Staneydale Temple

Summary

This short walk visits one of Shetland's most ancient archaelogical sites. The Staneydale Temple's real purpose isn't known - it may have been used for religious ceremonies but could also have been the house of a chieftain or a village hall.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Short and marked route over grassland but very boggy in places.

Getting there

Start

Park near signpost at start of walk - please park considerately as this is also a passing place.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

HU291501

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 1.5km / 1 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Ascent: 19m (Profile)

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Explorer 467 - Shetland - Mainland Central

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk starts from a passing place on a minor road near the Loch of Gruting - it has a large brown sign for the temple. Park with care as the space is also needed for passing vehicles on the narrow road. Begin the walk by going through the pedestrian gate and then following the faint grassy path uphill towards a telegraph pole.

Stage 2

After passing under the line of poles the path becomes very boggy, leading on to reach a stile over a fence - there are occasional markers. After crossing a tiny footbridge some stone ruins are seen on the left - these are the remains of a Neolithic home dating back to 2,500BC.

Stage 3

Continue along the path to reach the much more impressive remains of the 'temple' - whose true purpose simply isn't known. This was clearly an important building, constructed out of individual stones weighing upto 300kg, which may have had to have been transported over some distance. Excavations have revealed it once had a roof supported by spruce posts - this is remarkable, as spruce trees are not native to Shetland - or to Scotland. It is thought the trees must have from Scandanavia - and were perhaps a precious resource collected as driftwood. 700m of timber would have been needed to make the roof. The return walk is back the same way you came.

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