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New Craig (Stone Circle) — Images (click to view fullsize)

<b>New Craig</b>Posted by greywether<b>New Craig</b>Posted by greywether<b>New Craig</b>Posted by greywether

Netherton (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

Anything with a recumbent and both flankers in place is, in my view, worth a visit.

This is a nicely preserved site with possibly all of the stones still standing ..... but it's so frustrating.

The setting, surrounded by the farmyard and trees, makes it impossible to experience it as a circle in its landscape.

But go and see it .... it makes a good little trio of northern RSCs along with Berrybrae and Strichen.

Visited 19 March 2005

Netherton (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Netherton</b>Posted by greywether<b>Netherton</b>Posted by greywether

Berrybrae (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

A fairly average RSC with a 3.3m long recumbent.

What makes the site interesting are the results of the Burl excavation which showed that, half a millennium or more after the circle was built, some stones were damaged and the ring cairn was destroyed in a redesign of the monument.

Access Parking at the nearby crossroads. Through the field gate and then the gate to the copse.

Visited 19 March 2005

Berrybrae (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Berrybrae</b>Posted by greywether<b>Berrybrae</b>Posted by greywether<b>Berrybrae</b>Posted by greywether<b>Berrybrae</b>Posted by greywether

Tomnagorn (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

This is a rather good recumbent stone circle.

Both flankers are there although the west one is broken and only a stump remains.

Particularly impressive are the remains of the internal ring cairn which is linked by slabs to the recumbent.

Access It would be possible to reach the site from Tomnagorn farm but there is a track from the road N of the site (to Bankhead) and this may be the preferred access route. Park at NJ654081, go down the track for 50m and then take the right turn. At the double fence, head uphill and to the right.

Visited 15 March 2005

Tomnagorn (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Tomnagorn</b>Posted by greywether<b>Tomnagorn</b>Posted by greywether<b>Tomnagorn</b>Posted by greywether

South Leylodge (Standing Stones) — Fieldnotes

This is certainly one of the smaller RSCs - a recumbent of only 1.4m. But still worth seeking out.

Were there other circle stones? You wonder why they might have been removed but not the relatively small recumbent and flankers.

Parish records often talk about the destruction of circles and other sites but not here. Other RSCs have a similar absence of documentation and this has led to the view that, at some sites, only the recumbent and flankers were installed.

Access Near the road with parking nearby.

Visited 20 March 2005

South Leylodge (Standing Stones) — Images

<b>South Leylodge</b>Posted by greywether<b>South Leylodge</b>Posted by greywether

Midmar Kirk (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

I'd been here several times but I'd never looked at the outlier stones.

The north one, in the woods just up from the car park, is a beauty. The west one, disappointingly, is described by Canmore as a cattle rubbing stone.

Visited 20 March 2005

Midmar Kirk (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Midmar Kirk</b>Posted by greywether<b>Midmar Kirk</b>Posted by greywether<b>Midmar Kirk</b>Posted by greywether<b>Midmar Kirk</b>Posted by greywether

Tomnaverie (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

After its restoration, this is now a rather good recumbent stone circle. Quite a lot of the internal ring cairn is now visible.

This is another one I haven't seen for 18 years. Before restoration (see photo), the flankers had fallen but otherwise it looked ok.

The circle lies at the W edge of the distribution of RSCs. It also has the most westerly orientation of the recumbent (235 degrees).

Access. A Historic Scotland site with all the usual car parking and picnic tables. No obstacles between the car park and the site.

Visited 20 March 2005

Tomnaverie (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Tomnaverie</b>Posted by greywether<b>Tomnaverie</b>Posted by greywether<b>Tomnaverie</b>Posted by greywether<b>Tomnaverie</b>Posted by greywether<b>Tomnaverie</b>Posted by greywether

Loudon Wood (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

When I was last here (1987), there was no wood - at least surrounding the circle. So it's the opposite of Aikey Brae. Win some, lose some.

Not a great site - and not helped by the trees. Recumbent, one upright and one fallen flanker and two other upright stones.

See it if you're in the area.

Access. Park at NJ 957 504. Follow the forest tracks, as shown on Landranger, to approach the circle from the S. On the track into the forest to reach the site, watch out for a left turn after about 50m. Easily missed! One gate but rather rough going in the forest.

Visited 19th March 2005

Loudon Wood (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Loudon Wood</b>Posted by greywether<b>Loudon Wood</b>Posted by greywether<b>Loudon Wood</b>Posted by greywether

Strichen (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

Not been here since 1987. A bit more overgrown since then but, otherwise, looking good. The circle, that is.

Reconstructed in 1981, it's a good example of recumbents in this area - especially, the embanked circle.

For some reason, it failed to uplift me. I think I felt the same the last time. Perhaps it's the surroundings, especially that spooky ruined house!

2.8m recumbent + flankers + 6 other stones.

Access. There's a path from the Gamekeeper's Cottage which is the building off the track running NE from Strichen Mains. You can drive here. It was muddy but ok. Alternatively, you can park at Strichen Country Park (the lake at the other end of that track) and walk in. One gate and one stile.

Visited 19th March 2005

Strichen (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Strichen</b>Posted by greywether<b>Strichen</b>Posted by greywether<b>Strichen</b>Posted by greywether

Cothiemuir Wood (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

This has to have the most beautifully proportioned recumbent and flankers of all the RSCs.

The flankers (pushing 3m) are amongst the tallest and the recumbent is over 4m long. Together they make a wonderful composition - especially given the bulging shape of the recumbent.

It would be great to see them against the horizon but, sadly, the trees get in the way.

The recumbent has four cupmarks.

Enough circle stones survive to give the line of the circle. The recumbent and flankers are way off this circle line suggesting that they may have been built first using a wider community effort leaving the local community to add the smaller circle stones. Other circles eg Loanhead of Daviot exhibit a similar feature.

Access. Just to add to the previous comments, another way in is from the most southerly part of the wood. Vehicle tracks from there lead straight to the circle. No fences, gates etc.

Visited 16 March 2005

Cothiemuir Wood (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Cothiemuir Wood</b>Posted by greywether<b>Cothiemuir Wood</b>Posted by greywether<b>Cothiemuir Wood</b>Posted by greywether<b>Cothiemuir Wood</b>Posted by greywether

Balgorkar (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

Another "top ten" recumbent stone circle.

Level recumbent, framed horizon, dressed outer faces .... it's all here. With a couple of outliers thrown in for interest.

Here the recumbent is about 2m long - amongst the smallest. Four other circle stones remain.

Access. Park at Backhill and go through the gate at the east end of the plantation. If the field is in crop, it is easy to walk through the plantation to get a close view.

Visited 16 March 2005

Balgorkar (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Balgorkar</b>Posted by greywether<b>Balgorkar</b>Posted by greywether<b>Balgorkar</b>Posted by greywether<b>Balgorkar</b>Posted by greywether<b>Balgorkar</b>Posted by greywether

Old Keig (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

You have to close your eyes to the mess elsewhere in the circle but the recumbent and flankers here are a joy to behold.

It happens to be the heaviest recumbent (53 tons and nearly 5m long) but what really makes it special is the recumbent's smooth outer face and the level top.

From inside this circle you can get a good impression of that classic RSC outlook. The recumbent just below the horizon with the flankers breaking the horizon line. A window through which to view the moon.

Access. Merrick has given the directions. I'll just add that there is a disused roadside quarry providing a handy parking place opposite the point where you enter the wood.

Visited 16th March 2005

Old Keig (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Old Keig</b>Posted by greywether
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