Went to the Shetlands during the last week of August 01 and the Stanydale "temple" was close to the top of our must see list of sites.
We were told by several people that the crofter whose land the site is on will not allow visitors as he is (understandably) concerned about the spread of foot and mouth to his sheep... continues...
The site is reasonably well signed from some way off, but the only parking is what looks like a passing place. We went past this thinking that there would be a bigger spot, and its a long way before you can turn round!
Its about 10-15 minute walk to the site from the parking area. Route is well marked with posts and signed. Interpretation boards en route at other landscape features.
Terrain is quite boggy moorland and there could be a midge issue at times.
The site itself is best described as enigmatic. Not clear what it was, and why very unusually for Shetland the sea is not visible.
Stanydale's magnitude, awe inspiring. when we visited a few days ago we froze in snow and wind, today the sound of the winds merely a pleasant backdrop as I lie in the grass in here, the clearest blue sky overhead and a bright afternoion sun. the walls are built from stocky boulders, and smooth, mostly; they walls feel so rigid; and upto about 15' thick. they were certainly meant to remain. so many stones must have been moved to make this place. I marvel at the thought of the same building perhaps being used for two thousand years.
(its a shame the entrance has been bastardised with a wooden gate).
collections of standing stones, one lot at each side, aligned, only one of which is in a circular shape.
apart from, like, StoneHenge and Avebury, one of the grandest sites I've been to (but I haven't been to many)
Log in |
Register
Scotland
0 discussions
Show map (inline Google Map)
Add news 
Top of page