Pobull Fhinn facts for kids
Pobull Fhinn is an ancient stone circle located on the Isle of North Uist. This island is part of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The name "Pobull Fhinn" comes from the Gaelic language. It can mean "Fionn's people," "the white or fair people," or even "Finn's tent." This special place is one of several stone circles on the island, but it's the easiest one to spot.
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What's in a Name?
The stones of Pobull Fhinn are likely named after a famous Gaelic hero called Fionn mac Cumhaill. You might know him as Finn or Fingal in English stories. He was a legendary hunter and warrior.
Fionn's Cauldron
Pobull Fhinn is also known by other interesting names. One is Sòrnach Coir' Fhinn, which means "the fireplace of Fionn's cauldron." Locally, people call it Sòrnach a' Phobaill, meaning "the fireplace of the People." Fionn's cauldron was a magical cooking pot. It was used to prepare deer that Fionn and his hunting friends caught.
Exploring the Stone Circle
Pobull Fhinn is not a perfect circle. It's actually shaped more like an oval! It measures about 120 feet (36 meters) from east to west. From north to south, it's about 93 feet (28 meters) wide. Experts believe this stone circle was built a very long time ago, possibly around 2000 BC.
How Many Stones?
You can count at least 24 stones at Pobull Fhinn. About eight stones are on the northern side. The other 16 are on the southern side. Some parts of the oval don't have any stones left. Inside the circle, near the east side, there's one tall stone standing alone. There are also two large stones that have fallen over. You can find them about seven feet (2 meters) outside the western edge of the circle.
How to Visit Pobull Fhinn
Pobull Fhinn is located on the south side of a hill called Ben Langass. Its exact location is grid reference NF 8427 6502.
Getting There
You can reach the stone circle by following a footpath. This path starts near the Langass Lodge Hotel. Another way to get there is from the footpath that leads to Barpa Langass. That path begins from the A867 road. This road is about five miles southwest of Lochmaddy. From Barpa Langass, it's about a 0.75-mile walk up Ben Langass to reach Pobull Fhinn.
A Beautiful View
The jagged shapes of the stones against the backdrop of Loch Langass, Loch Eport, and Eaval make Pobull Fhinn a very popular spot. Many visitors come here to see its beauty and take amazing photographs.
