Description

The monument comprises a single standing stone of likely late-Neolithic or Bronze-Age date. It stands in an area of semi-mature woodland approximately 120m above sea level, about 1km SSW of the village of Monymusk.

The earthfast granite stone measures around 0.85m wide by 0.45m thick at ground level and rises to a pointed top at a height of about 1.3m. A small hole has been drilled into the N face of the stone at about 0.2m above ground level.

The area to be scheduled is a circle on plan centred on the stone, to include the remains described and an area around within which evidence relating to their construction and use may survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

Cultural Significance

The monument's cultural significance can be expressed as follows:

Intrinsic characteristics

This is an earthfast standing stone that apparently still stands where it was erected in prehistory. Buried deposits may survive in the area immediately around it. Such deposits may give us valuable information about the purpose of the monument, the people who created and used it, the methods used in its creation and provide dating evidence for its erection and for any later activity associated with the stone.

Contextual characteristics

The monument is a good representative of a widespread class. This example is one of a number in the area, where there has been a long tradition of the erection of standing stones and related monuments, such as stone circles and burial cairns. This not only suggests a preference for settlement in the area in prehistory, but also provides us with an opportunity to assess the distribution and relationships of such sites. Comparing and contrasting this monument with other examples of its type can give us valuable information on how and why the Bronze-Age peoples of the area placed such monuments in the landscape. This can help us understand Bronze-Age ritual monuments throughout Scotland, as well as in the Strathdon region.

Associative characteristics

Local tradition suggests that the stone may once have formed part of a stone circle, the remainder of which was removed to be used as building material for Monymusk Church.

National Importance

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, in particular Bronze-Age standing stones and the part they played in ritual beliefs and practices. Spatial analysis of this and other contemporary monuments may reveal valuable information on the layout and patterns of Bronze-Age ritual sites within the landscape. The loss of the monument would impede our understanding of the placing of such monuments within the landscape and the nature and purpose of their erection and use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NJ61SE 2. Aberdeenshire Council SMR records the monument as NJ61SE0002.

References:

Anon. undated, 'HISTORY: ANCIENT MONUMENTS' www.monymusk.com [copyright Monymusk Estate, accessed 4 August 2007].

Ritchie J 1917, 'Notes on some stone circles in central Aberdeenshire', PROC SOC ANTIQ SCOT 51, 1916-17, 45-7.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland