3 days ago
Searches for Scotland's standing stones spike for summer solstice
The approaching Summer Solstice on Saturday, June 21, is thought to be behind the sudden interest in Scotland's prehistoric monuments - which dot the land from the furthest-flung islands to the Borders.
Internet searches for 'summer solstice' have jumped by 136 per cent in the past month, while interest in 'standing stones' in Scotland has risen by 101% during the past quarter.
Tapping into this growing trend, tourist agency VisitScotland has launched a refreshed guide to the country's most atmospheric stone circles, helping travellers experience the Solstice in places that feel truly off the beaten path.
'Believed to have been places of ceremony, gathering, and spiritual connection, they continue to inspire awe and curiosity thousands of years after they were first raised.
'As interest in these ancient sites continues to grow, especially around the Summer Solstice, more people are discovering just how special they are.
'Whether you're watching the sunrise over a stone circle or simply standing still in the landscape, these are moments that stay with you, a reminder of how deeply connected we are to Scotland's past.'
The standing stones at Nether Largie in Kilmartin Glen, Argyll, Scotland. The foreground stone is decorated with prehistoric cup-and-ring carvings. (Image: theasis)
Here are some of the highlights being showcased by the national tourist agency:
Kilmartin Glen, Argyll:
The ancient area of Kilmartin Glen in Argyll is home to more than 350 ancient monuments, including both the Nether Largie Standing Stones and the Temple Wood Stone Circle. The Nether Largie Stones are among the most significant prehistoric monuments in Scotland. Believed to be over 5,000 years old, the stones are thought to align with key astronomical events, including the midsummer sunrise. Set against a backdrop of green hills and misty moorland, the site offers an evocative space to experience the Solstice.
The Neolithic Standing Stones on Machrie Moor (Image: Keith Fergus) Machrie Moor, Isle of Arran:
Recently named as an official UNESCO Global Geopark, the Isle of Arran boasts one of the most remarkable ancient landscapes in Britain. Situated on the west coast of the Isle, Machrie Moor is home to six stone circles, each with its own formation, age and story.
The tallest stones, some rising over four metres, create a striking silhouette against the open sky. Reached via a one-mile path across moorland, this wild and windswept setting offers an atmospheric Solstice experience. As the sun dips or rises over the hills, the scale and symmetry of these ancient stones take on an otherworldly glow.
Sueno's Stone, Moray Speyside:
Towering at nearly 7 metres tall, Sueno's Stone is Scotland's tallest and most intricately carved Pictish monument. Situated on the eastern edge of Forres in Moray Speyside, this monumental cross-slab dates from the late 9th or early 10th century and was most likely designed to be a landmark, visible from a great distance.
The stone still remains in its original location, a rarity among early medieval carved stones.
Clava cairns are a collection of over fifty Bronze Age Standing Stones and circular chamber tomb cairns. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Clava Cairns, Inverness:
Only a 20-minute drive from Inverness, Clava Cairns is one of Scotland's most hauntingly beautiful prehistoric sites. This well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex features ring cairns, passage graves and standing stones, nestled in a quiet woodland setting.
Built over 4,000 years ago, it's thought the site may have been aligned with the midwinter sunset, but its spiritual atmosphere makes it a special place to visit at any seasonal turning point, including the Summer Solstice.
Achavanich, Caithness:
In the far North Highlands lies Achavanich, one of the country's most enigmatic and distinctive prehistoric sites. Dating back over 4,000 years, this unusual horseshoe shaped arrangement sees its stones positioned with their broadest faces turned inward toward the centre, an orientation rarely seen in other stone circles across Scotland or beyond.
Perched on a plateau near Loch Stemster, Achavanich offers a sense of scale and solitude that's hard to match. Its remote location, dramatic skies, and curious construction make it an immersive place to reflect during the Summer Solstice. With minimal light pollution and few visitors, it's one of the most peaceful places in the country to mark the turning of the seasons.
