The most well-known of prehistoric monuments. They are ostensibly rings of upright standing stones, generally ellipsoid in structure (Alexander Thom did the 7-category assessment), with seemingly multifunctional usage: moot sites, ritual centres and probably alignments. Generally created from the late neolithic through to Iron Age period. In this category are also included sites now defined as ‘ring cairns’ and other circular neolithic and Bronze Age monuments – but it must be stressed that the function of such sites differs from the standard megalithic rings.
STONE CIRCLES: Bibliography & References
Site Name |
Species |
Grid-Reference / What3Words |
| Acharn Falls, Kenmore – a.k.a Greenland | Stone Circle | |
| Allt a’ Chaisteal, Bettyhill, Farr, Sutherland | Four Poster | NC 7251 5756 |
| Ash Cabin Flat, Hallam Moor, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SK 26940 86268 |
| Auld Kirk o’ Tough, Corrennie Moor – a.k.a Old Kirk of Tough | ||
| Bachilton, Methven, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 0015 2411 |
| Backhill of Drachlaw, Fortrie, Aberdeenshire | ||
| Backstone Circle, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle (ruins) | SE 12605 46130 |
| Baildon Moor Circle, West Yorkshire – a.k.a Lower Glovershaw | ||
| Balbirnie, Markinch, Fife | Stone Circle | NO 28585 02968 |
| Balhaggardy, Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Balnacraig, Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Balquhain, Chapel of Garioch, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Beckhampton Penning, Avebury, Wiltshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SU 0986 6713 |
| Blackheath Circle, Todmorden, West Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SD 9433 2543 |
| Blakey Topping, Allerston, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SE 8719 9338 |
| Bombie, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NX 7079 5018 |
| Boreland Mote, Parton, Kirkcudbrightshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NX 693 709 |
| Borland Glen, Glendevon, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 99766 07093 |
| Brackenhall Circle, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire | Enclosure | SE 1305 3908 |
| Bradup, Morton Moor, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 0898 4393 |
| Braehead, Leslie, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Brimham Rocks, Summerbridge, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SE 2056 6507 |
| Broad Moss (1), Rattray, Perthshire | ||
| Broad Moss (2), Rattray, Perthshire | ||
| Broad Stones, Clatford, Wiltshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SU 161 684 |
| Caddam, Kirriemuir, Angus | Stone Circle (remains) | NO 3848 5625 |
| Cairn Riv, Fortrie, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Calverley Woods, Leeds, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SE 20 37 |
| Carse Farm (north), Dull, Aberfeldy, Perthshire | NN 8022 4873 | |
| Carse Farm (south), Dull, Aberfeldy, Perthshire | NN 8026 4847 | |
| Castlerigg, Keswick, Cumbria | Stone Circle | |
| Cecilmount, Blackford, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NN 9020 0985 drew.amazed.custom |
| Chapel Flat, Dalston, Cumbria | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NY 37 50 |
| Cheetham Close, Egerton, Lancashire | Stone Circle | SD 7164 1589 |
| Clachaig, Bridge of Balgie, Glen Lyon, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NN 583 468 |
| Clachanah, Kilspindie, Perthshire | ||
| Clachan an Diridh, Pitlochry, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 92518 55740 mountain.captive.shuttered |
| Clachan Aoraidh, Balquhidder, Perthshire | Stone Circle (ruins) | NN 5389 2076 |
| Cleatop, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SD 821 613 |
| Cliff Cottage Circle, Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SM 8615 1428 |
| Cnoc Dubh, Moulin, Pitlochry, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NN 9424 5871 |
| Colpy, Culsalmond, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NJ 6411 3261 |
| Corrydown, Kirkton of Auchterless, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Craigendowie, Lethnot & Navar, Angus | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 5225 6924 |
| Creich Manse, Brunton, Fife | Ring Cairn | NO 31894 21041 |
| Croft Moraig, Kenmore, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 79750 47262 |
| Crow Hill, Midgley Moor, West Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SE 026 271 |
| Culhawk Hill, Kirriemuir, Perthshire | NO 3530 5620 | |
| Cultoon, Islay, Argyll | NR 1956 5697 | |
| Cunninghar, Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NS 9256 9709 |
| Cupar Stones, St. Martin’s, Perthshire | Stone Circle (ruins) | NO 15958 31227 |
| Druid’s Altar, Bordley, North Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SD 94945 65270 |
| Druid’s Ring, Lochearnhead, Perthshire | ||
| Drumend, Rattray, Perthshire | Stone Circle (ruins) | NO 20175 45825 |
| Drumfours, Muir of Fowlis, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Dumpit Hill A, Hebden, Grassington, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SE 0299 6399 |
| Dumpit Hill B, Hebden, Grassington, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SE 0307 6406 |
