Stone Circle

Getting there - (OS Map ref NJ 859132) From Aberdeen, take the A96 Aberdeen-Inverurie road, turn right off the dual carriageway at the first road after the airport roundabout at Chappel of Stoneywood (not sign posted). Follow this road and at a left bend in the road take the track straight ahead instead. Follow the track then, when you come to a fork in the road, take the left hand track. In theory you can drive all the way to the site. However, unless you are driving a 4 x 4 or a tractor, park at the two little cottages not far from the fork and walk the rest of the way. Follow the track up hill for about 15 minutes, its an easy climb. You can see the site from the track and it is easy to see where to turn left.

Info - This site is situated on the shoulder of a hill and the circle is approximately 60 feet (18m) in diameter. The stones range from just over 3 feet (1m) to almost 10 feet (3m) in height and stand in a low stony bank. The recumbent is dark grey granite and the others are a reddish granite.

Lindsey's tip - This site is at the side of a field which had cows in it when I first visited it. If you are quiet, they shouldn't bother you but, watch where you are walking!!!! These are the tallest stones I have visited so far and it is really worth braving the cows just to see them close up. This site was quite a spooky, shaded spot but it appears that it has recently been taken over by Historic Scotland. Trees have been cleared making the site brighter but I think it detracts a bit from the former atmosphere. The tree clearing gives even better views of Aberdeen, including the heliport and airport! This is a popular site with local new age types as it is the closest circle to Aberdeen city. It can sometimes be covered in litter and people do set fires in the centre but, last on my last visit, the site had been tidied and the graffiti that was once on the recumbant has gone.