Archaeology Notes

Event ID 646238

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/646238

HY53NE 6 5645 3718.

(HY 5646 3717 ) Stone of Setter (NR)

OS 6" map, Orkney, 2nd ed., (1900).

A large monolith, facing N-S, of irregular shape and much weathered on both faces. It is 15'6" high approx., 5'6" wide at base and 7' wide across the north side at 5' above ground. The thickness varies from 7 1/2" at base to 14" at the middle. The top is very irregular.

RCAHMS 1946.

'Stone of Setter'as described by the RCAHMS.

Visited by OS (NKB) 24 July 1970.

With a height of 4.5m this stone is, the Stenness circle apart, the tallest monolith in Orkney, and with its distinctive profile caused by the deep weathering of the upper part along vertical lines of weakness, it is a famous landmark dominating the col between Calfsound and the Mill Loch valley. Although the deep furrows and undercut profile give

it a precarious appearance, the stone does not seem to be in immediate danger of splitting.

RCAHMS 1984, visited September 1983.