Has no-one been for 6 years?
Recently harvested (the farmer was still baling) access was easy to the field, but less so to the circle which was head high in weeds in places.
The noise of the tractor and the height of the weeds made it hard to get a handle on this circle, but the setting is stunning and the view to Mither Tap (minus the trees) would have been amazing.
One to return to on a cold, frosty sunrise I think.....
First time visit to Cothiemuir Wood, I have no idea why I didn’t come before.
Walking up from the small car park from the burial ground it’s only a couple of hundred yards along a forest path, yet totally isolated. The wood was green, but because the circle is treeless the frost had settled, which meant that with the early morning sun it was glowing white in a sea of green. My meagre snaps didn’t come close to capturing it.
Too cold to linger long, there is plenty to see and the site is reminiscent of Loudon Wood and Tyrebagger – not restored, but enough left to see and an overwhelming sense of the ancient.
Essential visit.
Don’t worry about the burial ground either – it’s well away and from what I can see will only enhance the nearby area and keep it green & open. Plus it’s small car park make it even easier to access the circle. Drive on up and follow the route on the sign.
Didn’t get the chance to explore as the gateway I’d parked in at 8am on a frozen Sunday morning suddenly became popular with van loads of farmworkers. Oh well.
The circle is shattered, but it’s an epic location and must have been something to see a few short millenia ago (in the grand scheme of things).
Pay a visit if you have the time.
Wow it’s been 9 years since I first visited this circle-Mr Cope has a lot to answer for!
On a whim I decided to re-visit this Sunday past to watch the sunrise over the circle. Like my experiences at Tyrebagger & Whitehills, even without a camera to watch the sky lighten, the sun rise and to see the light creep across the ground before hitting the stones is an amazing experience.
The light literally changes second by second, through a range of pinks, yellows and oranges and, like this morning, heavy overhead cloud only amplifies this. There was a window of around 20 minutes from sunrise until it disappeared above the grey clag but it was worth the 5:30 alarm.
As Gladman has mentioned, East Aquhorthies is a show site, and perhaps can variously be accused of being over-restored, over-manicured and occasionally over-visited. Some visits with 20 other people are wholly unmemorable.
But then, at other times, you fully appreciate the builders genius.
A lovely pair of sites, which I have been meaning to visit for at least 10 years, but it was always too far from the M6 on jaunts to the lakes & Scotland.
It is a fair old round trip from the motorway, but it IS well worth it – in fact I’m surprised more people haven’t been. The circles are easy to find, well signposted and there is now a small layby for 2 cars, with an info board and sheets to carry round.
The circles are very different: The Loupin Stanes is a compact circle on a small flat platform and feels very cosy. The Girdle Stanes is a massive circle with many stones, and isn’t really diminished by losing such a large area to the river. If anything it just emphasises how old the place is.
Well worth visiting, though the walk between is boggy and a little longer than hinted at-don’t wear your flipflops- make the effort to visit this site and you’ll be well rewarded.
If you’re visiting Balgorkar, be sure not to miss this little oddity, just across the road in the grounds of Castle Fraser.
Entry is free at this point, and the stone is opposite the car park across the drive. Enter the field by the gate and keep walking straight across until you see the stone.
Afterwards, tea & cakes in the Castle tearoom is highly recommended and if you go for a tour of the castle you’ll bump into my sister who works for NTS....
A pleasant surprise to find this tomb while having a look around the gardens. Manicured yes, but equally in no danger of being ploughed up, or having rubbish dumped in it, so I’ll take what I can get.
It’s not worth paying the entrance fee to see it, and in some respects nor are the gardens given what NTS charge. I’d always advise joining, because no matter what your views on the organisation, you get ‘free’ entry to all the properties, throughout the UK. Nice places for picnics on the way home, and for finding hidden gems like this one.
Clachnaben (or Clach-na-ben) is a near 600m hill south of Banchory, topped with a massive granite plug. Visible from miles around, it has given rise to the rhyming couplet “Clachnaben and Bennachie, Are twa landmarks frae the sea” and the similarities to Bennachie are obvious.
Accessed from a small car-park on the B974 a good, but sometimes steep track will take you to the summit. Passing through pine forest, across moorland, around a small wood and finally up to the summit, you get most of natural Scotland in a 4 mile return walk. The tor dominates the skyline, and changes at each angle of the approach. Once there, an easy scramble to the top gives massive views 360 degrees around – Bennachie & Lochnagar can be seen, and if the view is clear, you can see the North Sea, and down to the firth of Tay.
