Undiscovered Scotland

 

Torhouse Stone Circle stands to the south of the B733 a little over three miles west of Wigtown. A large layby offers parking and access is through a gate in a stone wall. What you find are 19 dumpy granite boulders set in a circle and graded in size with the largest on the south-east side. Three additional stones are set in a line in the centre of the circle. These may mark an earlier burial cairn which later had the circle set up around it. Visible from the circle are three more stones set on slightly rising ground to the east, while another stands a little to the south of the circle.

According to folklore, the central stones mark the tomb of King Gauldus, a mythical figure who is supposed to have fought the Romans and who is said to have given his name to Galloway. The link between the mythical king and the place name is not accepted by modern experts: and in any case if someone was buried under the central stones it was done long, long before the Romans came to these shores. Having said that, myths like this one do add a great deal to our modern experience of the landscape and sometimes it helps to suspend disbelief.

As stone circles go, Torhouse is on a very human scale and benefits from being remarkably complete. Its site is slightly raised and if you are lucky enough to have the place to yourself it is easy to imagine prehistoric rituals being carried out here. Or you can simply drink in the atmosphere of this lovely place while you enjoy the views.