View from north.
The classic fan-shaped multiple stone row measures 54m long, including at least 192 small, medium and large-sized stones arranged in at least 22 separate lines and situated on the southern side of a prominent knoll with restricted views of the sea and the surrounding landscape. The row is orientated north to south and is the best preserved and most accessible of the Northern Scottish multiple stone rows.
Location
| Scotland | Caithness | Northern Scotland | ND 29524 38431 |
| Lat 58.328734 Long -3.2050493 | |||
Map showing the location of Hill o’ Many Stanes stone row.
Plan of the Hill O’ Many Stanes stone alignment. (Source: survey by H. Dryden in 1871). Original held by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and an online version is available here at Canmore.
Characteristics
| Type: Multiple | Length: 54m |
| No. of stones: 192 | Size of stones: Small, medium and large |
| Orientation: 175° | Altitude: 101m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : | Sea View: Yes |
| Context: – | |
| Notes: 22 rows. Probably extended further. | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: Guardianship |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Identification
Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row.
Typology
This stone row is of Type M12. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
The finest multiple stone row in Britain. View from the north.
View from the west in 1988. Access to the stones was permitted at that time and erosion is obvious. On the plus side the vegetation was lower making is easier to see the stones.
View from the southern end of the rows. The rising slope on which the rows are situated blocks the views to the north. Indeed from the bottom of the rows the views to the west and east are also very restricted with far views existing only across the nearby sea, to the high ground on the southern side of the Moray Firth and even the summits of the Cairngorms.
The reveal. The hills hidden behind the rising ground appear as you walk up the rows.
Looking northward along the rows.
Prominent row leading up the slope. View from the south.
Rows leading downslope. View from the north.
Access Information
Limited roadside car parking is available at ND 29557 38464. From here it is a short signposted walk to the rows.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Modern Antiquarian Canmore Historic Environment Record
Other References
Burl, A., 1993, From Carnac to Callanish – The prehistoric rows and avenues of Britain, Ireland and Brittany, Yale University Press, New York and London, pg. 222.
Timeline
VISITED:- 1988, 9th August 2014 and 2nd September 2016
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 13th February 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 1st January 2018
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 