Auchencar Druid Standing Stone

The Auchencar Druid Standing Stone

The west coast of Arran is a treasure trove of prehistoric sites, the most famous being the complex of standing stones and stone circles at Machrie Moor. Three miles north of Machrie at Auchencar, stands a solitary standing stone known as the Auchencar Druid Stone (alternate names include the Auchencar Standing Stone, the Druid Stone, and the Auchencar Druid).

Beside this tapering, lichen-covered sandstone pillar is another, fallen stone, broken in two pieces. The Auchencar Druid Stone stands 15'7" tall (5m), 5'6" wide (1.8m), and is roughly 9" thick (0.3m). It tapers to a very fine pointed tip. The Auchencar Druid Stone is made of sandstone, probably quarried here. One theory amongst antiquarians is that the famous stones at Machrie Moor were quarried here at Auchencar.

Another view of the standing stone

The fallen stone was originally much larger, measuring 27' long, though also 5'6" at the base. It is possible that the two stones originally formed part of a setting, perhaps a stone circle arrangement, though, if so, nothing now remains of other stones that may have made up the rest of the circle.

What is most striking, however, is the shape; it is unusual on Arran, and much more reminiscent of the thin, strikingly pointed stones of the Outer Hebrides, for example, at Callanish.

The stone stands out as a prominent landmark in the relatively flat landscape looking westward towards Machrie Bay. It would have been visible from far away to visitors arriving by land or sea. In fact, you can get an excellent view without walking into the farm field where it stands (if you see the local farmer, please ask permission to enter the field!)

Getting There

The Auchencar Druid Stone is up the lane towards Auchencar Farm, off the coastal road between Machrie to the south and Dugarie to the north. We parked off the coast road and walked up the lane towards the farm. The standing stone was easily visible in the farm field to our left.

I suggest combining a visit to Auchencar with an excursion to see the stone circles on Machrie Moor and a side trip to the nearby King's Cave, north of Blackwaterfoot.