📌 Neolithic settlement in Stenness, Orkney Mainland
★★★★
🛠️ Excavations ended in 2024 and the site is not currently open to the public (checked May 2025)
Few places on Orkney give off such an air of excitement as the Ness of Brodgar. Geophysical surveys in 2002 first revealed something unusual under the fields right in between the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness. Excavations happened slowly and intermittently over the next few years, and then in 2008 a major discovery was made: Structure 10, possibly the biggest Neolithic stone building ever found in Britain, burial structures aside. Over the last decade or so the excavations have revealed a settlement that dwarfs even Skara Brae in size. Activity (accompanied by fascinating, detailed daily tours led by on-site archaeologists) continued annually until the end of summer 2024, when excavations finished and the site was covered back over (I think).
🌍 Location
📌 By B9055 1 mi north of Stenness, Orkney Mainland
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: HY 303128
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.997034,-3.214815
🚌 Infrequent bus stops on B9055. Bus stop at A965 junction (1.5 mi) has more frequent services
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Closed
🎫 Free
