Students of the strange should visit the Torehouse Stones which stand about three miles west of Wigtown, Scotland.
This is one of the best preserved ancient stone circles in Britain. Although much smaller than sites such as Stonehenge all the stones are still present and in good condition. There are 19 granite boulders, set on their ends. Three of the boulders are in the centre of the circle. The site is unusual for the area and is of a type more commonly found in northeast Scotland or in Ireland.
Of course, whenever a stone circle is mentioned lovers of myth quickly refer to the Druids although sceptics sigh at the wilder flights of fancy. What is certain is that the Torehouse Stones are very ancient indeed, perhaps Bronze Age (3300BC to 1200BC).
Local legend maintains that they are the burial place of King Galdus, a hero who fought the Romans in about 80AD. The three central stones are supposed to cover his grave while other stones a little distance to the north, across the road, are said to be where his generals lie and nearby cairns are said to be graves of soldiers. The circle certainly dates back a thousand years or more before the Romans came anywhere near the area but, who knows, perhaps such a significant site was used to bury the King much later? Are the stones across the road “heel stones” related to astronomical alignments or observations? The site has never been excavated so there are plenty of questions to be asked. If this site was “down south” it would have been massively investigated with all sorts of academic research and New Age speculation.
The diameter of the stone circle is from 61 to 66 feet and the stones are positioned between five and 11 feet apart, with the ones on the west side being smaller and closer to each other than on the west. It is unusual to find three stones in the centre of such circles. The stone in the centre of the trio is smaller than the other two and they are arranged in a line running northeast to southwest.
The site, which is open all the time and free, is in the care of Historic Scotland – see http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_291&PropName=Torhouse%20Stone%20Circle The stones are right next to the B733 road.
www.scotlandssecretsouth.blogspot.com
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