Region : Strathclyde Home
Island : Arran Map
Town or village : Blackwaterfoot List
Grid Reference : NR 908 323 Glossary
Period : 2nd millennium BC Bibliography
Machrie Moor 5
(Machrie Moor V, Fingal's Cauldron Seat)

STONE CIRCLE
Machrie Moor 5 image

 
This unusual site consists of two concentric rings of eight and fifteen granite boulders, 12m and 18m in diameter respectively. It is the largest of the several stone circles of the prehistoric ceremonial site of Machrie Moor (Isle of Arran).
The site is also known as 'Fingal's Cauldron Seat' according to the tradition that describes the giant Fingal boiling up his cauldron on the inner circle's stones.
The legend also says that the natural ledge in one of the outer ring's stones was where the giant tied up his dog Bran.
During excavation in 1861 an empty cist was found in the centre of the circles.
In care of Historic Scotland