Stenness (said /ˈstɛnɪs/) (Old Norse: Steinnes; Norn: Stennes) is a village and area on the Orkney Mainland in Scotland. It is part of the Orkney Islands Council. The area includes important ancient sites, such as the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar. The parish is located in farmland that is common in Orkney. The local economy depends on farming, fishing, tourism, and renewable energy.

History

People have lived in the area for at least 5,000 years, as shown by the Neolithic ritual complex that includes the Standing Stones of Stenness and the nearby Ring of Brodgar. The Odin Stone, a large stone from the medieval period that was once part of these traditions, was destroyed in 1814. However, it is still recorded in local writings about religious practices. In Old Norse, the word "Steinnes" means "headland of the stone," and "Steinsnes" means "headland or peninsula of the stone."

Geography

Stennes is a village and parish located on the Orkney Mainland in Scotland. It is about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) east of Stromness and 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) west of Kirkwall. Stennes covers an area of 36.8 square kilometers (14.2 square miles) and is next to the southern end of the Loch of Stenness. It is surrounded by five neighboring parishes. The Orkney Mainland, where Stennes is located, is the largest island in the Orkney archipelago. The land shape includes a gently sloping edge that surrounds the flat area of the Loch of Stenness. The area's geology is mostly made up of red sandstone, which was formed about 380 million years ago. The Loch of Stenness is divided into two parts: the upper part, called the Loch of Harray, and the lower part. The lower loch connects to the Bay of Ireland through a narrow sea inlet crossed by the Bridge of Waith. The lower part of the loch has saltwater and brackish water, while the upper part is mostly fresh. The Bridge of Brogar connects two land areas that almost meet near the center of the loch. Stennes is part of the Orkney Islands Council, and local decisions are made by the Firth and Stenness Community Council, which works on local projects and development.

Economy

The parish is located in the middle of fertile farmland common in Orkney. The economy depends on agriculture, fishing, tourism, and renewable energy. Stenness is famous for its ancient standing stones, which had 12 tall stones at first, but only three remain, including the pierced Stone of Odin. The larger Ring of Brogar had 60 stones arranged in a circle with a wide ditch around them, but only part of this remains today. Nearby is Maeshowe, an old burial mound, and the old House of Stenness, which Walter Scott wrote about. The parish church was built in 1793.