Dwarfie Stane

The Dwarfie Stane is a rock-cut tomb on Hoy made from red sandstone measuring about 8.6 meters long, with a carved entrance leading to an internal chamber divided into two cells. This structure sits in a glaciated valley and remains the only known example of its kind in the British Isles.

This monument was built between 3000 BC and the Early Bronze Age, standing as the only known Neolithic rock-cut tomb in the British Isles. In the 1850s, Captain William Mounsey added Persian calligraphy and Latin inscriptions to the exterior walls, marks that survive today.

Local stories connect this site to a dwarf called Trollid and tales of giants who supposedly built it. These legends continue to shape how visitors experience and understand this ancient place.

The site is accessible via a marked trail starting from a dedicated parking area, crossing moorland to reach the tomb in its valley setting. Visitors should prepare for open terrain and variable weather conditions typical of the Scottish islands.

The exterior walls bear Persian script and Latin inscriptions left by explorer Captain William Mounsey in 1850. These unexpected markings by a Victorian traveler overlay a monument from prehistoric times.

Location: Orkney Islands

Location: Hoy and Graemsay

Made from material: Old Red Sandstone

GPS coordinates: 58.88470,-3.31278

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30