Everybody has heard of Stone Henge in Salsibury, but not many know there are many many more stone circles still standing in Aberdeenshire in particular; so many that some are not even recorded or on a map!
The largest and most impressive are preserved heritage sites, but the smaller ones are just in corners of fields, overgrown, and only visible in early spring when the snow has flattened the tall grass and the new grass has not grown over them again.
They are all unique; Some have guardian spirits - some have a lot of spirits, and some are just sleeping through the eons.
This one is my closest, and also my favourite -
I'ts called Easter Aquhorthies, and is accessible by car to a small car park about 100 yards away - then by foot along the bridal path in the photo.
The views are spectacular and far enough away from traffic to appreciate the calm. It is often deserted so you can have time to meditate without being disturbed. I have visited here at night without problems.
It is still used to celebrate equinoxes by locals, and has at least one guardian spirit who is good - provided you are respectful. I get very good feelings every time I come here, and hear music often.
Historians and archaeologists are puzzled by cup and ring marks on the stones, but I have seen how they were made. What I saw was a leader of Druid type dress with a heavy staff - that had an iron ring fitted at it's base. In a ritual he would walk around the stones and strike each of them with his staff, saying words as he did - blessing each group of people who were represented by a stone. As he did so - often sparks were seen as the staff struck the stones. This must have been a magical sight!
This I think explains the cup marks left behind.
Rowan.
