Walking at the Ring of Brodgar is interesting all year round. For those who want to miss the crowds that flock to this iconic site during the daytime in summer, Brodgar is magical in the early hours and the evening.

The wellbeing benefits of a walk at Brodgar have been recognised in a new free walking guide produced by Historic Environment Scotland. It is part of HES’  Historic Places, Breathing Spaces campaign.

The new trail near the Ring of Brodgar, created by Eleanor MacLeod, Ranger with HES, focuses on places to pause, reflect and allow visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds around the prehistoric stones and the nearby loch.

One of the first places to be protected as a site of historical significance in the British Isles, the area around the Ring of Brodgar offers walks through meadows and along the coast with secluded spots for moments of calm, and an abundance of wildlife to see.

Visitors can enjoy a two-mile walk from the Ring of Brodgar along the lochside path, taking in views of the largest saltwater lagoon in the UK. Along the way there are opportunities to see ducks swimming in the loch, or short eared owls and harriers flying above it. In the summer, pollinator-friendly plants bloom in the meadows, home to a variety of insects including the rare Great Yellow Bumblebee.

For those with a little more time, Eleanor recommends extending the walk by continuing on to the Stones of Stenness. This route gives visitors a chance to watch for harbour seals, often found basking on the rocks opposite the Stones.

Eleanor MacLeod said:

“The Ring of Brodgar is a mysterious and beautiful monument, but it is so much more than just a henge monument – its wider surroundings are incredibly calming. Being outside in nature is a natural stress reliever and does great things for your mental health, so I hope this walk encourages more people to explore the area.

“I especially love pausing at the benches along the way to enjoy the landscape and perhaps to think about the people who created the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness all those thousands of years ago.

“Walking or spending time in this setting, whether you have 30 minutes or two hours, invites you to step away from the everyday, breathe deeply, and find a connection to the landscape, Orkney’s heritage and yourself.”

This summer, visitors can also join a guided walk with the HES Ranger Service. Rangers will take visitors from Ring of Brodgar to explore the surrounding landscape and discover how the area, plants and animals have changed over the last 5,000 years.

Full details of the walk, as well as others around the country, are available at hes.scot/wellbeing. Visitors are encouraged to share their stories, videos and pictures from Historic Scotland sites to help build an online exhibition that illustrates the link between wellbeing and heritage sites, and inspires others to explore these places in a new way this summer.

You can download the Brodgar Trail here:

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