Deversonside
OS Map 29, Banff


Yonder Bognie NJ601458

To find Yonder Bognie, follow the A97 north from Huntly for about six miles, just past the Bognie Arms Hotel. The stone circle is about ½ a mile further north on the right, large enough to spot from the road, in a field of sheep. Ask permission at the farm to visit the circle. The stones are broken and scattered and the interior is ploughed out, but the recumbent stone, flankers and several other stones remain standing in an oval ring. Burnt bones, burnt matter and an urn were found here.


Rothiemay NJ551487

There are fewer stones, but a clearer circle at Milltown of Rothiemay. To get there, buses are few and far between, so drive the scenic route west from Bridge of Marnoch, a pretty, beech-lined winding road following the River Deveron. For keen walkers there is a steep climb up Bognie Brae beside the hotel, a mile up to the top of Fourman Hill for spectacular views up and down the Deveron valley, the river snaking its way between large estates and steep hills. From here you can see Rothiemay.
From the Marnoch/Rothiemay road, the stone circle can be seen in a field on the left (S) behind the Mains of Rothiemay before you reach the village. Ask at the farm first. No internal ringcairn remains but four big mossy stones and the famous but mysterious cupmarked recumbent stone survive. The hundreds of cupmarks on the inner face of the stone defy explanation. Are these ancient star maps? Who knows; there have been a few theories ranging from solar or lunar observations, even maps of fresh water wells.


Arnhill NJ531456

About three miles to the south-west near where the railway bridge crosses the B9022 road to Huntly, are the remnants of a stone circle at Arnhill, high above the road in a field to the west. Parking may be tricky here; ask permission at the farm to go up to the circle. Little is left except the south facing recumbent stone, fallen reddish stones, central cairn material, plus field clearance stones. The adjacent Ironstone is said to ring when struck with metal. I tried but no music came out.


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