stone circles and henges in Britain.

Stall standing majestic over 4000 years later

Thought to have been built in the late Neolithic period, around 2500BC (a hundred years after the great pyramid of Cheops), The Ring of Brodgar was originally a near perfect circle of about 60 standing stones, measuring 104 metres in diameter.

Only 36 of the original 60 stones stand today and thirteen of these were re-erected shortly after the monument came into state ownership in 1906.

The stone circle is surrounded by a 10 meter wide ditch or henge with two opposing causeways running across it.

Many of the stones have succumbed to the Orkney elements over the years, some fallen, some cracked but still an imposing feature on the landscape.

The Ring of Brodgar is situated in a natural amphitheatre, surrounded by gently rolling hills and flanked on either side by the waters of Harry and Stennes Lochs.  This gives weight to the suggestion that the stone circle was used as a communal meeting and ceremonial place.

Where are the Brodgar stones from?

Close inspection of the monoliths, reveal that they are made from different types of red sandstone, suggesting that they have been

A commanding view over the Orkney landscape

quarried from many parts of Orkney.

To the north of Skara Brae are the remains of a prehistoric quarry with several large, work in progress monoliths still in situ.

Brodgar Archaeology

The fields that surround the ring of Brodgar are rich in archaeology but most is hidden from view.

Geophysicial surveys over recent years, reveal a prehistoric field system and settlement remains, which suggest that people may have been living in the area when the stone circle was built.

More information

Orkneyjar - Ring o’ Brodgar article

Historic Scotland – The ring of Brodgar circle and henge

Ring of Brodgar gallery

• Standing stones of Stenness
• Skara Brae, Orkney
• Ness of Brodgar Neolithic figurine
• Stenness reveals new archaeology
• Barnhouse Neolithic Settlement

A rare type of rock called Aeolianite (shell sand) can be found at Aikerness in Orkney.

A fine example of Aeolianite

One of the finest examples of Aeolianite can be found in a farm field on the Orkney mainland.

In areas where the sea is rich in shellfish, tiny particles of crushed shell combine with the sand, eroded from the local sandstone to combine Shell sand.

Aeolianite was formed around 10,ooo years ago, probably about the same time that Skara Brae became inhabited.

This lime rich sand was used by local farmers to improve their agricultural land.

Although the soil has low fertility, it drains well and regular grazing by rabbits allows smaller plant species to thrive which would otherwise be crowed out by the grasses.

Plants found in this area include; Eyebright, Lady’s Bedstraw, Wild Thyme, Fairy Flax and Stiff Sand Grass.

Eyebright

The site is on private land at Aikerness Farm but access is kindly granted by the owners.

Great care is advised as the rocks and plants in this reserve area are very fragile and easily damaged.

Find out more:

Scottish Geology - Find out more about the geology of Scotland.
The Geological Society

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