Standing Stones of Stenness, Neolithic megaliths in the island of Mainland Orkney, Scotland

The Stones of Stenness are five remaining megaliths of a henge, the largest of which is 6 metres 20 ft high. The site is thought to date from 3100 BC. The Stones are part of a landscape that evidently had considerable ritual significance for the `Grooved ware people`. The Ring of Brodgar lies about 1.2 kilometres to the north-west, and Maeshowe is a similar distance to the east. The existing megaliths were originally part of an elliptical shaped stone circle of 12 stones, about 32 metres 105 ft in diameter. The Watch Stone stands outside the circle to the north-west and is 5.6 metres 18 ft high. Other smaller stones include a square stone like a huge hearth setting in the centre of the circle and this along with the bones of cattle, sheep, wolves and dogs found in the ditch suggest ritual sacrifice and feasting. Even in the 18th century the site was still associated with traditions and rituals, by then relating to Norse gods.

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