The Ring of Brodgar is a Neolithic henge and stone circle on the Orkney mainland. It stands on a narrow isthmus between two freshwater lochs: Stennis (south) and Harray (north). The closest town is Stromness. There are other Neolithic sites nearby: Maeshowe (east) and the Standing Stones of Stenness (south-east). Orkney functioned as a major ceremonial center during the Neolithic period.
Signage
Ring of Brodgar, c. 2500-2000 BC
Ancient stone circle
The Ring of Brodgar is relatively poorly understood. Its interior has never been fully excavated and its exact age and purpose are unknown. It is surmised that it was constructed sometime between 2500 to 2000 BC. Experts believe it served a ritual or ceremonial function.
Close-up
The Ring of Brodgar is the only major henge and stone circle in Britain which is an almost perfect circle. There are 26 stones. When it was built, there were probably more than 60 stones. It would have taken a considerable amount of time to build. In June 1941, the Ring of Brodgar and its ditch were used to practice military maneuvers. Supposedly no damage was caused. In more recent times, lightning destroyed two stones.
The henge
This way!
