photo 13 of 44
the Ring of Brodgar: South Stones

South Stones

Standing stones on the south side of the circle, viewed from northeast. Prominent in the foreground is stone 13. The South Knowe mound can be seen on the right. Ring of Brodgar, c. 2500 BC. Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Measuring nearly 104 m in diameter, this impressive Neolithic monument is a true circle that is thought to have originally consisted of 60 stones. Today 27 stones remain standing, ranging in height from 2.1 m to 4.7 m. The ring is positioned on a scenic strip of land between the freshwater Loch of Harray (to NE) and the saltwater Loch of Stenness (to SW).