Whilst not famous for it, I’m sure a ‘face’ can be made out on the southern side of the Tor-see my photos. From the comments of other people up there, I’m not the only one to see it.
They may be dark & a little smoky (tho not as bad as the blackhouses!) but they give a real impression of snugness & warmth. The lady from Historic Scotland was quite pleased to see us, we were the only people to visit all day – and this was July!
Visited 2001
Well, we chose a nice day for it, swirling mist and driving rain mean an absence of photos for this site I’m afraid!
This is a truly amazing site, Mither Tap is so visible from so many sites, yet I hadn’t realised that so much of the ‘nipple’ as it were, was actually man-made-I knew it was a fort but there’s a real scale to it. The vitrified walls are incredible-I had read about them, but never seen them up close. The heat and sheer size of fire need to melt these walls must have been off the scale-the walls are at least 100 feet high, and yet clearly melted and slumped. If, as theorised, the burnings were carried out by an invading force, it must have been a real statement of intent to the locals – shock & awe anyone?
Wonderful site, and although steep only about 1 hours walk from the Bennachie Centre car park, even with 2 four year olds in tow.
Another sorry urbanised site. Destroyed in antiquity, the stones were used in a wall, and most have disappeared. The equally abused Brandsbutt Pictish stone was also broken up for walling material, before being Blue Petered back together and dumped here. Just to finish it off, they then built a housing estate around it.
Not a place to linger, I’m afraid.
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.
Four years since my last visit, and the circle seems bigger than I remember. This is probably due to the fact that the grass and gorse have been well cut down, and this makes viewing the circle so much easier. I hadn’t even made out the outlier on my last visit, but now it stands clear, and the arc of the circle can be clearly seen, along with the sheer size of the tallest stone, some 8ft high.
This is a wonderful site, although a cutting north wind was blowing, there was all manner of rubble strewn around the interior: field clearance and possible cairn rubble certainly, along with the ubiquitous scattering of quartz.
Had a long chat with the Farmer & Bob the sheepdog, and he said that not many people visit anymore (the farmer, not Bob). This is a real shame, and those of you that have visited Aberdeenshire without seeing this circle have missed out on something special. Next year?
These places are huge-after Cairnlee yesterday, this one has a better view, but still has a house about 3 inches away from it.
You may think its just a pile of stones, but this monster can be seen a mile off, and there’s some beautiful quartz pieces scattered over the cairn.
Not worth a special visit perhaps, but if you’re visiting the Buchan RSC’s, its got to be worth a stop.
I never met an RSC I didn’t like, and this was no exception. Lots of fun walking up and down the conifer plantation was had in trying to find it, but it was well worth the effort.
The photos tell most of the story, but can’t convey how big the ring was, and how impressive it must have been when complete. Several complete stones are laying, fallen, and the stumps remain of the others. The recumbent has a banded crack running around it, which suggests it may not remain whole for many more winters: see it while you can.
Of the three remaining stones still upright, they seemed an example of each of the common types you seem to see at most sites in NE Scotland. The flanker is a rounded stone, with a tapering top, one of the stones is definitely triangular, and the other is oblong, with squared sides. Given the re-occurence of these shapes (to my eyes at least) across the RSC’s I wonder if the stones were shaped and erected to a common specification in addition to the grading of heights, quartz pavements, cup-marks & SSW alingment of the recumbents. Nothing was random.
This site is now signposted from the road, but you are left very much on your own in the forest. I would recommend: OS map, compass if your SOD is not up to much, waterproof boots in all but the driest conditions and waterproof clothing. The forest tracks are ok, but the grass can be thigh high when you leave them. You will see that the circle is marked to the north of the main track, opposite a southerly track. When you stand at this junction, two paths to the north will greet you: take the left hand one and in 75-100m look for a path to the left-this will take you to the circle in less than 30m. I would say that the circle is slightly to the west of where it is shown on the map.
Should you visit? If you’ve one day to fit in as many sites as possible. then no. If you’re here for the week, then absolutely – it is an essential companion to Strichen, Berrybrae, Aikey Brae and Netherton.
This place is huge! So many cairns have been robbed out or reduced, that I wasn’t fully aware how big they can be. And what a charming setting!
So many of our sites have been urbanised, but at least they’re still here. Yes there are the usual broken bottles & beer cans around, but not too many, and the estate doesn’t look too bad (and I’ve seen a few).
