Why here? Why now?

I've come to Aberdeenshire. Here you find the greatest concentration of stone circles in the UK, in Europe, in the world. Something is going on here. Something that I need to find out. I believe that through intimate encounters with these ancient sites, with the vast landscape, in the months of winter, I stand a chance of experiencing some vestige of the neolithic consciousness which gave rise to them. Whether or not such phenomena will visit me, I will keep busy visiting the area's unique recumbent stone circles, standing stones, Pictish symbol stones, sacred springs, hill forts, earthworks and other places that have been used for worship, ritual and rejuvenation.

Wark Farm is marked by the pink circle. Pink stickies are stone circles. Blue stickies are Pictish symbol stones.

I am staying in the Halyloft, a self-catering apartment at Wark Farm, Cushnie, Alford.

That's the Hayloft on the first floor. Below is a butchery. This is a working farm you see. An organic one at that; certified for 9 years. So far I have not eaten any meat here. I couldn't. Not when I see the herd of Belted Galloways grazing outside.

It's very cosy here in the Hayloft. Especially when we were snowed in for 48 hours after I arrived. The flat has all mod cons, except maybe the TV, microwave and coffee machine. Well my friends wish me luck. Just kidding. I'm not a complete barking JO. I moved the furniture around on my first night. I am delighted with the layout now.

Lovely open plan accommodation. Bedroom and bathroom behind. Downstairs is the entrance hall and utility room. I have already done a load of laundry. — Lovely open plan accommodation. Bedroom and bathroom behind. Downstairs is the entrance hall and utility room. I have already done a load of laundry.

STONER HQ. I am using Old Keig as a paperweight. I have never owned a paperweight.

My first day here was a WHITEOUT!! I awoke and wondered why no light was shining through the dormer windows. They were covered in 4 inches of snow.

This was the unmarked road running past the farm on Thursday.

Luckily by Friday they'd gritted the lane or I wouldn't have made it to Old Keig or Cotheimuir Wood. Farm track still off limits to my Astra though!!

Monday 6th March, sunset above the Cairngorms (from Migvie)

Mar 8, 2017

Tyrebagger / Dyce

Extraordinary heavy metal circle near Aberdeen Dyce airport. One of the finest, most complete monuments of its kind. The growing urbanisation surrounding it cannot hold this druidic temple back.

Bennachie / Mither Tap

The high hill ridge of Bennachie is visible from all around Aberdeenshire. Its summit, Mither Tap, has a pronounced profile made all the more outrageous by its forbidding hillfort, which archaeologists believe was the seat of a Pictish King (AD800-1100 roughly). This is an extreme location at the centre of a Kingdom of earthly paradise.

Mar 7, 2017

Kenmay and Kintore

South Ley Lodge, Wester Echt, Nether Corskie, South Fornet and Nether Coullie are a few of the RSCs found between Kenmay, Kintore and Monymusk. I didn't have time to visit each one but have included some photos.

Clune Wood

A beautiful circle at the edge of Clune Wood near Banchory. It retains most of its original settings; is located in managed forestry and has a peaceful air (as all stone circles do; it's in their nature and their design). There is nothing imposing about the location or the circle itself; this was for a small and modest community I imagine.

Mar 6, 2017

Pictish Symbol Stones

Pictish stone carvings (classified according to their period and style) are found throughout Aberdeenshire incised into stone menhirs (standing stones). Many such stones have been moved form their original locations but the majority are still in open air and free to access. Like stone circles, the abstract nature of their symbolism leaves them wide open to interpretation.

Tomnagorn

Peaceful RSC set in an area reminiscent of Middle Earth. Finely shaped standing stones surround the magnificent recumbent and flankers, one of which has broken. Feels very much like a family circle.

Tap O'Noth Hillfort

The second highest hillfort in Scotland, Tap O'Noth is also a prominent landmark which commands exceptional views over the Grampians. Views reach deep into the Cairngorms to the West. The hillfort itself is high, isolated and barren.

Hatton of Ardoyne

RSC on hilltop location near Insch with spectacular views South over the Grampians, Dunnideer and Mither Tap (and Tap O'Noth if you must). The recumbent is in good condition but leaning precariously. It would be judicious to reinforce its base to save it from toppling. Finely worked flanker.

Old Rayne

Fine example of the "lens" family of recumbents, with oversized flankers in reasonable condition overall. With a bit of TLC this monument would stand as an almost perfect example of its kind.

LENSES TO ANOTHER WORLD - THE RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE