drewbhoy

This site can be found mid way on the Lethenty to Darnabo road after leaving the B9005. (Between Methlick and Woodhead Of Fyvie) It is in a field just before the Monkshill crossroads on the northern side. No more than 20-30 meters from the road. Once again tremendous all round views from this vantage point especially towards Bennachie with whom it is probably aligned. Coles and others suggest that this was once part of a circle. Sadly the other stones have long gone.

Visited April 09 (and driven past every week).

This cairn is also spelt Pitmancy and can be found north of the historic Fyvie Kirk, complete with Pictish stones, just beside the B9005. Take the first lane right/east after the church and follow it for a mile. The cairn can be seen due south overlooking the River Ythan. It has magnificent views all round. The farmers, thru the years, have been kind and left a 10 meters by 10 meters mound 3 feet high. On it rests one fallen stone. Except for the farm, near the B9005, the one surprising thing is the lack of dry stane dykes.

Visited 7/4/09.

This is easily found and involves a short, easy walk. The A947 goes thru Oldmeldrum. Look for the sign for Oldmeldrum Golf Course and head east for about 3/4 mile. The stone stands in the middle of the 10th fairway, to the right of the road, so beware of golf balls. Once again Bennachie and the Barra Hill are clearly visible.

Visited 30/5/09

This cairn, also known as Denovan and Hillbrae, is badly damaged. However some stones remain to give an idea of it’s original shape. According to Canmore “sham bishops” preached here. Once again excellent views of Bennachie.

From the A96 at Colpy follow the A920 for about 1/2 mile turning north at the Fisherford signpost. This will lead past the Culsalmond Church, the site of a destroyed stone circle. Head to the top of the hill and a lay by, on the left, will be found. From here walk down hill thru using the path for about 200 meters. Turn at the clearing and walk another 50 meters. The cairn is at the other side of the fence within Pulwhite Wood. Hillbrae Farm are the buildings further down the hill.

Visited 28/05/09.

Alas this stone has fallen over, the last remnant of a four poster circle. The site has been fenced and also contains an old door. Coles also says that there was another two circles in the immediate area.

Leave the A947 beween Fyvie and Turriff at the Seggat signpost. Go up hill following the road to the farm at the junction turn left, south, and keep going until a wood has been passed. This is Rappla Wood. Stop at the first field entrance. From here walk, walking towards the top corner of the wood.

Visited 28/05/09

This cairn is also known as the Black Cairn and offers tremendous views of the Garioch area especially of Bennachie to the south. The cairn has been badly robbed but at the same time retains its shape. Several years ago bones were found and taken to Edinburgh museum.

From Wartle travel on the A920 heading towards Colpy. The occupants at Braeside of Rothmaise has made some woodland walks on the hill. The car park for this can be 1/2 mile after the farm (towards Colpy). Follow the track up the hill and the cairn can be found quite easily. Follow the path completely round the woods and 21/2 miles will have been walked.

Visited 28/5/09

The stone is still resting behind the farmsteading and quite an impressive stone it is. Leave the A920 at Tocher farm, two miles from Wartle heading west, turning north. The next farm is the Knowley which is severe need of repair. I got lucky when the elderly occupant kindly led the way to the stone. He also showed where it had originally stood. 20 years ago he had several visits from people who wanted to re-erect the stone in it’s proper place but nothing has been done.

Visited 28/5/09

St Brandans Stanes can be found by leaving the A97 at the A95 heading south towards Keith. About 1 mile down the road is the crossroads with the B9025. Stop at the next farm on the right. An entrance to field is slightly further along the road. follow this track, turn right, then left follow until the trees run out. The circle will will be in front of you.

Two flankers are all that remain. The cup marks are buried beneath the build up of sands, dust and weeds which has built up round the stones. Total walk is about a mile altogether and is very flat with okay underfoot conditions.

Visited October 08.

There are two stones left at Marnoch church. One stands at over 8 feet at the churchs front door within the walls and another stands just north of the church at about 6 feet. However another stone lies fallen at the back of the wall nearer the house. (I see no mentions of this stone and assume that it has always been there) Marnoch Church is signposted and can be found just north of the B9117. Leaving the A97 it is about 1 mile.

