Ancient Monuments

History on the Ground

This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.

Torhouse Stone Circle

A Scheduled Monument in Mid Galloway and Wigtown West, Dumfries and Galloway

We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.

Coordinates

Latitude: 54.877 / 54°52'37"N

Longitude: -4.5225 / 4°31'21"W

OS Eastings: 238253

OS Northings: 556493

OS Grid: NX382564

Mapcode National: GBR HH6T.H4W

Mapcode Global: WH3TS.HPM3

Entry Name: Torhouse Stone Circle

Scheduled Date: 24 October 1924

Last Amended: 16 July 2002

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM90304

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone circle or ring

Location: Wigtown

County: Dumfries and Galloway

Electoral Ward: Mid Galloway and Wigtown West

Traditional County: Wigtownshire

Description

The monument comprises a stone circle of prehistoric date. It is in the care of Scottish Ministers and is being re-scheduled to clarify the extent of the protected area.

The monument lies at around 130m OD. It comprises nineteen granite boulders, set in a circle with a diameter of about 22m and ranging from about 0.6m to about 1.5m in height. The boulders, which are set on a slightly raised platform, are largest at the SE of the circle. Near the centre of the circle is a setting of three stones, aligned on a SW-NE axis. At the middle of the setting is a smaller stone, flanked by two massive boulders. Stone settings of this type are characteristic of the Neolithic.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is sub-rectangular with maximum dimensions of 63m from NE-SW and 59m from NW-SE, bounded on all sides by a fence, and is marked in red on the accompanying map extract. The fence and gate are excluded from the scheduling. The area proposed for scheduling is more extensive than that of the area in care.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to an understanding of prehistoric ritual practices. The importance of the site is reflected in its status as a Property in Care.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NX 35 NE 14.

Bibliography:

Stell, G. (1986) Exploring Scotland?s Heritage, Dumfries and Galloway. HMSO. Edinburgh.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Torhouse Stone Circle
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/torhouse-stone-circle
Find out more

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Other nearby scheduled monuments

AncientMonuments.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact AncientMonuments.uk for any queries related to any individual ancient or schedued monument, planning permission related to scheduled monuments or the scheduling process itself.

AncientMonuments.uk is a Good Stuff website.