| Dunino, Fife | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 541 109 |
| Dunmoid, Dalginross, Comrie, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 78030 21266 |
| Easter Nether Urqhuart, Gateside, Fife | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 18873 08865 |
| Easthill, Auchterarder, Perthshire | Stone Circle (remains of) | NN 9292 1246 |
| East Whitefield, Cargill, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 1730 3515 |
| Eggleston, Durham | Stone Circle | |
| Fancarl Top, Appletreewick, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SE 06432 63048 |
| Fingal’s Cauldron Seat, Machrie Moor, Kilmory, Arran | NR 90878 32353 | |
| Four Stanes, Glendevon, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NN 95294 05196 |
| Frogden Circle, Linton, Roxburghshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NT 774 292 |
| Gask, Westhill, Abderdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Girdle Stanes, Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire | Stone Circle | |
| Glassonby Circle, Cumbria | Stone Circle | |
| Gleneagles, Blackford, Perthshire | Stone Circle (lost) | NN 93 08 |
| Glenquickan, Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire | ||
| Glenshervie Burn, Glen Almond, Perthshire | Ring Cairn | NN 82614 32996 |
| Glen Shurig, Kilbride, Arran | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NR 99 36 |
| Greenland, Acharn, Kenmore, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 76785 42490 |
| Grubstones Circle, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire – see Roms Law | Ring Cairn | |
| Gull Stones, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk | Stone Circle (destroyed) | TG 524 035 |
| Haer Stanes, Llanbryde, Banffshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NJ 2691 5985 |
| Handsome Cross, High Bradfield, South Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SK 26 94 |
| Harden Moor, Bingley, West Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SE 07496 38675 |
| Harestanes, Ancrum, Roxburghshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NT 641 240 |
| Harestanes, Fortrie, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Harlaw, Fairnington, Roxburghshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NT 666 286 |
| Harperstone Circle, Dunblane, Stirlingshire | ‘Stone Circle’ | NN 838 032 |
| Hawk Hill, Alloa, Clackmannanshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NS 906 925 |
| Healey, Masham, North Yorkshire | Stone Circles (destroyed) | SE 170 810 |
| Hillhead, Forgue, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NJ 638 367 |
| Hill of Ballunie, Kettins, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 265 389 |
| Hordron Edge, Moscar Moor, Derbyshire | Stone Circle | SK 2152 8685 |
| Horncliffe Circle, Hawksworth Moor, West Yorkshire | ‘Stone Circle’ | SE 13335 43532 |
| Innesmill, Urquhart, Moray | Stone Circle | NJ 289 640 |
| Kilmarie, Kirkibost, Strathaird, Skye | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NG 552 172 |
| King’s Men, Rollright Stones, Oxfordshire | Stone Circle | SP 29578 30869 |
| Kinnell, Killin, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 57699 32805 |
| Kipps, Linlithgow, West Lothian | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NS 9909 7387 |
| Kirkgunzeon, Kirkcudbrightshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NX 8657 6668 |
| Kirkmoor Beck Farm, Fylingthorpe, North Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | NZ 9253 0306 |
| Kirktonhill, Channelkirk, Berwickshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NT 474 548 |
| Kirkton of Culsalmond, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NJ 6503 3293 |
| Knockshinnie, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NX 681 450 |
| Little Balmae, Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NX 691 447 |
| Little Meg, Glassonby, Cumbria | Stone Circle | |
| Loanend, Leslie, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Loanhead North, Daviot, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Loanhead South, Daviot, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Long Meg and Her Daughters, Little Salkeld, Cumbria | Stone Circle | |
| Loupin Stanes, Eskdalemuir, Dumfriesshire | Stone Circle | NY 25706 96638 |
| Lower Glovershaw, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SE 13201 40124 |
| Lundin Farm, Aberfeldy, Perthshire | Stone Circle | |
| Machrie Moor (1), Kilmory, Arran | Stone Circle | |
| Machrie Moor (2), Kilmory, Arran | Stone Circle | |
| Machrie Moor (3), Kilmory, Arran | Stone Circle | |
| Machrie Moor (4), Kilmory, Arran | Stone Circle | |
| Machrie Moor (5) – a.k.a Fingal’s Cauldron Seat | Stone Circle | |
| Machrie Moor (6), Kilmory, Arran | Stone Circle | |
| Machuim, Lawers, Loch Tay, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 68201 40156 |
| Mains of Hatton, Kirkton of Auchterless, Aberdeenshire | ||
| Marchwell, Glencorse, Midlothian | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NT 2264 6212 |
| Meikle Whitefield, Cargill, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 173 342 (approximation) |
| Millden, Glen Esk, Edzell, Angus | Stone Circle | NO 54 79 |
| Millhills, Crieff, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NN 88808 19823 |
