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Balgarthno Stone Circle

Other names: Gourdie, Myrekirk, the De'il Stanes...

Balgarthno stone circle in Charleston, Dundee, probably dates to somewhere between the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age periods (c. 3,300 and 2,500 BC). The site is of a type known as a recumbent stone circle; these are rarely found in Tayside (being more common to Aberdeenshire and Angus) and Balgarthno is the most southerly example of its type. The circle sits at the centre of a playing field in the heart of charleston and is a familiar part of the landscape for locals.

The site has sadly been subjected to vandalism in the past, and in 2006 the stones were surrounded by a fence in an effort to protect them from further damage. Members of Charleston's community have since decided to come together to raise awareness of the antiquity and importance of the stones and have enlisted the help of AaM. The recently formed Friends of Balgarthno Stone Circle held a number of awareness raising events in 2007 and have a series of more cultural events planned for summer 2008 including drama and poetry events, re-enactment and ancient technology workshops.

The Friends recently planted a small meadow around the stones using native species of wildflower. It is hoped that this will provide a new habitat for bumble bees and butterflies as well as softening the impact of the fence and improving the setting of the monument.

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