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One of the oldest known stone circles in the British Isles, and a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The Stones of Stenness is sometimes included with with the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe, the Ness of Brodgar, and others. As, apart of neolithic architecture and our history.

It includes a henge and stone circle, built around 3100 BCE (1)(2), making it older than Stonehenge
It may be the oldest henge site in the British Isles. (3)

It’s near the isthmus between Loch Stenness and Loch Harray, Orkney mainland

Originally consisted of 12 tall standing stones arranged in an oval or circle, roughly 30 meters (98 feet) in diameter
Only 4 stones remain standing today, though some others are present as stumps or fallen.

The stones are very tall and slender, and some up to 5 meters (16 feet) high
Enclosed by a ditch, and bank (the henge), though the ditch was shallow and irregular. Unusual for henge monuments.

A watch stone stands outside the circle, to the north-west, and is 5.6 m, or 18 ft high
Once there were at least two stones there, because in the 1930s, the stump of a second stone was found. And, there was also a Odin stone, but it was removed in 1814. (4)

Likely served as a ceremonial or ritual site for neolithic communities
There is no evidence of burials; instead, the site was likely used for gatherings, rites, feasting, or seasonal festivals. It also probably functioned in connection with astronomical observations like solstices or lunar cycles.

It is close to the Ring of Brodgar; and, Maeshowe
It is also adjacent to the Barnhouse Settlement, a neolithic village thought to house the site’s religious or elite class.

Sometimes referred to in local legend as “Temple of the Moon”; and, (Ring of Brodgar = “Temple of the Sun”)

Like many ancient stone monuments, it was said to be created by giants or transformed beings in folklore

Excavations have uncovered animal bones, pottery, and signs of burned offerings, supporting ceremonial use
Also found were hearths and carved stone tools, possibly related to ritual feasting or seasonal rites.

Well sign posted; and, often visited alongside Brodgar, Maeshowe, and others. SOS is a cool part of neolithic architecture and its archaeological trail.

Cite: 1) “Stones Of Stenness circle and henge” (https://web.archive.org/web/20140529084810/http://w
ww.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_280). Historic Scotland. Archived from the original (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propert
ydetail.htm?PropID=PL_280) on 29 May 2014

2) Wickham-Jones, Caroline (2012). Monuments of Orkney. Historic Scotland. ISBN 978-1-84917-073-4

3) “Stones of Stenness” (https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stones-of-stenn
ess-circle-and-henge/). historicenvironment.scot

4) Moffat, Alistair (2019). Britain’s DNA Journey: Our remarkable genetic story. Birlinn. ISBN 978-1788852302

Bibliography: Piggott, Stuart (1982). Scotland Before History. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 0-85224-348-0

Ritchie, J.N. Graham. The Stones of Stenness, Orkney (http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/myads/copyrights?from=2f6172636869766544532f61726368697665446f776e6c6f61643f743d61
7263682d3335322d312f64697373656d696e6174696f6e2f7064662f766f6c5f3130372f3130375
f3030315f3036302e706466) – via Archaeology Data Service (archaeologydataservice.ac.uk)