Knowe of Yarso Chambered Cairn

Knowe of Yarso Chambered Cairn is a rectangular stone burial monument on Rousay Island in the Orkney Islands, built from local stone. The structure is divided into seven separate compartments by upright stone slabs arranged along the interior.

This burial monument was built during the Neolithic period when farming communities first settled in this northern region. Investigation in 1934 uncovered remains of dozens of individuals, indicating the site served as a burial place across many generations.

The communal burial arrangement shows how Neolithic farming groups treated death as a shared family event rather than individual loss. The design of the chambers reveals what mattered to these communities in how they honored their dead.

The site is accessible on foot and sits along walking routes that connect to other ancient monuments across the island. The location sits on higher ground, so expect windier conditions than lower areas.

The entrance to the chamber features a triangular arrangement of stonework not found on similar monuments elsewhere. This distinctive construction detail was typical only of tombs built on this particular island during the Neolithic.

Location: Orkney Islands

Location: Rousay and Egilsay

GPS coordinates: 59.13416,-3.04185

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:43