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 340 feet 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, despite an excavation project at the site in 2008. In 1999, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney group of monuments, which includes the Ring of Brodgar, was recognized 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

Apr 19, 2018Craig Goch Dam in the Elan Valley of Wales
Apr 19, 2019Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park shines
Apr 19, 2020Step into the dark
Apr 19, 2021Rays on parade
Apr 19, 2022Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia
Apr 19, 2023Taiwan yuhinas in Alishan National Scenic Area
Apr 19, 2025First day of National Park Week

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Oct 17, 2022Long-eared owl in the Czech Republic
Sep 27, 2020Take me to the river
Jun 16, 2022Seonam Temple, South Korea
Nov 15, 2022River otters at Acadia National Park, Maine
Apr 30, 2018Swinging into International Jazz Day
Jun 19, 2020Celebrating freedom
May 14, 2023Happy Mothers Day!
Sep 5, 2018Salmon migration in full swing
Aug 26, 2019Classical music takes center stage
Sep 30, 2022Southern right whale
Nov 12, 2019Sleep tight, little hedgehog
May 7, 2023World Laughter Day
Jul 8, 2020It s only Wednesday
Mar 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Feb 14, 2021An oceanic valentine
Nov 18, 2025Male hooded merganser, Oregon
Aug 11, 2024Wooden path to Kennedy Lake, Vancouver Island, Canada
Dec 31, 2021New Year s Eve
Jan 26, 2018Eastern grey kangaroos in Australia’s Kosciuszko National Park
Apr 22, 2024Earth Day
Jul 1, 2022Tour de France
Nov 22, 2025Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Oct 27, 2018Don’t get lost in there
Nov 9, 2019We heart Berlin
May 14, 2024Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico
Jan 10, 2019‘You should see the one that got away!’
Jul 19, 2025National Moth Week
Dec 25, 2024Merry Christmas!
Mar 12, 2019The otherworldly red river
Aug 11, 2021Everyone s watching the Perseids