Arran: Machrie Moor Stone Circles (Stone Circle No. 2)


Machrie Moor is extremely rich in archaeology, particularly ritual remains dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age period (3500 BC - 1000 BC). There are no less than six stone circles. This area is the most fertile land on Arran and as such must always have been attractive to settlers.

This picture is of Stone Circle No.2 which lies about 60m west north west of Circle 1. Three sandstone slabs remain standing, the tallest of which is 5.5m high. The circle is nearly 13m in diameter.

The circle was excavated in 1861 by James Bryce who discovered two short cist burials, one at the centre and one between the centre and the north-eastern pillar stone. The central cist contained a flat-bottomed, highly decorated food vessel.

SCRAN ID: 000-000-004-089-C; Historic Scotland