The deep, deep past

Today, we headed inland to lunch and on the way visited an ancient stone circle. 

According to Historic Scotland, Cullerlie, or the Stones of Echt, is a 4,000-year-old stone circle and cremation site, surrounded on all sides by rising ground. 

Cullerlie's eight stones surround a burnt area which was likely used for cremation. Within the circle  there are eight small ring cairns  which were most likely built at a later date. Each of these contains a cremation. 

Cullerlie is remarkable for its setting at the bottom of a valley. Most prehistoric stone monuments were built on higher ground; the reason for Cullerlie’s unusual location is a mystery, as is much or most of archaeology!