Maeshowe thumb|The interior of Maeshowe The Maeshowe group, named after the famous Orkney monument, is among the most elaborate. They appear relatively late and only in Orkney and it is not clear why the use of cairns continued in the north when their construction had largely ceased elsewhere in Scotland. They consist of a central chamber from which lead small compartments, into which burials would be placed. The central chambers are tall and steep-sided and have corbelled roofing faced with high quality stone.Barclay (2005) pp. 40–41 thumb|left| The entrance to the Vinquoy cairn on Eday In addition to Maeshowe itself, which was constructed c. 2700 BC, there are various other examples from the Orkney Mainland. These include Quanterness chambered cairn (3250 BC) in which the remains of 157 individuals were found when excavated in the 1970s,Fraser, David (1980) Investigations in Neolithic Orkney. Glasgow Archaeological Journal. 7 p. 13. Wickham-Jones (2007) p. 50Wickham-Jones (2007) pp. 56–57 Cuween Hill near Finstown which was found to contain the bones of men, dogs and oxen"The Cuween Hill Cairn, Firth". Orkneyjar. Retrieved 21 July 2012."Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 21 July 2012. and Wideford Hill chambered cairn, which dates from 2000 BC.Wickham-Jones (2007) pp. 48–49"Wideford Hill". Canmore. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
Maeshowe thumb|The interior of Maeshowe The Maeshowe group named after the famous Orkney monument is among the most elaborate They appear relatively late and only in Orkney and it is not clear why the use of cairns continued in the north when their construction had largely ceased elsewhere in Scotland They consist of a central chamber from which lead small compartments into which burials would be placed The central chambers are tall and steep-sided and have corbelled roofing faced with high quality stoneBarclay (2005) pp 40–41 thumb|left| The entrance to the Vinquoy cairn on Eday In addition to Maeshowe itself which was constructed c 2700 BC there are various other examples from the Orkney Mainland These include Quanterness chambered cairn (3250 BC) in which the remains of 157 individuals were found when excavated in the 1970sFraser David (1980) Investigations in Neolithic Orkney Glasgow Archaeological Journal 7 p 13 Wickham-Jones (2007) p 50Wickham-Jones (2007) pp 56–57 Cuween Hill near Finstown which was found to contain the bones of men dogs and oxen"The Cuween Hill Cairn Firth" Orkneyjar Retrieved 21 July 2012"Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn" Historic Scotland Retrieved 21 July 2012 and Wideford Hill chambered cairn which dates from 2000 BCWickham-Jones (2007) pp 48–49"Wideford Hill" Canmore Retrieved 5 August 2012