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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 763
 Date Entered 14/10/2013
 Updated on 14/10/2013
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Standing Stones / Circles
 Record Type Archaeology
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Public Footpath
 Record Date 01/10/2013
 Location Galloway. Dumfries. The Twelve Apostles Stone Circle.NX947794
 Civil Parish Not known
 Brit. National Grid 
 Altitude 
 Geology Glacial erratic granite and other boulders of local origin.
 Record Name Some Galloway Stone Circles 4. The Twelve Apostles Stone Circle near Dumfries.
 Record Description The Twelve Apostles Stone Circle is located 2.5 mils NE of Dumfries in pasture close to the Cluden Water River. The stone circle is accessible from the B729 road near the junction with the A74. Whereas the stone circle is described (e.g. Thom and Thom 1988, pp) as having eleven stones in situ, several large stones of the ring are not earthfast but lie prone on the surface and appear to have been pulled out. There is one fragment of a larger stone and in at least one instance two or three stones lie together as though roughly replaced. In short, the circle seems to have been in part 'rebuilt'. It has been noted that 'Twelve Apostles' for an eleven stone ring is justified by the removal and destruction of the stone thought to represent Judas. My view is that the presence of surface boulders grouped together indicates that there were originally many more stones in this damaged ring.
 Dimensions 90m *80m approximately
 Geographical area 
 Species 
 Scientific Name 
 Common / Notable Species 
 Tree and / or Stem Girth 
 Tree: Position / Form / Status 
 Tree Site ID 0
 Associated Site SWAAG ID 0
 Additional Notes This stone circle is comparable in dimensions and probably in concept with Long Meg and her Daughters, near Penrith, (see previous SWAAG Record No 762). The stones of both rings are of similar glacial erratic boulders. However, Long Meg is probably better preserved and is chronologically and architecturally more complex- having an outlier standing stone (Long Meg herself)which may predate her Daughters,ie the circle, two internal cairns (now long since removed) and an entrance portal feature. Furthermore, Long Meg is an element within an extended contemporary prehistoric landscape complex which included the Mayburgh and King Arthur's Round Table henges, Little Meg cairn circle and most significantly, the large earthwork (causewayed?) enclosure visible on aerial photographs which is immediately adjacent to the Long Meg and her Daughters Stone Ring.
 Image 1 ID 4777         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description The Twelve Apostles stone circle from the B729 road. This very large ring can only be photographed from a distance and the image needs a close look to see the stones which are difficult to see in grass pasture.
 Image 2 ID 4778         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Detail of the perimeter of the stone circle.
 Image 3 ID 4779         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Detail of stones laid on the surface, including a fragment of a larger stone, clearly broken up.
 Image 4 ID 4780         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Detail of fallen stone or pulled out.
 Image 5 ID 4781         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description One of the very large standing stones.
 Image 6 ID 4782         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description The same stone as last.
 Image 7 ID 4783         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Very large standing stone.
 Image 8 ID 4784         Click image to enlarge
 Image 8 Description Three stones grouped together on the surface.Previously pulled out? The surface holes on the larger volcanic rock are natural and are not cup marks.
 Image 9 ID 4785         Click image to enlarge
 Image 9 Description Detail of the perimeter of the circle.
 Image 10 ID 4786         Click image to enlarge
 Image 10 Description Detail of the perimeter of the circle.
 Image 11 ID 4787
 Image 11 Description Large standing stone
 Image 12 ID 4788
 Image 12 Description Fallen stone
 Image 13 ID 4789
 Image 13 Description Detail of perimeter.
 Image 14 ID 4790
 Image 14 Description The complete 90m diameter ring of stones, difficult to see in grass.
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