I walked past the sign to Strichen Stone Circle on my road to winter journey on Saturday. That’s actually as close as I got to the stones. It was just a wee trip out.
Strichen Stone Circle
I’ve been many times before, though, so here we go.
Every time I’ve visited this site, it’s been a dull day. But the stones are still majestic and bold.
This circle was knocked down in the 19th century, then put back in the wrong place, then built into a folly, then excavated, and finally placed back in its original position in 1982.
The recumbent looks like it may have been used for something at some point, to hold a post possibly?
You can see the old burnt-out Strichen House from the circle.
A Stone Circle in Books
A stone circle appears in all my books, the new naughty ones too, but it is particularly important to the people of SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. The stones of Aikey Brae feature on the cover.
Set in 1st century Scotland, the novel includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The story features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance…
“Ethereal and spellbinding…” Historical Novel Society
Elizabeth Felt, a lecturer in English at the University of Wisconsin, had this to say about it: “The tone of this book is amazing. At the beginning, the narrator is mute, and the book feels so quiet, so in touch with the earth and stone and air and water… Amazing writing. Excellent story. Highly recommend.” See the whole review here.
Article: Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
Pointing you to some more stones
- Dancing at Aikey Brae
- The Maiden Stone and Persephone
- Barrows and Henges
- Loanhead of Daviot
- Easter Aquorthies
- Summer Solstice at Aviemore Stone Circle
And A Dancer’s Journey:
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“every river has a stepping stone”
Impressive, even in photos. What’s the story of Strichen House?
I’ve never heard that there’s any particularly exciting story about the house. There’s a wee bit on the history of it here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/strichen-house
The awesome feeling of viewing history and mystery of stone circles comes through even in the photos. Thank you.
I’m glad that some atmosphere was captured.
That’s sad – that lovely house being burnt out.
Gwen.
A lot of these grand houses fell into disrepair after the fortunes of the owners changed.
I love the way you connect me more each time to the part of my heritage that I feel the most connected to. Thanks.
Oh, I’m glad you find that 🙂
What an awesome monument! I think it’s wonderful that it has been reassembled. Thanks for sharing this post on the history of Scotland, Ailish.
It has had rather a turbulent time, this circle.
There’s nothing like a stone circle! We don’t have them over here in America, although the Mississippian mounds and Anasazi pueblos are also quite amazing.
The mounds and pueblos do sound amazing. I will have to look them up.