Visiting the Standing Stones of Aberdeenshire
It is Hogmanay in Scotland, the day before the New Year in Scotland. We have set ourselves a mission to visit 6 Standing Stones in Aberdeenshire on one of the shortest days of the year.
Despite only 6hrs of daylight in a cold, wet, dreich day in Scotland, we set off on a Wee Wild Adventure.
Standing Stones Aberdeenshire Map (our route)
As we travel towards Stonehaven from Nairn on the A96. Destination is Stonehaven for the Hogmanay Fireball Festival. Ultimately we aim to visit 6 standing stones before arrival!
PDF of Aberdeen’s Recumbent Circles Trail
Because there are so many circles in Aberdeen we recommend you use this amazing PDF document. Produced by the local Council to decide which amazing prehistoric monuments you wish to visit.
The most famous Standing Stones of Aberdeenshire
Notable examples of Recumbent Stone Circles in the Aberdeen area include the Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle and the Loanhead of Daviot Stone Circle. These sites are protected and preserved as important archaeological and cultural landmarks.
Visit 6 Standing Stones in Aberdeenshire in 4hrs 30 minutes (by van from first stone circle to the last) or use Pedal Power!
- a – Stonehead Recumbent Stone (our first to begin with, the monument in a field and only the recumbent and flankers)
- b – Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle (well looked after in a great situation with easy parking)
- c – Midmar Stone Circle (great parking at the church and picturesque)
- d – Cullerlie Stone Circle (small and perfectly formed with parking)
- e – Clune Wood Stone Circle (sat nav took us on a wild ‘stone circle’ chase)
- f – Nine Stanes Stone Circle (Lastly, pitch black no idea how we actually found it!)
Recumbent Stones of Stone Circles of Aberdeen
The Recumbent Stone Circlesf are a type of prehistoric stone circle which we find in the northeast of Scotland, particularly in the Aberdeenshire region. These circles date back to the Bronze Age, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, obviously making them ancient and significant archaeological sites. The circles are characterized by a distinctive layout, with a large horizontal stone, known as the “recumbent stone,” placed on its side between two upright stones. Furthermore this recumbent stone is typically aligned with the southern or southwestern horizon.
Distance Travelled to Visit 6 sets of Stone Circles in Scotland
Nairn – Stonehead Recumbent Stone – 59miles
6 x Circles visited, Stonehead – Easter Aquhorthies – Midmar – Cullerlie – Nine Stanes – 55 miles
In summary Total distance – 114 miles (one way)
Exploring on a Budget, Standing Stones of Aberdeenshire
- Transport – Van and Diesel (these Standing Stones are off the beaten track you will need your own form of transport to visit) or Why not travel by bike and make a day of it?
- Dinner – Fish and Chips and Haggis Supper and Chips from the chip-shop in Stonehaven – Approximately £16
- Accommodation – Slept in the back of our transit van, hence FREE- £0
- Entry – There is no entry fee to visit these amazing Standing Stones of Aberdeenshire/FREE – £0