Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland Apr 19, 2024

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 103 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

Apr 19, 2025Zion National Park, Utah, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 10, 2025Castle of Rocca Calascio, Italy
Aug 31, 2025Scotts Bluff National Monument
Oct 14, 2024Coco Beach, Goa, India
Jul 27, 2025Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Sep 27, 2025Tank Lakes, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, United States
Jun 17, 2024Green-crowned brilliant
Oct 23, 2025Snow leopards, India
Nov 23, 2024Spiral aloe, Kangaroo Island, Australia
Nov 20, 2023Castell Coch, Tongwynlais, South Wales
Sep 11, 2023Sunrise at a vineyard in Bordeaux, France
Apr 28, 2025Impala in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
May 7, 2025Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Sep 29, 2023Jiaxiu Tower, Guiyang, China
Jun 8, 2025Steller sea lions
Dec 13, 2025Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Aug 17, 2025Lyngvig Lighthouse, Hvide Sande, Denmark
Dec 29, 2025Étretat, Normandy, France
Nov 7, 2024Vancouver Coastal Sea wolves
Jul 15, 2025Great Basin National Park, Nevada, United States
Jan 13, 2025Cottage and Tŵr Mawr lighthouse, Ynys Llanddwyn, Wales, United Kingdom
Oct 20, 2025Hoffmanns two-toed sloth
Jul 6, 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States
Jun 30, 2024Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Sep 18, 2024Gujō Hachiman Castle
Apr 7, 2025North American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United States
Oct 8, 2024Mototi octopus
May 22, 2024Tasmanian snow gum, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otters
Sep 28, 2023Container ship near a commercial port in Thailand
Feb 9, 2025Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, United States