Monument record MAB18751 - LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT STONE CIRCLE
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Summary
Recumbent stone circle with low central kerb cairn, which has been reconstructed.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 90202: Loanhead stone circle and enclosed cremation cemetery
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 7476 2884 (93m by 85m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ72NW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Daviot |
Type and Period (17)
- CAIRN CIRCLE (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- CIST (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLE (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- KERBED CAIRN (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- RING CAIRN (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- BANK (EARTHWORK) (Medieval - 1100 AD? to 1560 AD?)
- FUNERAL PYRE (Early Neolithic to Medieval - 4000 BC to 1560 AD)
- BURIAL PIT (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- BURIAL (Early Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 1801 BC)
- BURIAL (Early Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 1801 BC)
- BURIAL (Middle Bronze Age - 1800 BC to 1301 BC)
- BURIAL (Middle Bronze Age - 1800 BC to 1301 BC)
- BURIAL (Iron Age - 800 BC to 401 AD)
- BURIAL (Iron Age - 800 BC to 401 AD)
- CIST (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- CIST (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- CUP MARKED STONE (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
Full Description
Recumbent stone circle with low central kerb cairn, which has been reconstructed. The outer circle, 20.5 m in diameter, is formed of ten monoliths, five of which were prostrate but which were re-erected after excavation, and large recumbent, split in two, on the south arc. The stones are graded in height and the one immediately east of the east flanker has a vertical line of cup marks on its inner face. Round each monolith a cairn had been piled and in some of these evidence of burials were found. Neolithic pottery, of flat-rim ware type found in some cairns. Others contained a similar pot with calcined bone and in a third a short cist with cremated burial and a pygmy urn. The central ring cairn with its prominent kerb, circa 16.5 m in diameter, occupies most of the interior of the circle, the central cairn measuring 3.65 m in diameter. It was built over a cremation pyre. A stone ladle about the size and shape of an ordinary breakfast cup was found by workmen 'cleaning out' the circle about 1863. Excavation in 1934 uncovered a large pit in the centre of the cairn containing burials, Beaker and Iron Age pottery. Other finds from the excavation included flint scrapers and a sword mould made of clay, probably of Late Bronze Age date. Associated with the circle on its east arc was a low earthen bank, probably medieval, extending in a southeast - northwest direction, but most of this was removed when the adjacent Late Bronze Age cemetery (NJ72NW0040) was excavated.
AAS/90/9/CT26,29,31,35,37, AAS/90/9/CT26,29,31,35,37 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19518.
AAS/90/9/CT39, AAS/90/9/CT39 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19519.
Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 10/09/35 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.
ORDNANCE SURVEY, 1871, Ordnance Name Book, No24(1867) 25 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1360.
COLES, FR, 1902, REPORT ON STONE CIRCLES IN ABERDEENSHIRE IN PSAS 36(1901-2) 488-581, 517 (Bibliographic reference). SAB232.
RITCHIE, J, 1906, PSAS 40(1905-6) 312, 96-7 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1549.
KEILLER, A, 1927, INTERIM REPORT UPON SUCH OF THE STONE CIRCLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRE AS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED AS ANCIENT MONUMENTS, 4 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1033.
KILBRIDE-JONES, HE, 1935, AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXCAVATION OF THE STONE CIRCLE AT LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT IN PSAS 69 (1934-35) 168-223, 168-223 (Bibliographic reference). SAB960.
KILBRIDE-JONES, HE, 1936, LATE BRONZE AGE CEMETERY: BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXCAVATIONS OF 1935 AT LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT. PSAS 70(1935-6) 278-314, 278-310 (Bibliographic reference). SAB965.
DONATIONS & PURCHASES, 1939, PSAS 73(1938-9), 334 (Bibliographic reference). SAB964.
COLES, J. M., 1960, SCOTTISH LATE BRONZE METALWORK; PSAS 101 p.16-134, 89 (Bibliographic reference). SAB234.
FEACHEM, RW, 1963, PREHISTORIC SCOTLAND, 39 (Bibliographic reference). SAB503.
DYKE WRI, 1966, A HISTORY OF DYKE & MOY, 7 (Bibliographic reference). SAB359.
