Monument record MAB37374 - COLMEALLIE
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Summary
Remains of a stone circle, of two concentric rings, possibly a recumbent stone circle.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 116
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NO 5657 7811 (38m by 27m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NO57NE |
| Civil Parish | Edzell |
| Authority | Angus |
Type and Period (4)
Full Description
Remains of a stone circle, of two concentric rings, possibly a recumbent stone circle. It stands on a turf-covered mound, about 15.5 m in diameter and 0.6 m high, to the south of, and partially truncated by, the road to Cormeallie Farm. Some stones were observed built into the adjoining dyke and another was built into the centre support of a cart-shed. Three stones appeared to be in situ, giving an overall diameter of 14.5 m. Four of the stones from the smaller inner circle survive in the east, circa 2m inside the outer circle. A fifth stone in the south stands erect but may not be in situ. To the west of this stone are three recumbent stones one of which measures 3 m x 2.2 m x 0.5 m. The shape and size of this stone and its position on the south-southwest arc of the circle tentatively suggested to the OS that Colmeallie was a possible recumbent stone circle but it could not be positively determined.
Barclay and Ruggles re-examined the remains and concluded in 1999 that Colmeallie is 'a classic, if rather mauled, recumbent stone circle'. They concluded this on the basis of the following observations: (a) the recumbent was identified as broken in two pieces, (b) the four stones of the inner circle are probably the remains of a ring cairn, and (c) the location of the recumbent and flankers within the trend of orientation south-southeast to west-southwest and the alignment of the same with the setting midsummer full moon over the Craig of Shanno 2.3 km away. Together with other examples south of the Mounth this is possibly part of a localised Recumbent Stone Circle tradition.
WARDEN, A. J., 1880-85, ANGUS OR FORFARSHIRE: THE LAND & PEOPLE, Vol. 3, 226-7 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2086.
JERVISE, A., 1882, HISTORY & TRADITIONS OF THE LAND OF THE LINDSAYS, 106 (2nd ed.) (Bibliographic reference). SAB901.
BURL, H. A. W., 1968-69, RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLES OF N-E SCOTLAND, PSAS 102, 60, 79 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2284.
BURL, HAW, 1976, STONE CIRCLES OF BRIT ISLES, 354 (Bibliographic reference). SAB100.
BARCLAY & RUGGLES, GJ & CLN, 1999, ON THE FRONTIER? RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLES IN KINCAR, 12-22 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2288.
Sep 26 2003 , UNK, UNK (Ground Photograph). SAB25913.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ANG;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 116;
- NMR Card Number: NO57NE3;
- NRHE Numlink: 35145;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NO57NE0003;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM116 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/35145 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SAB100 Bibliographic reference: BURL, HAW. 1976. STONE CIRCLES OF BRIT ISLES. N. N. 354.
- --- SAB2086 Bibliographic reference: WARDEN, A. J.. 1880-85. ANGUS OR FORFARSHIRE: THE LAND & PEOPLE. N. Vol. 3, 226-7.
- --- SAB2284 Bibliographic reference: BURL, H. A. W.. 1968-69. RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLES OF N-E SCOTLAND, PSAS 102. Y. N. 60, 79.
- --- SAB2288 Bibliographic reference: BARCLAY & RUGGLES, GJ & CLN. 1999. ON THE FRONTIER? RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLES IN KINCAR. N. 12-22.
- --- SAB25913 Ground Photograph: Sep 26 2003 . UNK. Digital. UNK.
- --- SAB901 Bibliographic reference: JERVISE, A.. 1882. HISTORY & TRADITIONS OF THE LAND OF THE LINDSAYS. N. 106 (2nd ed.).
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
Record last edited
Mar 24 2026 2:45PM
