Kirkton of Bourtie

Nearest town:
Oldmeldrum (2km NNE)
OS reference:
NJ801248
OS sheet:
38
Latitude:
57° 18' 48.17 N
Longitude:
2° 19' 49.43 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Kirkton of Bourtie (Stone Circle) by GLADMAN

The recumbent – longest of any such – and magnificent remaining flanker stand to the right of two surviving ‘circle stones.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jan 31, 2016
Image of Kirkton of Bourtie (Stone Circle) by LesHamilton

Aberdeenshire’s iconic Bennachie viewed from Kirkton of of Bourtie Stone Circle.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Aug 28, 2013
Image of Kirkton of Bourtie (Stone Circle) by LesHamilton

The recumbent setting at Kirkton of Bourtie stone circle, looking towards the slopes of Bennachie.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Mar 30, 2013
Image of Kirkton of Bourtie (Stone Circle) by Chris

View over the recumbent. Mither Tap is in the mist somewhere....

Chris
Chris Oct 15, 2006
Image of Kirkton of Bourtie (Stone Circle) by Chris

The recumbent ‘chock stone’ shaped to fit both recumbent and adjacent flanker.

Chris
Chris Oct 15, 2006
Image of Kirkton of Bourtie (Stone Circle) by greywether

The recumbent and east flanker from outside the circle. The ranging pole is 1m high.

greywether
greywether Mar 21, 2005

Articles

Kirkton of Bourtie

LesHamilton
LesHamilton Mar 30, 2013

Visited March 30, 2013

From Shieldon it is just a mile or so to Kirkton of Bourtie stone circle. Despite a frosty night the morning sunshine was melting the snow apace and the ploughed field was sticking to my boots like treacle.
But the effort in approaching the circle was well worth it to see the giant stones with snow-capped Bennachie in the background. Truly, late winter can produce some magical imagery of stone circles.

Kirkton of Bourtie

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 9, 2012

Reconnoitring a route up The Hill of Barra (Incidentally I eventually go with that from the north) the remnants of this great RSC rear up from the road at Kirkton of Bourtie. Well, under a sky as blue as that towering above this wondrous, fertile land this morning, I decide to reprise my visit of a few years back. And why not?

Despite the destruction, this is a special, nay, potentially overwhelming stone circle featuring – as I understand – the largest recumbent stone of any RSC? [Thanks to Les Hamilton for subsequently pointing out that Old Keig is actually the largest, by mass.... the Bourtie recumbent the longest]. The field appears in early crop. However tractor tracks lead inexorably to the ring, or what remains of the ring. Two circle stones remain erect.... but they are very substantial. However it is the remaining flanker, still undertaking the role of cohort to a truly massive – hey, overwhelmingly so – recumbent which steal the show. Sundry other stones lie in a jumbled mess within the partially enclosed, overgrown space, whether field clearance or shatter orthostats it’s difficult to tell. Probably six of one and half a dozen of another. Or possibly a bit more than that... left me calculator at home, I’m afraid.

As mentioned by ‘those who’ve gone before’, the chock stones are an interesting feature of the monument. So is the extensive view toward – as you’d no doubt guess – Bennachie and the Mither Tap, as well as that in the direction of the aforementioned Hill of Barra, according to the map bearing a hillfort. I missed out upon the latter last time I was here. But then the wondrous, nearby Shieldon stone circle accounted for that. And rightly so. But now there is no excuse and I leave this massive recumbent stone – and its ravaged associates – to resume their perennial hill top brooding once again. Yeah, a fleeting visit, but aren’t all human interactions such? Need to make them count when given the opportunity, I guess.

Kirkton of Bourtie

Chris
Chris Oct 15, 2006

Four years on, and at last I can reach the circle-and its well worth it. A truly massive recumbent, and everything about this circle seems big, although the suggested arc is quite tight. This could have been quite claustrophobic when complete.

Most recumbent stones are chocked into place, and this is no exception. However, I like the fact that this ones main chock stone was also shaped to fit snugly against the flanker. There is a smaller stone adjacent to the flanker, which I feel could well be the ‘backsight’, the smallest stone of the circle moved from its traditional place directly opposite the recumbent.

I know there’s lots to see in Aberdeenshire, but you won’t regret a visit here. Visit Sheldon while you’re at it.

Kirkton of Bourtie

greywether
greywether Mar 21, 2005

Ruined but still impressive.

If you want to see the longest recumbent, this is it – 5.2m. No west flanker and only two other upright stones.

Great views.

Access. Close to the road – from where you can get a good view even if the field is in crop. Nearby passing place big enough to park in.

Visited 15th March 2005

Kirkton of Bourtie

Chris
Chris Sep 5, 2002

A gorgeous recumbent a few miles from Loanhead of Daviot, which I couldn’t get closer to bcause of growing crops.

This circle has perhaps the most spectacular view of Mither Tap of any site in the region, and the views are truly breathtaking.

There is an old Minstry of Works sign in the hedge giving some basic information (access – ask at Bourtie Farm), and it concludes with a fairly stern statement to the effect that there are 2 restored sites at Loanhead and East Aquhorthies to go and look at, so don’t bother with this one!

I don’t agree...

Sites within 20km of Kirkton of Bourtie

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