There is a profound stillness that captured on a 35mm slide, a quietness that feels deeper than any modern digital image can convey. Today, I am pulling two extraordinary pieces from my personal collection: a pair of views of the standing stones in Orkney, captured during a journey in 1971.
Orkney is a place where the veil between the present and the prehistoric is famously thin. To see these monuments as they stood over fifty years ago is to witness a landscape that remains eternally defiant against the passage of time.
A Mystery in Stone: Ring of Brodgar or Stones of Stenness?
When looking at these vintage slides, the first question that arises is: which stones are we looking at? Orkney’s "Heart of Neolithic Orkney" World Heritage site is home to two primary henges that could be the subjects of these photographs.
The Ring of Brodgar
In the first image, we see three distinct monoliths set against a backdrop of rolling hills and the shimmering Loch of Harray. This composition strongly suggests the Ring of Brodgar. Originally consisting of 60 stones, only about 27 remain standing today. In 1971, the site was much less "managed" than it is now—there were no paved paths or heavy cordons, just the heather, the wind, and the ancient grit.
The Stones of Stenness
The second image shows two massive, silhouetted stones overlooking the sea, with the dramatic cliffs of Hoy visible in the distance. This profile, particularly the height and the "thin" nature of the stones, points toward the Stones of Stenness. These are some of the oldest upright stones in the British Isles, dating back to approximately 3100 BC.
Note from the Collection: While I cannot be 100% certain if these are the same group of stones in both shots, the geography of Orkney often allows you to see one site from the other. The 1971 perspective captures the sheer scale of the landscape they occupy.
The 1971 Aesthetic: The Power of the 35mm Slide
Photography in the early 1970s was an exercise in patience and intentionality. These images were captured on 35mm film, likely a slide film like Kodachrome, which was the gold standard for travel photography at the time.
Why 35mm Matters for History
Colour Rendition: Notice the deep, earthy reds of the heather and the moody, atmospheric blues of the Orkney sky. Modern digital cameras often "correct" these hues, but the 1971 slide preserves the actual atmosphere of that day.
Grain and Texture: The slight organic grain adds a layer of "truth" to the image. It reflects the ruggedness of the Neolithic sandstone.
A Moment Frozen: In 1971, tourism to the Northern Isles was a fraction of what it is today. These slides capture the monuments in a state of solitude that is nearly impossible to find now.
The Landscape of Orkney: A Living Museum
Orkney’s standing stones weren't just decorative; they were part of a massive, interconnected ceremonial landscape. Looking at the distance between the stones and the water in these slides, you can see why the Neolithic people chose this "thin" strip of land between the lochs.
The cliffs seen in the background of the second slide are likely the Old Man of Hoy region. The way the stones frame the sea suggests they were built to be seen from the water, or perhaps to act as a gateway between the land of the living and the vast unknown of the Atlantic.
Changes Since 1971
While the stones themselves haven't changed much in 5,000 years, the experience of visiting them certainly has.
Erosion Control: Many areas around the stones are now protected by specific turfing to prevent "footfall erosion."
Scientific Discovery: Since these photos were taken, massive excavations at the nearby Ness of Brodgar have revealed that these stones were part of a much larger complex of buildings and temples.
Global Recognition: In 1999, these sites were designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, bringing a level of preservation (and visitor numbers) that would have been unimaginable to the photographer in 1971.
Preserving the Past
Sharing these vintage 35mm slides is a way of honouring the longevity of these monuments. In 1971, these stones had already stood for five millennia. Fifty years is a mere heartbeat in their history, yet through these photographs, we can see a specific moment in our own cultural history—a time of simpler travel and raw discovery.
The standing stones of Orkney continue to baffle and inspire. Whether they were used as lunar observatories, meeting places for tribes, or portals for the dead, they remain the most striking feature of the Orcadian skyline.
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