Loupin' Stanes (The Leaping Stones)

All pictures copyright © 1997 Martin McCarthy

Looking across the platform of the Loupin' Stanes towards the River White Esk. Large image (49k 829x260) The two large stones outside the circle, looking from below the platform towards the B709 road. Large image (68k 575x533) The full width of the circle of the Loupin' Stanes, looking towards the B709. The low stone in the foreground is part of one of the adjacent stone circles. Large image (57k 829x343) Panoramic view of the circle, looking from the east side of the ring. Large image (217k 1785x561) The two larger stones. They are about eight feet apart and stand seperate from the circles. Large image (57k 877x401) Close-up of the more slender of the larger stones, from a different angle. Large image (124k 479x877)

This group of stone circles is at Eskdalemuir, near Lockerbie. One circle of ten stones is complete;just by this circle are two almost-vanished circles. Most of the stones are one or two feet tall. There are two much larger stones near the main circle; these stand 5'4" tall each and some eight feet apart (the Loupin' Stanes themselves). Some 500 metres further down the River White Esk is another circle (the Girdle Stanes) that has been partly eroded by the river. The main circle and the Loupin' Stanes stand on an artificial platform. A line of stones leads from the Loupin' Stanes to the Girdle Stanes.