A neolithic island oasis in the middle of a ploughed field. Out of reach of the NT.

25th February PM - A more perfect, life-affirming experience than a sunny afternoon at Castle Fraser RSC I cannot image. I'd already seen three circles this morning, and was truthfully on my way home, but my descent down from the moor revealed the jewel in Scotland's lost crown. I arrive under a sprinking of rain jewels like some visiting Pharaoh; a rainbow appears; the sun shines brightly from the South West, in alignment with the recumbent altar.

Almost all 12 stones survive but many are fallen. Surely a restoration is not unthinkable?

Elated with my fortune, I lay on the recumbent - a six foot drop to the rear owing to the ring's elevated henge construction. Crows bleated and the wind whistled like the beginning of Pink Floyd's A Pillow Of Winds. That's it! I'll put my headphones on and Floyd out on the recumbent! After Pillow - that sweetest of soliloquies to nature - on comes Atom Heart Mother. Looking up at the blue sky, vulnerable, blind-sighted to what's below, deaf; I sensed I could be sacrificed here. People could come quietly from inside the circle and slit my wrists. This reminds me of a recurring dream where I am being prepared for surgey; tricked into attending the hospital and finding myself beyond the point of no return, needle about to enter the vein leading to my submission from control.

I imagine the circle at night, torchlit and running red with blood. An honourable sacrifice. A brave, wise adult who is prepared to end his or her journey on earth and depart for the heavens in the interests of continued fortune for their tribe. Or maybe not.

As I sit up, I cast an extraordinary shadow into the circle. Yes, without doubt this is the finest shadow I have cast IN MY LIFE!!

The sun casts a shadow of the flankers, the recumbent and me. I am caught between wolf fangs, tooth shaped myself in my bobble hat. The scene is stone cold "drude".

I get my sketchpad out. Bugger, no drawing pen; this is gonna suck balls. How impatient I am! For what? What awaits? Dinner? Back before dark? The sunset is the best time to be here. Like Bill said, stay for longer than your impulse directs. I draw.

Before I left, I walked around the circle surveying each stone. Several had fallen but were intact. A miracle. I found a gap; there should be one here. I kicked at the soft turf. YES! My foot skidded across flat stone. I kicked more and more, gradually uncovering a six foot dragon's tooth of a stone, ready to be re-erected by a few keen stone worshippers.

I then made a life-affirming decision. I WANT TO RESTORE ANCIENT MONUMENTS.

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