This cairn is great-an overpowering physical presence, big stones and numerous chunks of quartz scattered about, the view over the Dee valley must have been fantastic, and glimpses can still be seen.
Do visit this site: its about 150 yards off the A93 a few miles outside Aberdeen: if you’re visiting Aberdeenshire, you WILL drive past this.
Access: In Cairnlee Avenue, off Cairn Road, off the A93 in Bieldside, near Milltimber. The road is in the local atlas. I must give a recommendation for the Phillips blue road map books: They show every road in Aberdeenshire, and as they’re based on OS data, most circles and cairns are in them (except this one! but Cairnlee Avenue is) – invaluable on a day’s Stone hunting.
This site has just about everything you could wish for in one place. Stone circles, burial mounds, outlying standing stones, kerb cairns, cup-marked rocks and a very peaceful setting make this a place you could linger for hours. Although there are over 60 known ‘Clava Cairns’ as a type in this part of Scotland, (Corrimony being one) these are the originals the others were named after.
Three beautiful cairns in a wooded river valley, each surrounded by their own Stone Circle. Although all of the cairns are now roofless, this does enable you to see and understand their construction better. Different coloured stones were deliberately placed for effect, and several stones were decorated with ‘cup-marks’ for reasons we can only guess at. All in all a wonderful site, and I can think of no-where better for your final resting place.
Fantastic RSC-is there any other kind? Although its pretty obvious that all megaliths are heavy, the first thing I thought on stepping out of the trees is ‘Wow, this is big.’ A real feeling of scale is given by this site, assisted by the fact that the remaining standing stones are all over 6 feet.
A real use of colour was again made here: the embanking stones being a mixture of pink & grey granite, the circle stones all grey. The recumbent, huge and pitted was obviously set in place ‘just so’. It would have lain much easier rotated around 180 degrees, but the use of chocking stones to achieve a particular relationship with the horizon is very obvious.
a23’s directions are spot on, and we should be thankful he suffered, so we don’t have to ;-) I will just add that ACC have installed some ‘Stone Circle’ road signs to assist you as you get nearer.
The rain was coming across sideways, so it was hop out of the car, quick photo & back in again. Nice stone, nice setting-terrible weather. I’ll look for signs of a possible circle another day.
Ceann Hulavig, also known as Callanish 4 is my favourite of the smaller sites on the Island. Perhaps because of the elevation and the near 360 degree view, but also the stones lend a more enclosed feeling. The depression you can see inside the circle was caused by peat cutting which revealed another two feet of depth to the stones. The stones are coated in great sheets of lichen, indicative of the wonderfully clear air here, and this is very much a place to come and breathe deeply, whilst constantly turning and taking in the view.
Visited July 2001.
Anywhere else in Britain this site would be surrounded in fanfare and hordes of people, but its closeness to the main site mean many people do not come here at all. This is a shame, as it has its own features, each stone has unique patterns within the quartz, and although many standing stones were worked & shaped there is nothing so striking as the triangular stone shown here. The main site of Callanish is visible on the horizon, and to the rear a path leads you to yet another impressive circle, Cnoc Fillibhear Bheag.
Visited July 2001
I came away liking these stones, despite the frustration of another site thrown down by backward christians.
Built into the South Kirkyard wall are the last remains of the recumbent stone circle which once occupied this site. Thought to be the flankers (where’s the usually bigger recumbent? Buried?), only one is now clearly visible, as the other was further obscured by a wall re-alignment in the past.
Entering through the gates, and walking to your right, look for the large Stephen family monument against the wall. Just poking out of the soil is a thin fillet of stone. Hop down over the wall, and the full length of the stone is revealed. Climb back up, and walk a few feet to where the wall doglegs, and you can make out the top of the second stone.
Driving up to the site from the Fintray road, we noticed two large stones in front of a house which look distinctly megalithic. They could be recent additions, but given that they cannot be seen from the house, or its garden, why? They are not mentioned by RCHAMS, but perhaps they drove in a different way ;-) I wonder if they were part of the circle, and were discarded, re-found and re-erected? If anyone knows, I would love to find out. They can be seen from the Kirkyard, looking over the E wall through the poly tunnel frames.
Visit! These stones deserve to be seen by those who still appreciate them.
Access: Easy, From the Fintray to Blackburn road, take the signposted turn uphill for Kirkton. At the fork, bear right and note the 2 stones in front of the house. Park outside the church, which is no longer in use, and enter the Kirkyard.
