Airthrey Stone
The Airthrey Stone is a standing stone in the former estate of Airthrey Castle, which now forms part of the grounds of Stirling University. Whereas the castle itself lies in Stirlingshire, the stone is found some 300 yards to the south-east in Clackmannanshire detached in Perthshire. Another set of three stones is found 124 yards directly north, marking the tripoint of Stirlingshire, Perthshire and Clackmannanshire detached.
Hutchinson (1893) measured it as being "9ft 1in in height. Its greatest breadth is 4ft 10in, and its circumference 14ft."
It is believed by some historians that the Airthrey stone played a part in the birth of the Scottish nation around AD 860. Kenneth MacAlpin is believed to have gathered his west-coast Celtic army at the stone, before defeating a north-eastern Pictish army. This was the most important in a series of battles, in a power struggle which ended when MacAlpin was crowned the first king of the new, united Scotland.
References
- Hutchinson, A.F., “The Standing Stones of Stirling District,” in The Stirling Antiquary, volume 1, 1893.
- Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments Scotland, Stirling – volume 1, HMSO: Edinburgh 1963.
Outside links
- Location map: 56°8’47"N, 3°54’37"W
- The Modern Antiquarian - Airthrey Stone