| Mudbeck Ring, Arkengarthdale Moor, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle | NY 95626 07618 |
| Mylnefield, Longforgan, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 332 430 overheard.stores.being |
| Na Clachan Bhreige, Kirkibost, Skye, Inverness-shire | Stone Circle | NG 5432 1768 |
| Nether Corskie, Dunecht, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Nettlehole Ridge, Skipton, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle (ruins) | SD 9794 5634 |
| Newbigging, Lethnot & Navar, Angus | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 5414 6935 |
| Newchurch-in-Pendle, Lancashire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SD 822 387 |
| Newcraig, Daviot, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Nine Stanes, Bendochy, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 220 416 |
| Nine Stones Close, Harthill, Derbyshire | Stone Circle | SK 2254 6264 |
| Ninewells, Caputh, Perthshire | Ring Cairn | NO 0757 4360 |
| Old Kirk of Tough, Corrennie Moor, Kirkton of Tough, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Pipers Stones, Blessington, County Wicklow | Stone Circle (destroyed) | N 96998 14582 |
| Pitglassie, Kirkton of Auchterless, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Rawthey Bridge, Fell End, Ravenstonedale, Westmorland | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SD 714 978 |
| Ringstone, Cropredy, Oxfordshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SP 470 464? |
| Ringstone, Whaley Bridge, Cheshire | ‘Stone Circle’ | SK 00 82 |
| Ringstone Edge, Barkisland, West Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SE 04436 18247 |
| Ringstone Hill, Brierley, South Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 426 099 |
| Ring Stone Hill, Catlow, Nelson, Lancashire | Stone Circle (destroyed?) | SD 892 367 |
| Ringstone Wood, Howden, East Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 748 282? |
| Ringstones, Lowgill, Lancashire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SD 664 655 |
| Ring Stones, Worsthorne, Lancashire | ‘Stone Circle’ | SD 886 330 |
| Robin Hood’s Penny Stone, Wainstalls, Halifax, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 046 288 |
| Roghadal, Harris, Outer Hebrides | ‘Stone Circle’ | NG 0496 82914 |
| The Rollright Stones, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire | Stone Circle | SP 29578 30869 |
| Roms Law, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SE 13648 44719 |
| Sheep Scar, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire | ||
| Shielburn, Fortrie, Aberdeenshire | ||
| Sithean Mor, Shian, Iona, Argyll | Ring Cairn (destroyed) | NM 2721 2371 |
| Snowden Crags, Askwith Moor, North Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SE 1770 5136 |
| Soldier’s Trench, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire – a.k.a Brackenhall Green | ||
| Stannary, Halifax, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 088 256 |
| Stone Rings, Pannal, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 308 527 |
| Sunhoney, Midmar, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Sunken Kirk, Clatt, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Sunken Kirk, Windley, Derbyshire | Stone Circle | |
| Swinside, Hallthwaites, Millon, Cumbria | Stone Circle | SD 17163 88174 |
| Templelands, Auchterhouse, Angus | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 355 360 |
| Temple of Anaitis, Lusta, Waternish, Skye | ‘Stone Circle’ | NG 2725 5273 |
| Temple Stones, Potterton, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Temple Wood, Kilmartin, Argyll | Stone Circle | |
| Tigh na Ruaich, Ballinluig, Perthshire | Stone Circle | |
| Tigh Stallar, Boreray, St. Kilda, Outer Hebrides | Stone Circle | NA 153 050 |
| Toad Stones, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire | Ring Cairn | SE 1305 4004 |
| Tofthills, Clatt – a.k.a Sunken Kirk | ||
| Tom-a-Clachan, Kirkmichael, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 08129 60093 |
| Torrnacloch, Dalbog, Edzell, Angus | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NO 5871 7189 |
| Tullibody, Clackmannanshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NS 86 95 |
| The Tullich, Aberfeldy, Perthshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NN 857 489 |
| Twelve Apostles, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SE 12610 45062 |
| Walshaw Dean, Wadsworth Moor, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle (submerged) | SD 9647 3355 |
| Weecher, Faweather, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 1372 4196 |
| Wester Biggs, Dunblane, Perthshire | Stone Circle | NN 863 061 |
| The Whetstones, White Grit, Churchstoke, Montgomeryshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SO 303 976 |
| White Hill, Mony Musk, Aberdeenshire | Stone Circle | |
| Whitehillocks Farm, Glen Clova, Angus | Stone Circle | NO 37095 66958 |
| Wilson Scar, Shap, Cumbria | Stone Circle (destroyed) | NY 549 182 |
| Windy Hill Circle, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire | Stone Circle (destroyed) | SE 138 403 |
| Worshipping Stones, Balquhidder – a.k.a Clachan Aoraidh | ||
| Yockenthwaite, Buckden, North Yorkshire | Stone Circle | SD 89975 79365 |