Intriguing site this one. 3 stones in a field, two very flat, one more rounded, set in a very large triangle. RCHAMS list it as Springhill Standing Stone, yet call it the remains of a circle, and schedule only a single stone and a wider area where a second may be. What about the other two? Farmer standing his field clearance on end? I’d like to know.
Worth a visit, the stones are excellent, and the views are, as ever, superb.
Access: On a minor road south of Kirkton of Skene. Visible from the road, which is just wide enough and just quiet enough to park carefully on. Opposite a gate, and 200m across a field. Visit in Autumnn/Winter to avoid growing crops.
Quite straight forward to find, especially if you have an OS map (a neccessity in this part of the world, as there’s so many sites to find. Can someone buy me a whole set pretty please?)
The forest track you need is directly opposite the entrance to Glassel House. Big gates, very much of the ‘get orf my land’ type I chickened out and parked 100m up the road by the log piles (Sunday, no trucks about). If you look on the OS map, you will see the circle clearly marked parallel to the track, and there is a contour line that passes through the track to the circle. Simply walk down the track until it starts to dip down, turn left through the trees for 100m and you’re there. The site sits on the edge of a steep slope, so once you hit that, you know you’re near. I’ve also added a photo showing an old field wall & gate on the forestry track. Stop about 10 m short of them and you can turn left here and walk through.
The site? Nice, very compact and very different. A peaceful setting and a pleasant feel make this an essential site. As Greywether says, don’t classify it, just enjoy it.
The nicest and in this weather, one of the most apt names for a circle. The still strong September sunshine drifted around these warm pink stones and it really could have been any century, any millennia.
Largely whole (and wholly large!) you can imagine this to be an important site at the time of its construction, with the massively cup-marked recumbent adding weight to this. The recumbent has fallen and such a large piece as broken off, it almost looks as if it hit the ground with a crash. Strangely though, and like Tyrebagger this only seems to improve the site.
Access easy and as described, and a big thanks to the farmer for making it so. They don’t have to, and they certainly don’t always.
My 4th visit and I can’t believe I never noticed the graffitti on the recumbent! (Seems I’m not alone)
I can’t make out much, looks like 1864, some initials and....? Its right on the top, near the right flanker (from inside the circle). Anyone who can decipher it better, let me know.
Also in the woods near the northern Balblair stone I found a suspiciously long stone lying in the grass, just to the south of the menhir. Could be a gatepost, and after a day in the field you do start to see megaliths everywhere, but it raised my suspicions.
I do like this site, and I guess we should be grateful that it still remains-especially after visiting Kinellar Kirkyard earlier in the day.
What a gorgeous circle.
And what a change in a county of countless recumbent circles. Don’t get me wrong, I love the RSC’s but this was like rinsing out the mind before going back to them. Everythings just that little bit different – the raised mound is so much more noticeable, mainly I suppose because the circle is not hemmed in by a fence like so many others. You can really feel this circles place in the landscape-it seems like the centre of it.
Beautiful stones too, with quartz and lichen just dripping from them. The tallest has been split by the elements providing you with a launch ramp to the sky (as my 4 year olds told me).
Kudos to all those involved in the restoration (Which you wouldn’t know about just being in the circle) and to the farmers for looking after it. These circles were built by the farmers for the land, and they seem to appreciate the care by their descendants-if only it were true everywhere.
Access: I’m with Greywether. Park at the monument car park and walk-its how the builders would have done it. Besides, I would not want to see my tyres after driving down the last 300 yards of rough stone track – tyre-bagging time ;-)
Why is no-one coming here? If its because its restored don’t worry-its as good as Loanhead & East Aqhorthies, and at least it was carried out by Aubrey Burl, a man who knows.
Strichen is a complete restoration – aside from damage in the distant past, it was destroyed and hurled in the nearby quarry in the 1960’s. Due to local outcry and the efforts of Dr Burl & Co. the site was excavated and restored as near as dammit in 1981/2.
And a good job they’ve done. A classic RSC on a hill with the wide open views all around. The recumbent has a deep hole drilled into it, reminiscent of those made prior to dynamiting, but who knows who, why or when? One of the circle stones has fallen recently by the looks of the ground. It may have been pushed, but to be honest the socket doesn’t look deep enough or the packing stones sufficient.
Access: Now improved. From the main road into Strichen, head for the community park, near the old railway track. A new sign of the Aberdeenshire Councils ‘Stone Circle Trail’ style points the way down Brewery Road. About a mile further on, another one points you left into a small parking place adjacent to the old railway. Park here, and follow the signs down, under the railway bridge, and up a good all weather track to the circle. About 10 minutes walk. You can still access via the country park, which is also a nice place to spend an hour or two.
