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Stanydale Temple is situated in a beautiful and less visited part of Shetland, West Mainland. I travelled there from Lerwick on the number 9 bus to Walls. The bus driver let me off at the closest stop. A scenic bus journey.

It took around an hour to get there from the bus stop, perfectly doable and well signposted. Road walking most of the way on a very quiet road and then 10/15 minutes across the bog following the black and white posts.

I was there on an fabulous sunny August day and enjoyed the walk and birdlife. Met 3 tourists leaving as I arrived and then one young woman from Germany. After she left I had the place to myself.

A very well built and well kept site and I agree with the other poster, the sign on the gate did feel maybe a bit out of keeping. I did like the explanatory boards though, they were helpful. Great place for a picnic and chill out. Peaceful and beautiful.

Lots of horse flies so bring repellant or Avon Skin So Soft!

Check the return bus times as they are infrequent! Early starts work best in Shetland as timetable suits locals rather than visitors.

According to Wikipedia, the Neu Gaarz 2 dolmen is a simple dolmen; however, the information sign on site refers to the megalithic tomb as a grand dolmen. Regardless of the correct classification, Neu Gaarz 2 is a beautifully preserved, north-south-facing dolmen.

Measuring 2.8 m in length, 1.5 m in width and 1.3 m in height, the chamber is exceptionally large for a simple dolmen, which is characterised by the sideways positioning of its supporting stones (it is the largest known simple dolmen). The passage, which is unusually long for a simple dolmen and set at an angle, is also a distinctive feature. It is 1.9 m long, approximately 0.8 m wide and the same height, and consisted of four supporting stones and two capstones, which now lie beside the passage. Originally, the chamber and passage were covered by a round mound of rolled stones. Eight small cup marks are carved into the chamber’s sole capstone, and 12 into one of the three supporting stones.

To reach the megalithic tomb, take the Mechelsdorfer Weg from Rerik – the road heading north-east towards Mechelsdorf. At the edge of Rerik, where a small sign points to the Mechelsdorf 3 megalithic tomb on Bastorfer Weg, which branches off to the right, continue straight on for about 1.2 km. Neu Gaarz 2 is clearly visible at the highest point of the road on the right-hand side, about 50 metres into the field.

Visited June 2026

Taken from the on-site information board:

The Mechelsdorf dolmen opens to the south-east via a bent passage. Originally, the chamber and passage were completely covered by a mound of earth. Small cup marks have been chiselled into the capstone of the chamber and into a standing stone.

Dolmen
Neolithic megalithic tomb
(3200–3000 BC)
This tomb is a so-called grand dolmen with an attached passage. The term ‘dolmen’ originates from Breton and literally means ‘stone table’.

Dolmens were probably originally intended as graves for single individuals. They differ in this respect from the larger passage graves or megalithic tombs (collective graves), which were built to accommodate several.

This large dolmen, which was archaeologically investigated in 1967, is a unique example due to its unusually long and angled passage. The passage, composed of four side stones and two capstones, was 2 m long, approx. 0.8 m wide and the same height. The burial chamber itself is also exceptionally large, measuring 2.8 m in length, 1.5 m in width and 1.25 m in height.

Small cup-shaped indentations have been chiselled into the capstone of the chamber and one of the side stones. Such indentations were created during ritual acts which may have served to obtain rock powder considered to have healing properties.

The Mechelsdorf 3 megalithic tomb is a well-preserved simple dolmen oriented in a north-east to south-west direction. Each of the long sides features two supporting stones, which remain in situ. The stones on the short sides are also still in place. One capstone lies on top, though it is slightly displaced. The second capstone has rolled away. The entrance to the chamber is located at the western corner. Two supporting stones from the entrance still stand here.

The megalithic tomb can be reached by taking Meschendorfer Weg from Rerik, the road running north-east towards Mechelsdorf. At the edge of Rerik, there is a small sign pointing to the megalithic tomb, directing you from Meschendorfer Weg onto Bastorfer Weg, which branches off to the right. Drive along this road to the end. Unfortunately, it is not easy to find a place to park your car. Follow the path through a wooded area until you come directly to the megalithic tomb.

Visited June 2026