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Latitude: 55.911 / 55°54'39"N
Longitude: -3.6202 / 3°37'12"W
OS Eastings: 298821
OS Northings: 669842
OS Grid: NS988698
Mapcode National: GBR 3052.1X
Mapcode Global: WH5RG.CPBD
Entry Name: Gala Braes,standing stone
Scheduled Date: 16 March 1995
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM6184
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone
Location: Bathgate
County: West Lothian
Electoral Ward: Bathgate
Traditional County: West Lothian
The monument comprises a atanding stone of Later Neolithic or Bronze Age date.
The stone occupies a conspicuous position on the summit of a ridge at around 265m OD. It is approximately 1.6m high, tapering to the top. There are reports of human bones being found in the vicinity of the stone during the 19th Century. The stump of a second stone lies some 70m to the W but this appears to have been moved from its original position.
The existence of this second stone, however, suggests that
the monument may have been more complex than it presently appears. The standing stone represents the remains of a prehistoric ritual site, possibly of some complexity and probably associated with human burial.
The area to be scheduled encompasses the stone and an area around it in which traces of associated ritual activity may be expected to survive. It is circular with a diameter of 20m as marked in red on the accompanying map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of Later Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual practice. The area around the stone may be expected to contain evidence relating to burial and associated ritual.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NT 96 NE 2.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Other nearby scheduled monuments