After being on display at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s earliest human face, the Orkney Venus is to go on temporary display at venues across Scotland.

The 5,000 year old figurine, also known as the Westray Wife, was discovered last summer by archaeologists working on the Historic Scotland excavation at the Links of Noltland, on the Orkney island of Westray. The figurine is the only known Neolithic carving of a human form to have been found in Scotland.

Measuring 41mm by 31mm – the Venus is made from sandstone and depicts a human face and body. The name comes from its resemblance to prehistoric carvings from elsewhere in Europe – often referred to as Venus figurines.

The exhibition will open this Saturday (13th March) at the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle and will remain in Stirling until 26th March before progressing to Kilmartin House in Argyll and Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness. It will then return to Orkney for the summer and will be on display at the Westray Heritage Centre before moving to the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.

For opening times and further information please visit Orkney Venus or to see a sneak preview of the Venus please go to Historic Scotland

Source: Historic Scotland