7 Standing stones in Scotland

These standing stones in Arran are set in a dramatic moorland rich with archaeological gems including stone circles, burial cairns and more. These prehistoric standing stones date back to between 3,500 and 1,500 BC and may have had astronomical purpose. Their alignment with the head of Machrie Glen, where a midsummer sunrise can be seen, lends credence to this theory. Legend weaves a more colourful tale with one of the circles known as "Fingal's Cauldron Seat", after the mythical giant, Fionn Mac Cumhaill. See if you can spot a hole in one of the stones, where he was said to tie his loyal dog, Bran.  

Things to do nearby: 

• Machrie Bay - enjoy a sunset walk along the shoreline, admiring the fiery colours of the evening sky. 
• Brodick Castle – head to the other side of the island for centuries of history and grandeur. 
• Goat Fell - explore Arran’s intense mountains, including Goat Fell, and immerse yourself in the wild side of the island. 
• Arran’s flavours - savour local cheese, whisky, and the island’s famous produce. 

Marvel at the Machrie Moor Standing Stones

Prehistoric stone circles in Scotland don't get much more remarkable than the Ring of Brodgar. Located between the lochs of Stenness and Harray, it comprises 27 stones, but it is thought to have originally been made up of around 60! It’s one of several significant Orkney stone circle sites and one of the most northerly stone circles in the UK. Ponder the arcane Neolithic rituals that may have once taken place here and the legends spun by the Vikings to explain their presence when they first encountered these mysterious relics 3,000 years after their erection.  

Things to do nearby: 

• Standing Stones of Stenness – wander among some of the oldest stones on earth, where you can still feel history in the air. 
• Chambered Cairn of Maeshowe – a masterpiece of Neolithic engineering, aligned with the stars and sun. 
• Skara Brae – this Neolithic village is perfectly preserved and dates back to before the pyramids! 

Explore the Ring of Brodgar

If you’re familiar with the Outlander novels, you’ll immediately recognise this well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of ring cairns, kerb cairns, and standing stones as the fictional Craigh na Dun. Located in an ethereal woodland setting just outside of Inverness, they are free to visit and open all year round. Built to house the dead over 4,000 years ago, these stone circles and associated cairns are shrouded in sacred significance and, interestingly, are unique to the Moray Firth and Inverness area of Scotland.  

Things to do nearby: 

• Culloden - a haunting and atmospheric place, the site of the final Jacobite Rising battle in 1746. 
• Inverness - the gateway to the Highlands and once Scotland’s ancient capital. 
• Loch Ness – these famous shores tell a story of their own – head out on a boat trip, step into the history at the Loch Ness Experience, or walk the shores along the Loch Ness 360° Trail. 

Follow in Claire's footsteps to the Clava Cairns 

On the west coast, the area around Kilmartin Glen spans 5,000 years of history and is one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland. Home to cairns, standing stones, carved rock, stone circles, forts and castles, there are more than 350 ancient monuments near the village to discover. These include the remains of the hilltop fortress of the Scots or Scoti – a Gaelic speaking tribe, at Dunadd, and the royal centre of Dál Riata. Both are located to the south of the glen, on the edge of the Moine Mhòr, or 'Great Moss'. 

Things to do nearby: 

• Temple Wood Stone Circle – atmospheric yet haunting, this historic site was once used for rituals and burials for over 2,000 years. 
• Achnabreck Cup and Ring Marks - explore the prehistoric rock carvings and arts from 5,000 years ago. 
• Kilmartin Museum – dive into the area’s remarkable archaeology and walk through Scotland’s turbulent past. 

Delve into the past at Kilmartin Glen

Travel back in time at the four remaining stones at the Standing Stones of Stenness, thought to be the earliest henge monument in the British Isles. The ancient ceremonial site lies just a short distance from the Ring of Brodgar. According to local legend, giants once gathered here for a night of dancing and celebration before being turned to stone by the rising sun. In reality, the stones were erected during the Neolithic period more than 5,000 years ago and form part of one of Europe’s most important prehistoric landscapes.  

Things to do nearby: 

• Ness of Brodgar – visit this extraordinary archaeological excavation and step into a vast Neolithic ceremonial complex.  

Visit the Standing Stones of Stenness

Nicknamed the "Stonehenge of the North", these iconic standing stones on the Isle of Lewis predate Stonehenge. According to local folklore, they were giants who refused to convert to Christianity and were turned to stone where they stood. Their purpose remains obscure, though they may have been used as a place for ritual gatherings or to observe the movement of the sun and moon. The stones have also inspired modern storytellers, including the mythical circle depicted in the Outlander book and the filmmakers behind the Disney animated film Brave. 

Things to do nearby:  

• Dun Carloway Broch – this impressive Iron Age broch will not disappoint! 
• Gearrannan Blackhouse Village – this historic site gives an immaculate insight into what island life was like in centuries past. 
• Dalmore Beach - admire the white-sand beaches here and dip your toes in the chilly Atlantic, if you dare!  

See the Calanais Standing Stones 

Located on the north-eastern edge of Forres in Moray Speyside, see one of the largest surviving examples of Pictish sculpture in Scotland. Believed to have been carved between the mid-9th and early 10th centuries, the towering monument offers a rare glimpse into the world of the Picts, a mysterious civilisation who once ruled much of northern Scotland but appear to vanish from written records by the 9th century. The intricate carvings depict what seems to be a dramatic battle scene showing horsemen, soldiers on foot, fallen warriors and the walls of a fort or broch, possibly commemorating an important victory. 

Things to do nearby:  

• Burghead Fort – these remains were once the largest known early medieval promontory fort in northern Britain and an important stronghold of the Picts.  

Uncover the history behind Sueno’s Stone

This list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.