An Isolated Standing stone overlooking Loch of Boardhouse Birsay Orkney Mainland Scotland. SCO 5851
Theories abound as to their purpose - astronomical observatories, territorial markers or calendars - each specialist having his own personal thoughts on the subject. Whatever the reason for their construction, they remain every bit as awe inspiring and powerful today as they must have appeared when an active part of the islands' culture. Although a number of standing stones inevitably vanished from the landscape over the years, pulled down to provide building materials, or simply to clear a field, quite a number were untouched by man and are still standing. The most famous of these stones are within the Ring o' Brodgar and the Standing Stones o' Stenness but these are by no means the only ones. Most visitors venture no further than the Stenness complexes - the heart of prehistoric Orkney - which is a pity, for there are a number on the outer islands that deserve a visit. Away from the Mainland are stones such as the Fingersteen and the Yetnasteen. These megaliths wait the passing of each day, alone and silent, ignorant of the daily coachloads of tourists that flock to view their seemingly grander cousins at Brodgar and Stenness. Many of the stones, past and present, had their legends attached to them. The most common by far is the tradition that some of the monoliths come to life on New Year’s Eve (Hogmanay) and walk to a nearby body of water where they dip their heads and drink. Others were thought to be giants or witches, transformed to stone and frozen in time by the rays of the Orkney sun. Of all the legends and traditions surrounding Orkney’s megaliths, those surrounding the now-destroyed Odin Stone were by far the most potent and deep-seated. This holed stone held a particularly special part in the hearts of Orcadians until its destruction in the 19th century.
Size: 3732px × 5619px
Location: Loch of Boardhouse Birsay Orkney Mainland Scotland.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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