Monument record MAB18473 - SOUTH FORNET STONES
Please read our guidance about the use of Aberdeenshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
Remains of a recumbent stone circle.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 12353
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 7828 1097 (41m by 49m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ71SE |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Skene |
Type and Period (4)
Full Description
Remains of a recumbent stone circle. It survives as a low, roughly circular rubble cairn and platform with two upstanding monoliths at its S arc and at least two fallen monoliths within the body of the cairn. The two upright whinstone monoliths are likely to have flanked a (now removed) recumbent stone and formed part of the wider stone circle. They appear in situ and are each approximately two metres high.
The quartz inclusions that have been recorded by some antiquarians and modern researchers are thought to be significant in replicating celestial bodies and as a way of connecting the sky to the earth.
The monoliths sit just inside a circular rubble cairn around 20 m in diameter, the profile of which suggests the survival of an artificial platform or levelled surface. Such platforms can be features of recumbent stones circles, which may also include a ring cairn. Modern field clearance impedes confirmation of this from visual inspection.
BROWN, GF, 1921, ANTS.IN NEIGHBOURHOOD,DUNECHT (Bibliographic reference). SAB95.
HENSHALL, AS, 1963, CHAMBERED TOMBS OF SCOT 1, MAP 4 (Bibliographic reference). SAB724.
CRUDEN, S, 1972, ARCH JOURNAL, 496 (Bibliographic reference). SAB248.
Jan 1 1921 , DP 043110, DP 043110 (Ground Photograph). SAB20076.
Jan 1 1925 , AB 4835 PO, AB 4835 PO (Ground Photograph). SAB20078.
Jan 21 2000 , H 93782cs, H 93782cs (Ground Photograph). SAB20079.
May 1 1904 , AB 2556, AB 2556 (Ground Photograph). SAB20077.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 12353;
- NMR Card Number: NJ71SE1;
- NRHE Numlink: 18687;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ71SE0001;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM12353 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/18687 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (7)
- --- SAB20076 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1921 . DP 043110. Black & White. DP 043110.
- --- SAB20077 Ground Photograph: May 1 1904 . AB 2556. Black & White. AB 2556.
- --- SAB20078 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1925 . AB 4835 PO. Black & White. AB 4835 PO.
- --- SAB20079 Ground Photograph: Jan 21 2000 . H 93782cs. Colour Transparency. H 93782cs.
- --- SAB248 Bibliographic reference: CRUDEN, S. 1972. ARCH JOURNAL. 496.
- --- SAB724 Bibliographic reference: HENSHALL, AS. 1963. CHAMBERED TOMBS OF SCOT 1. MAP 4.
- --- SAB95 Bibliographic reference: BROWN, GF. 1921. ANTS.IN NEIGHBOURHOOD,DUNECHT.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Mar 20 2026 2:46PM