Ring of Brodgar

A dramatic circle of 27 standing stones from around 2500 BC set on an isthmus between two lochs, part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The atmospheric monument offers solitude and insight into ancient ritual practices with sweeping moorland views.

Things to do

• Walk the stone circle — Explore the 27 remaining standing stones arranged in a perfect circle, each up to 7 metres tall, and contemplate the Neolithic builders' astronomical and ritual knowledge.
• Visit the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall — Learn the archaeological context of the Ring and other Neolithic monuments through artefacts, including pottery and stone tools from the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
• Photograph moorland vistas — Capture sweeping views across the Orkney moorland and the lochs (Stenness and Harray) flanking the isthmus, especially at golden hour when light illuminates the stones dramatically.
• Explore the Standing Stones of Stenness — Walk the short distance to this earlier (c. 3100 BC) ceremonial site with four massive upright stones and a surrounding ditch, part of the same Neolithic ritual landscape.
• Visit nearby Maeshowe passage tomb — Tour this 5,000-year-old chambered cairn with an aligned passage that lets the winter solstice sun illuminate the burial chamber, a masterpiece of Neolithic engineering.
• Birdwatch across the lochs — Scan Loch Stenness and Loch Harray for red-throated divers, great northern divers, and numerous wildfowl that populate Orkney's freshwater lochs year-round.

Food to try

• Orkney beef — Sample locally-raised grass-fed beef from Orkney cattle, prized for its quality and often featured in Kirkwall restaurants as steaks or traditional Scottish stews.
• Fresh Orkney seafood — Enjoy locally caught fish such as haddock, cod, and shellfish (scallops, lobster) from the waters surrounding the islands, often served simply to highlight freshness.
• Orkney cheese — Taste artisanal cheeses from local producers like Orkney Creamery, including varieties ranging from mild to aged cheddar-style cheeses unique to the islands.
• Bannocks and oatcakes — Try traditional Scottish oatcakes and griddle-cooked bannocks, locally baked and often served warm with butter, a staple accompaniment to Orkney meals.
• Orkney fudge and tablet — Purchase locally-made confections like traditional Scottish tablet (a crumbly toffee) and Orkney fudge from visitor shops, often flavoured with whisky or local ingredients.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the sacred landscape — Treat the Ring and surrounding Neolithic sites with reverence; stay on designated paths, leave no trace, and be mindful that these monuments remain spiritually significant to some visitors and local communities.
• Weather preparedness is essential — Orkney's moorland weather changes rapidly, so bring waterproof clothing, sturdy boots, and be prepared for strong winds and sudden rain even during summer visits.
• Visit during quieter seasons — Early morning or late afternoon visits, particularly in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), offer solitude and better light for experiencing the site's atmospheric qualities away from peak tourist crowds.
• Learn the Neolithic context before visiting — Reading about the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and Orkney's role in European Neolithic culture enriches understanding of why the Ring was built and what rituals may have occurred there.