Insch OS Map 37, Strathdon

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.

Dunnideer NJ608284
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.

Stonehead NJ601287
		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.

Candlehill NJ599299
		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!

Inschfield NJ624294
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.

Wantonwells NJ619273
		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.