Lochmaben Stone
35 minute walk from Gretna Green station · South West
The Lochmaben Stone is a weathered granite megalith located on the shore of the Solway Firth at the mouth of the Kirtle Water. Standing 7 feet tall and weighing 10 tons, this massive glacial erratic is all that remains of a stone circle built around 3275 BC.
The site is steeped in history, likely serving as a center for the cult of the Celtic god Mabon. For millennia, it was a vital landmark on the flat Solway Plain. It later became a famous frontier marker where Scottish and English Wardens met to arrange truces, exchange prisoners, and settle border disputes.
Visitors can view the impressive principal stone and a smaller companion nearby. You can experience the atmosphere of an ancient tribal assembly point and a historic rendezvous where armies once gathered. The site offers a unique connection to the prehistoric past and the turbulent history of the Scottish Marches.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Ancient stones
- Good for
- Archaeology & ancient history, Coast & harbours, Historic monuments, Military history
- Characteristics
- Coastal, Open-air, Prehistoric
- Admission
- Free
- Region
- South West
Stations within walking distance
- Gretna Green station — 35 min walk, 2.8 km
Other places near Gretna Green
- Old Blacksmith's Shop — 9 min walk from the station
- Gretna 2008 FC (Raydale Park) — 14 min walk from the station