The Heart Stone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heart Stone
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 The Heart Stone |
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 Heart Stone
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| OS grid reference | NN 4467 5785 |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Pitlochry |
| Police | Tayside |
| Fire | Tayside |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
The Heart Stone (or Clach Cridhe in Gaelic) is a very old and important landmark in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. You can find it on Rannoch Moor, which was once part of an old travel route called the 'Road to the Isles'. This special stone has a long history. It was even moved in the 1950s to save it from being covered by water. Today, the Heart Stone stands proudly beside the B846 road, a reminder of the past.
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The Stone's Journey and History
The Heart Stone has seen many changes over hundreds of years. It was once a key marker on a busy route. This route was used by people traveling to markets or moving animals across the land.
Old Roads and Clan Lands
Near the Heart Stone, across Loch Eigheach, you can find the ruins of an old farm called Ceanncoille. This place was once a strong base for the Menzies clan, a powerful Scottish family. It was also close to the Black Wood of Rannoch. This area was known for thieves and bandits in the past. They would often target travelers on the 'Road to the Isles'.
Old paths used by drovers (people who moved cattle) crossed the moor. These paths were marked by piles of stones called cairns. They also used unique rocks like the Heart Stone as guides. Many of these old paths are now under the enlarged Loch Eigheach.
How the Stone Was Broken
When the B846 road was being built, the Heart Stone was right in the way. Instead of building the road around it, workers decided to split the stone. They used drills to break it in half. After this, people started calling it the "Broken Heart Stone."
Saving the Stone from the Water
For many years, the Heart Stone lay by the side of the road. It was a well-known sight for everyone passing by. Then, a big project called the Gaur Hydroelectric Scheme was planned. This project would make Loch Eigheach much bigger. It became clear that the Heart Stone would be completely covered by water.
People from all over the world sent letters to save the stone. Because of this, the workers were told to move the huge 15-ton stone. They moved it to where the old road from Corrour meets the B846 road. The old Corrour road is now under the water. The story of the Heart Stone is shared on information boards at Rannoch railway station. Scientists believe this large boulder was left here after the last ice age, making it a "glacial erratic."