Come visit, theres no excuse!
I was quite taken by Berrybrae. Although somewhat ruinous, I find these circles often have more ‘feel’ than their restored cousins-not that I’m averse to restoration.
The remaining flanker to this site is absolutely huge-almost as big as the recumbent. The other flanker has shattered, and the pieces are still in situ-it would still appear to have been smaller than the other flanker, although maybe as high. Two other circle stones are still standing, along with the stumps of at least two more. Some judicious chainsaw work is also required-it would open up the views no end, but also two very large trees are threatening the recumbent either by their roots, or from being blown down – and the wind does blow in this part of the world!
Access is as described, and easy as long as the field isn’t in crop or heaving with cows. Its less than 100 yards into the field so there’s no excuse for not visiting. Perhaps we can tread down the nettles together?
This is a gorgeous RSC and should be added to the list of ‘essential’ Aberdeenshire circles (Granted that list is getting rather long now).
This piece of Forestry Commission woodland has now had some waymarked trails installed, which makes it a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours, especially with small children.
The circle can be found on the red/green trails. If time is pressing, from the carpark take the left hand uphill trail & follow the red/green markers. Its uphill all the way, but you should be at the circle in about 15 mins. From this direction its on the left of the trail, adjacent to 2 of the story posts and the only bench on the walk. Follow the path through the bracken & planting for about 400 yards and you’re there.
The circle sits on a fairly level shelf, and most of the planting has been cut down giving wide views over the recumbent. Once you return to the main trail, follow it a little way further to the left and you’ll also find a ruinous chambered cairn.
You’ll find this & other walks in a FC leaflet available from the Tourist office or you can try forestry.gov.uk/scotland
BTW this circle does not show up on my OS Explorer map, but it can be found on the Landranger. Clune Wood is clearly marked south of Kirkton of Durris though.
Not the most spectacular of sites, but a welcoming one nonetheless.
Spent a pleasant lunch hour here, and although ruined, enough remains to give you a sense of what was. As ever, its all about the view.
Plenty of fallen stone in the long grass & hedge to keep you guessing, and what appears to be an outlier to the NW in the direction of the farm house. Although with my eyesight, and the crappy camera I was using from work, it may be a a tree stump or gatepost!
Easy parking, just off some quiet (although fast) lanes, and in most maps.
Running out of superlatives for Aberdeenshire, this place beats the lot. 20 minutes from Inverurie, half an hour from the show site of Loanhead & East Aquhorthies, this is the one circle you have to visit.
I don’t think it was a recumbent, although that may have gone, there are 7 upright stones and an outlier, plus many fallen. Additionally, the centre is filled with cairns and rubble, and the circle has been embanked many years ago. The whole place is just wild and ragged and absolutely full on. The tallest of the stones is over 7 feet, and to my eyes the top looks just like Mither Tap, which as ever you can see in the distance.
Set on top of a hill with massive views all around, its at the top of my Aberdeenshire list without a doubt.
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...
Looking at the OS map for this area, I noticed a rash of standing stones (8) which need further investigation.
Unfortunately the crops were up, which meant that many couldn’t be seen or got at, but this was a real surprise. The circle is gone, but its one of the finest recumbent and flanker sets I’d seen. Propped against the back is a large red stone which may have been part of the circle.
Definitely worth a visit after harvest to see if you can plot out where the circle was.
Like Balgarthno in Dundee, this was another multi-map find, whilst looking for the hospital.
Three fine stones, bisected by 2 roads and a fence/hedge, it does make me wonder what else was here. The two in the hedge especially are large and purposeful.
Like so many sites at this time of year, further investigation is foiled by growing crops. I shall return....
Looking up a multi-map to find my Dundee Travelodge (just give me the keys bitch!) I saw the words ‘Stone Circle’ just 1/2 a mile away-too good a chance to miss!
As you can see the circle is fallen, except for one stone, and its now overgrown on the edge of a playing field. However at least 8 other stones are present, forming a slightly flattened circle.
The standing stone was grafittied and there were plenty of broken bottles around, so in truth the long grass is probably protecting the remaining stones.
If you happen to be going round the Dundee bypass, the circle is on the right of the road off the roundabout just after the Travelodge (turn left) or coming the otherway the Travelinn (Turn right). Worth a quick look for sure.
