Machrie Moor 2

Ordnance Survey map reference: NR 911324.

Landranger map number: 69.

Latitude: 55.325 degrees.

Longitude: -5.196 degrees.

Architecture: Internal cists..

Length of the major axis: 13.7 metres.

Length of the minor axis: 13.7 metres.

Height of the highest stone: 5 metres.

Shape: Circle.

Number of stones in the circle originally: .

Number of stones in the circle now: 3.

Impression of the site (10 amazing, 1 limp): 8

Burl rating of the circle: 3 (Ruined but recognisable).

Thom reference for the circle: -.

Astronomical alignments from this circle: -.

Excavations undertaken at this circle: 1861, 1985.

Details of any finds at this circle: Food Vessel, Flint Arrowheads.

This circle is in state care.

Access to the circle:

There are six stone circles all within a short distance of each other on Machrie moor (not including Moss Farm Road). They can be found near the end of a farm track that leads from the A 841 road. The site is sign posted and a small car park is provided for visitors. It is easy to find but a walk of just over 1 mile is needed to reach the site. The track can be muddy and wet in places but it is fairly level and an easy walk. There is a stile about half way along this track next to the Moss Farm Road Circle (Machrie Moor 10), do not confuse this circle with the main Machrie moor sites 1-6, these are all clustered together at the end of this same path.

The stones of Machrie moor 2 are the tallest stones on Arran and stand almost 5m high. Only three stones remain in what was part of a circle 13.7m in diameter, almost exactly the same size as Callanish in Lewis. They stand out against the dramatic backdrop of the Arran mountains. Two smaller stone stumps are all that is left of the other stones of this circle and they lie to the SW and E. At the site are Historic Scotland information boards giving details of all the stone circles nearby. It is well worth taking the time to visit this unique complex of stone circles, all are within a short distance of each other and all but Machrie moor 3 are impressive.An excellent site and immortalised as the stone circle on the cover of Burl's 'Stone Circle of the British Isles'.