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Lynford Stone Circle is a prehistoric ceremonial monument situated on the Isle of Bute in Argyll and Bute, 650 metres north-east of Lynford. The circle stands on bedrock of the Stratheden Group, a Late Devonian formation of interbedded sandstone and conglomerate that underlies much of this part of Bute. This geological foundation provides a stable base of considerable age, formed long before human activity in Scotland.
Stone circles of this type were erected during the Bronze Age, serving purposes that likely combined ritual, astronomical observation and communal gathering. The monument is positioned within the landscape of Bute, an island whose terrain and geology shaped Bronze Age settlement and ceremonial practice. The choice of location reflects the considerations of prehistoric communities in selecting sites for their sacred structures.
The circle is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM394, ensuring its preservation for future study and public understanding. Such monuments contribute significantly to our knowledge of Bronze Age society in western Scotland, though much about their specific use and symbolism remains subject to scholarly debate.
Stone circle, 650m ENE of Lynford is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM394. View the official record →
Lynford Stone Circle is a prehistoric ceremonial monument situated on the Isle of Bute in Argyll and Bute, 650 metres north-east of Lynford. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM394.
Stone circle, 650m ENE of Lynford 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 SM394.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Kingarth,standing stones (0.8 km), Kingavin,deserted village 650m ENE of Dunagoil (1.9 km), St Blane's church,monastery and 'the cauldron',Bute (2.2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Stone circle, 650m ENE of Lynford'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.
Stone circle, 650m ENE of Lynford stands on Stratheden Group, bedrock that formed in the Late Devonian. The rock here is sandstone and conglomerate, interbedded.