The Ring of Brodgar, autor rustyruth1959

<b>Orkney</b> Part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, the Ring of Brodgar is situated in the parish of Stenness. It stands on an eastward sloping plateau on the Ness of Brodgar, a thin strip of land separating the Loch of Harray and the Loch of Stenness. The interior of the ring has never been fully excavated, or scientifically dated, so the monument's actual age remains uncertain. However, it is generally assumed to have been erected between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. The stone ring is built in a true circle, almost 104 metres wide. It is thought to have originally contained 60 megaliths, but the is no archaeological evidence to support this. Today only 27 stones remain. The stones vary in height from 2.1 metres (7 feet) to a maximum of 4.7 metres (15ft 3in). The Brodgar ring is the third largest stone circle in the British Isles. Covering an area of 8,435 square metres (90,790 square feet), it is beaten only by the outer ring of stones at Avebury and the Greater Ring at Stanton Drew in England. The Brodgar ring is exactly the same size as Avebury's two inner rings. Conservation work is going on at the site at the moment to repair the footpath around the ring, so it was not possible today to get the complete circle in the picture, as many areas have been closed off to the public whilst the essential work is carried out. I did arrive at the site before the coach loads of tourists, but later than the workmen, who I've just about managed to miss off the photo. <b>Thank you for your visit and your comments, they are greatly appreciated.</b>