Balhalgardy

Also known as:
Johnnie Kelly's Lass
Nearest town:
Inverurie (3km SE)
OS reference:
NJ759243
OS sheet:
38
Latitude:
57° 18' 31.27 N
Longitude:
2° 24' 0.29 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Balhalgardy (Stone Circle) by LesHamilton

The ruined remains of Balhalgardy stone circle near Inverueie in Aberdeenshire, with Bennachie in the background.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Aug 28, 2013

Articles

Balhalgardy

drewbhoy
drewbhoy May 21, 2009

The remains of this circle can be found by leaving the B9001 north of Inverurie at the Balhalgardy signpost. Go about a 1/2 mile and the farm of the same name is reached on the south side. In a field to the north the last remaining stone rests. The stone has fallen and broken into three being most famous for it’s cup marks. to protect it from further damage a fence surrounds the area. In the next park is a massive pile of field clearance possibly a resting place for the missing five stones.

Further along the road is the site of the Battle of Harlaw and a monument dedicated to those who died. Slightly further along is the Liggar Stone.

Visited October 08.

Folklore

Balhalgardy
Stone Circle
drewbhoy
drewbhoy May 21, 2009

“Often it is apparent that the names now in use have no connection with the origin of the monument, but are recent and frequently trivial additions. Johnnie Kelly’s Lass, a large cup marked standing stone on the farm of Balhalgardy, near Inverurie, perhaps the sole remnant of a circle, furnishes a good example of the trivial origin of what may be curious and puzzling names. The name is just a century old. Johnnie Kelly, for long a farm servant at Balhalgardy, when old age came upon him, took to knitting stockings, a common country occupation in those times. On fine days he climbed to the stone, resting against it as he worked, and scanned the rich plains of Garioch; the humour of the countryside dubbed his constant companion “Johnnie Kelly’s Lass,” and the name stuck.”

Folklore Of The Aberdeenshire Stone Circles 1926.

Sites within 20km of Balhalgardy

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