Found scattered all over Scotland, but particularly concentrated in Orkney and Shetland, standing stones are ancient structures thought to be erected by the land’s first settlers thousands of years ago.
To this day their purpose sees ongoing debate by historians and archaeologists who reckon they were religious sites, but to the average Outlander fan their purpose is clear as day; time travel.
Like many aspects of ancient civilisations such as the Picts or Nordic settlers we cannot know everything about them and so can only speculate, but what’s for sure is these standing stones serve as majestic monuments worthy of a visit.
Let your mind wander thousands of years back with these 13 Scottish standing stones and stone circles.
Like many aspects of ancient civilisations such as the Picts or Nordic settlers we cannot know everything about them and so can only speculate, but what’s for sure is these standing stones serve as majestic monuments worthy of a visit.
9. Temple Wood Stone Circle
This picturesque setting is considered one of the best-preserved stone circles found in Kilmartin Glen. It is said the stone circle was used around 3000 BC and continued to be an active area even until 1000 BC. Photo: via WikiCommons
These two stones are thought to be two survivors of a monument initially boasting 14 stones (in 1873 you could still find seven standing). They reportedly have stood in the New Luce area for as long as 4000 years. Etched onto the stones are the symbols of Christian crosses thought to originate from 600 to 800 AD. Photo: Submitted
The Achavanich stones are located in Caithness near Loch Stemster. The tallest stone is roughly 2 metres tall, and although the majority are relatively small it is thought they weren’t always this way. Years of weathering have caused a breakdown in their size. What’s more, while only 36 stones can be found today it is thought there were originally 54. Photo: via WikiCommons
The name of the standing stones “Tuilyies” is derived from the Scots’ word “tulzie” which relates to a fight. The most prominent stone is an unusually shaped megalith which accompanies three other large stones which are near Dunfermline. The megalith or main stone is called the ‘Tuilyies Stane’. Photo: Submitted