Another site afflicted by modern intrusions, yet still rising above them so that you don’t really notice. The scale of this site is immense, its easy to see why a fourth monolith nay have been present, indeed you wonder what else may have been there.
A spectacular site which should not be missed.
Also known as Callanish VIII, Gerald Ponting (Margaret Curtis’ first husband) names this site as Cleitir (Cletcher).
As you can see from the photos, this is a fantastic setting, and has such a ‘pull’ that I found it very hard to leave.
When you get to Lewis ensure that you get a copy of ‘The Stones around Callanish’ By Gerald & Margaret Ponting (Curtis). It’s got all the detail you need on the so-called minor sites. If you look across the strait from the site you should see a lone standing stone to the left of the road-this was moved during road construction and was re-erected my Margaret and Ron Curtis, as was one of the menhir at the main site. Ron has actually left his initials near its base!
An essential visit.
This six stone ring can be found in the gardens of a plant nursery alongside the A9.
The circle is in a good condition, with the largest stone to the SW a full 6 foot high and over 7 foot wide. Obviously sited on a the foot of a hillside along a major trackway, the circle retains an air of tranquility despite the rumblings of the A9 only a few dozen yards away. Easily accessed, and in fine condition, there is no excuse for not visiting this site!
To visit Tigh na Ruaich, turn off the A9 for Ballinluig some 3 miles south of Pitlochry. Drive past the filling station and down the old A9 ignoring the dead-end signs. At the very end, you will find Tynereich nursery. Ask permission, the owner is very friendly, as is Megan the golden spaniel. The plants are pretty good too, and a couple are now growing outside our front window!
Never having seen an RSC until Midmar Kirk I was really taken with them. East Aquorthies, Loanhead etc, we visted the others and were very impressed. Until this place.
Wow.
Think of the first time you saw Avebury, the shiver down your spine, the feelings.... This place is just fantastic. The setting is awesome, the modern intrusions terrible, but they don’t really matter. This site has a power which is hard to describe, but it’s true: the airport, the industrial estate, the mast – they all just fff fade away..
You HAVE to get to this site – you will not be disappointed.
Basic directions: Come off of the A96 at the western side of the airport, and drive through the industrial estate. Keep your eye out for a Shell filling station on your right, as there are 2 standing stones outside it; the larger appears to be pointing at Tyrebagger. As you go through the traffic lights, and enter the national speed limit zone, there is a service road on your left, take it. Immediately in front of you is the farm track – you can either park here or drive up. As you look up the hill, there are two masts, Tyrebagger is next to the left hand, darker mast (This mast has now been removed-only one remains on the hill – 2006). Follow the farm track up, and take the first left around the quarry. As you come to the green, with all the farm cottages, take the only left by the substation – follow your nose, and watch out for Heilan attack coos!!
This is an intriuging little site on the outskirts of Pitlochry village. Not mentioned by JC , it can be found on an OS map.
It appears to be a classic four poster, which has been ‘improved’ by the addition of some smaller stones (to a total of about 7) in order to complete the arc.
It can be found on the A924 heading north out of Pitlochry in the garden of Faskally Cottages. I wasn’t able to gain access to the garden as no-one was at home and time was limited. The circle can be seen through the trees from the road.
This site is a beautiful four-poster high above Pitlochry on forestry commision land. The whole area is planted with managed and processed confierous growth, but a large clearing has been left around the circle itself. Although only two stones retain their original size, the evidence of the others can be seen, and each stone is beautiful in itself with large seams of quartz running through it.
Although the original setting was obviously all about the view, the clearing now around the circle adds an air of magic and Rite. This is still a Powerful Place, as evidenced by the worn path, and evidence of recent fires. My favourite four-poster.
Clachan an Diridh can be found by following the ‘Clunie’ trail from Pitlochry dam, and taking the signposted turning for Strathtay. It’s approximately 1.5 hours from Pitlochry, and is fairly steeply uphill. Walking boots are a must, and if you intend to follow the trail all the way back, a compass, map and proper clothing are strongly recommended. In all the trail took us about 5 hours. – Well worth it though.
Don’t worry about the manicured nature of the site, everything about this circle still feels right (on), and despite their best efforts, everything in the curchyard is secondary to this fine RSC.
The outlier in the wood to the north, is a magnificent 8ft scarlet phallus, of such proudness it’s enough to make your eyes water!
Amen to all of the above. Don’t worry about the reconstructed nature of this site, it’s too special for such things to detract from it. Event the dry stone wall gives a feeling of hengeness from inside. We had the circle to ourselves, although someone had visited recently, as a diferent flower had been left at each stone. It added to the feeling of a well loved circle in a beautiful location.
Don’t worry about the reconstruction or the horrific communications mast, this site is well worth the visit. The view is fantastic (well about 340 degrees anyway) and only Arbor Low is windier. The site is in the care of Historic Scotland, but the custodian on the day of our visit, Harry, was brilliant. He knows all thats going about the place, and and his 15 minute chat is well worth listening to. The archaeoligical view of the sites history has changed since the publication of TMA, but apparently Harry has written to Julian, who may visit while in Scotland (He’s got a copy of TMA on his shelf, and thought Julian was an eminent archeaologist until his son put him right!)
Anyway, get yourself up to Cairnpapple, you won’t regret it.
Although only four stones remain, (it’s more of a stone square!), this site is well worth a visit. The stones are all over 5 feet tall, and as ever have a great setting. Obviously focused on Robin Hoods Stride, the 360 view is still pretty cool, and if you have a look round the surrounding fields, you can find a couple of stones, which look suspiciously like part of the original circle. Well worth the walk up from Youlgreave, as part of a 14 mile hike which included the Nine Ladies, on foot is definitely the best way to view these circles. You get some idea of how the ancients would have approached these stones, and the wonder they inspire.
Visited a day after being married. PERFECT!!!! Seemed the right place to be. Another special place.
WOW!!! ! The feelings, I just can’t describe. Go there, as I did, in dusk. Looking over that amazing view, you can’t help think they got it SO right.
what can i say....this circle leaves me speechless. Yes it’s set in a farmers field, close to a busy road, but the feeling of closeness to the spirits..... truely awesome......
By the way, this is Steph, not Chris!!!!
Theres not much to add to TMA’s entry – only to say that if you’re in Scotland you MUST visit this site. It’s such a cool little circle. It’s partly in a field, partly on a verge,has a B-road running through it, and has been ‘enhanced’ with concrete and steel- and yet it just rises above the last 2 millenia and KNOWS it. awesome.
(Just take a reflective jacket and be prepared to dive for cover)
Whatever you do, do not follow the signs to the official car park, unless you fancy a 2.5 mile trek down the Ridgeway. Check out your OS map and you’ll see there’s a small lane midway between the site and the car park- Once at the site, you’ll find a great longbarrow , although not on the scale of West Kennet, it’s somehow more inspiring. Set in a copse of tall trees, the only sound is that of the wind sighing through the trees, and a feeling of total tranquility pervades the whole area-forget what I said earlier-the long walk makes it all the more worthwhile-go early and forget for a few moments the teeming mass of human life thats all too close.