A reduced ring of stones stands beside the road through Glen Esk. Colmeallie is a recumbent stone circle, a prehistoric stone setting with a large horizontal stone forming part of the ring, now known partly through what has been lost.
Colmeallie matters because antiquarian memory records a more complete monument than survives today. Andrew Jervise noted in 1853 that older local people remembered the circle before recent stone-robbing for building material.
What follows is drawn from published sources, with each claim labelled by how firmly it is established.
History
The recumbent stone circle stands at Colmeallie Farm in Glen Esk.
Andrew Jervise recorded the site in 1853.
Jervise reported that elderly locals remembered the circle as more complete.
The circle had been plundered for building material before Jervise's account.
The site is protected as scheduled monument SM116.
People
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Andrew Jervise
Recorded local memories of the circle in 1853.
Connections
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Glen Esk
Valley containing the circle.
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Edzell
Nearby village south of the monument.
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Tarfside and Loch Lee road
Road corridor passing the site.
What to look for
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Recumbent circle
A recumbent stone circle includes a large stone set horizontally within the ring.
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Roadside setting
The monument lies by the unclassified road through Glen Esk.
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Missing stones
The present circle reflects nineteenth-century stone-robbing.
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Glen Esk context
The circle stands in an upland valley landscape north of Edzell.
Plan your visit
- Location
- 56.8924°N · 2.7145°W
- Access
- Visible from a public way
- Terrain
- Easy going
Opening & admission
- Roadside rural stone circle near Colmeallie Farm; view without disturbing farm activity.
Nearby places
Minor monument · Medieval
Dovecot, Balbegno Castle
Aberdeenshire
Dovecote with HES-listed pre-1800 evidence (17th century).
Fortified place · Medieval
Edzell Castle and Garden
Angus
Edzell's walled garden of 1604, ringed with carved panels of the planetary deities, liberal arts and cardinal virtues, is unique in Scotland and am…
Minor monument · Medieval
Dovecot, Mains Of Edzell
Angus
Dovecote with HES-listed pre-1800 evidence (1600).
Minor monument · Medieval
Market Cross, The Square, Fettercairn
Aberdeenshire
Mercat cross with HES-listed pre-1800 evidence (1670).
- Easy path
Questions people ask
- What is Colmeallie stone circle?
- It is a recumbent stone circle in Glen Esk, Angus.
- What is a recumbent stone circle?
- It is a prehistoric stone circle with a large horizontal stone forming part of the ring.
- Who recorded Colmeallie?
- Andrew Jervise recorded it in 1853.
- Why is the circle incomplete?
- Jervise reported that it had recently been plundered for building materials.
Sources
Explore more: Tomb or burial places · Prehistoric · Angus
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