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The great recumbent stone at Midmar between its two tall pointed flankers.
Aberdeenshire

Midmar Stone Circle

A recumbent stone circle in the kirkyard of Midmar near Echt, its huge flat stone framed by two tall pointed flankers like a pair of fangs, raised some 4,500 years ago.

Welcome

In the quiet kirkyard of Midmar, west of Aberdeen, the gravestones share their ground with something far older: a recumbent stone circle, raised by farming people in the 3rd millennium BC, some 4,500 years ago.

It is one of the most striking of the many circles in Aberdeenshire.

On its southern side lies the recumbent, a massive block four and a half metres long, carefully set level on small chocking stones. On either side of it stands a flanker two and a half metres tall, the pair chosen to match, each tapering to a curved point, so that together they look like a great pair of fangs. Once there was a cremation cairn in the middle, probably swept away when the kirk was built beside the circle in 1787.

In 1914 the kirkyard was extended round the stones, and some were moved and reset. It is an odd and moving mix, the ancient and the Christian side by side.

Close byForest CafeA countryside café at the Treehouse in Midmar, west of Aberdeen, for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and home bakes, open Wednesday to Sunday.1 min by roadSee itForest Café's long, bright room of booths under a pale timber ceiling.
Before you go

Free, at any time.

The circle stands in the kirkyard of Midmar Kirk, signposted off the B9119; please respect the graves around it.

Where
Midmar Kirk, off the B9119 two miles west of Echt, AB51 7NA.
The recumbent
4.5 metres long, between flankers 2.5 metres high.
Where it is

In the kirkyard of Midmar Kirk, off the B9119 two miles west of Echt, west of Aberdeen.

Close byEcht.
  1. A golden, fruit-studded scone fresh from the oven at Platform 22.Platform 227 miles10 min by road
  2. A striped fairway at Lumphanan rolling towards trees and farmland.Lumphanan Golf Club9 miles14 min by road
  3. Turreted grey castle with steep roofs beside a wooden farm gateCastle FraserOne of the largest tower houses in Scotland.10 miles19 min by road
  4. A standing stone of the Clune Wood circle beneath the Milky Way.Clune Wood Stone CircleA recumbent stone circle on a wooded hilltop.16 miles27 min by road
  5. Weathered standing stones in a circle overlooking fields and distant hillsEast Aquhorthies Stone CircleOne of Scotland's best-preserved recumbent stone circles.17 miles26 min by road
Directions
Forest Café's long, bright room of booths under a pale timber ceiling.CafeForest Cafe0.3 miles
Buchanan Bistro's high-ceilinged dining room at the Barn in Banchory.CafeBuchanan Bistro9.5 miles
The Barn's glass-fronted building and stone steading among daffodils.AttractionsThe Barn Arts9.5 miles
Maroon sign reading "Fold Craft & Design Store" against a cloudy skyShoppingFold9.6 miles
Roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets and mashed potatoes fill the tableRestaurantsDuncano’s9.8 miles
Symmetrical harled mansion with turret and stepped entrance, framed by lawn and treesWalksDrum Castle Walk10 miles
Stone castle with square tower and archway, daffodils lining the drivewayAttractionsDrum Castle10 miles
The Cowshed's dining room of wooden tables in Banchory.RestaurantsCowshed10 miles
The stone front of the Old Smiddy with a red telephone box outside.ShoppingThe Old Smiddy10 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the circle, and when each is next free.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 13 miles from Midmar
Free 11–13 NovA stone cottage with a slated roof and teal door sits behind a lawn, a striped bench and timber fence framing the garden.The Bothy, Glendye
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 13 miles from Midmar
Free 16–18 OctSofas flank a window framed by red curtains looking out to a garden and outbuilding, a coffee table set with candles and a small house-shaped ornament between them.The Hay Loft at Glendye
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 13 miles from Midmar
Free 18–20 OctA stone cottage with a slated roof and black stove pipe sits beside a gravel drive, foxgloves and wildflowers lining the path.No 4 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Banchory
  • 13 miles from Midmar
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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