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Girdlestanes, Eskdalemuir. |
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Description
The Girdlestanes are situated on the left bank of the River
White Esk a few miles south of Eskdalemuir in Dumfries &
Galloway region and is composed of 22 stones of varying heights
and shapes, the highest reaching about 1.65m. Around one third
of the circle has been lost by erosion from the White Esk but
the remaining circle has a diameter of around 39.00m. Some of
the missing boulders may be seen in the river bed a few metres
downstream from the circle. The circle is set on a raised bank
some 7.00m in thickness, although it is not known if this is an
original feature or a later addition resulting from field
clearance. A preliminary geophysical survey of this site carried
out in November 1993, indicated several pits within the
enclosure, with additional pits along the line of the stone
circle. The survey also suggested a narrow bank of stony
material, about 8m outside the stone circle.
Directions
The stones are located off the B709 running south from
Eskdalemuir to Langholm, about 100m from the Hart Manor Hotel.
Cross the style and proceed to the Loupin' Stones, then follow
the fence downstream to the Girdlestanes.
Parking
There is a small parking area just south of the above hotel, with
enough space for 2 or 3 cars. The stones are visible from here. A
style has to be crossed to reach the stones.
Fieldnotes
What struck me about this stone circle was the splendid setting,
surrounded by green rolling hills and next the slow flowing
River White Esk. The circle is surrounded by a row of hawthorn
bushes and at the time of my visit many of the trees to the
south had been decorated with short strips of coloured ribbon
and lace. Some of the larger stones have also been climbed on as
some of the moss had been disturbed.
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