Borve, Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Borve Standing Stone
Prehistoric
Source image
4.2
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
4.2A solitary, east-leaning stone stands in Barra’s machair, its dark surface described as almost charcoal-black. A second stone is said to lie nearby, largely swallowed by the grass.
A modest but evocative prehistoric stop: the lone dark stone, its pronounced lean and the possibility of a second stone hidden in the machair give this roadside visit a tangible sense of archaeological mystery. It is a brief discovery rather than a place for a long outing.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapBorve, Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
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The experience
A short, focused heritage stop rather than a full-day destination. See the standing stone from the accessible approach, notice its lean and dark colouring, and look across the machair for the reported second stone without leaving the established access area.
Things to do
Study the standing stone
Notice how the roughly three-foot stone leans markedly to the east. Its dark, almost black colouring is one of its distinctive reported features.
10–20 minutes
Search the machair for the second stone
A second stone is reported about 36 feet south-west of the visible one. It was not visible to the Britain Express visitor and may be absorbed into the machair; do not disturb the ground while looking.
5–10 minutes
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick Escape: Find the leaning stone
- 01
Approach the stone from the A888 side, using the established access.
- 02
Look closely at its eastward lean and dark, charcoal-like surface.
- 03
Scan the nearby machair for the reported second stone, which may be obscured by grass.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of Barra’s heritage
- 01
Visit Borve Standing Stone for a short, close look at the stone and surrounding machair.
- 02
Continue to one of the nearby historic sites listed by Britain Express, such as Dun Bharpa Chambered Cairn or Macleod’s Tower; check access and visit details before travelling.
Verified history
The standing stone is described as about three feet high and leaning considerably to the east. Haphazard excavations in the area reportedly found evidence of human remains, possibly associated with a Viking burial; the source presents this interpretation as uncertain, not established fact.
Hidden details
A second stone in the machair — A second stone is reported around 36 feet south-west of the visible standing stone. It was not visible to the source’s visitor and may be hidden by the machair.
The stone’s dark surface — The stone was described by the Britain Express visitor as unusually dark, almost black, with areas resembling burnt charcoal.
When to go
· No particular time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied source does not identify a seasonal highlight.
Check local weather and access conditions before travelling. No site-specific weather guidance is supplied.
Worth pairing with
Dun Bharpa Chambered Cairn
A nearby prehistoric site listed by Britain Express, approximately 1.1 miles away. Confirm access and visiting information before setting out.
Macleod’s Tower
A nearby historic building listed by Britain Express, approximately 1.2 miles away. Check current access before visiting.
What to look for
The stone’s pronounced lean to the east and its dark, almost charcoal-like colouring. A second stone is reported about 36 feet to the south-west, but was not visible to the Britain Express visitor and may be obscured by machair.
The story
Prehistoric archaeology; excavations reportedly uncovered human remains, possibly from a Viking burial, but this identification is uncertain.
Best time to go
Check conditions before travelling; no best season is established by the supplied sources.
No preferred time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check local access and conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Britain Express describes this as an open-access site, usually accessible at reasonable times. The stone is reported to be about 50 yards from the coastal road; take care near the road and check access conditions before visiting.
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Parking
Check before visiting. The supplied source gives a location off the A888 but does not confirm a parking area.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Accessibility is not established. Check before visiting; the source row does not confirm a wheelchair-accessible entrance or car park.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Borve Standing Stone
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