CLARKE, DL, 1970, BEAKER POTTERY OF GB & NI, 1467-9 (Bibliographic reference). SAB228.
BEAKER
KENWORTHY, JB, 1972, RING-CAIRNS IN NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND. IN SCOT ARCH FORUM 4, 24 (Bibliographic reference). SAB998.
BURL, HAW, 1976, STONE CIRCLES OF BRIT ISLES, 179-82 (Bibliographic reference). SAB100.
SHEPHERD, IAG, 1979, EARLY GRAMPIAN, 11,ILL (Bibliographic reference). SAB1636.
HENSHALL, AS, 1983, STONE AGE TO THE '45,19-44, 26-40 (Bibliographic reference). SAB727.
SHEPHERD, IAG, 1986, LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT (leaflet) (Bibliographic reference). SAB1631.
SHEPHERD, I, 1996, ABERDEEN AND NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND (2ND ED), p. 163 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4829.
DAVIDSON, P., 1999, LOANHEAD REVISITED (Bibliographic reference). SAB2475.
SURVEY
MacGREGOR, G, 2002, Making monuments out of mountains:the role of colo (Bibliographic reference). SAB4618.
Apr 1 2003 , E 45271-2 CN, E 45271-2 CN (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB20316.
Apr 11 2018 , AAS-GR-18-04-038 - 046, AAS-GR-18-04-038 - 046 (Ground Photograph). SAB35447.
Apr 19 2018 , AAS-GR-18-04-012 - 016, AAS-GR-18-04-012 - 016 (Ground Photograph). SAB35444.
Aug 22 1986 , CP 9-11a, CP 9-11a (Ground Photograph). SAB12399.
Aug 22 1990 , KO 4, KO 4 (Ground Photograph). SAB33821.
Aug 28 1988 , HQ 16,18,21, HQ 16,18,21 (Ground Photograph). SAB33556.
Aug 31 1984 , CT 12, CT 12 (Ground Photograph). SAB12400.
Aug 31 1984 , CV 1-14, CV 1-14 (Ground Photograph). SAB12398.
Jan 1 1906 , AB 2532-35, AB 2532-35 (Ground Photograph). SAB20315.
Jan 1 1921 , DP 043104-5, DP 043104-5 (Ground Photograph). SAB20312.
Jan 1 1958 , AB 4797 PO, AB 4797 PO (Ground Photograph). SAB20317.
Jan 1 1983 , AAS/GR/83/CT03,240, AAS/GR/83/CT03,240 (Ground Photograph). SAB32600.
Jan 1 1989 , AAS/GR/89/CT421, AAS/GR/89/CT421 (Ground Photograph). SAB32753.
Jan 1 1990 , AAS/GR/90/CT106,115,118, AAS/GR/90/CT106,115,118 (Ground Photograph). SAB32778.
Jan 1 1997 , AB 4776 CS, AB 4776 CS (Ground Photograph). SAB20314.
Jan 1 1997 , AB 4777 CS, AB 4777 CS (Ground Photograph). SAB20313.
Jan 7 2022 , AAS-GR-22-01-065 - 071, AAS-GR-22-01-065 - 071 (Ground Photograph). SAB35348.
Jan 26 2018 , AAS-GR-18-01-018 - 021, AAS-GR-18-01-018 - 021 (Ground Photograph). SAB35448.
Jan 26 2018 , AAS-GR-18-01-026 - 035, AAS-GR-18-01-026 - 035 (Ground Photograph). SAB35527.
Jul 21 1977 , AAS/77/03/RA/20-21, AAS/77/03/RA/20-21 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB12402.
Jul 21 1977 , AAS/77/03/SC/10-13, AAS/77/03/SC/10-13 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB12401.
Jul 23 1996 , AAS/96/09/CT20-21, AAS/96/09/CT20-21 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16454.
Jul 23 1996 , AAS/96/09/G24/7, AAS/96/09/G24/7 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16453.
Jul 25 1991 , NJ 18, NJ 18 (Ground Photograph). SAB33439.
Jun 19 1997 , AAS/97/08/CT49-61,64-5, AAS/97/08/CT49-61,64-5 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16774.
Jun 19 1997 , AAS/97/08/G18/6-9, AAS/97/08/G18/6-9 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16773.
