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The recumbent and standing stones of Aikey Brae Stone Circle in a clearing among dark pines.
Aberdeenshire

Aikey Brae Stone Circle

The most complete recumbent stone circle in the north of Aberdeenshire, with a 21.5-tonne recumbent stone.

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Welcome

The recumbent stone circle belongs to the north-east of Scotland more than anywhere else: a ring of standing stones with one huge block laid on its side between two tall flankers.

Aikey Brae, on the hill above Old Deer, is the most complete of them in the north of Aberdeenshire.

Five stones still stand, among them the recumbent and its eastern flanker, and five more have fallen, the western flanker with them. They sit on a low circular bank of small stones and earth about fourteen metres across, kerbed inside and out with slabs set on edge.

Most of the stones are granite, but the fallen flanker and the recumbent are whinstone, and the recumbent is reckoned to weigh twenty-one and a half tonnes. Standing beside it and thinking about the people who moved it into place without a wheel is most of the reason to come. It is a few minutes from Deer Abbey and Aden Country Park, and the three make a good day in Buchan.

A short drive awayMaud Railway MuseumThe old junction station of the Buchan line, now a small railway museum on a cycle path.6 min by roadSee itThe granite Station Hotel at Maud on a corner of the village.
Before you go

The circle is on the hill above Old Deer, open at any time and free.

Wear boots in wet weather.

Where
Above Old Deer, near Mintlaw.
Entry
Free, at any time.
Where it is

Old Deer, near Mintlaw.

Close byAround Old Deer.
  1. A tall old tree in full summer leaf in the woodland of Aden Country Park.Aden Country ParkWoodland, a lake and a Victorian arboretum round a half-moon steading in the middle of Buchan.4 miles12 min by road
  2. A costumed figure in a red gingham shawl and black bonnet among the displays of the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum.Aberdeenshire Farming MuseumA hundred and fifty years of north-east farming, told inside a steading of around 1800.4 miles12 min by road
  3. Two donkeys looking over the fence at Waulkmill Menagerie.Waulkmill MenagerieA small farm menagerie near New Deer where visitors spend an hour as the keeper's helper.7 miles15 min by road
  4. The blue front of Strichen Antiques under its sign.Strichen AntiquesTwo stores of the weird and wonderful in a Buchan village: curios, jewellery, salvage and taxidermy.9 miles15 min by road
  5. The bronze of Fisher Jessie with a child at her side on Marischal Street, Peterhead.Fisher JessieAndy Scott's bronze in Peterhead to the women of the fishing towns.13 miles25 min by road
Directions
The granite Station Hotel at Maud on a corner of the village.AttractionsMaud Railway Museum2.7 miles
Konik ponies at the water's edge on the Strathbeg marshes, their reflections below them.AttractionsRSPB Loch of Strathbeg14 miles
White lighthouse on a stone base rising from open seaAttractionsRattray Head16 miles
A drawing room at Haddo House, its ornate ceiling above portraits and blue chairs.AttractionsHaddo House18 miles
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