Visited 12/10/08.

Cairnfauld is another ruined circle that is probably better known for the legend that surrounds it. (see Rhiannon’s folklore note, as well as cattle dying, stones seem to vanish as well) Travel south from Crathes on the A957 known in the North East as the Slug Road, crossing the River Dee, turning left at the Crossroads primary school. The circle, of which four stones (Burl says 4) are mean’t to remain (I could find only three), is at the top of the hill immediately behind the school. Some commentators describe this as an RSC but even in Coles (who said 5 stones) time this would surely have been a guess.

Cheered me up on a bad day! 24/5/09.

Raich can be found opposite the Glendronach Distillery (what luck and recently re-opened!!) on the west side of the B9001. There are a lot of stone circles in this area, this being one of better known ones. At the bottom of the farm lane the farmer has put a signpost indicating the direction to the circle.

Cars can be left at the farm and a gate near the circle has also been provided. A type of four poster sits here and it has been invaded by field clearance as well as centuries of cattle.

Visited July 08.

This circle is far better known as Bowman Hillock. I could find ten stones, maybe there are more, in amongst the boggy ground and fallen trees.

Leave Huntly and take the A920 towards Dufftown. Take the road to Edinglassie signposted just before the River Deveron, after 1/4 mile turn south and stop at the first farm entrance. This is Bowman Hillock. The circle is in the field opposite only a few metres from the road. Best to go when its dry.

Visited July 08.

This is a hard place to find as all that is left are the low stones of a kerb cairn in amongst chopped down trees. Some have suggested that this was a RSC, the Ark Stone sits about 50 meters to the north.

Enter Inverurie by going thru Port Elphinstone cross the River Don and head west on the Burnhervie road. Follow the directions to hamlet of the same name, go thru it and keep going until Denhead farm. Take the road going up the hill, west, and turn left again at the top. The second track to the right, west, leads to Newton farm. The circle is some 50 meters behind the bungalow at the tracks end. Some photos on other sites/maps place the circle in a wood but the trees, formerly the Boghead Wood, have been cut down making underfoot conditions well dodgy. (in Aug 08 there might have been trees planted recently) To find the Ark stone head towards the fence turn right and follow the fence until the stone is reached. Nowadays it is reflective and peaceful place to visit.

Visited August 08.

The remains of this circle can be found by leaving the B9001 north of Inverurie at the Balhalgardy signpost. Go about a 1/2 mile and the farm of the same name is reached on the south side. In a field to the north the last remaining stone rests. The stone has fallen and broken into three being most famous for it’s cup marks. to protect it from further damage a fence surrounds the area. In the next park is a massive pile of field clearance possibly a resting place for the missing five stones.

Further along the road is the site of the Battle of Harlaw and a monument dedicated to those who died. Slightly further along is the Liggar Stone.

Visited October 08.

Patrick Will, of the Mill of Kelly, told me about this place. There is a fallen slab which could be the recumbent and a possible flanker lying not far away. In a field behind the farm a massive pile of boulders sits, field clearance, former dykes or the remains of circle stones.

Leave Auchnagatt and travel north towards Stuartfield on the B9030 taking the third right (east). At West Crichie Farm turn north thru the farm and stop before the bungalow. Recumbent to the left, flanker/boulders to the right.

Visted September 08.

(I know about Upper Crichie and it is in the Skelmuir area so anything might of happened!)

This is thought by many to be the remains of a stone circle and be found near the edge of the B9002. More accurately the site is found between Kennethmont and B9002s end at the A97 near Gartly. I also found out that occupants at Jeldah have no problems with visitors. All you have to do is ask. The stone is in the back garden.

Visited October 08.

Betwwen Turriff and Aberchirder, Foggy to us locals, on the B9025 is the B9121 Whitehills road which heads north. Follow this for two miles until the signpost indicates Burreldales Farm. The present occupant, Gregor Cook, is a pleasant chap (and a former Eb Tuba player) and is okay with people coming and going a long as they keep to the side of the field before cutting across to the small wood in which the four poster is housed. Beware there is a boggy bit half way up! This is a short walk up the gentle slopes of the Brownside Hill.

