The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Five Scottish stone circles
Oozing mystery and history
SCOTLAND’S many ancient sites inspire awe and pose questions. Here are five of the finest.
THE RING OF BRODGAR
Looking like “an assemblage of ancient druids” according to Scottish geologist Hugh Miller, who visited the world famous site in 1846, Orkney’s massive Ring Of Brodgar (pictured) and its aweinspiring setting on an isthmus between lochs Stenness and Harray is no less impressive today. Consisting of 36 standing stones – there were originally 60 – it has stood for 5000 years and is enclosed by rock-cut ditch three metres deep, nine metres wide and a whopping 380 metres in circumference. The stone circle itself forms the centrepiece of a larger Neolithic site which also includes at least 13 burial mounds. www.historicenvironment.scot
THE TWELVE APOSTLES
Located between the villages of Newbridge and Hollywood in Dumfries and Galloway, the Twelve Apostles are actually only 11 in number, one having been removed some time between 1789, when it was first surveyed, and 1837 when a second survey was undertaken. It’s the largest stone circle on the Scottish mainland and the best guess at a date puts it in the late Neolothic or early Bronze Age,. Finds at the site include a four inch bronze statue of St Norbert, dating from the 12th century.
THE CALLANISH STONES
Once known by the islanders on Lewis as fir bhrèige, the false men, the stones date from the late Neolithic period. Consisting of 13 stones in a rough circle with a monolith near the centre, the site also features an avenue of 19 further stones leading to the north-east and three other rows of stones radiating outwards. A world famous site, now with a visitor centre where you can learn more about the history of the site – and maybe buy a souvenir or two. www.visitscotland.com
THE STANDING STONES OF TORHOUSE
Nobody needs an excuse to visit Wigtown, Scotland’s book town, but if one is required then this stone circle consisting of 19 granite boulders on a raised platform is as good as any. Dating (possibly) from the Bronze
Age, it hasn’t been as pored over by people with toothbrushes and groundpenetrating radar as other better known sites, but there’s plenty of local lore associated with it to keep anyone busy. One story is that the three stones in the centre mark the burial place of Galdus, the semi-mythical king mentioned by Tacitus as having fought the Romans under Gnaeus Julius Agricola in AD 83 or thereabouts. Another local tradition involves placing a gift in the deep cavity of a nearby stone in order to ensure safe passage. Give it a go. http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/ designation/SM90304
MACHRIE MOOR
The west coast of Arran is the site of six stone circles, some in granite, some in sandstone. The last was discovered as recently as 1978, though it’s the one known as Machrie Moor 2 which draws the eye. It consists of three intact stones, the tallest of which is nearly five metres in height. An ossuary, or cist, was discovered in the centre of Machrie Moor 2 in 1861, one of many which have been found across the sites. The stone circles date back to as early as 3500 BC but prior to that there were timber structures on the site, a discovery which has caused archaeologists to factor in another millennium’s worth of activity prior to the erection of the stone slabs. www.historicenvironment.scot
WHILE nothing beats the emotive response of viewing fantastic works of art firsthand, many art galleries are reaching new audiences with digitised collections of their latest exhibitions. ARTeries Gallery, found on Douglas St, Glasgow, is embracing a new phase with the launch of a website showcasing exhibitions and works from well-renowned Scottish artists.
For over 20 years ARTeries Gallery has been an institution for both highly reputable artists and for many up and coming creatives.
On the new and improved website (www. arteriesgalleryglasgow.co.uk), you can browse an eclectic and varied collection of pieces of art to suit a wide range of audiences. For any purchase enquiries, simply click the ‘contact’ button online.
The Glasgow gallery remains dedicated to finding and promoting some of the finest contemporary Scottish artists. Exhibited works are constantly changing, giving audiences something new to discover.
ARTeries Gallery is currently displaying its Winter Exhibition. The extent of which can be viewed via the website.
“Our winter exhibition is always the biggest of the year, with over 50 artists taking part,” says Neil Motion, proprietor of ARTeries. “This one has the most paintings on exhibit and will run until the end of January.”
“We feature contemporary art, but it ranges on all different types of styles from figurative art – we’ve always been keen on showing figurative art in the gallery – but also landscape work, seascapes, still life, and abstract work.
“The artists we show are prominently Scottish but there are some from further afield. We like to support Scottish artists.
“Most of the artists within the winter exhibition are artists we’ve showcased for a number of years, but we also try to add new talented artists, particularly in the winter show.”
A unique piece of art is a gift welcomed