Kilmartin Glen Standing Stones

You may have heard of the famous Stonehenge, which attracts more than a million visitors per year, but did you know the UK is actually home to around 1,300 historical standing stone arrangements? Instead of Stonehenge, here are two alternative and equally intriguing standing stone circles which are worth visiting:

Nether Largie Stones - Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

Located in Scottish Kilmartin Glen, The Nether Largie Standing stones stand in a sheep field just outside of Kilmartin village. Two pairs of stones stand at either end of the field, with a larger stone occupying the centre of the field, forming an ‘X’ arrangement between them. Curiously, some of the stones here display circular depressions, with a total of 23 cup marks on the central stone alone.

What are the theories surrounding the Nether Largie Stones?

Some theorise that the Nether Largie Stones were positioned to mark out goals on a prehistoric football pitch, while others are more convinced that the stones were used as a lunar observatory. If this latter (and more supported) theory is true, then we can assume that our neolithic ancestors were monitoring the cycles of the moon and observing potential solar alignments.

The Nether Largie Stones also hold some superstitions: it’s considered lucky to camp near to the circle, but bad luck may be brought upon those who dare touch the mystical stones.

The car park for the Nether Largie Standing Stones can be found on the east side of the B8025, just south of the A816 junction.

Druid's Circle - Penmaenmawr, Wales

Estimated to date back as far as 3,000 BC, Druid’s Circle is a collection of approximately 30 stones neighbouring the Welsh hills of Conwy. Roughly forming a circle, The Druid's Circle is known as Meini Hirion in Welsh, but has no connection to the druids (the stones predate them by about 2,000 years)

One of the stones has been dubbed the ‘Stone of Sacrifice’, due to a suggestive protruding ledge, although there is no evidence to prove that any sacrifice was performed here. Even more surprisingly, for a stone with such a connotation, it’s considered by the locals to bear a lifetime of good luck to any newborn baby laid on the ledge.

What are the theories surrounding Druid’s Circle?

With a number of prehistoric tracks lining the site, it’s likely that the area by Druid’s Circle was employed as a transport route, suggesting its historical importance. An excavation in 1957 also revealed cremation remains, with a burial urn holding the cremated remains of a child unearthed.

A more supernatural theory suggests that a broken stone was rolled down the nearby hill, shattering it, but it was then returned to its original place in the circle by morning.

Find the Druid’s Circle off the A55, with a scenic 1-mile walk to the site.

License this feature

The body of this feature has been restricted...

License this feature

free editorial articles on a range of subjects, just a click away