Although Stonehenge in England may be the most well-known example of standing stones in the UK, Scotland has a large number of these sites as well as stone circles. Thus, with these 9 standing stones and stone circles in Scotland, let your mind go through time by thousands of years.
1. Calanais Standing Stones
The standing stones at Calanais, Scotland’s most well-known stone circle, are believed to have been constructed around 4,500 years ago during the late Neolithic period. Thirteen stones make up the circle, and a monolith is located not far from the center.
2. Balfarg Henge
Balfarg is made up of two standing stones that were once a component of an inner circle inside the henge. It was discovered in the late 1970s during the construction of a new housing complex. At the site, archaeologists found ceramic fragments that date back about 5000 years. Nonetheless, according to certain estimates, some of the construction is closer to 6000 years old.
3. Ring of Brodgar
One of the best stone circles in the UK is Brodgar, which was given UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1999. Its exact age is unknown, although experts estimate it to be at least 4,000 years old.
4. Machrie Moor Standing Stones
Six concentric stone circles make up Machrie Moor, which is located on a moor not far from Arran’s west coast. Machrie Moor is estimated to have existed circa 2030 BC based on the carbon dating of the site’s remaining timber.
5. Cullerlie Stone Circle
Due to their close vicinity to the village of the same name, Cullerlie is also known as the Standing Stone of Echt. It is made up of eight uneven but beautifully aligned red granite stones surrounded by an equal number of tiny cairns. According to Historic Environment Scotland, the building is 4000 years old.
6. Temple Wood Stone Circle
One of the stone circles in Kilmartin Glen that are thought to be in the best condition is located in this lovely area. The stone circle is thought to have been in use beginning from 3000 BC and continuing up until 1000 BC.
7. Laggangairn Standing Stones
It is said that these two stones are the last two remains of a monument that formerly had 14 stones (in 1873, you could still find seven standing). They have allegedly been present in the New Luce region for up to 4,000 years. Christian crosses with symbolism assumed to date from 600 to 800 AD are etched on the stones.
8. Standing Stones of Stenness
Stenness, which lies less than a mile southeast of the Ring of Brodgar, is considered to be the UK’s oldest henge site. Pottery found there connect it to the prehistoric community at Skara Brae. The Stones of Stenness, which were constructed about 5,400 years ago, maybe the earliest henge monument in the British Isles, according to Historic Environment Scotland.
9. Tomnaverie Stone Circle
The unique type of recumbent stone circle found alone in northeast Scotland is Tomnaverie. It is located in Aberdeenshire, about a mile from Tarland village, on a hilltop. According to experts, a 4,500-year-old burial cairn is encircled by a stone circle.
