Kilmartin or Aberdeenshire?

MA Mark Jan 15, 2026 10:43:08

I'm starting to plan for a week with the stones this summer in Scotland and am struggling to choose between Kilmartin and Aberdeenshire not having visited either before. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

stolinskie Jan 15, 2026 12:29:19

Replying to MA Mark

Aberdeenshire hands down for me because of my enchantment with recumbent stone circles. A week is good time to cruise round a few different clusters, especially with a car. Public transport / cycling would require more planning. There's also lots of other ancient stuff. Tomnaverie / Sunhoney / Midmar circles is an excellent day out, with add-ons available such as Culsh souterrain.

Kilmartin Glen is also incredible! Make sure to check when the museum is open. For rock art that would be your first choice. I "did" the main sites over a weekend including walking round the glen in the full moon which was lovely, but a week there would be well spent since there are plenty of other beautiful places nearby such as the Tayvallich peninsula.

Either way you made the right choice!

GLADMAN Jan 17, 2026 10:17:50

Replying to MA Mark

You will have to do both over time, naturally. The thing about 'Kilmartin' is the excellent stuff in the immediate outlying locale, not just the glen itself. Could easily spend at least a week, whereas in Aberdeenshire at least a month to just see the main sites - just ask Drew.

If it was me forced to make a choice, I guess I'd go with Aberdeenshire first off... Sunhoney, Loanhead of Daviot, Tyrebagger, Aikey Brae, Easter Aquhorthies, Finzean, Cothiemuir Wood.... speak for themselves.

drewbhoy Jan 18, 2026 10:29:43

Replying to MA Mark

Aberdeenshire is clearly the best as I live in Turriff, Aberdeenshire. Remember the Shire is vast, stretching to south of Laurencekirk to the north west part between Porstsoy & Cullen (in Moray). However, I go to Kilmartin almost every year and find some surprises every time, as I'm sure I will, fingers crossed, this April when I'm back in the area.

Get in touch if you need anything :-)

juamei Jan 19, 2026 20:53:58

Replying to MA Mark

Aberdeenshire for pure abundance of circles. You could exhaust yourself every day for a week. Absolutely loved kilmartin though

Macdonald Jan 20, 2026 19:24:16

Replying to MA Mark

Kilmartin

costaexpress Jan 27, 2026 15:20:08

Replying to MA Mark

Kilmartin is an absolute must, so much history so close together and so much written about the place, and you will definitely not regret it, however, if you want an adventure, remote sites, steep climbs up to hill forts, amazing stone circles, cairns and standing stones, then Aberdeenshire is the place to go, especially if you have a week to plan out. Beware, you will leave something behind and a longing to go back, the Welsh have a word 'Hiraeth' and it sums up how I feel every time I leave to head back home.

drewbhoy Jan 30, 2026 09:54:34

Replying to MA Mark

Kilmartin is a small area, however visit the lesser known sites as well and head into Knapdale (Tayvallich), Aberdeenshire is vast, you'll need more than several months for up here.