The Orkney Islands are an archipelago located 16 miles off the North coast of Scotland. The Stenness-Brodgar area is situated to the south-west of the Mainland, between the towns of Stromness and Kirkwall. The area that was surveyed is comprised of much of the land surrounding the Lochs of Stenness and Harray, extending as far South as Clouston as well as containing the lochs themselves. The land included in the site is largely agricultural in nature, with a handful of small villages and settlements scattered across the landscape. Most notably, the site is home to a section of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site (WHS), which includes the Maeshowe chambered cairn, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness.
This study aims to analyse how the historical development of the area is significant, and to determine which aspects of the area are most valuable. The conclusions drawn from this study are intended to aid in determining the boundary for a new conservation area on the site and to justify its location.
