Archaeological sites Scotland

The Neolithic dwellings in Barnhouse Village were probably occupied by those who built Maeshowe and the foundations give a good impression of what the houses looked like at the time. 1.5 km further on you will find the very romantic Ring of Brodgar. Its monoliths are said to be between 3,500 and 4,000 years old. Sitting enthroned in the heather, 27 of the original 60 are still visible. Between the two sites, you will pass the Ness of Bodgar, still under excavation.

This fascinating discovery centre reproduces daily life in the Iron Age, with the complete reconstruction of a dwelling of the time, called a crannog, which was erected on the surface of a loch. 4 of the 18 buildings are still present, out of the original 18. The remains that have been found are also on display and form real treasures, more than 2,500 years old. The visit is very instructive and fun thanks to the presence of costumed guides.

The Calanais Standing Stones are among the best preserved prehistoric sites in the country. These stones were erected around 3,000 years before our era, in the shape of a cross around a circle of 13 monoliths. In the centre stands a 4.8m menhir, next to which a tomb was added generations later. Although we do not really know what happened here, some archaeologists have put forward the hypothesis of an astronomical observatory. The Callanish visitor centre aims to interpret the history of the site through its small retrospective exhibition.

The Standing Stones of Stenness would have been erected 5,000 years ago. They belong to a series of domestic and ritual monuments. There were twelve standing stones on this site, but only four remain today. Their forms and stature are absolutely stunning and the highest is 6 m high. A path perpendicular to the road and parallel to the field where they are located leads in a short time to Barnhouse Village, another site to visit if you are interested in Prehistory.

This stone circle is an impressive Neolithic site. It offers to see six stone circles. Erected monoliths, cairns, burial cists and circles marking habitation or plots are visible. They bear witness to a dwelling dating from 3500 to 1500 BC. These stone circles were associated with religious activities estimated at -4500 BC. You will have to walk a little from the car park to see the stones (a walk of about an hour).

You will have to check the tides before going to this small island, whose access depends entirely on them. There are interesting Pictish and Viking remains, although much more recent than all the neighbouring attractions. The area was densely populated between the 7th and 13th centuries and witnesses to the past include a large Celtic stone (a replica, the original is on display in Edinburgh), ruins of Scandinavian dwellings and a Romanesque church. The info point contains information and objects found during excavations.

Built between 500 and 200 BC, this Iron Age site is admirably well preserved and complete for its great age. A brooch is a construction unique to Scotland of this period and formed a defensive tower to protect the villagers from frequent raids. There are about 500 brochs left in the whole country and this one is one of the most impressive and remarkable in the country. Surrounded by dwellings, the whole site is spread over 45m and surrounded by a moat. The small museum displays everything that has been found on the site.

Discovered in September 2010, this Neolithic tomb is still being excavated today. It is believed to be 5,000 years old and contained otter bones, in addition to the human remains that have been exhumed. Many are still present, clearly visible, and belonged to both adults and children. The visitor centre reveals the secrets that have already been uncovered and exhibits some of the discoveries. It is located a few minutes from the Tomb of Eagles: the two visits often go hand in hand and are recommended.

Some 5,000 years of history were unveiled here when Ronnie Simison, a local farmer, discovered two major prehistoric sites on the island by digging under horizontal stones that intrigued him. The first is a vast Bronze Age ruin, probably a dwelling or meeting place. The second is a very elaborate Stone Age tomb. Excavations have uncovered many artifacts and as many as 16,000 human bones, as well as a few eagles, which gave the attraction its name.

This stone, attributed to the Picts, is one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland. Indeed, no one has ever been able to know who built this building, when and what it was used for. The only certainty is that there was once a Pictish fort at Burghead, built between 2000 and 1500 BC. It has been said that this hollow was once a well. The current hypotheses are: a sanctuary for Celtic water deities, a place of ritual execution, an early Christian baptistry or a Pictish cult space.

It is one of the most beautiful tombs of this type in Europe, among those built about 5,000 years ago. The entrance passage to Maeshowe is aligned with the mid-winter sunset, so that light illuminates the interior of the tomb. Vikings broke into Maeshowe in the mid 12th century, long after it had fallen into disuse and oblivion. They too left their mark on the site: this time in the form of graffiti carved in runes on the walls of the main chamber.