In a bit of a sad state this one, it appears to have suffered from cairn building, filed clearance, and an overgrowth of vegetation.
It’s difficult to tell whats going on, and would definitely benefit from some judicious strimming! You can find a gate at the western edge of the field, and as long as its livestock free, you can wander in quite easily.
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.
Well this was a change after a solid morning of RSC’s, and very welcome too. You don’t get too many Henges in this part of the world, and this is a mighty one.
Although the stones are not in their original positions (and one isn’t original at all!), the triangle they form is certainly evocative, especialy in such a well defined, fairly deep henge.
I drove up not expecting too much, and drove away feeling blown away. Another great site in this part of Scotland, but as Merrick says, you have to fear for its future.
I can only agree with the previous posts, a magnificent site which shouldn’t be missed. The walk is only about 15 minutes, and the view compensates for all.
Being slightly nervous around dogs, I was a little perturbed when a collie silently sidled up to me, staring intently. It then dropped a golf ball next to me, moved back a few feet and then looked pointedly at the ball and then me.
The fact that ‘fetch’ was the highlight of the visit sums up Cullerlie. Its nice, but seems to have no soul. Come anyway, and perhaps we can re-energise the place, and it is a nice place to just sit and listen to the wind in the trees (and the panting of an exhausted collie dog).
Strangely, I’ve never felt much affinity with Loanhead, and I couldn’t say why. However, this time I walked through the woods with the rain dripping through, and stood in the centre of the circle. I could still hear the rain beating on the trees, but not a single drop fell inside the circle.
Shows what I know....
I love this circle-a definite air of power still remains, and I found it harder to leave than I usually do. I was struck by an overwhelming urge to lay down in the circle, and when I did attempt to leave, it was like wading through treacle – an effect which ceased as soon as I got outside the stones.
An unusual experience for me, yet not unpleasant.
A powerful place.
This site is gorgeous, and one where the new forestry adds atmosphere, rather than detracting.
A must visit, even amongst the jewels in this part of Scotland-If you’ve come to see Loanhead and East Aquhorthies you can definitely see this, and you have the bonus of the 2 Esslie circles just around the corner.
Visited July 02
A lovely day which unfortunately brought out the tourists, lounging all over the stones like they were placed there for sunbathing.
Walked to Gib Hill to find Mr & Mrs Barbour-Jacket (Retd.) terroritorialy camped on top-would they like someone
pic-nicing on their hopefully soon to be occupied graves?
A site to visit in winter, preferably during a howling gale!
I found this in the grounds of the Murray Royal Hospital in Perth.
No-one knows its history, but it has a look of age about it, and its been there as long as anyone can remember.
You can find it at the low end of the Hospital, in front of the ‘new’ wards.
Back again. I’d flown to Aberdeen for work for the day, finished early and there was only one place to go. I’ve never been so smartly dressed when marching halfway up a hill.
The visionarys at Historic Scotland have now renamed this site ‘Standingstones Stone Circle’ probably on the account of the nearby wood being called Standingstones Wood. So named, I would have said for the pair of standing stones in it on the other side of the hill....oh well.
I spent an hour up here as it got dark, and all though the noise was incessant, tractors, aircraft and those bloody helicopters it doesn’t matter. Walk slowly around the stones, and look at each one-think of the thousands of years they’ve stood, and the sights they’ve seen. The ‘modern’ world is only transient, and in a place like this irrelevant.
Get up here as soon as you can-you won’t regret it.
PS The airport has a wide range of standing stones on islands and petrol stations etc-anybody know if they have any history, or are they merely megalithic Ground Force jobbies?
Wow, this place is huge!
First visit yesterday, with only 20 mins daylight left, and we’ll definitely return. Theres loads to take in, and you could definitely spend a day here.
The stones are very green (lichen), and although fallen, most stones are still in place, which really helps to visualise the site as it was.
One of Englands top sites, and as it says below-nobody comes!
19/1/02
Avebury again. Took our 7 week old twin boys for the first time outside of mums belly. Suitably disinterested! (They’d better get used to being dragged round these sites in all weathers!)
Maybe its the weather, but Avebury can seem quite sad at times-the destruction, and the intrusion of the village/public bogs/chapel etc.
Roll on the summer....
Second time we’ve visited, and if anything the rain was even heavier. A fantastic megalith which the christian dickheads have done their best to conceal and subdue – no chance. It’s another site where you wonder what else was there-the small stone in the corner, aligned on the road, the circular aspect to parts of the churchyard-who knows? (Send for Time Team, I don’t think).