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All the United Kingdom Scotland Mid Clyth Hill O' Many Stanes

Hill O' Many Stanes

A collection of short standing stones covers this hillside.

Mid Clyth, Scotland

Added By
katielou106
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Hill O’ Many Stanes   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_o%27_Ma...
Notes from professor Thom in 1871.   Not a photo.
22 lines of stones   Aksel / Atlas Obscura User
22 lines of stones   Aksel / Atlas Obscura User
Hill O’ Many Stanes.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
Views from the Hill O’Many Stanes.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
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The Hill O' Many Stanes is thought to be around 3,000-4,000 years old and harkens back to the Bronze Age.

The site can be found on a south-facing hillside just off the A99, which contains a collection of about 200 standing stones, none more than a meter high. These stones are set out in 22 rows running roughly north and south, the rows are not parallel but create a fan-shaped pattern. 

The stones were set in clay on turf-lined holes and packed in tightly with other stones. It's believed that successive generations added to the stones, perhaps as a way to remember ancestors. Others believe the stones are a Pictish graveyard. Some theories have even suggested that they actually formed some type of ancient calendar. Perhaps their true purpose will never be known.

Related Tags

Stone History & Culture Design Bronze Age

Know Before You Go

The Hill O' Many Stanes is up a single track road off the side of the A99 North of Lybster.

Community Contributors

Added By

katielou106

Edited By

rbenn250, jonathancarey, Aksel

  • rbenn250
  • jonathancarey
  • Aksel

Published

October 25, 2020

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Sources
  • http://www.caithness.org/caithnessfieldclub/bulletins/1982/april/multiple_stone_rows.htm
  • https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/hill-omany-stanes/history/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_o%27_Many_Stanes
Hill O' Many Stanes
A99
Mid Clyth, Scotland, KW3 6BA
United Kingdom
58.328557, -3.205036
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