East Aquhorthies Stone Circle

Wander among one of Scotland’s best-preserved recumbent stone circles and wonder about its original purpose.

East Aquhorthies Stone Circle is a recumbent stone circle – a monument type only found in north-east Scotland. It has a large stone set on its side and flanked by two upright stones, usually on the south or south-west part of the circle.

The stones here appear to have been chosen for their colour. They’re all rough, pinkish porphyry, except for:

• the stone next to the east flanker, which is red jasper
• the two flanking stones, either side the recumbent stone, which are grey granite
• the recumbent stone, which is made of red granite quarried from near Bennachie