Lochmaben Stone

Lochmaben Stone is a lone megalith standing on the shore of the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway, southern Scotland. The boulder rises by the mouth of the Kirtle Water, close to the town of Gretna and the border with England. It is a place where prehistory meets the story of the Anglo-Scottish frontier.

What is the Lochmaben Stone?

The stone is a large granite boulder about two metres tall. Together with a smaller stone, it is all that survives of a stone circle that, by one estimate, was built around 3275 BC. Other accounts suggest a later date, so the age of the circle is best treated as approximate. Either way, the site clearly has Neolithic roots and is older than many better-known monuments in Britain.

Where does the name come from?

The name has been spelled in many ways over the centuries. A form, Clochmabenstane, is recorded as early as 1398. Scholars have linked it to the Brittonic god Mabon, as well as to the nearby place name Lochmaben. There is also a suggestion that the stone may be the "pillar" behind the name of the Solway Firth itself.

Why did the stone matter in the Middle Ages?

The stone stood on an old route across the Solway towards Burgh-by-Sands in England, and it lies not far from the mouth of the River Sark. Its position on the border made it a natural meeting point. In 1398 the Duke of Rothesay and John of Gaunt met here to arrange an exchange of prisoners. In the 16th century it was often the place where Scottish and English wardens of the marches gathered to settle legal matters and disputes. Nearby, the Battle of Sark was fought in 1448.

What can you see there?

You will see the boulder and the smaller stone beside it. There is little in the way of facilities, so this is better as a short stop than an all-day destination. It combines well with a visit to Gretna and the surrounding Solway Firth coast, where the view opens across the shore and the water of the firth.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Lochmaben Stone? On the shore of the Solway Firth, at the mouth of the Kirtle Water, near Gretna in Dumfries and Galloway.

How old is it? The circle it belonged to is dated by one estimate to around 3275 BC. Other sources give later dates.

Is it a complete stone circle? No. Only two stones remain: the large boulder and a smaller one beside it.

What was it used for in medieval times? It served as a meeting place for Scottish and English border officials and wardens, and as the site of a prisoner exchange in 1398.

Is there an entrance fee? We found no information about fees. Check current access to the site before you visit.