In the current BBC series 'The Story of Scottish Art' Lachlan Goudie explores the origins of art in this region now called Scotland. He visits the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney, a stone circle that has stood for thousands of years, and he also encounters the Westray Wife, an ancient figurine on the island of Westray that is the oldest sculpted human figure in the British Isles.

Archaeologist Jakob Kainz with the figurine. Image: Historic Scotland

This carved figurine from the Orkney island of Westray was reported on by the BBC in 2009 at the time of the discovery by archaeologist Jakob Kainz;  the small Neolithic sandstone piece measuring just 3.5cm by 3cm is believed to be up to 5,000 years old. It is believed to be the only Neolithic carving of a human form to have been discovered in Scotland, with only two others said to have been found elsewhere in the UK.

The carving is flat with a round head on top of a lozenge-shaped body. The face has heavy brows, two dots for eyes and an oblong for a nose. It is thought other scratches on top of the skull could be hair. A pair of circles on the chest are being interpreted as representing breasts, and arms have been etched at either side. It is believed a regular pattern of crossed markings on the reverse could suggest the fabric of the woman's clothing. 

View other prehistoric figurines in the Ice Age Gallery:

http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/sculpture/gallery.php

BBC's The Story of Scottish Art 4-part series with Lachlan Goudie:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06hbvzn