Jun 26 1990 , AAS/90/03/CT1, AAS/90/03/CT1 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15063.
Jun 26 2007 , DG1369-91, DG1369-91 (Ground Photograph). SAB19176.
Oct 4 2007 , AAS/07/2/DG1820-39, AAS/07/2/DG1820-39 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19241.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- Guardianship Monument (National): 205;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 90202;
- NMR Card Number: NJ72NW1;
- NRHE Numlink: 18789;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ72NW0001;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM90202 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/18789 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (51)
- --- SAB100 Bibliographic reference: BURL, HAW. 1976. STONE CIRCLES OF BRIT ISLES. N. N. 179-82.
- --- SAB1033 Bibliographic reference: KEILLER, A. 1927. INTERIM REPORT UPON SUCH OF THE STONE CIRCLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINESHIRE AS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED AS ANCIENT MONUMENTS. 4.
- --- SAB12398 Ground Photograph: Aug 31 1984 . CV 1-14. Black & White. CV 1-14.
- --- SAB12399 Ground Photograph: Aug 22 1986 . CP 9-11a. Black & White. CP 9-11a.
- --- SAB12400 Ground Photograph: Aug 31 1984 . CT 12. Black & White. CT 12.
- --- SAB12401 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 21 1977 . AAS/77/03/SC/10-13. Black & White. AAS/77/03/SC/10-13.
- --- SAB12402 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 21 1977 . AAS/77/03/RA/20-21. Black & White. AAS/77/03/RA/20-21.
- --- SAB1360 Bibliographic reference: ORDNANCE SURVEY. 1871. Ordnance Name Book. No24(1867) 25.
- --- SAB1416 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. . PRESS & JOURNAL. 10/09/35.
- --- SAB15063 Air-oblique Photograph: Jun 26 1990 . AAS/90/03/CT1. Colour Transparency. AAS/90/03/CT1.
- --- SAB1549 Bibliographic reference: RITCHIE, J. 1906. PSAS 40(1905-6) 312. 96-7.
- --- SAB1631 Bibliographic reference: SHEPHERD, IAG. 1986. LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT (leaflet). Y.
- --- SAB1636 Bibliographic reference: SHEPHERD, IAG. 1979. EARLY GRAMPIAN. Y. 11,ILL.
- --- SAB16453 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 23 1996 . AAS/96/09/G24/7. Black & White. AAS/96/09/G24/7.
- --- SAB16454 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 23 1996 . AAS/96/09/CT20-21. Colour Transparency. AAS/96/09/CT20-21.
- --- SAB16773 Air-oblique Photograph: Jun 19 1997 . AAS/97/08/G18/6-9. Black & White. AAS/97/08/G18/6-9.
- --- SAB16774 Air-oblique Photograph: Jun 19 1997 . AAS/97/08/CT49-61,64-5. Colour Transparency. AAS/97/08/CT49-61,64-5.
- --- SAB19176 Ground Photograph: Jun 26 2007 . DG1369-91. DG. DG1369-91.
- --- SAB19241 Air-oblique Photograph: Oct 4 2007 . AAS/07/2/DG1820-39. DG. AAS/07/2/DG1820-39.
- --- SAB19518 Air-oblique Photograph: AAS/90/9/CT26,29,31,35,37. Colour Transparency. AAS/90/9/CT26,29,31,35,37.
- --- SAB19519 Air-oblique Photograph: AAS/90/9/CT39. Colour Transparency. AAS/90/9/CT39.
- --- SAB20312 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1921 . DP 043104-5. Black & White. DP 043104-5.
- --- SAB20313 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1997 . AB 4777 CS. Digital. AB 4777 CS.
- --- SAB20314 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1997 . AB 4776 CS. Digital. AB 4776 CS.
- --- SAB20315 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1906 . AB 2532-35. Black & White. AB 2532-35.
- --- SAB20316 Air-oblique Photograph: Apr 1 2003 . E 45271-2 CN. Digital. E 45271-2 CN.
- --- SAB20317 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1958 . AB 4797 PO. Black & White. AB 4797 PO.
- --- SAB228 Bibliographic reference: CLARKE, DL. 1970. BEAKER POTTERY OF GB & NI. 1467-9.
