Top 6 Natural Monuments around Kinellar

Stone Circle with a great backdrop of Bennachie

Take a short walk into the field, staying in the tramlines so as not to damage any crop, to get a fantastic view of the stones with Bennachie as a backdrop.

The Loch of Skene is a medium sized freshwater loch. It was artificially enlarged by partially damming the outflow. The loch was used to power the tweed mill downstream, but this stopped in 1906. Since then, the water has been used to generate electricity. It is designated as an SSSI for the wildlife in the area.

Built as an art project in 2006, this rocky feature makes a great viewpoint over Kemnay and Aberdeenshire. A small car park to the south provides parking for a few cars and easy access to the short walk to the top. Easily suitable for children and there are several trails to take you up to the top. The view over the quarry is also superb.

Worth a quick look! Lovely fast straight going past it though if you would rather blast past 😎

The project 'Place of Origin' began at Kemnay in 1996 as part of the celebration of 150 years of the granite firm John Fyfe. It acknowledges the importance of the industry and marks the early development of the village around the quarry. But the title also refers to the widespread distribution of granite products from Kemnay, and the influence of Scottish stoneworkers and their skills in many parts of the world. The three artists John Maine, Glen Onwin and Brad Goldberg chose to make the landscape into an artwork rather than to place individual pieces of sculpture near the quarry. Coming from Salisbury, Edinburgh and Dallas, Texas, they met at regular intervals to work together at Kemnay where they were advised by the engineer John Harrison of Inverurie. Archaeologists, geologists, local historians and construction workers have all influenced the design. The plan for Paradise Hill allowed for creative interpretation, and sensitivity to details. The woodland will complete the composition. 100 thousand tons of granular materials have been deposited to create a vantage point, overlooking the quarry. The massive granite construction at the summit is built in the traditional way that quarry walls and ramps have been made here for centuries. Paths of crushed granite lead to a high platform, contained by quarried blocks, many still showing the drill marks where they have been split. At the top of the ramp is a giant boulder extracted from a nearby sand pit. This has been rubbed smooth by the action of glaciers. The smaller black cubes set below are from India.

The project 'Place of Origin' began at Kemnay in 1996 as part of the celebration of 150 years of the granite firm John Fyfe. It acknowledges the importance of the industry and marks the early development of the village around the quarry. But the title also refers to the widespread distribution of granite products from Kemnay, and the influence of Scottish stoneworkers and their skills in many parts of the world. The three artists John Maine, Glen Onwin and Brad Goldberg chose to make the landscape into an artwork rather than to place individual pieces of sculpture near the quarry. Coming from Salisbury, Edinburgh and Dallas, Texas, they met at regular intervals to work together at Kemnay where they were advised by the engineer John Harrison of Inverurie. Archaeologists, geologists, local historians and construction workers have all influenced the design. The plan for Paradise Hill allowed for creative interpretation, and sensitivity to details. The woodland will complete the composition. 100 thousand tons of granular materials have been deposited to create a vantage point, overlooking the quarry. The massive granite construction at the summit is built in the traditional way that quarry walls and ramps have been made here for centuries. Paths of crushed granite lead to a high platform, contained by quarried blocks, many still showing the drill marks where they have been split. At the top of the ramp is a giant boulder extracted from a nearby sand pit. This has been rubbed smooth by the action of glaciers. The smaller black cubes set below are from India

According to Historic Environment Scotland, The Cullerlie Stone Circle is a 4,000-year-old stone circle and cremation site, surrounded on all sides by rising ground. It is an open space so accessible, free to visit, all year round. It is near Garlogie, just off the B9125 road.