Five stones and two outliers sit on a knoll south of Oldmeldrum. Sheldon stone circle is a prehistoric stone circle, but recent Historic Environment Scotland work suggests it was not a recumbent circle despite earlier scholarly assumptions.
The source pack is short, so the page centres on identity, aliases, survival, location, scheduled status, and the shift in interpretation from Alexander Keiller’s view to recent reassessment.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
Sheldon stone circle lies south of Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire.
It is also known as Sheildon, Shelden, Shieldon, Sheldon of Bourtie, and Sheldon of Bourtree.
The circle sits on a knoll north of Sheldon farm.
It has five remaining stones and two outliers.
The monument is scheduled.
Researchers following Alexander Keiller treated Sheldon as a recumbent stone circle.
No recumbent stone remains at the site.
Recent work by Historic Environment Scotland suggests that Sheldon was not a recumbent stone circle.
People
-
Alexander Keiller
researcher whose interpretation influenced later views of Sheldon as recumbent.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 57.3147°N · 2.2957°W
- Access
- Open access
- Terrain
- Moderate walking
Opening & admission
The source pack does not provide reliable current admission details; verify before travelling.
- The scheduled circle lies near Sheldon farm; the pack gives no access route details.
Nearby places
Building or ruin · Medieval
Bass of Inverurie
Aberdeenshire
A rare surviving twelfth-century motte-and-bailey earthwork that served as the administrative heart of the medieval Garioch.
Fortified place · Medieval
Tolquhon Castle
Aberdeenshire
A well-preserved example of a Scots Renaissance courtyard mansion, built more for domestic comfort and display than for defence.
Questions people ask
- What is Sheldon stone circle?
- It is a prehistoric stone circle south of Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire.
- How many stones remain?
- The pack says five stones remain, with two outliers.
- Is it a recumbent stone circle?
- Recent Historic Environment Scotland work suggests it was not, despite earlier researchers following Alexander Keiller in that view.
- How is it protected?
- It is a scheduled ancient monument.
Sources
Explore more: Tomb or burial places · Prehistoric · Aberdeenshire
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