sals

A very chilly Sunday morning in February would normally find me happily tucked under the duvet but it was so crisp and clear (OK, make that freezing) that there was no one else around, no traffic for miles before or after – just a glorious spot. Checking TMA book version when I got home, the “3 miles from the junction” is actually only 1½ – but it’s not like you can miss it driving past!

I’d never turned off to Greycroft before despite being in the area quite often – a combination of Foot & Mouth restrictions and expecting to be disappointed with the location – but I was far from disappointed. We parked just by the bridge to the east of the circle and followed the path round with a cheery wave from the farmer on his digger in the next field. The bank to the north attempting to hide the power station looks much more part of the landscape than the pictures I’d seen, and a fabulous crisp clear morning gave views across to the Isle of Man and over the snow capped Cumbrian mountains. Look east, look west. Close your eyes to the north, and to the golfers to the south.

This stone circle consists of an almost continuous ring of stones no more than 3ft tall, with a diameter of about 25ft. It’s in a beautiful spot, on the flood plain of the river Wharfe.

Turn off the B6160 at Buckden (signposted Hubberholme and Hawes) and follow the road (carefully – it’s a popular spot for walkers and mountain bikers and mainly single track) for about 4 miles. After the cattle grid, you’ll see Yockenthwaite Farm over a tiny bridge – keep going along the road for less than half a mile then cross the river by whichever stepping stones look stable and not too slippy. The circle is just behind the dry stone wall on the far (north) side of the river and should be visible.

This is the third and most ruinous broch near Glenelg, the other two being Dun Telve and Dun Troddan (they are about 1½ miles NW of Dun Grugaig).

This standing stone is at the tip of South Uist, by the Pollachar Inn, and looks across to the islands or Barra and Eriksay.

Just south of the village of Carinish (Cairinis) in the south of North Uist, this ruinous circle has the main road (A865) running almost through it, and you could easily miss it.

Also known as Callanish V, this site is found across the road from Callanish IV. Take the track up past the sheep pens and the row is visible to the south east across the usual peat bog field. Wear your wellies!

A fallen stone circle opposite the “Halfway Garage” on the A859 south of Stornoway. It was discovered by Margaret Curtis, who spotted it from a bus window, apparently!

On South Uist. If you’re going south on the A865, take the minor road uphill to the left after the right turn to Stoneybridge. At the top of the hill there’s a space to park by a strange white building and it’s only a hop and skip down to this amazing phallic stone.

This cairn is about 12 miles north of Newton Stewart, and a pleasant walk through forestry land from the village of Glentrool. Park on the road above the playing field and follow the white marked posts direct to it.

Signposted off the B9152 at the north end of Aviemore, this ring cairn is right in the middle of a housing estate – and somewhat lacking in atmosphere.

About 2 miles south east of Insch, turn left just before crossing the railway line; follow the raod uphill for about ½ mile to the track to Hatton of Ardoyne. The farm at the top of the hill isn’t lived in; we asked a very friendly man from the cottage at the bottom of the lane if it was OK to visit. Follow the track uphill through the ruined farm buildings and go straight on. If you walk on the right of the dry stone wall, you’ll come to a gate to climb. Keep going round the right of the mound with heather etc on it, and the circle will appear.
Ruinous, with only one of the flankers standing and a fence through the middle, but an amazing place with views to Mither Tap and Dunnideer.

This recumbent stone circle is about ½ mile south of Esslie the Lesser, south of Banchory. It’s also known as Garrol Wood.

Set just off the road down a forestry track, this beautiful site looks as though it’s a local party place with a fire having been made in the central pit.

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).

This recumbent circle is ruinous. It’s about 3 miles south(ish) of Banchory, easily visible from the road but over a barbed wire fence.

Sadly much of the Kilmartin area has foot and mouth restrictions in place. The path across the fields from the car park past the great X is closed and initially I thought we’d not be able to visit the circles, but followed the road round to gain access. The bluebells were in flower round the edge of the site, the sun came out and it felt so peaceful.
The rocks at Achnabreck are open as they are in forestry land, but almost everything else could only be viewed from the road. Still a spectacular area and I will definitely be back.