Glenquicken stone circle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glenquicken stone circle |
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| Designated | 21 December 1934 |
| Reference no. | SM1023 |
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The Glenquicken stone circle, also known as Billy Diamond's Bridge stone circle, is an ancient and special place in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It's an oval-shaped stone circle with a large stone standing right in the middle. You can find it about two miles east of a town called Creetown.
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What is a Stone Circle?
Stone circles are really old monuments made by people long, long ago. They are usually rings of standing stones. Scientists think these circles were used for different things, like important ceremonies, marking special events, or even for watching the sun and stars. They give us clues about how people lived thousands of years ago.
The Glenquicken Circle
The Glenquicken stone circle is quite unique because of its oval shape. Most stone circles are perfectly round. This circle has 29 stones forming its outer ring. In the very center, there's a tall, single stone, which makes it even more interesting.
Why is Glenquicken Special?
A famous expert on stone circles, Aubrey Burl, once said that Glenquicken is "the finest of all centre-stone circles." This means it's considered one of the best examples of a stone circle that has a special stone in its middle. Its unusual shape and central pillar make it a very important historical site.
A Protected Monument
The Glenquicken stone circle is officially a scheduled monument. This means it's a very important historical site that is protected by law. The government makes sure that these ancient places are kept safe so that people can learn from them for many years to come. This protection helps preserve the circle from damage or changes.
Other Nearby Circles
Interestingly, old maps from the Ordnance Survey (a mapping agency) show that there were once two other stone circles near Glenquicken. These were located to the north-west. An archaeologist named Alexander Thom even mapped them in 1939. However, today, these two other circles can no longer be seen. It's a bit of a mystery why they disappeared!