The site is surrounded by a small dyke and houses some very old field clearance as well. The trees prevent the dumping of any newer stuff, to be fair the current owner looks after the site very well.

If the fairies do/did exist then this would have been their playground as the stones themselves, like North Strone, seem eternally young. A happy place.

Visited July 08.

Leave New Deer on the B9170 Methlick road heading south-west. Take road to Knaven and stop at the first passing place. Turn right and go up the side of the field. The two remaining white quartz stones can be found on the brow of the hill looking south, the recumbent and a flanker. The whole walk is no more than a 3/4 mile. Just along from the passing place at the road junction take a look at the quartz stone used as a gate marker. One of the stones from the circle?

Visited June 08.

To get to the monument leave the A981 at New Deer just before the church and head north. Take the first left as the village ends, the monument is unmissable.

In the middle of Milltimber, a suburb of Aberdeen on the A93, find Contlaw Road (there is a pub at the junction) and move in a north Westerly direction. Just as the road is about to leave Milltimber take the farm lane that heads east and walk. This isn’t very good for cars. After about 11/2 miles a fork in the road will be reached. Look to the left and a path can be seen which leads to the circle and also a little mentioned cairn. (Keiller mentions it in Canmore)

The recumbent still stands with both it’s flankers lying on the ground beside it. Only two other stones stand with others all having a rest amongst the trees. To my thinking there also seems to be the remnants of a kerb cairn or an inner ring here as well. If the trees weren’t here the site would look onto the River Dee.

Visited 18/5/09.

Leave the A96 at Colpy and follow the Jericho road. Just outside the hamlet the circle would have stood on the way to the, long shut and ruined, distillery. The circle, as well as a cairn, was destroyed to make the road. Another sad end!

Driven past most weeks.

Nothing now is left of this RSC which was destroyed. The church, graveyard and walls all being placed on top of it. It’s easy to see why the circle was built. Bennachie is clearly visible and less than ten miles away.

Leave the A96 at Colpy and take the A920 Oldmeldrum road. After a 1/2 mile take the first left. The ruined church is at the first corner which marks the start/end of the Lawrence Road.

Driven past every week.

Don’t look in amongst the trees as the circle isn’t there. Some maps misleadingly place the circle in the middle of Strone Wood. Leaving Alford and heading west on the A944 towards Aberdeen take Castle Road and head south until the first corner which leads to the east. Keep going until Dikehead Cottages. Opposite here there is an under used path follow this until a dis-used farm is reached, about 1 mile. The circle is a short way uphill behind it and not, as mentioned, amongst the trees.

I found it just as darkness was beginning to fall. Snow had just started to fall also, giving a rather beautiful and peaceful feeling to the scene. In 1897 five stones were re-erected but unfortunately only two remain standing. Burl descibed this as elfin, unique and frail as youngsters unable to lift heavy weights. He was, of course, referring to the size of the stones and sets the picture perfectly.

I hope the pictures do justice as nature on that day, along with the ancients many many years ago must have been..... freezing!!

Visited January 09.

I wished I’d seen Merrick’s notes before setting out and getting completely lost. Being on the verge of giving up I went back to my car to have another look on the lap top when the farmer turned up. He gave proper directions and then told me to move my car!

Visited August 08.

Nether Balfour was destroyed in 1847. However the circle wasn’t at the farm. Leave the B944 heading west from the Bridge of Alford and take the second road north. The first crossroads is a good place to stop. To the left is the Nether Balfour farm and to the right a small row of bungalows. The circle was situated in a field in front of these houses looking down onto the River Don.

Visited August 08.

