Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland Apr. 19, 2024

Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland

At the heart of the Orkney Islands, an archipelago in northern Scotland, lies an ancient riddle: the Ring of Brodgar. Dating back to sometime between 2500 and 2000 BCE, this Neolithic henge—a type of ancient circular earthwork—and stone circle measure about 104 metres across. Lying on a narrow strip of land between two lochs, the site initially comprised 60 stones, although today only 36 remain. The exact purpose of the structure is still unknown; in 2008, an excavation project called the Ring of Brodgar Excavation was undertaken to try to learn more about the site, but the project has not yet reached any conclusive results. In 1999, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, which includes the Ring of Brodgar, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are planning a trip to Scotland, consider walking amid the echoes of history at the Ring of Brodgar while the crisp Scottish air embraces you.

© Paul Williams - FunkyStock/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A cuddling pair of Taiwan yuhina
Apr. 19, 2025Zion National Park, Utah, United States
Apr. 19, 2026Mirror Beach, Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb. 6, 2024Lake Tahoe
Will we be ready for the ‘big one?’
Jun. 1, 2024Pride Month
May 29, 2024World Otter Day
Mar. 26, 2026Logan Creek Suspension Bridge, West Coast Trail, British Columbia
Oct. 27, 2024Polar Bear Week
Back to the future
Jun. 22, 2024World Rainforest Day
Aug 17, 2026False clownfish off Cabilao Island, Bohol, Philippines
Oct. 11, 2024Celtic Colours International Festival
Dec. 22, 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia
Nov. 5, 2024Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Jun. 5, 2025World Environment Day
A ghost on the mountain
May 16, 2025Endangered Species Day
Mar. 16, 2026Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Stars in daylight
Jan. 13, 2024Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii, United States
History awaits atop the hill
Sep. 10, 2025Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
Jul. 25, 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
Mar. 25, 2025Tolkien Reading Day
Oct. 15, 2025National Mushroom Day
Feb. 19, 2026Dragons Eye, Uttakleiv Beach, Norway
What are these beautiful sandy waves?
A grizzly bear sanctuary
Sep 15, 2026Red-and-green macaws
An island made from a vow
Aug. 23, 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand