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Cairn Fichlie

Heritage Site in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Cairn Fichlie

Kildrummy Castle With the usual well kept Historic Environment Scotland lawns.
Kildrummy Castle Credit: Gordon Brown

Cairn Fichlie is a historic heritage site located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is a prehistoric burial cairn that dates back to the Neolithic period, around 4000 to 2500 BC. The cairn is situated on the summit of the hill known as Hill of Fichlie, at an elevation of approximately 340 meters (1,115 feet), offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The cairn itself is a circular mound of stones, measuring about 15 meters (49 feet) in diameter. It is believed to have been constructed as a communal burial site, with various individuals interred within. The exact purpose and significance of the cairn remain uncertain, but it is thought to have held ritualistic and religious importance for the ancient inhabitants of the region.

Cairn Fichlie is a significant archaeological site, providing valuable insights into the lives and customs of Neolithic communities. Excavations have revealed a variety of artifacts, including pottery, flint tools, and animal bones. These findings suggest that the people who built the cairn were skilled craftsmen and engaged in hunting and farming.

Today, Cairn Fichlie is a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts. Visitors can hike up the hill to reach the cairn, enjoying the natural beauty of the area along the way. Interpretive panels are installed at the site, providing information about its historical and cultural significance. Cairn Fichlie offers a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate Scotland's ancient past.

