I read somewhere that with these antiquarian engravings the not to scale people are often a result of the chap making the ebgraving from the original drawing 'improving' the picture, believing it would make the stones look more impressive with a tiny man next to them....

Agreed. They're great Hob.

"And he does them from imaginary angles as well - elevated or aerial plans. Now that must have taken even more effort."

Yes, that has often struck me too. You can't just sit down and draw a view from a much higher elevation - you need to take zillions of measurements on the ground and convert them onto paper. He is often praised for his draughtsmanship but it isn't acknowledged that it is the result of tremendous effort. And all to impart far more information than simply drawing it would have. A true hero.

If you look at the Stanton Drew Circle, it is the lower small circle with the avenue leading off it either right or left?

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/55017

Morfe's photo is the nearest.... http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/44696

Nice one Hob .
The Anglesey pic is Bryn gwyn Tre'r Dryw

Cheers for the good thoughts peeps, glad you likd them :)

You're right Rhiannon, he was a very creative fella wasn't he. Were I lucky enough to own a tricorn, I'd take it off to him.

Whilst reading the book, I couldn't help but wonder if he also made sketches of the other sites he mentions, ones which aren't shown in the book. Castlerigg and Long Meg are the two obvious ones, but he also mentions visiting the Clifton Stones, and the Mare and Foal, both of which sound as if they were more or less the same then as they are now.

But if he made images of Shap, they would be something well worth tracking down, as his description is of a much more complete set of stones.

There was also a clava type cairn in Kintyre, but the photo turned out too blurry.