Tyrebagger Recumbent Stone Circle is near Aberdeen, situated on the hill behind the airport and overlooking the Kirkhill Industrial Estate.
The search for Tyrebagger
So, when my family and I went seeking this circle we thought it would be easy to find. Yes. Well. Google maps took us close. Very close in fact. But there’s nowhere to stop a car and get out on the dual carriageway, so no possibility of taking the app’s advice to ‘walk the rest of the way to your destination’.
We turned to directions found on the internet which took us up the side of the industrial estate and into the woods. But the last instruction, to turn right along the line of trees… there was no right there. We ended up lost and peering over gates and up tracks and across fields. But then, Google maps pinpointed the exact location of the stones and we retraced our steps.
‘”It’s somewhere in that direction…”
“Just the other side of those trees…”
“But how can we get through there?”
Until:
A circle, found!
A pathway was spotted – it had been there after all, but on the LEFT – and it had a certain look and feel about it. It reminded me of the path into the often elusive Loudon Wood circle. Sure enough, moments later the stones came into view over a gate and field, silhouetted against a misty looking forest.
Tyrebagger Stone Circle proved well worth the search.
It’s a beautiful circle, with unusually tall stones.
Outlander
Sometimes when I post stone circle photos on social media, people ask if they are the stones from Outlander, and I explain that those are fictional stones. But these do look a little like the ones used in the TV show. (Inverness Outlanders found another site that may be even more like it and have photographed it in all seasons here.)
I had heard that, due to its close proximity to Aberdeen, Tyrebagger sometimes has a graffiti problem. This was not the case on the day we visited. The stones stood tall and unblemished against the blue sky.
I liked the trees too, grey and tall like the stones.
Back in my own bookish territory, there are a couple of things to mention. The Fraserburgh Herald reported on THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR here, and the book has had its first ever review here on the Lost in a Good Book blog.
Let’s finish with one last look at Tyrebagger…
My Books
Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!
“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society
See the press release here
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
Taking place mainly in a fictional castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.
See the press release here
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!
See the publisher’s Press Release here
“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society
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Good for you, keeping on looking, so many people give up, we have quite a few hidden gems near us!
It feels such an achievement to find them when they’re tricky like this 🙂
Schöne Bilder !!!danke .
Glad you like 🙂
I wish you a nice weekend! Thank you very much.
Thank you for sharing your photographs of Tyrebagger Stone Circle. I’ve always wanted to visit Aberdeen and the surrounding areas. I’ll need to be this on my bucket’s list.
It is a big contrast from the city of Aberdeen, this site. Would make for a nice varied itinerary.
I love all of your posts. I can plan my next trip to the UK following your path!
Have fun!
The things that you have to look hardest for are always the best!
Maybe!
Wonderful!!! So glad you found them and shared. They do look like the Outlander TV stones, sure, but that they are real means so much for this SoCal reader.
Yes, totally real 🙂
Lovely post Ailish, these sites are so evocative and those trees definitely compliment a wonderful setting. All the best Rich
It’s amazing how much trees change these places.
Thank you for sharing this lovely setting – and yes… when I saw them, I also thought of that scene in Outlander:)). Best of luck with the book!
Thank you 🙂
Looks like the stones in Outlander
Indeed 🙂
So very beautiful! Verdant – and that blue sky…
We did have great weather for out trip.
Almost worth that struggle to find them if it meant stumbling across them like this. Adds to their air of mystery that they were there, waiting quietly, just through the hedge
It is a special experience, the search and then the success!
Before I started reading your blog, I had no idea that stone circles of all sizes were scattered all over in unlikely places. They seem to be all sizes and conditions and must be protected in some way, yes? It’s nice to think they were all over the place and remain.
I didn’t either! I agree with your thought that it’s nice to think they were all over the place and remain.
I also liked the fact they seem t be different sizes and complexities–running the gamut from cathedral to country church. But there is something about their continued and often undisturbed existence that catches my imagination.
It is a bit mind boggling to know they’ve stood there for 4000 years.
Yes! It’s also mind-boggling to contemplate 4,000 years of human existance.
Yes. That’s it.
It’s intriguing to think of the connections among the people who left them in so many places so long ago.
There are a lot of them, 150 or so in the Grampian region alone. Some are protected by Historic Scotland, most are not and are on private land. Sadly, many have been destroyed.
Ah, that’ what I was afraid of–that they weren’t protected. Still, it’s fortunate there are so many to see in different places.
So glad you found it! Reminds me of earlier this week when my family was hunting for “The House of Fairies” in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S.). We ended up having to ask for directions from a park employee.
Love the pictures!
Getting lost does make for a bit of an adventure!
Since I probably won’t get back to Scotland, your photos are sustenance. Also a bit sad because I won’t have the pleasure of smelling the air, soaking up the feeling of history that saturates the landscape and looking down on a placid loch. Please keep sending/tweeting photos.
I will. I’m glad you like them 🙂
I am so glad you persevered and found the circle eventually!
Me too 🙂
🙂
Congratulations on THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR’S first review!
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
So fascinating. Thank you for the pictures.
Glad you like 🙂
I’d like to think the stones get their revenge on the vandals by infesting them with all manner of vile parasites … for which there is no cure except defenestration.
Bad luck is meant to infect anyone who damages a stone circle!
Good.
Thank you for this post – I had completely forgotten about Tyrebagger, it’s some years since I was there last. Your photos are great!
I’m glad you like the photos. It is a great circle, such lovely tall stones…
I dream of visiting Scotland.
I hope you get the opportunity!
Thank you
It just occured to me that more than one stone at a time is dropped roche moutonné, also likely dropped the sharp end down. Um. Umm.
The stones were carved and placed there by people. They do have carved pointy anchor ends in the ground though!
Hi, I did not explain much and still have this theory and there is a post now about it from that day I was in the geological landscape musing. I but can’t help thinking if a leads to b then c might not have been straight from a.
There seem to be a lot of stone circles in Scotland.
Yes, 150 in the Grampian region alone.
Wow, that’s a lot!