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Cairn Fichlie Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.218/-2.903 or Grid Reference NJ4514. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Kildrummy Castle With the usual well kept Historic Environment Scotland lawns.
Kildrummy Castle
With the usual well kept Historic Environment Scotland lawns.
Fields at Kinchyle, Towie Looking over the Don valley towards Ley.
Fields at Kinchyle, Towie
Looking over the Don valley towards Ley.
Autumnal colours at Kildrummy Castle Gardens viewed from bridge
Autumnal colours at Kildrummy Castle Gardens viewed from bridge
Don by Aitionn The River Don flowing through farmland by Aitionn Hill near Towie,
Don by Aitionn
The River Don flowing through farmland by Aitionn Hill near Towie,
Trees by Aitionn A tree belt at the foot of Aitionn Hill by Fichlie.
Trees by Aitionn
A tree belt at the foot of Aitionn Hill by Fichlie.
Kildrummy Castle The triple window belonged to the chapel of this impressive ruin. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and was rebuilt or altered many times. As a major stronghold, it played its part in many conflicts from the Wars of Independence to the Jacobite Rising of 1715. For more information see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/17109/kildrummy-castle" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/17109/kildrummy-castle">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Kildrummy Castle
The triple window belonged to the chapel of this impressive ruin. The castle dates back to the 13th century, and was rebuilt or altered many times. As a major stronghold, it played its part in many conflicts from the Wars of Independence to the Jacobite Rising of 1715. For more information see LinkExternal link.
Adult Oystercatcher Before we walked up to the castle, the custodian warned us about an aggressive pair of Oystercatchers. They had apparently swooped on a previous visitor, causing him to duck, stumble and fall. Sure enough, when we reached the ruins they set up a great commotion. This was one of them perched on the wall and shrieking shrilly at us. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5412185">NJ4516 : Oystercatcher Chick</a>.
Adult Oystercatcher
Before we walked up to the castle, the custodian warned us about an aggressive pair of Oystercatchers. They had apparently swooped on a previous visitor, causing him to duck, stumble and fall. Sure enough, when we reached the ruins they set up a great commotion. This was one of them perched on the wall and shrieking shrilly at us. See NJ4516 : Oystercatcher Chick.
Oystercatcher Chick This little chick was the cause of all the commotion. (See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5412182">NJ4516 : Adult Oystercatcher</a>). He (or she - I can't tell) was trapped inside part of the ruins, unable to escape to safety. I only spotted it because it was running around inside its trap, but it stopped moving and concealed itself among the stones. I was able to get a quick photograph using the camera's zoom, and then we retreated well out of the birds' way. We told the custodian, and he was considering going up next morning before opening time, catching the chick and, if it was still inside the ruins, releasing it outside so that it would be able to hide in the grass and avoid further disturbance by visitors to the castle.
Oystercatcher Chick
This little chick was the cause of all the commotion. (See NJ4516 : Adult Oystercatcher). He (or she - I can't tell) was trapped inside part of the ruins, unable to escape to safety. I only spotted it because it was running around inside its trap, but it stopped moving and concealed itself among the stones. I was able to get a quick photograph using the camera's zoom, and then we retreated well out of the birds' way. We told the custodian, and he was considering going up next morning before opening time, catching the chick and, if it was still inside the ruins, releasing it outside so that it would be able to hide in the grass and avoid further disturbance by visitors to the castle.
Kildrummy Castle Even ruined, the stronghold of the earls of Mar is one of the finest examples of a 13th-century castle still surviving in eastern Scotland. The three elegant lancet windows in the centre of the photograph belong to the castle's chapel. Kildrummy Castle is now a Historic Scotland property.
Kildrummy Castle
Even ruined, the stronghold of the earls of Mar is one of the finest examples of a 13th-century castle still surviving in eastern Scotland. The three elegant lancet windows in the centre of the photograph belong to the castle's chapel. Kildrummy Castle is now a Historic Scotland property.
Towie war memorial The stupendously carved granite memorial (sculptor Robert Morrison) is actually located at Glenkindie, about 1 km north of Towie. Surprisingly, it appears not to be a listed structure but its Canmore reference number is 273912: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/273912/towie-war-memorial" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/273912/towie-war-memorial">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>.
Towie war memorial
The stupendously carved granite memorial (sculptor Robert Morrison) is actually located at Glenkindie, about 1 km north of Towie. Surprisingly, it appears not to be a listed structure but its Canmore reference number is 273912: LinkExternal link.
Towie war memorial: south elevation
Towie war memorial: south elevation
Towie war memorial: north elevation Henry Begg was born in 1881, graduated from the University of Aberdeen and was killed by a shell at Beaumont Hamel (Somme) in November 1916, aged 35.
Towie war memorial: north elevation
Henry Begg was born in 1881, graduated from the University of Aberdeen and was killed by a shell at Beaumont Hamel (Somme) in November 1916, aged 35.
Towie war memorial: east elevation
Towie war memorial: east elevation
Glenkindie standing stone Canmore reference 17168: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/17168/glenkindie" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/17168/glenkindie">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> . The stone fell over as recently as 1991 but the farmer re-erected the stone the next year.
Glenkindie standing stone
Canmore reference 17168: LinkExternal link . The stone fell over as recently as 1991 but the farmer re-erected the stone the next year.
'Slow down' sign, A97, Glenkindie
'Slow down' sign, A97, Glenkindie
River Don near Towie
River Don near Towie
Kildrummy Castle from the gardens
Kildrummy Castle from the gardens
Old Milestone by the A97, near Kildrummy Castle Aberdeen granite by the A97, in parish of Kildrummy (Grampian District), Kildrummy Castle, near brown sign for Kildrummy Gardens and Hotel. Inscription reads:- : 35 : (To Aberdeen) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: AD_SDCB35
Old Milestone by the A97, near Kildrummy Castle
Aberdeen granite by the A97, in parish of Kildrummy (Grampian District), Kildrummy Castle, near brown sign for Kildrummy Gardens and Hotel. Inscription reads:- : 35 : (To Aberdeen) Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: AD_SDCB35
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Cairn Fichlie is located at Grid Ref: NJ4514 (Lat: 57.218, Lng: -2.903)

What 3 Words

///shortage.capacity.allies. Near Alford, Aberdeenshire

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Cairn Fichlie

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.218,-2.903
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Lat/Long: 57.2198279/-2.9087734
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Lat/Long: 57.2216587/-2.9062019
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Lat/Long: 57.2184034/-2.9108154
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Lat/Long: 57.2206441/-2.907613
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Lat/Long: 57.2222821/-2.9036166
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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