- --- SAB232 Bibliographic reference: COLES, FR. 1902. REPORT ON STONE CIRCLES IN ABERDEENSHIRE IN PSAS 36(1901-2) 488-581. 517.
- --- SAB234 Bibliographic reference: COLES, J. M.. 1960. SCOTTISH LATE BRONZE METALWORK; PSAS 101 p.16-134. Y. N. 89.
- --- SAB2475 Bibliographic reference: DAVIDSON, P.. 1999. LOANHEAD REVISITED.
- --- SAB32600 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1983 . AAS/GR/83/CT03,240. Colour Transparency. AAS/GR/83/CT03,240.
- --- SAB32753 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1989 . AAS/GR/89/CT421. Colour Transparency. AAS/GR/89/CT421.
- --- SAB32778 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 1990 . AAS/GR/90/CT106,115,118. Colour Transparency. AAS/GR/90/CT106,115,118.
- --- SAB33439 Ground Photograph: Jul 25 1991 . NJ 18. Black & White. NJ 18.
- --- SAB33556 Ground Photograph: Aug 28 1988 . HQ 16,18,21. Black & White. HQ 16,18,21.
- --- SAB33821 Ground Photograph: Aug 22 1990 . KO 4. Black & White. KO 4.
- --- SAB35348 Ground Photograph: Jan 7 2022 . AAS-GR-22-01-065 - 071. Digital. AAS-GR-22-01-065 - 071.
- --- SAB35444 Ground Photograph: Apr 19 2018 . AAS-GR-18-04-012 - 016. Digital. AAS-GR-18-04-012 - 016.
- --- SAB35447 Ground Photograph: Apr 11 2018 . AAS-GR-18-04-038 - 046. Digital. AAS-GR-18-04-038 - 046.
- --- SAB35448 Ground Photograph: Jan 26 2018 . AAS-GR-18-01-018 - 021. Digital. AAS-GR-18-01-018 - 021.
- --- SAB35527 Ground Photograph: Jan 26 2018 . AAS-GR-18-01-026 - 035. Digital. AAS-GR-18-01-026 - 035.
- --- SAB359 Bibliographic reference: DYKE WRI. 1966. A HISTORY OF DYKE & MOY. 7.
- --- SAB4618 Bibliographic reference: MacGREGOR, G. 2002. Making monuments out of mountains:the role of colo. N.
- --- SAB4829 Bibliographic reference: SHEPHERD, I. 1996. ABERDEEN AND NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND (2ND ED). p. 163.
- --- SAB503 Bibliographic reference: FEACHEM, RW. 1963. PREHISTORIC SCOTLAND. 39.
- --- SAB727 Bibliographic reference: HENSHALL, AS. 1983. STONE AGE TO THE '45,19-44. Y. 26-40.
- --- SAB960 Bibliographic reference: KILBRIDE-JONES, HE. 1935. AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXCAVATION OF THE STONE CIRCLE AT LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT IN PSAS 69 (1934-35) 168-223. 168-223.
- --- SAB964 Bibliographic reference: DONATIONS & PURCHASES. 1939. PSAS 73(1938-9). 334.
- --- SAB965 Bibliographic reference: KILBRIDE-JONES, HE. 1936. LATE BRONZE AGE CEMETERY: BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE EXCAVATIONS OF 1935 AT LOANHEAD OF DAVIOT. PSAS 70(1935-6) 278-314. 278-310.
- --- SAB998 Bibliographic reference: KENWORTHY, JB. 1972. RING-CAIRNS IN NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND. IN SCOT ARCH FORUM 4, 24.
Finds (10)
- HUMAN REMAINS (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- SHERD (Iron Age - 800 BC to 401 AD)
- SCRAPER (TOOL) (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- CREMATION (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- CINERARY URN (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- PYGMY CUP (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- SWORD MOULD (Late Bronze Age - 1300 BC to 801 BC)
- SHERD (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2501 BC)
- LADLE (Early Neolithic to Late Bronze Age - 4000 BC to 801 BC)
- BEAKER (Early Bronze Age - 2200 BC to 1801 BC)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
Record last edited
Mar 20 2026 4:04PM
