Prehistoric and Ancient Sites and Stones (M-R)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Y Z

Macrie, Strathclyde Machrie Moor Stone Circle Remains of 5 Bronze Age stone circles considered one of most important sites of its kind in all of Britain. Arran, Macrie, Strathclyde, Scotland Location: off A841 near Macrie, 1 ½ m walk Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Finstown, Highlands and Islands Maes Howe Chambered Cairn The finest megalithic tomb in the British Isles, consisting of a large Neolithic mound, 26ft high, 115ft in diameter, encircled by a ditch, covering a stone-built 39 ft passage leading to large burial chamber with 2 cells. The tomb contains the richest collection of Viking runes in the UK. Mainland, Finstown, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Location: 9 miles west of Kirkwall, on the A965 Website: Maes Howe Chambered Cairn Phone: 01856 761 606 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Inverurie, Grampian Maiden Stone Pictish cross-slab from the 9th century. One side has Celtic cross and other side has Pictish symbols. Inverurie, Grampian, Scotland Location: on minor road off A96, near Chapel of Garioch, 4.5 miles (6.8km) NW Inverurie Phone: 01667 460 232 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Memsie, Grampian Memsie Cairn Large stone cairn about 24 meters across, probably dating from Bronze age. Fraserburgh, Memsie, Grampian, Scotland Location: on B9032, 3.5 m S Fraserburgh Website: Memsie Cairn Phone: 01667 460232 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Westness, Highlands and Islands Midhowe Broch One of the finest Iron Age brochs in Scotland, located in a superb coastal location directly beside the chambered cairn of Midhowe. The central building measures 30 feet in diameter, with walls still standing to a height of 14 feet. This is easily one ofg the most impressive sites on Orkney, and well worth the journey to Rousay. A signposted path leads from the broch to Midhowe Chambered Cairn and past numerous other historic buildings along the shore. Rousay, Westness, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Location: Parking on the B9064 coastal road a few miles west of the ferry terminal. Well signposted, and easily visible from the parking lot. Walk downhill 5 minutes - good footwear advised. Free entry. Website: Midhowe Broch Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Highlands and Islands Midhowe Chambered Cairn A huge Neolithic chambered tomb in an oval mound with 25 stalls. Midhowe is protected by a modern building, which has walkways over the tomb, proviing excellent views down into the chambers. Rousay, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Website: Midhowe Chambered Cairn Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Tankerness, Highlands and Islands Mine Howe Access by steep stone steps to underground chamber, then another set of steps to a further underground chamber. Archaeologists date it from 200BC to 500AD. Its use is uncertain but thought to be religious. Bones, pottery and other artifacts were found in the chamber. Mainland, Tankerness, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Location: off A960 on minor road Website: Mine Howe Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Blackwaterfoot, Strathclyde Moss Farm Road Stone Circles Remains of Bronze Age cairn surrounded by stone circle. Arran, Blackwaterfoot, Strathclyde, Scotland Location: 3 m (5 km) N Blackwaterfoot, on A841 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Highlands and Islands Mousa Broch Considered to be the finest surviving Iron Age broch tower. Forty feet (12.2m) high and 50 ft (15.2m) in diameter at the base. Entrance by a long passage. Three doorways lead to chambers and another to a staircase. Mousa, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Location: on the uninhabited island of Mousa, accessible by boat from Sandwick, off A970 S Lerwick. Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kilmartin, Strathclyde Nether Largie Cairns Two Bronze Age cairns and one Neolithic cairn (3000BC). Kilmartin, Strathclyde, Scotland Location: near Kilmartin on A816 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Insch, Grampian Picardy Symbol Stone One of the oldest Pictish symbol stones, possibly 7th century. Insch, Grampian, Scotland Location: off B922 Phone: 01667 460 232 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Highlands and Islands Quoyness Chambered Cairn Megalithic tomb with retaining walls, passage, main chamber and cells. Neolithic. Sandsay, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Highlands and Islands Rennibister Earth-House Access by trap door and ladder down into the chamber that has 5 wall recesses and an entrance passage. Human bones were found here. Thought to be Iron Age. Mainland, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Location: on A965, western Mainland, situated behind a farmhouse Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Kilmartin, Strathclyde Ri Cruin Cairn Bronze Age burial cairn with covering removed to view 3 large burial chambers (cists). Kilmartin, Strathclyde, Scotland Location: 1 m (1.6 km) S Kilmartin on A816 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Stenness, Highlands and Islands Ring of Brodgar A late Neolithic circle of 27 upright stones (originally 60 stones) with an enclosing ditch. Located a short distance from the Stenness Standing Stones. The location above two lochs is superb. Mainland, Stenness, Highlands and Islands, Scotland Location: 5 miles east of Stromness, on the B9055 Website: Ring of Brodgar Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Ruthwell, Dumfries and Galloway Ruthwell Cross Anglian sculptured cross dates from 7th century. Considered a major monument of Dark Age Europe. Ruthwell, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland Location: Off B724, 8 m (13 km) SE Dumfries (within parish church). Open by arrangement only. Phone: 0131 550 7612 Historic Scotland Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering