9 Incredible Neolithic Sites to See in Scotland

Older than both the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge, Skara Brae is the shining star of the Heart Of Neolithic Orkney. Dating back some 5,000 years ago, this Neolithic settlement was discovered in 1850 by the Laird of Skaill after a vicious storm stripped the grass from the mound that concealed the ruins. Due to its excellent state of preservation, Skara Brae is nicknamed ‘the Scottish Pompeii’. An unrivalled example of Neolithic design and construction, each dwelling is linked by a covered passageway and contains a central hearth, two stone box beds and a ‘fitted’ stone dresser.

Another key player basking in the Heart Of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, the Standing Stones Of Stenness are situated upon an ancient and possibly sacred ceremonial ground. Located at the beginning of the Brodgar peninsula, these supernatural-seeming megaliths measure up to six metres (19.6 feet) in height and once stood as a ring of 12 that circled a large lone hearth. The remaining stones, although incomplete, are both imposing and captivating. Many believe that the Stenness Stones are actually the earliest henge monument in the British Isles.

Praised as one of Western Europe’s finest burial chambers, Maeshowe is a Neolithic design masterpiece within the Heart Of Neolithic Orkney. Concealed within the grassy mound is the enormous cairn thought to be over 5,000 years in age. In an incredible display of masonry and craftsmanship, massive standing stones await inside the atmospheric main chamber, which features cells that branch off in different directions. During the 12th century, Viking invaders broke into the tomb and left their mark in the form of graffiti runes. Perhaps most amazingly of all is that the entrance passage was designed to align with the winter sunset. A resplendent spectacle, the beaming rays perfectly illuminate the chamber and nearby Barnhouse Stone for three weeks before and after the shortest day of each year.

As far as Scotland’s constellation of stone circles go, the Ring Of Brodgar is an absolute beauty. Crowned one of the most spellbinding prehistoric monuments in the British Isles, this brooding stone circle and henge is another star in the Heart Of Neolithic Orkney. As a ceremonial site once used by ancient peoples for worship, the area hosts at least 13 burial mounds and over 30 gigantic standing stones. Remarkably, the circle is thought to have originally boasted 60 of these enigmatic rocks. In 1846, Scots geologist Hugh Miller referred to the Ring Of Brodgar as ‘an assemblage of ancient druids, mysteriously stern and invincibly silent and shaggy’.

The Callanish or Calanais Stones (as they’re called on Lewis) are a magical sight to behold, especially when that blinding Scottish sun dances upon the tops of the age-old megaliths. Located on the west coast on the Isle Of Lewis, the site is praised as one of the best-preserved Neolithic monuments and perhaps one of the most famous of Scotland’s standing stones. Like many of these ancient sites, their purpose is left up to speculation, although many believe they were erected as some form of an observatory. Whatever their meaning, there’s no denying their overwhelming presence and splendour.

To think that the foundations of Knap Of Howar, the oldest standing stone buildings in all of north-west Europe, were laid over 5,000 years ago is quite frankly mind-blowing! More than just a pile of rubble, the sites hold the remains of two houses, and still contain the same stone cupboards and stalls from a bygone world. Found embedded into the landscape of Orkney’s own Papa Westray (or Papay to locals), these old houses are the best-preserved and most visible early Neolithic settlements in north-western Europe.

Situated between Oban and Lochgilphead, Kilmartin Glen traces the boundaries of Kilmartin, a picturesque village on Scotland’s west coast. The site plays host to an intriguing array of ancient ruins ranging from an abundance of cairns and standing stones to carved rock, stone circles, forts and castles. Unsurprisingly then, Kilmartin Glen is known for having some of the most important Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in the whole of Scotland. Within the six-mile (9.6-kilometre) radius of the village alone, there exists over 350 ancient monuments, 150 of which date back to prehistoric times.

Although Croft Moraig is found near the village of Dull (not as boring as you’d think) and it may not be as aesthetically impressive as its Calanais or Stenness counterparts, don’t judge a stone circle by its outward appearance. This age-old structure is a complex site that was completed in multiple phases. Archaeological evidence suggests that these mysterious grey stones have mythic associations with the sun and moon, while others believe the site was the dwelling-place of a priest, witch-doctor or shaman. It’s places such as these that inspire books like Outlander and Harry Potter!

The six stone circles (known collectively as the Machrie Moor Standing Stones) on the west side of Arran near Blackfoot stand amidst a historically rich landscape of great archaeological significance – think stone circles, standing stones, hut circles, burial cairns and cists. Shooting up like roots from the dramatic Scottish moorland, these haunting standing stones are unlike anything else and are thought to have once been the Neolithic HQ for important rituals and domestic activities.