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Natural Monuments

The Watch Stone

Natural Monuments

The Watch Stone

Highlight • Natural Monument

The Watch Stone

Name: The Watch Stone
Rating: 2

Recommended by 14 hikers

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Location: Firth And Stenness, Orkney islands, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to The Watch Stone

4.4

(10)

hikers

1. The Ring of Brodgar & Stones of Stenness — Orkney Islands

5.63km

01:27

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.3

(3)

hikers

2. Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe — Orkney Islands

11.1km

02:50

40m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(4)

hikers

3. Ring of Brodgar – Stones of Stenness loop from Stenness

5.71km

01:28

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Dominiek Van Dooren

June 30, 2023

The Watch Stone, also spelled Watchstone, is a standing stone or menhir from the Neolithic period, standing between the Loch of Stenness and the Loch of Harray on Mainland, one of Scotland's Orkney Islands. The megalith is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
The stone is on the west side of the road. About 170 meters to the south-southeast are the Stones of Stenness. North of the stone lies the Ring of Brodgar.
The Watch Stone is a rectangular stone 5.6 meters high, 1.5 meters wide and 40 centimeters thick. The Watch Stone is the tallest monolith in this area. The base is provided with modern masonry for reinforcement. The front and back of the stone face east and west.
(Wikipedia)

Translated by Google •

Adie

May 10, 2023

There is a great deal of conjecture about the history of the "Watchstone" (even the name of this standing stone is up for debate). There is little certainty other than it is surely one of Orkney’s most imposing standing stones, and it dominates the south-eastern end of the Brig o’ Brodgar – the place where the Harray and Stenness lochs meet.

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Dagmar & Hans

October 30, 2023

Unique beautiful Stones circle

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Elevation 0 m

Weather

Today

Friday 31 October

12°C

10°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 34.0 km/h

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Location: Firth And Stenness, Orkney islands, Scotland, United Kingdom

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The Watch Stone

1. The Ring of Brodgar & Stones of Stenness — Orkney Islands

2. Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe — Orkney Islands

3. Ring of Brodgar – Stones of Stenness loop from Stenness

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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