Bigstones

Nearest Town: Inverurie

OS Grid Reference: NJ 77 91 97

Directions: Following the main A96 from Aberdeen to Inverurie, take the right turn at the roundabout for Port Elphinstone and Inverurie, the B993. Take the first right as if going into the petrol station, but park here on the road. The monument is in the large field to your left.

Site Notes: Almost unique in this part of Scotland, this large henge is one of its most important, one of my favourites and a national disgrace. Not deemed worthy of a mention on the Councils own archaeology webpages, overgrown, used as a dog toilet by the locals, burrowed by rabbits and the council are falling over themselves to build a business centre next to it, still Broomend does its best to rise above it.

A henge, which essentially an earthern bank surrounded by a ditch and does not have to have stones associated with it, is a rarity in Scotland and especially in Aberdeenshire. This henge is especially large and well defined, despite the neglect, and a careful walk around reveals glimpses of possible entrances and other stones beneath the grass. The stones within the henge may be original, except for the carved stone. This stone is ancient, dating from the time of the Picts, but is not neolithic, and deserves better than being dumped in the henge ‘along with the other old stuff’. An outlying stone can be observed in the field, and this is thought to have once been part of a ceremonial avenue of some 70 stones leading to the river. Two more remain on the route, but these are on private land. The remainder were blown up in the late 1800′s by local farmers.

This site is a unique place and should be visited if the chance arises. We must maintain that which others would see disappear under neglect.

The Pictish symbol stone

Looking up the 'avenue'