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Classic · Monuments

Maeshowe 2026: midwinter sunset, dates and times

Orkney, Scotland

Next date UTC

Maeshowe, midwinter sunset

What happens

The axis runs at 215° from north: the setting sun falls into it while its height is between 1.5° and 3.0°. Outside that band the alignment does not close.

Next dates

Local times at the site (Europe/London).

  1. 14:40 UTC

    Window 29 November 2026 – 12 January 2027 · holds 45 days

  2. 14:40 UTC

    Window 30 November 2027 – 12 January 2028 · holds 44 days

  3. 14:40 UTC

    Window 29 November 2028 – 12 January 2029 · holds 45 days

  4. 14:40 UTC

    Window 29 November 2029 – 12 January 2030 · holds 45 days

  5. 14:40 UTC

    Window 29 November 2030 – 12 January 2031 · holds 45 days

Where to stand

Viewpoint: Passage · Orkney, Scotland
58.99660, -3.18830

Look towards 215° from north.

Good to know

The chamber is only open on HES guided tours; there is also Charles Tait’s webcam. Orkney weather decides everything.

Sources give the time, not the azimuth: the window is derived from the solstice time. About 20 days either side there is also the “double sunset” behind Ward Hill.

Dates for 2026–2030, worked out by Duskbox’s own astronomy engine: the sun from NREL’s SPA, the moon topocentric, both with atmospheric refraction.

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