Hill O Many Stanes

Highland, United Kingdom

The Hill O Many Stanes is an area with about 200 upright stones, none more than a metre high. The rows are not parallel, however, and they create a fan-shaped pattern. This arrangement is believed to be a relic of Bronze Age times.

In Megalithic Lunar Observatories (Oxford University Press, 1971) Alexander Thom presented evidence that the stone rows were in effect a Bronze Age lunar observatory, tracking lunar movements over a cycle of 18.6 years. However, more than twenty similar stone rows are now known in Caithness and Sutherland and none of the others has been linked with astronomical observations.

In Britain stone rows of this kind are unknown outside Caithness and Sutherland, but similar rows of much taller stones are found in Brittany, France.

References:

Wikipedia

Prehistoric and archaeological sites in United Kingdom

Address

Highland, United Kingdom

See all sites in Highland

Details

Founded: 2000 BC
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in United Kingdom

More Information

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
en.wikipedia.org
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk

Rating

4.1/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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Culloden Battlefield (108,2 km)
Ardvreck Castle Ruins (106,2 km)
Castle of Mey (35,5 km)
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Tioram Castle Ruins (232,3 km)

User Reviews

Claire Bevan (3 years ago)
Really fascinating place to visit less than 50 meters from the road, via a gate. Not wheelchair friendly but I did manage it on my crutches. It is uneven and boggy under foot but worth a visit

Vanessa Martin (4 years ago)
Amazing story surrounding these stones. Just had to go and soak up the history

Robert Hetherington (4 years ago)
Very mysterious the way the stones are layed out, board says could be 3 to 4 thousand year old graves worth a look if your passing

Lee Jarvis (4 years ago)
A quick detour that's peaceful and mildly interesting.

Callum Chapman (4 years ago)
It is, in fact, a hill. With lots of stones. And no one can figure out why. Can't say it massively impressive, or worth seeing. Name checks out

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Photo from Flickr, copyright w_lemay

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