Ancient Aberdeenshire

Introduction (skip to the photos)

For those who are interested in learning more, an excellent book to read is "Guide to Prehistoric Scotland" by Richard Feachem, Batsford ISBN 0 7134 3264 0.

Henge Monuments

The henge comprises a circular ditch with an external bank. There are one or two entrances, each being made from a gap in the bank and a causeway over the ditch.

Most henges fall into two groups: The smaller single-entrance henges vary from 110 to 385 feet in diameter (of the enclosed area), and the larger henges, with two opposing entrances, vary from 465 to 600 feet in enclosure diameter.

Exceptions to the "traditional" henge design are the Ring of Brodgar, which has no discernible bank, and Stonehenge, where the bank lies to the inside of the ditch.

Standing Stones and Cairns

Circles of standing stones are to be found on their own, surrounding cairns, and inside henges. Standing stones are also to be found singly and in pairs.

Round cairns, measuring between 25 and 100 feet in diameter, are thought to date from the second Millenium BC, and were generally used as burial sites.

Brochs

Brochs are a specialised circular fort or dwelling, to be found mainly in the north of Scotland, and in the islands of Orkney, Shetland, and the Hebrides. A few brochs can be found as far south as Dumfries and Galloway.

Brochs were built around 2,000 years ago, and are recognized as being built and used by an element among the Picts. A total of 500-600 are believed to have existed.

Brochs are usually about 30 - 40 feet in internal diameter, with walls about 15 feet thick. Height varied widely, from about 12 feet upward.

Hill-forts

A general term, indicating a settlement with some natural defences, augmented by a timber or stone boundary. More details are given with each example.

Examples

Pictured below are just a few of the ancient monuments to be found in Scotland.

Aiky Brae

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The recumbent stone circle at Aiky Brae incorporates a recumbent stone and flankers typical of the region.

The massive recumbent weighs 21 tons and is Whinstone, as is the fallen west flanker. The other stones are granite. The stones are graded in height, again typical of recumbent stone circles.

This circle is located near Old Deer, Aberdeenshire.

Cairn Catto Long Cairn

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This cairn is 48 metres long and 22 metres wide, lying in open countryside SW of Peterhead.

There is evidence that the cairn has been disturbed, with numerous depressions in the pile of stones.

Memsie Cairn

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This cairn is 24 metres in diameter and 4.4 metres high. It is the sole survivor of three such cairns on the ridge of Cairn Muir.

A beaker and a broken sword were found within the cairn.

Memsie Cairn lies SSW of Fraserborough.

Tomnaverie Stone Circle

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Another recumbent stone circle, 18 metres in diameter, encircling a ring cairn 14 metres across.

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The recumbent of Whinstone and four of the circle stones of red granite still stand. The flankers have both fallen.

Tomnaverie stone circle lies NW of Aboyne.

Strichen Stone Circle

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Another recumbent stone circle, 85 metres in diameter, Strichen has survived some unfortunate treatment. In the 1790's a tenant farmer pulled the stones down, but was forced to re-erect them by the landowner. Recent excavation showed that the stones were erected to the south of the original site with the recumbent (incorrectly) at the north of the circle. The re-creation was bulldozed away in 1965, and in soon afterward the site was excavated and restored to its original position.

The recumbent is positioned on the extreme southern moon.

Strichen stone circle lies NW of Peterhead.

Cullerlie Stone Circle

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Cullerlie stone circle lies 3 miles from Echt, Aberdeenshire. It comprises 8 undressed stones in a circle measuring 32 feet in diameter. Inside the circle lie seven small circular cairns, showing signs of cremation.

Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle

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Easter Aquhorthies is an example of a recumbent stone circle, i.e. a circle of standing stones whose two tallest stones flank a slab laid on its side. These sites typically date from the third millenium BC.

According to the signboard near the site, the recumbent and its flanking stones frame the moon rising or setting in the southern sky, enabling lunar observations to be made by the farming communities who built the circles. These sites are usually found on the crests of hills or terraces with wide southerly views, and are considered to have been communal ritual centres.

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The 11 standing stones are graded by height, those closest to the recumbent being the tallest.

Rock type varies too, with the circle stones being made from a pinkish porphyry and red jasper; the flanking stones and the recumbent are grey and red granite.

Traces of a low cairn have been found inside the circle.

Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle

Loanhead of Daviot stone cirle lies just off the A90, 7 miles North of Inverurie. There is convenient parking and a clearly marked short path.

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At Loanhead of Daviot is another example of a recumbent stone circle, i.e. a circle of standing stones whose two tallest stones flank a slab laid on its side. These sites typically date from the third millenium BC.

This recumbent stone circle is filled by a ring cairn with a small clearing in the centre. Fragments of adults' and children's bones have been found in the clearing, along with flakes of flint. Pottery fragments have also been excavated, and it is thought that the circle was used over many centuries, falling into disuse during the beaker period c. 2000BC.

The standing stones are graded by height, those closest to the recumbent being the tallest. One stone bears cup-marks.

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Detail of recumbent stone and flankers.

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The cremation cemetary is immediately south east of the circle, and dates from the Bronze age. Burial deposits have been found in the area, in pits and in urns.

Broomend of Crichie Henge

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Broomend of Crichie contains a henge, standing stones and a beautifully carved Pictish Symbol Stone.

The henge measures 110 feet in diameter, the interior contains three standing stones. One of these stones was moved from a nearby bank during railway construction, but the other two are believed to be contemporary with the henge.

Broomend of Crichie lies on the outskirts of Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie.

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