Description

The monument consists of a prehistoric stone circle and three further 'standing stones' (although some the stones have now fallen), probably part of a single ceremonial complex of the later Neolithic or early Bronze Age, between 3500 and 4500 years old.

The monument lies in woodland at around 185m OD. The main feature is a circle of eight stones set on a diameter of about 8.5m, only two of the stones remain upright. The stones measure between about 1.45m and 1.85m in height. It appears that the largest stones were on the SW.

There were probably originally ten stones. 160m to the ESE there are two large stones, one still standing to a height of 1.9m, the other now fallen, c. 4.7m apart. 110m to the NE of the stone circle lies the third stone, now recumbent, buty measuring c. 3.2m in length.

Three areas are proposed for scheduling. The largest, westernmost area, round the stone circle itself, measures 50m in diameter, occupying most of a ruinous modern enclosure round the circle. The second, easternmost area, round the pair of standing stones measures 25m in diameter.

The third, northernmost area, round the recumbent stone, measures 25m in diameter. All three areas include the visible remains and areas around them within which related material may be expected to be found. All three areas are as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric ritual practices. Its importance is increased by the survival of peripheral stone settings which may have been more common in the past but have often been lost to intensive agriculture.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 23 SW 3 and NO 23 SW 2.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland