Thursday 26th July
After
a very midge infested night which didn’t really seem to get dark we were
up and away early to visit a really impressive site.
Achavanich
Stone Circle
ND 188 417
From the A99 Wick road take the turning signed Achavanich and continue for about 5 miles until Loch Stemster comes into view. You can’t miss the stones they are right beside the road on the right.
This is a really excellent site to visit, peaceful, no people and attractive setting and views. The circle is shaped like a horseshoe that is 225 ft (68.6m) on the long sides and about 85 ft (25.9m) across. The grass is quite long here but the stones are a good size averaging 1 metre and there are 34 of them from an original 54.
Views of the site with the stones fading into the distance
There is a gap in the circle where the farm gate enters the field and also no stones on the southern length of the circle. The last two on the right of the gate are around 2m high.
All we found of the small cist to the north end was a grassy hollow with a few small stones.
On a raised mound to the southeast are the remains of a chambered tomb where you can get a great view of the site and the loch. There is only one standing stone here but it is well worth the damp walk to it.
View from the raised mound
Guidebest
Stone Circle
ND 181 351
From
Achavanich carry on to meet the A9 and turn left. Continue for a few miles
to a right turn signed Smerral. Take this and then take the left turn that
goes uphill and passes two farm buildings. Stop in the layby after the
second farm and the circle is in the valley below beside the stream.
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