Midsummer stones on Machrie Moor...

Went for a long walk today through muddy fields to find the ancient standing stones on the sacred site at Machrie Moor. The site has had special significance since about 4500 BC (or BCE if you want to be politically correct) and they have uncovered various burial grounds and evidence of ancient homes.
This shot shows some of the tall standing stones but there are also about 6 stone circles made up of smaller rounder stones. Research shows that the site originally had elaborate timber circles (don't ask me how they can tell that thousands of years later) which were replaced by the stones after about 500 years. No-one quite knows what was being celebrated here or why, but the location offers an early view of the midsummer sunrise at the head of Machrie Glen so it seems likely that some significant ceremony took place here at midsummer.
We enjoyed our vigorous walk very much then headed back to await the arrival of ES and GraceN off the late afternoon ferry. After they arrived and settled in, we headed off to Whiting Bay for a delicious evening meal at the Glenisle Hotel.