Fallen and standing stones lie within sight of Aquhorthies near an old route over the Mounth. Auld Bourtreebush is a large Neolithic stone circle, a prehistoric ring of upright stones, near Portlethen in Aberdeenshire.
Earlier writers treated it as a recumbent stone circle, but the source pack says current archaeological opinion rejects that interpretation. Its later interest comes from the nearby Causey Mounth, the high-ground track used by medieval and Civil War travellers.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Auld Bourtreebush is also known as Old Bourtree Bush or Old Bourtreebush.
The circle stands within sight of Aquhorthies recumbent stone circle near Portlethen.
The monument is scheduled.
The circle may once have had up to fifteen orthostats, though only four remain standing and others lie fallen.
A ring cairn once stood inside the circle but has been destroyed over time.
Earlier opinion treated the site as a recumbent stone circle, but current archaeological opinion refutes this.
The site lies near the Causey Mounth, an old high-ground route from the south toward Aberdeen.
William Keith and the Marquess of Montrose used the route with a Covenanter army in 1639.
People
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Portrait: Unidentified painter / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal
Covenanter leader who used the Causey Mounth route in 1639.
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Marquess of Montrose
Covenanter leader who used the nearby route in 1639.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 57.0558°N · 2.1606°W
- Access
- Open access
- Terrain
- Moderate walking
Opening & admission
The source pack does not provide reliable current admission details; verify before travelling.
- The monument is scheduled, but the pack gives no current access or route details.
Nearby places
Building or ruin · Medieval
Normandykes
Aberdeen City
As a large Roman marching camp near Aberdeen, it marks one stage of Rome's military advance into north-east Scotland.
Questions people ask
- What is Auld Bourtreebush?
- It is a large Neolithic stone circle near Portlethen in Aberdeenshire.
- Is it a recumbent stone circle?
- The pack says it was once thought to be one, but current archaeological opinion rejects that view.
- What survives?
- Only four stones remain standing, with several more fallen; the inner ring cairn has been destroyed.
- What is the Causey Mounth?
- It was an ancient high-ground route connecting the Stonehaven area with Aberdeen.
Sources
Explore more: Tomb or burial places · Prehistoric · Aberdeenshire
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