And in 2008 the stones of this circle, often called Auchlee, are still hard to find as they are well hidden amongst ferns and bushes after an often boggy mess has been navigated. I walked up from Old Bourtreebush and Auchquhorties and on my way met the present occupier at Auchlee Farm and asked for permission to walk on his land. As well as granting permission he said that a nearby standing stone, probably a cow back scratcher, had been pulled down and left near the road side. He’d also in previous years given stones to the restoration of a nearby stone circle. The wall surrounding Craighead Badentoy is made from cairn like material. Finally the directions to the ring cairn/RSC were given.

It’s in a terrible state. The other contributors to this section are spot on! What’s left of the inner ring cairn is still there as well as the fallen outer stone circle. Sad just very sad!

Visited August 08.

As Tuesday says the leave the B977 Dunecht/Kintore at the Castle Fraser junction, the circle can be seen in the hollow to the left hand side. Pictish markings, once visible, seem invisible and have vanished. The impressive western flanker must be at least 10 feet and looks like the flankers at Midmar Kirk, the eastern is nearer 8 feet. Field clearance has been piled up beside the recumbent stone.

Thank goodness for a dry spell or I would have been up to knees in mud! Fortunately the farmer protects the circle by leaving a grass circle. Circles aplenty in this area.

Visited 12/3/09.

Three stones remain of this circle, one of which slants precariously. A cross has been chisled into the tallest. All the other stones, out of a possible 9, have gone. However in amongst the trees at New Wester Echt Farm are some interestingly shaped sones. They have obviously been there for some time.

From the village of Dunecht go south on the B977. Take the second road right, west, and stop at the farm. The site can be seen in a field a short distance away. Best to ask permission of the farmer before climbing over the gate.

Visited 16/3/08.

One stone remains upright of this circle, six stones are said to have stood here, long thought to be part of the Broomend complex. A raised mound with field clearance and trees marks the site on the east side of the Inverurie/Kintore section of the A96 (south). Stop at the bus stop and the stone is clearly visible. It does look like a tree stump!!

Visited 20/3/08.

Turn from the A96 and take the B994 into Kintore. Opposite the primary school is East Park Road, take this then turn left and move onto Eastburn Road. At the corner stop and large gates can be seen to the left. From here the journey must be continued on foot. Go thru the gates and follow the path to the bottom of Tuach Hill, pronounced 2eee, don’t climb, turn right and walk around the bottom of the hill for a 1/4 mile. One stone definitely survives with perhaps another sitting in front. There is also evidence of a ring ditch.

Tuach Hill is also known as the Gallow Top.

Visited 24/4/08.

Leave the B999 and Udny Station and turn east thru the village, and the next village of Cultercullen. The remains of the circle can be seen on the brow of the hill in front of the Hill Of Fiddes farm. The recumbent and east flanker survive with field clearance piled behind. Cars can be left at the bottom of the hill or parked beside the barn which is nearest the circle.

Visited 3/4/08

Glenkindie is a small village on the A97. Take the road heading east at the northern end of the village and look to the left. The stone can be spotted in a field opposite the Crow Wood. The imposing granite stone stands at 2.3 meters and is a short, flat walk from wherever the field is entered. Almost next to the stone is the River Don.

Visited 27/12/08.

Went to have a look and as expected found nothing except a hidden barbed wire fence which caused enough damage to my leg to force a visit to Rhynie Health centre, then Foresterhill Hospital in Aberdeen. Fortunately the husband of the nurse at Rhynie lives at Hillhead farm and was kind enough to transport me down to the village. Still...some nice views!

Visited 20/3/08

Local myth tells us that two stones were taken from a nearby stone circle, unfortunately the people at Inverurie Tourism didn’t know which one although Balhalgardy is in the area (and there is plenty to pick from), to mark the the place of the camp followers who were killed eg. the wives of the soldiers, at the Battle of Harlaw. This isn’t it’s original position as it was re-erected here in 1911 and was at least double it’s present height of just over 1 meter. Originally two stood but one was smashed to pieces, to aid in the building of a house, the other remains being used as a fence/gate post, being held up by rope and barbed wire. A sad end to a sad subject.

Leave the A96 just north of Balquhain and stay on the road until Harlaw house. The stone is on the opposite side.

Visited 8/5/09.

