Clashindarroch Forest, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4QS

Wormy Hillock Henge (The Dragon’s Grave)

Prehistoric

Place photograph

5.0

Wildland

Under 1 hour

Time

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Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

ForestValleyHistory loversWalkers

Why it's Wildland

5.0

A small prehistoric henge in a steep forest valley carries a much larger name: The Dragon’s Grave. Its low circular bank still outlines a compact earthwork, with a central platform and a gap at the south-east.

This is a modest site rather than a grand monument, but its setting in Clashindarroch Forest and the surviving shape of its mini-henge give it a distinctive sense of place. The dragon story adds local colour—provided it is kept separate from the archaeological evidence.

Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling

Find your way

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Clashindarroch Forest, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4QS

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The experience

A short, access-dependent visit focused on reading the earthwork: find the circular bank, look for its south-eastern gap and consider the central platform. Do not assume the map pin identifies a public entrance.

Things to do

Trace the circular bank

Look for the low bank that almost encloses the henge and note its south-eastern gap. The monument is described as overgrown, so its outline may not be obvious.

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Notice the central platform and ditch

The source describes a small central platform within a ditch, with several causeways crossing it. Observe from the ground without digging, moving stones or damaging the monument.

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Keep the dragon story in its proper place

The name The Dragon’s Grave comes from a local legend about a monster said to have been killed and buried here; it is folklore, not an archaeological account of the monument’s origin.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour on site; access and approach time are unconfirmed

Read the little henge

01
Confirm access and the approach before travelling; the supplied map pin is not an entrance or parking location.
02
If access is available, look for the low circular bank and its south-eastern opening.
03
Observe the central platform and the described ditch and causeways without disturbing the earthwork.

Verified history

Wormy Hillock Henge is described as a small prehistoric henge in Clashindarroch Forest and is recorded as a scheduled monument, designated in 1973. Its low circular bank is about 16.5 metres across, surrounding an enclosed area with a central platform and ditch. In 1891, James Macdonald excavated the mound, believing it to be a sheep enclosure; the account says the excavation produced no archaeological finds.

Folklore & legend

Local legend says a dragon or monster attacked nearby villages before being killed and half-buried beneath the mound. This story explains the name The Dragon’s Grave; it should not be treated as the established origin or function of the henge.

Hidden details

A gap aligned with the inner causeway — The south-eastern opening in the bank is described as corresponding in position with a causeway crossing the inner ditch.

A boulder in the ditch — The site description notes a large boulder lying in the ditch below one of two small pits on the bank. The pits may be more recent than the rest of the monument.

When to go

· No particular time of day is evidenced; check access before visiting.

The supplied source gives no seasonal visiting guidance.

The monument is described as overgrown with grass and heather. Access, path conditions and local weather impacts are not confirmed; check before visiting.

What to look for

01
The low circular bank
02
the central platform
03
the south-eastern gap in the bank
04
the small ditch and causeways described inside it
05
and the boulder lying in the ditch. The source says the earthwork is overgrown with grass and heather, so some details may be hard to make out.

The story

Archaeology; Folklore & legend

Best time to go

Check local conditions and access before visiting; no season-specific visitor information is confirmed.

No particular season or time of day is established by the available source. Check access and ground conditions before travelling.

How long to spend

Under 1 hour

Perfect for

History lovers · Walkers

Before you go

Website Google Maps

Address

937M+JH, Huntly AB54 4QS

Website

en.wikipedia.org

Practical information

Opening & access

The henge is described as being within Clashindarroch Forest, but public access and the best approach are not confirmed. Check access arrangements before setting out; the supplied map pin marks the site, not an entrance or parking place. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

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Parking

Check before visiting; no parking information is confirmed.

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Toilets

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Food & drink

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Dogs

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Accessibility

Terrain, path condition and step-free access are not confirmed. Check before visiting.