| 002
Standing Stone, Newton, Moffat. |
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Description
This massive whinstone boulder reaches 1.80m above ground level
and measures approx. 1.50 x 1.00m on plan. The stone is situated
in an arable field a short distance east of the public road
opposite Skip Cottage, south of Newton. This well rounded
glacial erratic has a pointed top and is thickest around its
midriff. A second, and possibly, other boulders, can be seen
protruding from the embankment running along the roadside and it
has been suggested that these might be the remains of a stone
circle, although nothing has come to light to provide any
evidence of this. CANMORE records that a 'roughly hewn stone
with markings on it was discovered during investigations around
the base of the standing stone; this second stone cannot now be
identified.
Directions
From Moffat, follow the minor road heading south for Newton. The
stone is visible from the road, under the trees, in the field
opposite Skip Cottage. Take care if crossing the barbed wire
fence. Note that livestock may be in the field.
Parking
There is space outside Skip Cottage but do ask permission first
and do not block access.
Folklore
Local tradition at this standing stone records that if
you find the stone warm to the touch, then the stone is
"alive". Should the stone be cold to the touch, it
is "presumably" sleeping. There is also the
mysterious case of a local lady who photographed the stone
only to find that none of the images came out! Spooky or
what?
Fieldnotes
I actually missed this stone when I initially rode past on my
motorbike and it was only on the return that I finally spotted
it. How you can miss a stone of this size is a mystery! Perhaps,
it does not want to be seen? A nearby resident mentioned that
there are rumours that a stone circle existed at the nearby
church but further investigations have yet to reveal additional
facts. As with the nearby stone at 001 Poldean, the course of a
Roman road also lies not far to the west. Could this also be a
possible connection with this site?
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