This circle is much better known as Innesmill. Leave the Fochabers to Llanbryde road, A96, at the signposted Urquhart junction. Thru the village, thru the next crossroads, pull into the side and the site is to the left (the west). The other fieldnotes explain the lay out.

Visited on a very frosty day 29/12/08.

Some describe this site as a Chamber Cairn others the remnant of a Clava Cairn. What remains is one standing with several lying beside it along with some field clearance. The main view is towards the Moray Firth to the north. Cars can be parked on the verge of the A96 with site being visible from the road near the Allanfearn farm.

Very frosty! 29/12/08.

This site lies next to the A96, slightly to the south in a field between the Balloch and Culloden junctions. Although ruined most of the stones lie in an oval shape with one stone standing seeming to indicate the entrance. If taking a car there is room to park if you pull up on to the verge.

Visited during an extremely frosty day 29/12/08.

Coles says in his writings that this was a hard place to find and the locals didn’t have much of a clue either! When I finally found the circle after several visits of looking in the wrong woods, walking the wrong way I ignored all given directions and asked at one of the houses before the official car park. A lady answered and she explained that it was about a 3/4 mile behind her house and gave the proper directions. With my friend John Porter we reached the site only to find a white witch, complete with strange hat and robe, doing some funny things with a divining stick. The witch said that he was looking for denergy-looking for energy coming from the rocks and had been at Auchmachar in the morning as well. He also had placed lots of white markers on the ground on places energy had been felt. Pagans also visit Louden Wood, probably because it is well hidden. I’ve never seen anything like this before and to be honest I’d thought he’d lost touch with reality. However some of the suggestions and plans found in the “Tims World” web site suggest that there is something about divining rocks. Maybe it isn’t so far fetched after all.

3/5/08

This is a beautiful site tragically vandalised in 1988. The local authorities did their best and restored it as best they could. It is quite difficult to find as some map directions and local signposts aren’t very accurate. I managed to find it with the guidance of Julie Perkins, who unwittingly found it by sitting on it . Glad to say no damage was done! Only marginally easier to find than Louden Wood. There is car parking.

Visited 8/9/08

Two very impressive flankers remain at South Fornet along with two fallen stones. Someone has also stupidly carved their initials on the eastern flanker. The other stones including the recumbent have long gone. Their places being taken by some field clearance.

Leave the B977 and head east at the Broomhill stores, the signpost indicates Fornet. The recently erected Breemies Stone Circle can be seen on the hill. Keep going until South Fornet farm. From here climb the hill into the small wood, over the fence and site has been found.

Visited 8/5/08

This is a very damaged site which could be a ring or clava cairn or perhaps the remains of a recumbent circle. Whatever it is a short but steep downhill walk is needed from the B9008, the circle can be seen from the road about a 1/2 mile north from the Drumin Castle junction, cross a stream, then a steep uphill and climb the fence. Only three stones remain erect with others left lying on the ground. Good boots are needed for this 2 mile walk.

About 1/2 mile to the south are the ruins of Drumin Castle. 2 miles further south is the ancient bridge at Blairfindy. Some distilleries are also in the area!

Visited 23/12/08.

The remains of the Pitchroy circle are to be found right next to the B9102, about a mile south from it’s junction with the B9138. Only two stones are left, one up and one down. There are some carvings on the bottom of the standing stone but what they are letters or a picture...I don’t know. A third stone has gone. Once again the views are great as the circle looks down into the Spey valley.

For “Biggles” fans Captain A. Jones wrote some of stories whilst staying at Pitchroy House only a short distance down the road.

Visited 23/12/08.

Nether Cluny can be found about 11/2 miles south of Dufftown near a single track road. From the square, on the A941, go past Mortlach Church (signposted) out of the town until Nether Cluny farm is reached. One stone remains situated about a 1/4 mile, downhill, in a field behind the farm.

The 4 feet stone has excellent all round views and hasn’t failed in it’s duties as cattle still use the park. To make doubly sure whoever re-erected it concreted the base to make sure it wouldn’t move in a hurry.

Make sure to leave enough time to visit the many local distilleries!

Visited 8/9/08.

