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Insch
OS Map 37, Strathdon
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The stones of Insch are centred around Dunnideer hill which is topped by an
Iron Age fort and one of the oldest ruined castles in Scotland. Its twin, the
Hill of Christ's Kirk boasts another, unfinished fort.
There are few buses to Insch but plenty of trains, or drive 11 miles from
Inverurie on the B9002. Of all the circles around here only the recumbent stone
and flanking stones remain standing. All can be visited on foot in a day. Most
can be seen on a clear day from Dunnideer Hill. Some are in agricultural fields
so please ask permission at all the farms before going up to the stones. Take
care parking on these narrow roads.
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| To see Dunnideer stones, take the road going
W out of Insch past the manse for about two miles. Walk up the shelter
belt of trees on the left for about 300 m. The recumbent stone and two
flankers are to the left at the edge of a wooded area of ash and pines
surrounded by cairns overgrown with elders. For keen walkers go up over
the Dunnideer hill fort path to the east from the car park. Take care
as the hill is inhabited by rabbits and the ramparts riddled with
rabbit holes. You'll see from the top where the stones stand a couple
of fields to the W. A mile to the W. at the edge of a field to the left
of a minor road forking left, are the tall, leaning flankers and
recumbent stone at Stonehead. No traces remain here of any other circle
stones. |
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Turn north for another mile to the tumbled down stone
circle on Candlehill, a common place name of the map, perhaps the
memory of a hill-top beacon. Go up the edges of the fields on the right
of the road and over the fence at the top. A disused quarry mars the
site - take care. All the big stones of this circle are toppled and
mossed-over, except the Candle stone to the east, but there is a large
complete and undisturbed mossy central cairn within the circle. |
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If walking, cut down through the beech shelter-belt
towards the road to the north, or drive a mile to the first turning on
the right and head for the Picardy Stone ½ a mile to the east. A
compass, certainly a map may come in handy for walkers in this maze of
little beech- lined roads! |
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| The Picardy Stone to the right is a beautiful class one
Pictish symbol stone bearing symbols of double-disk serpent and Z-rod
and mirror.
Continuing towards Insch, the tall flanker, recumbent stone, and one
fallen stone at Inschfield can be seen from the road in a field to the
right a couple of miles farther on.
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Go back through Insch and cross the railway line and go
½ a mile down towards Leslie. High up in a field on the right is
the evocatively-named Wantonwells on Dead Man's Howe. Here only the
massive recumbent stone and fallen flanker remain of this circle, but
you can ponder on the history behind the placenames. |
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