Strichen, Aberdeenshire AB43 6TH, Scotland

Strichen Stone Circle

Prehistoric

Source image

5.3

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Atmospheric

Feel

FarmlandRemote countrysideHistory loversWalkersPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

5.3

A prehistoric circle with a story of collapse and reconstruction: after centuries of loss and repeated rebuilding, the stones were excavated and re-erected by local volunteers in the early 1980s.

Strichen is less about a grand monument than a real sense of archaeological survival. Its stones have been dismantled, moved and rebuilt, and the approach through open fields gives the visit a quieter, more exploratory feel than a roadside stop.

Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling

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Strichen, Aberdeenshire AB43 6TH, Scotland

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The experience

Visit the circle as a focused archaeological stop, or include it in the reported Strichen Loch and Stone Circle circular walk. The wider route is listed as an easy 2.3-mile loop taking about 30–60 minutes.

Things to do

Walk to the circle

From the car park described west of Strichen, follow the path beside the former railway, pass beneath the bridge and continue along paths across fields to the circle. The final field may have livestock, so check current access conditions.

About 1 hour

Look closely at the circle’s construction

Walk around the standing stones and notice the continuous ring of smaller stones around them. The present circle was reconstructed following excavation and the recovery of the original stones.

15–30 minutes

Add the reported Strichen Loch circular walk

A published route combines Strichen Loch and the stone circle in an easy 2.3-mile loop. Confirm the route and current conditions before relying on it.

30–60 minutes, excluding extra time at the circle

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour

A close look at the circle

01
Use the described car park west of Strichen as a starting point, after checking that access is available.
02
Follow the path beside the old railway and under the bridge towards the field containing the circle.
03
Spend time looking around the stones and the smaller stones forming the surrounding ring.
04
Return by the same approach.

Half day · About 30–60 minutes for the reported loop; allow extra time for the monument

Circle and countryside loop

01
Follow the Strichen Loch and Stone Circle circular route.
02
Include the stone circle as the archaeological highlight.
03
Check the current route description and conditions before setting out.

Verified history

James Boswell and Samuel Johnson visited in 1773; they found only a few stones still standing. In 1830 a tenant farmer pulled down the remaining stones, and the laird ordered their re-erection. That reconstruction was later removed by bulldozer in 1965. A local community council initiative began in 1979, followed by archaeological excavation and a restoration project in which the original stones were recovered and the circle rebuilt in its original location by local volunteers over the following years.

Folklore & legend

No specific local legend is established by the supplied sources. The idea that the stones were a ‘Druids’ temple’ appears in the historical account as a belief associated with Samuel Johnson’s interest, not as a verified explanation of the monument.

Hidden details

A ring within the circle — The visible arrangement includes a continuous circle of smaller stones surrounding the standing stones.

A monument rebuilt more than once — The stones’ history includes a 19th-century re-erection, removal by bulldozer in 1965, and a later archaeological restoration that returned the circle to its original location.

When to go

· No specific time is supported by the available sources.

The available sources do not identify a best season.

The site is described as exposed; check the forecast and ground conditions before visiting.

The route

ascent: Not specified in the supplied route source
surface: Not fully specified; the approach to the circle is described as paths across fields
distance: 2.3 miles
duration: 30–60 minutes, according to the route source
difficulty: Easy, according to the route source
route shape: Loop
start point: The route source describes a walk around Strichen Loch and the Stone Circle; the exact start point should be checked in the route guide.
parking start: A car park on a minor road west of Strichen is described as giving access to the circle and the Formartine and Buchan Way. Confirm current arrangements.
shorter alternative: Visit the stone circle by the described approach and return the same way.

Strichen Stone Circle
Strichen Loch

What to look for

Look at the standing stones and the continuous ring of smaller stones around them. The current circle was rebuilt in its original location after archaeological excavation and recovery of the stones.

The story

Archaeology

Best time to go

No particular season is established by the available sources. Check access and ground conditions before visiting.

No evidence-backed best time of day or season is available. Check access and weather before visiting, particularly because the site is exposed to the elements.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

History lovers · Walkers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Aberdeenshire AB43 6TH

Google rating

3.5 · 6 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

The circle is reached by a path from a car park on a minor road west of Strichen. The route described includes a descent beside the old railway, a bridge and paths across fields; access through the final field may be affected by livestock. Check current access and conditions before setting out. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.

Check before visiting

Parking

A car park on a minor road west of Strichen is described as the starting point. Confirm current availability and access before travelling.

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

A wheelchair-accessible entrance is listed as unavailable in the source row. The approach includes a descent, a bridge and paths across fields; confirm suitability before visiting.

Cost

Check before visiting