Turn from the A920 Huntly/Dufftown road towards the Haugh Of Glass, and from there turn left towards the Cabrach. The site is about 1 mile south of the hamlet on the west side above the the road. Although badly ruined, because of drilling, gunpowder etc., 7 stones remain. The recumbent and flankers are still there whilst others are fallen or half up/half down. Parking can be found at the ruined farm with the site, which is fenced, no more than 50 meters into a field overlooking the River Deveron on the slopes of the Hill Of Dumeath.

The odd shaped tree a 1/2 before the site, nearer Glass, is known as the Hanging Tree. It’s obvious what happened here. Look closely and rope marks can still be seen on the remaining branches.

Visited 20/6/08

All that remains of this circle, maybe originally 9 stones, is a 9 feet tall fallen flanker which was probably left as a cow scratcher. However the other stones aren’t far away as they have been removed and put into the walls beside the wood and the lane. As the B993 leaves Kemnay, heading towards Tillyfourie and Monymusk, take Riverside Road and head out of the village. Turn south at the Bogs Of Coullie until the farm track crossroads and there turn left. The stone, to the right, lies in the field just before the wood. When I was there the circle size could be seen thanks to the different shade of green in the grass. It is only a short walk from the track climbing over the dyke with circle stones in it.

Visited 15/5/08

The Temple Stones are about 1/2 mile north of the village of Potterton. Leave the village by Panmure Road and keep going until the sign for Home farm is found. This is on the east side. From here follow the often muddy track to it’s end. Climb the fence and head towards the sea. The three massive boulders, the two fallen flankers and recumbent, are easily found. Field clearance has been dumped behind the remains. However cows often tramp the field into a sea of mud so wellington boots required! 11/2 miles there and back completes the walk from the farm. Also known as Potterton Stone Circle. Mundurno can be found further down the B999.

Visited 22/06/08

Leave Aberdeen going north on the A90 which goes past the Bridge of Don industrial estate. At the roundabout take the road to Potterton, the B999, until the sign for Mundurno farm is reached. On the opposite side a field contains the one remaining flanker, about a 1/4 mile flattish walk. In 1934 this stone was 7 ft. tall. Some time afterwards the stone fell but locals put it back up in 1993. This time it’s height was 6 feet.

Visited 22/06/08.

Three stones remain standing in this tragedy of a stone circle. How anybody is allowed to treat such things as a rubbish dump is beyond me! A local businessman said that the current occupant of the Upper Auchnagorth was something of a “f***ing idiot” and discouraged people from visiting with methods not wholly peaceful. Better to reach the village of New Byth, on the B9027, and leave it by following the Culbyth road. This will lead to the Auchnagorth farm. After asking permission head up the hill through the field, climb the fence and turn left and keep going clambering over another two fences. Then go through waste, dumping of machinery, barbed wire, building materials etc. to finally reach the circle.

Amazingly three stones still stand, whilst the rest are fallen. There is evidence of a ring ditch and a raised mound. To add further insult a concrete block hut has been built next to one of the stones. This should rival any of the restored circles as views here are fantastic, Bennachie can be seen, but instead it looks like a bomb site! Maybe one day the place will get the proper attention it deserves!

This walk is about three miles there and back. Worth it but what a shame.

Visited 31/5/08.

The remaining recumbent, with chokes underneath, can be found in field near to the entrance to Clochforbie farm. Leave the A98, east of Macduff, at the Gardenstown junction turning north. The stone, also known locally as the Gray Stone, can be seen from the road. The other stones have long gone thanks to field clearance and the building of the road. I heard no noises when I looked below the stone but my phone ringing gave me one hell of a scare!!

Visited 28/2/09.

(one of my pupils thinks it looks like a whale!)

Head east from Macduff on the A98 and turn north after going through Longmanhill. A more famous cairn is slightly to the south of the small village. After a sharp corner follow the track to it’s end. Go through the farm and the cairn is on top of the hill. Very little remains as the cairn has been robbed to make dykes. The views are good. The Melrose cairn is to the north.

Visited 2/5/09