Images
Recumbent & flankers.
Zooming across the half mile to Esslie the Greater from the Lesser.
21/01/2012 – Esslie the Greater
21/01/2012 – Esslie the Greater
Big piles of stones in a rough circle containing other rough circles of smaller stones (cairns?) with Esslie the Greater in the background.
15-9-06
wolfy
15-9-06
wolfy
15-9-06
wolfy
15-9-06
wolfy
Scale is not obvious in this photo; for some idea, the ‘log’ lying next to the stones is a felled tree (think telegraph pole size).
Looking west
The recumbent and flankers, looking north west
Looking east
Two cairns just outside the circle.
Articles
Wow, It’s taken me soooo long to get up to the Esslie’s, I’ve wanted to come here for years, and now that i’m here i’m really quite giddy and giggly. But the two things I’m taking home with me most is the view to the west-ish, it is a very good view a long view of Aberdeenshires rolling hills, and the other thing is that there is so much going on within the circle, the circle stones, recumbent and flankers are all present and correct but I didn’t really know that most RSC’s have ring cairns in them. Sunhoney, Midmar Kirk, Easter Aquhorthies, none of them seem to have them, unless they’re underground or just gone, so after over twenty years of stone hugging, I’m still learning.
Visited 16.6.12
Just up the road from the wonderful Nine Stanes stone circle.
The circle is visible from the road on what appears to be a slight mound.
By now the drizzle had turned to heavy rain so I didn’t hang around long.
Access to the circle is via a wooden gate which is falling apart.
There are 7 standing stones plus the recumbent.
Well worth a visit.
I’d started off planning a visit to the circles around Old Bourtreebush but a wrong turn at Portlethen sent me heading forever westward along narrow lanes through the soft Aberdeenshire countryside. I revised my plan and decided to head towards the River Dee and the town of Banchory. After half an hour of being completely lost, not a completely new sensation, I found myself besides the river and heading the right way.
On the road to Esslie I passed a house called Standingstones, I parked up and took a look around but found nothing.
My next stop was at Esslie the Lesser. There were a few cows in the field so I decided content myself with the view from the verge. The stones of Esslie the Greater were just along the road and I could see that the field was clear so I headed off down the lane.
At Esslie the Greater the field gate was just tied with some band so entry wasn’t a problem. The site is a fairly jumbled affair but the main components of the circle and ring cairn are present. The setting, in common with many other RSCs, is one of rich, rolling Aberdeenshire farmland and higher hills in the distance. Esslie the Lesser is visible from the circle across the shallow valley. It led me to wondering why create three circles, the two Esslies and Nine Stanes, within such a small geographical area? No answers came to mind apart from the fact that the locals must have really loved their stones to expend so much effort into building these beautiful rings.
All in all this is a lovely accessible site; it’s a little damp underfoot but well worth a visit.
Great circle (actually on oval) in a field at the edge of a wood, skirted by two minor roads, and reasonably far from any houses so it’s quiet. Ring cairn in the middle. The fields here are like a stone circle construction site, with enormous boulders all over the place outside the circle, which is presumably why there are so many circles in this area.
I can’t help wondering whether there used to be even more circles around here – nearby fields have odd boulders standing in ones and twos; the area might benefit from a proper resistivity survey.
Found a modern stone pyramid in the centre of the ring cairn, so I presume people believe it has ‘powers’ (although it just looked out of place/ruining the feeling of the circle to me.)
Just around the corner from Nine Stanes (1/2 mile) this circle is a little decrepit but still well worth it. In keeping with sites in this area, the view is everything, and looking to the NE you may be able to make out Esslie the Lesser.
This recumbent circle is about ½ mile south west of Esslie the Lesser, again easily visible from the road and with a gate to access it. (South of Banchory, on minor road connecting the A957 and B974).
One of the three monuments, which is on rising ground close to the farm of West Mulloch, I found in such a dilapidated condition as to render an accurate survey impossible ; but from it I saw another about half a mile further in an oat-field upon lower ground. While I was engaged in measuring it the rumbling sound of thunder beyond the distant hills warned me to be expeditious, and as the storm-clouds rolled over the mountain tops with great rapidity, and rain began to descend, I thought it prudent to quit the exposed open country and seek shelter in a cart-shed of Esslie Farm. For several hours, Louder and louder than mortal gunpowder The heavenly artillery kept crashing and roaring, The lightning kept flashing, the rain too kept pouring,
but long before the storm ceased I was compelled to commence my return journey to Banchory Station, which I reached footsore and drenched to the skin. This was the most severe thunderstorm of the season, and many fatal casualties occurred in Scotland on this day.
The long stone filling up the space between two erect stones of the outer ring, exists both in the West Mulloch and Esslie monuments.
The Rev. W. C. LUKIS, F.S.A.
From
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF LONDON.
NOVEMBER 29, 1883, TO JULY 2, 1885-
SECOND SERIES, VOL. X.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY NICHOLS AND SONS, FOR
THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES,
BURLINGTON HOUSE.
Video of a visit to Esslie the Lesser and Esslie The Greater.
