Kempstone Hill

The Kempstonehill, the scene of this grim legend, is a moor several hundred acres in extent, about 432 feet above sea level. It is on the Cowie estate, and lies about two miles south of Stonehaven. On the summit of the ridge two unchiselled stones have stood up for untold centuries, and it is from these that the hill derives its name.

Tradition says that a battle was fought on the moor, and there can be little doubt that tradition in this instance is correct, though it is not necessary to agree with the belief strongly held by Robert Barclay of Ury that it was here that Galgacus was defeated by Agricola.

One of the stones, according to an immemorial legend, marks the spot where a chief of the defending army had his head cut off, and the other indicates the spot where he fell, after traversing the intervening eighty yards on horseback and headless.
J. D.