Standing Stones.

Following our day spent exploring the southern beaches and coast of Arran we head inland to visit Machrie Moor and the stone circles. I'd heard about the stones here but had never visited before. I hadn't reaslised there were quite so many: you find one stone circle, keep walking and another appears, then yet more - there are the remains of six circles still visible on the moor. The stone circles are nearly 4000 years old and there is evidence of earlier life at the site. It is believed that the weather here used to be warmer and drier and the ground better for agriculture. An adverse change in climate resulted in the peat bogs which now cover the area and caused the departure of the people from the land.

The walk up to the stones from the car park is very pleasant - it's flat and well marked and altogether the round trip is about three miles. We spot a common orchid and masses of foxgloves. The children were fascinated by the sheep and lambs. There is also an old tumbledown cottage - a peek inside shows the remains of the old range. The setting of the circles is beautiful - wide open moorland ringed by distant hills. On the way back, towards the end of our walk a curlew crosses our path.

 

Did you spot A in front of one of the stones? I included the photo to show the scale - the largest stone is over 18ft high. Most of the stones though are only a few feet high. Still, I think the site is well worth a visit if you ever find yourself on Arran with a few hours to spare.