| 004 Standing Stone,
Kirkton Manor, Peebles. |
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Description
The standing stone that is built into the wall bordering the north west
side of the public road halfway between Manor Bridge and Kirkton Manor
is not in its original position and what is presumably the same stone is
marked on Armstrong's map of 1775 about 90m further to the north west,
placing it in the field towards the trees. The true size of the stone is
best viewed from the field rather than the roadway. The stone measures 1.90m height and 1.50m x 0.53m at
ground level. On both the north west and south east faces
there are a number of natural hollows which have sometimes
been mistaken for prehistoric cup-marks. The original
position of this stone may be calculated at about NT 2262
3870.
Directions
From the A72 Peebles to Glasgow road, take the minor road to Kirkton
Manor.
Parking
There is no parking nearby but the road is wide enough to park at the
road side if care is taken. Alternative park in Manor village and walk
along the road.
Folklore
The Source of Manor, a book by Lyne and Manor Youth Group
includes the following two tales. The first relates that the Black Dwarf
of Manor agreed to carry the
stone from Peebles to Manor for a wager but grew tired and left it where it stands today.
The second tale tells of a Giant who was passing through the area and stopped to
take a stone out of his boot. The stone is also known locally as The Dwarf's Stone and local
tradition also records that the stone was once an old woman turned
to stone by the devil.
Fieldnotes
I've cycled past this stone many times as it stands along one of
my favourite cycle routes up Manor Valley and rarely have I
failed to stop and wonder just what it's original purpose was.
The stone is not in it's original position, some 90m to the
north west, in the field towards the River Tweed but whether it
stood there erect or lay in a prone position is not known. The
original position would have placed the stone nearer to Arter
Brae and Arter Brae Wood with an interesting point being that
"Arter" is a corruption of Arthur. Possibly another
connection with King Arthur? There are also a number of ancient
sites near by, including two hill forts along Cademuir Ridge to
the south east. The nearest standing stones are only 2 miles
away at Sheriffmuir. There may be a connection but this has
again been lost in time.
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