Sites within 20km of Esslie the Greater
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Esslie the Lesser
photo 21 description 4 -
Nine Stanes
photo 58 forum 1 description 13 link 1 -
Westerton
photo 4 description 1 -
Mulloch Hill (Strachan)
photo 5 description 1 -
Blarourie
photo 6 description 1 -
Blarourie Ring Cairn
photo 9 description 1 -
The Sutor’s Mither
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Tilquhillie
photo 8 description 2 link 1 -
Cairnshee Woods
photo 5 description 4 -
Hillhead Of Maryfield
photo 2 description 1 -
Knappach West
photo 4 description 1 -
The Knappach
photo 5 description 1 -
Knappach East
photo 3 description 1 -
Kerloch Hill
photo 16 description 2 -
Banchory Manse
photo 3 description 2 -
Cairnfauld
photo 5 description 3 -
Balbridie
photo 1 link 1 -
Crathes Castle Policies
photo 7 description 1 -
Upper Shampher
photo 12 description 2 -
Woodbine Cottage
photo 7 description 1 -
Upper Shampher
photo 6 description 2 -
Hobseat
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Crathes Castle
description 2 -
Inchmarlo
photo 6 description 1 -
Denwood
photo 7 description 1 -
Goauch Wood
photo 9 description 1 -
Bucharn
photo 10 description 2 link 1 -
Banchory Hospital
photo 5 description 1 -
Loch Of Leys
photo 3 description 1 -
Corsee Wood
photo 4 description 1 -
Cairn-Mon-Earn
photo 18 description 3 -
Bardshillock Wood
photo 3 description 1 -
East Brathens
photo 4 description 1 -
Wood Of Mergie
photo 3 -
East Brathens
photo 4 description 1 -
Kirkton Wood
photo 5 description 1 -
Upper Balfour 2
photo 3 description 1 -
Upper Balfour 3
photo 5 description 1 -
Upper Balfour 4
photo 5 description 1 -
Upper Balfour
photo 3 description 1 -
Clune Wood
photo 10 description 1 -
Clune Wood
photo 6 description 1 -
Clune Hill
photo 29 description 7 -
Clune Wood
photo 2 description 1 -
Hill Of Tillybath
photo 8 description 1 -
Hill Of Trustach
photo 3 description 1 -
Trustach
photo 3 description 1 -
Upper Tillygarmond
photo 8 description 1 -
Woodend House
photo 11 description 1 -
Elsick Mounth
photo 3 description 1 link 2 -
Fetteresso Forest
photo 9 description 1 -
Cowden
photo 4 description 1 -
Northward
photo 12 description 2 link 1 -
West Brachmont
photo 4 description 1 -
Glenton North
photo 5 description 1 -
Glassel
photo 32 forum 1 description 8 link 1 -
Auquhollie Stone
photo 11 description 2 link 1 -
Droop Hill
photo 5 description 1 -
Glenton Hill
photo 4 description 1 -
Sluie Hill
photo 5 description 1 -
Glenton South
photo 5 description 1 -
Clachnaben
photo 7 description 1 link 1 -
Raedykes
photo 44 forum 1 description 3 link 1 -
Drum Castle
photo 4 description 1 -
Carmont Hill
photo 10 description 2 link 1 -
Gallow Cairn, Torphins
photo 8 description 1 -
Corsedardar
photo 6 description 1 -
Dardanus
photo 6 description 2 -
Finzean
photo 5 description 1 -
Knock Hill (Glenbervie)
photo 2 description 2 -
Bogton (Drumoak)
photo 2 forum 1 description 1 -
Square’s Knap
photo 4 description 1 -
Wester Clune
photo 3 description 1 link 1 -
Blackhill Wood
photo 8 description 1 -
Finzean
photo 14 description 1 -
Cairn O’ Mount 2
photo 3 description 1 -
Castle Hill (Auchenblae)
photo 2 description 1 -
Cairn O’ Mount
photo 16 description 3 -
Fetteresso Castle
photo 5 description 1 -
The Hawk Stone
photo 2 -
Findlayston
photo 6 description 1 -
Berrysloch
photo 5 description 1 -
North Lodge
photo 4 description 1 -
Court Stane
photo 5 description 4 -
Finnercy
photo 7 description 1 -
Katie’s Cairn
description 1 -
St Ringan’s Cairn
photo 4 description 1 -
Easterhill
photo 7 description 1 -
West Benthoul
photo 6 description 1 -
Houff Of Ury
photo 5 description 1 -
Sunhoney
photo 69 forum 1 description 8 link 2 -
Fetteresso
photo 1 description 1 -
Smart’s Cairn
photo 4 description 1 link 1 -
Standingstones Kerb Cairn
photo 1 description 1 -
Standingstones
photo 4 description 2 -
Benthoul
photo 3 description 1 -
Allochie
photo 4 description 1 -
Cullerie
photo 30 forum 2 description 10 link 1 -
Spurryhillock
