Standing Stones

Make connections with history

The whole of Arran is steeped in archaeology and pre-history. People have lived on Arran for many thousands of years, and one of the most obvious aspects of this are our standing stones – and there are several sites around Arran. Most of these would have been connected with burial chambers, and there are also relics of hut circles nearby.


Machrie Moor is probably the best known area for stone circles on Arran. Whilst the main standing stones themselves are around 2000 yrs BC, they are actually on the sites of previous wooden structures thought to date back to 4500 BC, and some are almost 5m high! There are six circles in total – it’s a very ethereal place – and you can access them via a farm track. Further north, and off the moor, there is another circle at Auchengallon, which can be accessed by parking at the foot of the hill, near Machrie Garage and walking up the track. Historic Environment Scotland care for both Machrie and Auchengallon standing stone circles.

The Druid stone at Auchencar, in front of the Old Byre Visitor Centre, was one of two – the other is sadly lying down - and dates from 3800 and 2500 BC. There are other standing stone son the East of Arran too – check out the one opposite Brodick Primary School right at the roadside, and also as you come down the Castle drive there are three in fields – two on your right and one on your left.

Quirky Island Fact

#7- Machrie Stone Circles were preceded by timber structures around 4,500 years ago
The whole area of Machrie is steeped in pre history, with stone circles, roundhouses and chambered cairns. Although everyone wants to see the big stones at Machrie, Auchengallon is near the roadside and can be easily walked too – and there’s also a druid stone at Auchencar too.

Quirky Island Fact

#7- Machrie Stone Circles were preceded by timber structures around 4,500 years ago
The whole area of Machrie is steeped in pre history, with stone circles, roundhouses and chambered cairns. Although everyone wants to see the big stones at Machrie, Auchengallon is near the roadside and can be easily walked too – and there’s also a druid stone at Auchencar too.

Quirky Island Fact

#7- Machrie Stone Circles were preceded by timber structures around 4,500 years ago
The whole area of Machrie is steeped in pre history, with stone circles, roundhouses and chambered cairns. Although everyone wants to see the big stones at Machrie, Auchengallon is near the roadside and can be easily walked too – and there’s also a druid stone at Auchencar too.

Explore with us on Arran