The little known Scottish landmark older than Stonehenge sits on a remote island reached by the world’s shortest commercial flight
An incredible Scottish landmark older than Stonehenge is one many Britons have never heard of. Stonehenge in Wiltshire is estimated to be between 4000 and 5000 years old and remains one of the country’s most visited historic attractions.
It is often considered Britain’s most famous ancient monument, yet it is only one of many prehistoric sites scattered across the country. According to historians, it is not even the oldest. One lesser known landmark that predates Stonehenge sits on a remote island that can be reached by taking the world’s shortest commercial flight, Express reports.
Many of the UK’s most isolated islands lie off the rugged coast of Scotland. One of these islands is home to what is believed to be the oldest preserved stone house in northern Europe. Despite its remote location, the site attracts visitors with a strong interest in Neolithic Britain. Local experts say it is at least 500 years older than Stonehenge.
The site is known as the Knap of Howar and is located on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney. Historians describe it as a Neolithic farmstead, with evidence showing it was occupied between 3800 BC and 2800 BC. This places it at almost 6000 years old.
Reaching the Knap of Howar involves travelling on the flight from Westray to Papa Westray, recognised as the world’s shortest scheduled commercial journey. While most air passengers are used to flights lasting hours, this trip takes just over a minute.
At the site, visitors can see rectangular stone buildings with thick walls and short doorways facing the sea. The larger structure is believed to have served as a workshop, while the smaller building is thought to have been used as a home.
Historians believe the roofs once had openings to allow smoke from indoor fires to escape, as there were no windows. Although the buildings would originally have stood further inland, thousands of years of coastal erosion have brought them close to the shoreline.
Much of the stone furniture inside the buildings remains intact, offering a rare insight into daily life during the Neolithic period. Archaeologists have uncovered a range of objects that shed light on the lives of the site’s early inhabitants.
These include distinctive stone tools such as grinders and borers, an antler and whalebone macehead, and animal remains that provide information about the diet of Scotland’s earliest farmers.
Historic Environment Scotland says the wider area has not yet been fully explored. This suggests the two visible buildings may once have formed part of a larger settlement yet to be uncovered.
Visitors frequently praise the site for its preservation and atmosphere. One TripAdvisor reviewer, who called it a “magical place”, said: “In addition to the wonderful Neolithic remains, which are enough reason to visit Papay, this is a beautiful place for a picnic, looking across to Westray.”
Another shared: “A day trip here (from Westray) is a must. To visit northern Europe’s oldest building and have it all to yourself. We got the boat from Westray and walked up and down the small island for the day. Hardly saw anyone else at all.”
A third wrote: “The dresser, fireplace, quernstone, sleeping areas and storeroom areas are all clearly visible. It is a short walk down from the farm. It is astonishing!
“You can feel the difference when you enter the rooms The ever present wind suddenly is no longer roaring in your ears, and you understand: The neolithic people who built this settlement, perhaps 500 years before Skara Brae on Mainland Orkney, probably were not much different from yourself.
“They would have wanted shelter, warmth, and places to store and organise their belongings and foodstuffs.”
Orkney is home to several other notable ancient sites, including the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness and the Maeshowe tomb.