The Dwarfie Stane lies a short walk from the road between Quoyness and Rackwick. It's a 5,000-year old neolithic tomb, hollowed out of a huge single piece of rock. It is assumed that the stone by the entrance once blocked the doorway, and it is known that the tomb was still sealed in the 16th century. The tomb itself comprises a single chamber, with two bed-like ledges, clearly built for people of smaller stature. It must have been a huge undertaking to make the tomb using only primitive bone and stone tools. The interior contains more 'modern' graffiti, including some carved in 1850 by the former British spy, Major W. Mounsey. The rock itself was probably deposited in the site by glacial action. Unsurprisingly, the Dwarfie Stane - Dwarf Stone in modern English - is associated with lots of legends, with dwarves and giants featuring strongly. The isolated location and incredibly bleak but beautiful landscape around only adds to the sense of mystery. read more

The Dwarfie Stane - Dwarfie Stane, a 5,000 year-old rock cut tomb. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Orkney, ORK

Finally, after 40yrs I made it to the Dwarfie Stane this year! Passed it so many times and was always put off by the walk up, but now that there is a decent, wooden track been constructed, it keeps you nice and dry and away from the boggy ground - for most of the way there. Well worth the walk....and boy do you feel isolated when you get up there - fabulous and very mysterious.... read more

This is situated off the road from Moaness over to Rackwick, so makes a great stopping off place on the way back from the Old Man of Hoy. There's a good path up to the tomb - it's wooden so you stay dry above the marshy moorland on either side. The tomb looks like a huge lump of rock - which it is! Inside there are two 'chambers' carved out of it - and a huge block to seal the entrance. Look out for the carvings on the 'pillow' inside. read more