Field Visit
Date 8 September 2003 - 11 May 2005
Event ID 635129
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/635129
Occupying a low rise in a grass-grown clearing within the southern margin of Clune Wood, this recumbent stone circle stands side by side with a ring-cairn [NO79SE 3] in a position that before the trees grew up commanded extensive views out across lower Deeside. Roughly oval on plan, the circle measures 17.5m from ENE to WSW by 16.7m transversely and retains its full complement of nine stones, though these are not disposed strictly symmetrically to either side of an axis drawn at right-angles through the recumbent. The recumbent (2) is a boulder measuring 2.95m in length by 1.05m in height, with its relatively uneven summit tilted down towards the W. The two flankers (1 & 3), which stand 1.55m and 1.3m high respectively, are of a similar shape and are set back slightly from the leading edge of the recumbent, but while the western extends its alignment, the eastern is turned slightly as if to trace the arc of the circle. Of the rest of the stones, two are fallen (5 & 9) and one is reduced to a stump (6), but they are relatively evenly spaced and are roughly graded to reduce in height northwards from the orthostats to either side of the recumbent setting (4 & 9). The fallen orthostats on the ENE (5) and the WSW (9) have been deliberately felled, the former showing signs that it has been split lengthwise, and the latter exhibiting a string of eight rectangular sockets sunk in preparation for its reduction. A stone lying beside the stump of orthostat 6 may belong to its missing upper section. The interior contains a cairn measuring 15.3 from E to W by 13.9m transversely and up to 1m in height, but this is also encircled by a stony platform that extends out well beyond the ring. The main body of the cairn projects outwards on the SSE into the back of the recumbent setting, with one possible kerbstone visible immediately behind the W flanker and another a little further round to the W. The cairn has been heavily disturbed, notably by the construction of a small walled enclosure and the digging of two large pits, one at the centre and the other behind the recumbent. Presumably sunk in search of treasure, a large slab lies in the bottom of the pit at the centre, while the other reveals a foundation of large boulders behind the recumbent. The wall of the overlying enclosure, which displays an internal batter, lies eccentrically to both the perimeter of the cairn and the surrounding circle, and is probably no more than the ‘ree’ (fold or stock enclosure) referred to in the circle’s traditional place-name (see Smith 1880, 299–300).
Visited by RCAHMS (ARG, ATW, IGP, KHJM) 8-9 April 2003 and 11 May 2005
