nickbrand

From the A932 from Forfar head east, turning right (south) towards Letham at Chapelton. The road cuts back towards Forfar then there is a side-road on the left (south again) towards Letham. The Girdlestane lies on a bend about 100m south of this, in a small enclosed area just off the road. The stone is labelled “The Girdlestane. Early Bronze Age Cup and Ring Carving 3200 – 1500 BC.”

This hill really has to be seen to be believed! The Scottish Megaraks visited it on 9th February 2003 having been lucky enough to get the farmer’s permission (ScottY knows his daughter), and it is a real megalithic feast – prehistoric barrows, cairns, kerb cairns, hut circles, house platforms, four-posters and a cup marked rock.

There are multiple entries for all of these in Canmore, but the site has not been properly surveyed or excavated. That’s a great pity, as I feel that a lot more could be learned about this area. Strone Hill, which lies just to the NW of Brankam, also has a large amount of sites, and there are many others very close by – Meikle Kenny, Auldallan and Pitmudie, to name but a few.

This stone lies in fields adjacent to the road into Glen Prosen, by Cortachy. Park at the Scottish Woodlands cottage and follow the track up beside the wood. When you reach the top of the slope, look west and you will see the stone about a quarter of a mile away in the distance. It was an interesting stravaig today, as the snow was fairly deep. Tracks of hare and pheasant were clearly visible in places. There is one fence to negotiate.

The stone stands nearly 6 feet tall, with no discernible markings on it. Veins of quartz are visible.