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Blackgate Smithy is a Bronze Age stone circle situated in Angus, Scotland. The monument comprises a ring of standing stones whose origins extend back to the prehistoric metal-working period, when such circles held significant ceremonial and possibly astronomical importance for the communities that constructed them. The site's construction relates to a broader tradition of stone circle building that flourished across Scotland during the Bronze Age, reflecting the ritual practices and social organisation of these early metal-using societies.
The circle's setting upon bedrock of the Arbuthnott-Garvock Group has shaped its physical character. This Pragian-age sandstone, interspersed with conglomerate, siltstone and mudstone, would have provided accessible stone for the circle's construction, whilst the underlying geology contributes to the landscape's visual and practical qualities. The local stone resources enabled the builders to establish their monument at this particular location within Angus.
Blackgate Smithy is designated and protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM149. This statutory protection recognises its significance as an archaeological and cultural heritage asset, preserving the monument for future study and ensuring its safeguarding as a tangible link to Bronze Age Scotland and the ritual landscapes of prehistoric Britain.
Blackgate Smithy,stone circle is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM149. View the official record →
Blackgate Smithy is a Bronze Age stone circle situated in Angus, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM149.
Blackgate Smithy,stone circle dates from the bronze age period, and is classified as a stone circle. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Blackgate Smithy,stone circle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM149.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Myreside,henge,enclosure and barrows NW of (0.7 km), Rob's Reed, homestead 485m ESE of Home Farm (0.8 km), Restenneth Priory (1.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Blackgate Smithy,stone circle's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Blackgate Smithy,stone circle stands on Arbuthnott-Garvock Group, bedrock that formed in the Pragian. The rock here is sandstone with subordinate conglomerate, siltstone and mudstone.