I was determined to visit this legendary RSC whose centrepiece is reputed to be the biggest of them all - Corrstones Wood RSC (AKA Muir of Ryhnie)

Two gigantic, and perfectly formed and intact flankers enclose the most gargantuan recumbent in all Aberdeenshire - nay the world. She is fallen however, and broken. And covered with debris from the wooded sheltered glade.

They're not wrong. This could be the biggest of them all. I've seen some BELTERS today (Loanend) and this looks like it could be the BELT-EST. The lens (as I now call them) is 3.5 metres long, 2.5 metres high and 1 metre thick at its base. It is accompanied by two extraordinary posts of 3 metres, each shaped to the traditional point at the top; rounded at the base to allow for accurate positioning with chock stones (and there are always loads of these loose under the stones).

Many, many stones lie buried here. I could kick away the loose turf easily. This stone (1.5 metres length uncovered) had a perfectly flat face, uncommon even for stone age masons. I wondered if it was a forgotten Pictish carved stone. I rubbed its s… — Many, many stones lie buried here. I could kick away the loose turf easily. This stone (1.5 metres length uncovered) had a perfectly flat face, uncommon even for stone age masons. I wondered if it was a forgotten Pictish carved stone. I rubbed its surface carefully with a crumbly piece of limestone to see if any depressions remained. All I could observe were lines running in a confusion.

THIS is the kind of footie I like playing! The pine needles and loose earth come off like the skin off hot custard. I uncovered about 18 inches of the recumbent's base and the same for one flanker and a strange "tombstone" which appeared to show car… — THIS is the kind of footie I like playing! The pine needles and loose earth come off like the skin off hot custard. I uncovered about 18 inches of the recumbent's base and the same for one flanker and a strange "tombstone" which appeared to show carvings (above).

Corrstones is a scene of destruction, yet a treasure chest and a time machine. There appear to be multiple stone buildings in ruins and with no skills in archaeology I found a broken stone axe, stones that still bore the tool marks of the creator (or destroyer) and large rounded pebbles that appear to have been brought up from the Burn over 5 miles away. I felt absolute certainty that there were buried here, objects of significance. A carved stone ball maybe; at the very very least, artefacts of everyday stone age culture and potentially ritual culture.

Hundreds of years of woodland soil, leaves, branches and moss cover the ring stones, many intact. The site is strewn with other debris (including, bizarrely, stone basins and other old masonry, which is far from a repulsive sight in context with this stone age monument.)

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