I don't see you'd need to seek permission (from whoever) if it's obviously fallen over recently. Digging it out of the ground, reerecting it and putting gravel round it might be a bit much. But if you can obviously see where it went, surely there's no harm? When the Blind Fiddler fell over I guess that needed a bit more effort to put back and to secure safely so it didn't fall on top of the next visitor.

Looks like most other people would have done the same as you did Jane. I'm not sure I would have though. I guess it depends on how likely the 'correct' orientation etc could be achieved.

I've seen some really good re-erected stones (like the Iarsiadar Standing Stone) and those have had load of thought go into them. My concern would be that it'd end up looking very different to how it was supposed to be.

I lack BlueGloves' faith in our ability to get it right, especially with a ruinous circle. If I had a crack at it, I'd have to do a load of research first to see if the stone had been documented in its standing state.

K x

You could always just hold it in place...

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/15462

;o)

G x

I confess to a distinct sense of unease, as I think I recognise the stone TC and Jane put back up.

In 2003, Mrs H and I did the same thing to what looks like the very same stone*. Obviously we didn't do a very good job. I remember at the time there was wonderment on our behalf that such small stones had managed to stay in place for so long, and concern that they could be so easily knocked over. I suspect a stumbling sheep would suffice to put the stone back on the horizontal.

In retrospect, I think that at this particular place, the best one could do in face of a fallen stone that you deem in need of being stood up, is to photograph like mad, and pass details on to RCAHMW (or whoever). As has been pointed out, such small stones, once toppled, are quite unremarkable, which surely makes them more likely to be removed/moved further. I'm pretty sure I recall a few small stones piled in a heap, but only the one had an obvious socket, so was the only one that was evidently part of the circle.

Hob

*This is the circle in the valley of the powerlines, just to the left of the path as you're heading up from Rowen? Stone nearest the wall?