There is no longer anything to see at the original site of the Moneydie stone circle. Now a cultivated field, the last standing stone was removed by the farmer around 1960, and lies on the verge by the side of the road. When Coles visited in 1910, there were 5 stones on the site, all but one of which had fallen, suggesting a circle of diameter c27m.
The RCAHMS only list one stone (the one still standing on Coles' visit) as definitely having come from the circle. However, I believe that the other 4 stones can still be seen, and perhaps another one. Close by the listed stone is another of very similar size and shape. Across the road from these two is a third, again sharing the same attributes, on the edge of a burn.
Retracing your steps towards the main road, there are 3 further stones under the trees. The first you come to is on it's own, once again the same distinctive triangular shape, and has an amazing pattern running through it, looking almost like the rings of a tree. A bit further on are two stones together - one of the same shape as the others, the other longer and thinner rather than wide and triangular (see photos above).
Although this would appear to be the only stone circle in Moneydie parish for which there are physical remains (presuming that the stones at Cramflat and Gellybank never formed circles), several once existed (see folklore below).
Rev. George Fraser, writing in the First Statistical Account (1791-1799):
"There are many circles of stones, supposed to be Druidical temples."
In the Second Statistical Account (1845), the Rev. J W Thomson wrote:
"In the department of antiquities, few parishes, it is believed, are more barren than Moneydie....One or two circles of stones also may still be seen, which are not unlikely to have been places of Druidical worship."
Directions - Leave Perth on the A9 heading for Inverness. After approximately 3.0km take the B9099 to the left (sign-posted Luncarty & Stanley), and then the next left again almost immediately. Take the next right (sign-posted Moneydie & Harrietfield) onto the B8063. After about 2.5km, having passed the farm of Coldrochie, you will see the church at Moneydie down a road on your right, and another road opposite this to your left. Carry on a little further, and there is another road to the left. Take this road. After approximately 0.5km, and before the farm of Moneydie Roger on your right, the last stone to be removed is on the left of the road. The original site of the circle is about 0.2km SSE in the field, just before the tree line.
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Posted by BigSweetie
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