Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Stane Alane Standing Stone
AO Edited

Stane Alane Standing Stone

A mysterious solitary standing stone from the Neolithic period.

Lochgilphead, Scotland

Added By
Obscuravibes
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Stane Alane Standing Stone   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Stane Alane Standing Stone   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Stane Alane Standing Stone   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Stane Alane Standing Stone   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Stane Alane Standing Stone   Obscuravibes / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Stane Alane standing stone, located near Lochgilphead in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, is a remarkable relic from the Neolithic period. This solitary menhir, standing at approximately 2.4 meters tall, is positioned on a small bank, slightly leaning, and offers a glimpse into ancient times. The stone’s exact purpose remains a mystery, but it is believed to have held ceremonial or territorial significance for the prehistoric communities who once inhabited the region.

Easily accessible from the A816 road, Stane Alane is part of a broader archaeological landscape rich with historical significance, including nearby sites like the Achnabreck Rock Art and the Ballymeanoch Prehistoric Monuments. These engravings are among the finest examples of prehistoric rock art in Scotland, adding to the allure of the area. 

The stone is thought to originate from the Neolithic or Bronze Age periods but there is evidence that it was later used as a boundary marker in the post-medieval era. It is unknown whether the stone was moved from its original position. Stones like this are thought to have signified rituals, astronomical events or possibly to mark routeways and boundaries and the Stane Alane therefore holds great historical significance in the local area. 

Related Tags

Prehistoric History & Culture Archaeology Ancient Stone Neolithic Standing Stones

Know Before You Go

Stane Alane is situated at the back of Achnabreac Cemetery. There is a small gate in the middle of the back wall. To reach the standing stone, go through this gate and turn left and it can easily be found among the bracken. 

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Obscuravibes

Published

July 22, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=235
  • https://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2752/stane_alane.html
  • https://www.ancient-scotland.co.uk/site/stane-alane
  • https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=6326
  • https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/globalassets/projects/crarae-substation-s37/crarae-substation-town-and-country-planning-application/environmental-appraisal-annex-r---cultural-heritage-site-gazetteer-and-walkover-survey-report.pdf
Stane Alane Standing Stone
Lochgilphead, Scotland
United Kingdom
56.053028, -5.44518

Nearby Places

Argyll and Bute Hospital

Lochgilphead, Scotland

miles away

Dunadd Fort

Kilmichael Glassary, Scotland

miles away

Ballymeanoch Prehistoric Monuments

Kilmartin, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Argyll and Bute Hospital

Lochgilphead, Scotland

miles away

Dunadd Fort

Kilmichael Glassary, Scotland

miles away

Ballymeanoch Prehistoric Monuments

Kilmartin, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 739
Stories 49

Related Places

  • Carn Goedog

    Eglwyswrw, Wales

    Carn Goedog

    This rocky outcrop served as a quarry for some of the bluestones that sit at the center of Stonehenge.

  • Nether Largie Standing Stones

    Kilmartin, Scotland

    Kilmartin Glen Prehistoric Monuments

    This collection of Neolithic monuments make up one of The U.K.'s richest archeological landscapes.

  • Thornborough Henges from above

    West Tanfield, England

    Thornborough Henges

    This collection of ancient structures makes up part of the largest group of prehistoric earthworks in Britain.

  • The Kempe Stones in the snow

    Dundonald, Northern Ireland

    Kempe Stones

    This large neolithic tomb, also known as Greengraves, is hidden off a Northern Irish road.

  • Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain

    Poblat talaiòtic de Torrellafuda

    A remarkable prehistoric site featuring well-preserved Talayotic structures offers a glimpse into the ancient civilizations that once thrived on Menorca.

  • Some of the rock art  in the site

    Taghit, Algeria

    Taghit Petroglyphs

    A set of ancient rock engravings that date back to the Neolithic period.

  • The Cuckoo Stone

    Wiltshire, England

    The Cuckoo Stone

    This neolithic stone was once used for ceremonial practices similar to its neighbor Stonehenge.

  • Looking in from the gap left by the missing stone

    Duddo, England

    Duddo Five Stones

    There were once more than five stones in this ancient monument.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.