Standing stones of Stenness

Possibly the oldest standing stones in Britain, some of them aren’t there anymore because the farmer who owned the land got annoyed that people would walk on his property to see them that he started knocking them down.

Even in the 18th century the site was still associated with traditions and rituals, by then relating to Norse gods. Other antiquarians documented the stones and recorded local traditions and beliefs about them. One stone, known as the "Odin Stone" which stood in the field to the north of the henge, was pierced with a circular hole, and was used by local couples for plighting engagements by holding hands through the gap. It was also associated with other ceremonies and believed to have magical power. There was a reported tradition of making all kinds of oaths or promises with one's hand in the Odin Stone; this was known as taking the "Vow of Odin".Read more