On the east side of the Sheriffmoor road stands what is known as the Wallace Stone. Although only one great stone is now standing, five others are to be found at intervals prostrate amid the heath. Several fragments of the same material (dolerite) as that of the most of the stones is scattered about, especially towards the north-east of the line.
One small stone, which stands by itself at a considerable distance from the others, close to the road, a little distance below the hotel, makes a line with the great standing stone of 260 degrees. This stone is altogether different in size and appearance from the others. It does not seem to belong to the alignment, but may, perhaps, have been set up as a boundary stone. It measures 2ft 9in. above ground, and is 9ft in circumference at the base.
The other six seem to have formed a series running in a direction south-west to north east.
The first prostrate stone in this line is 7 feet in length, 8 feet in circumference at th base or thicker end, and 6 feet at the top. In shape it roughly resembles a square pyramid. On the exposed side- which, when the stone was erect, would be the south-east - appear over 20 cupmarks, of from 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches in diameter.
About 75 yards distant, and in the same line with the standing stone, lies a roughly rectangular stone of dolerite, not so shapely as the first one, measuring 6ft 6in in length, and about 10 feet in circumference.
The next in the series is a flat stone 5ft 6in in length, and 4 feet 6 inch broad. It is sunk in the ground, so that the peripheral measurement could not be ascertained. It is slightly out of line with the others. But near it, and in more exact line is a small stone, 4 feet in length. These may be fragments of a single original stone.
The interval between this and the great standing stone is about 150 yards, which gives rise to the suspicion that a stone is amissing in the series. This great stone, the only one now erect, and specially denominated the Wallace Stone, stands 6 feet above the ground, and measures 14 feet in circumference. It is four-sided - the faces measuring respectively, west, 3ft 6in; north, 2 feet 10 inch; east, 2 feet 8 in.; and south, 5 feet.
Beyond this, still in the same line, and at the usual distance of about 75 yards, lies another great stone - a sort of flattened pyramid in shape, 10 feet in length, and from 16 to 18 feet in girth. Apologies this is so long and involved. But I thought it might help people work out where the stones are supposed to be. It might even help find the 'amissing' one - could it not just be lurking under the mosses?
From the transactions of the Stirling Natural History and Archaeological Society 1892-3, in an article by A F Hutchison, about 'The Standing Stones of the District'.
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Posted by Rhiannon
28th February 2011ce
Edited 28th February 2011ce
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