The Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness

Summary

This exploration of the Brodgar Peninsula links together some of Britain's most spectacular archeological sites. The great stone circle of the Ring of Brodgar is the highlight, followed by a shore walk along the peninsula between the lochs, taking in the massive Stones of Stenness and the Barnhouse Village.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Mostly grassy paths, can be wet after rain. Short section along tarmac road.

Getting there

Start

Car park for Ring of Brodgar.

Public Transport

Bus to start.

Start Grid Ref

HY293137

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.9km / 3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Ascent: 20m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 463 - Orkney West

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (0)

Stage 1

From the parking area, follow the clear path towards the Ring of Brodgar, soon crossing the road. Continue ahead to reach the atmospheric site; the circle is believed to date to around 3000 BC, though the interior has never been excavated. At more than 100m across, this is the largest stone circle in Scotland and is thought to have originally consisted of 60 stones. The 27 remaining stones range in height from 2.1 to 4.7 metres. You can walk right around the outer circle.

Stage 2

Leave the Ring of Brodgar by taking the grassy path that heads SW, passing just to the left of a grassy mound - the Salt Knowe, a neolithic chambered cairn. The grassy path passes through a gate and then follows a fenceline to reach the shores of the Loch of Stenness. The Loch of Stenness is linked to Hoy Sound and is technically a brackish lagoon - the largest in the UK. Continue along the loch shores until the path emerges at the road, then cross and turn right along the path that runs parallel to the road on the far side, beside the Loch of Harray.

Stage 3

The Loch of Harray is predominantly comprised of freshwater but is linked to Loch of Stenness at Brodgar Bridge - which the path soon reaches. On the opposite side of the road is the site of the Ness of Brodgar, which was a huge archaeological dig until 2024; it is not open to the public. Join the road to cross the bridge, passing the massive solitary Watchstone, which is 5.6 metres high and 1.5 metres wide.

Stage 4

Fork left onto a grassy path that diverges from the road (but don't turn sharp left to the private house). When the path meets a junction with the Stones of Stenness visible ahead, first turn left along the grassy path to reach the Barnhouse Village. This is the site of a Neolithic settlement, much like nearby Skara Brae. It was excavated in 1984, revealing 15 small circular dwellings; the foundations of two of them are clearly visible. This settlement fell out of use 450 years before Skara Brae and was deliberately demolished, suggesting that the settlement may have been to house those building the construction of the Stones of Stenness.

Stage 5

Take a grassy path from the far right corner of the village to make a short detour to a hide overlooking the Loch of Harray - a great spot for birdwatchers. Also visible across the loch is the grass mound of Maes Howe - one of the very finest prehistoric monuments in Britain. Visits to Maes Howe are only by guided tour, and begin from a new visitor centre in Stenness; this is highly recommended after completing the walk.

Stage 6

Retrace your steps back to the Barnhouse and then back along the path towards the road, but before reaching it turn left through a gate to visit the massive Stones of Stenness. Originally the circle consisted of 12 stones, though one or two were never brought upright. The few that remain are immense, reaching up to 6 metres. The Stones of Stenness feature in Sir Walter Scott's novel The Pirate, based loosely on the life of the Orcadian pirate John Gow.

Stage 7

Head back to the road and retrace your steps across the Bridge of Brodgar and along the path to the right of the road. When the path crosses the road, turn right on the far side to head more directly back to the Ring of Brodgar, passing the Comet Stone - a 1.7m stone on a low, oval mound. Pass the right side of the Ring of Brodgar and follow the path back to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?