On 2012-10-08 10:07, Equinox wrote:
Unfortunately I could'nt get up to the Ness this summer to have a look at the horizon myself. Thom took measurements of the fairly low-lying horizon, but many people were unconvinced of his possible lunar alignments, as you say.

However, many other investigators have suggested possible alignments in the area, this from the http://www.maeshowe.co.uk website:-

"There are a variety of astronomical alignments which may have been intended by the builders of the Standing Stones. While many stones are missing, simple observation suggests many possibilities. These relate to the solstices and the equinoxes as well as times such as Beltane (Old May Day). At winter and summer solstices the sunrises and sunsets align with the stones and notches in the hills. Other outlying standing stones may be markers for specific times of year also. At spring and autumn equinoxes, viewed from the Comet Stone, the sun sets just glancing off the westernmost stone."

Maes Howe is not far from the Ness and is visible from the Stenness stones - the main passage is said to be aligned on the winter solstice.