photo 1 link 1 -
Altries
photo 6 description 2 -
Strathfinella Hill
photo 5 description 1 link 1 -
East Hill Croft
photo 7 description 1 -
Midmar Kirk
photo 65 forum 1 description 12 link 3 -
Learney
photo 7 description 1 -
Malcolm’s Mount
photo 3 description 1 -
Whiteside
photo 5 description 1 -
Bruxie Hill
photo 8 description 1 -
Ury North Lodge
photo 3 description 1 -
Barmekin Hill
photo 29 description 5 link 2 -
Stranduff
photo 6 description 1 -
Woods Of Cairnie 3
photo 5 description 1 -
Oldman Hill
photo 5 description 1 -
Sundayswells Hill
photo 9 description 1 link 1 -
Garlogie Woods
photo 3 description 1 -
Stranog Hill 1
photo 3 description 1 -
Woods Of Cairnie 4
photo 5 -
Stranog Hill 2
photo 2 description 1 -
Craigenet
photo 8 description 3 -
Garlogie
photo 5 description 1 -
Woods Of Cairnie 2
photo 5 description 1 -
Kempstone Hill
photo 16 description 3 -
The Ring
photo 3 description 1 -
Druidsdale
photo 5 description 1 -
Woods Of Cairnie 1
photo 5 description 1 -
Upper Broomhill
photo 3 description 1 -
Gallow Hill (Stonehaven)
photo 8 description 1 -
Orde’s Cairn
photo 3 description 1 -
Kempstone Hill Cairn
photo 4 description 1 -
Blaikiewell
photo 3 description 1 -
Cantlayhills
photo 14 description 1 -
Balnacraig
photo 6 description 1 link 1 -
Mitton Hill
photo 9 description 2 -
Hillhead
photo 10 description 1 -
Corsindae
photo 3 description 1 -
Corsindae
photo 5 description 1 -
Springhill
photo 12 description 2 -
Wester Echt
photo 11 description 3 link 1 -
Corsindae
photo 3 description 1 -
Stot Hill
photo 3 description 1 -
Cairn Mude
photo 10 description 2 -
Beans Hill
photo 4 description 1 -
Leys of Barras
photo 2 -
Moray Stone
photo 5 description 1 -
Heather Hill
photo 6 description 1 -
Tomnagorn
photo 25 forum 1 description 3 link 1 -
Cairn Of Arthurhouse
photo 6 description 1 -
Mowat Newton
photo 3 description 1 -
Binghill
photo 18 forum 1 description 3 link 1 -
Mowat Newton 2/
3 photo 5 description 2 -
Binghill West
photo 7 description 2 -
Montgoldrum
photo 3 description 1 -
Montgoldrum
photo 4 description 1 -
Montgoldrum
photo 9 description 1 -
Westerord Plantation
photo 5 description 1 -
Binghill East
photo 5 description 1 -
Montgoldrum
photo 6 description 1 -
Beans Hill, Boundary Marker 23
photo 4 description 1 -
Tillyching 1
photo 7 description 1 -
Tillyching 2/
3 photo 9 description 1 -
East Brotherfield, Boundary Marker 25
photo 6 description 1 -
Hillhead Of Tillyching
photo 6 description 1 -
The Shields
photo 5 description 1 -
Dunnicaer
photo 12 description 3 link 1 -
Dunnottar Castle
photo 12 description 2 link 1 -
Auchlee
photo 12 forum 1 description 5 -
Old Kinnernie
photo 5 description 1 -
Fettercairn House
photo 7 description 2 -
Castle Rock of Muchalls
photo 3 description 1 -
Nether Corskie
photo 7 description 2 link 2 -
Auchlee
photo 9 description 2 -
Cluseburn
photo 13 description 1 -
Macbeth’s Stone
photo 2 description 1 -
Westfield
photo 5 description 1 -
Hilton Farm, Boundary Marker 18
photo 5 description 1 -
Cot Hillock
photo 4 description 1 -
Ballochan
photo 4 description 1 link 1 -
Fettercairn
photo 8 description 1 -
Millplough
photo 6 description 1 -
Aquhorthies
photo 42 description 8 -
Blacktop
photo 7 description 1 link 2 -
Millplough
photo 5 description 2 -
Old Bourtreebush
photo 30 description 3 -
Dalmuinzie Farm, Boundary Marker 16
photo 4 description 1 -
Hilton of Cairngrassie
photo 9 description 1 -
Castle Dykes
photo 3 description 1 -
Blacktop Wood
photo 4 description 1 -
Fountain Hillock
photo 10 description 1 -
Macbeth’s Cairn
photo 7 description 2 -
Hill of Keir
photo 17 description 2 -
Little Hill
photo 6 description 2 -
Clashholm
photo 8 description 1 link 1 -
North Shiels
photo 2 description 1 -
Auchronie
photo 3 description 1 -
Cairnwell Ring Cairn
photo 13 description 2 -
Auld Kirk O’ Tough
photo 8 description 3 -
Shiels
photo 5 description 1 -
Souterhill
photo 11 description 2 -
Cairnlee Cairn
photo 17 description 3 link 1 -
Lumphanan Hill
photo 4 description 1