There are fewer stones, but a clearer circle at Milltown of
Rothiemay. To get there, buses are few and far between,
so drive the scenic route west from Bridge of Marnoch, a
pretty, beech-lined winding road following the River Deveron.
For keen walkers there is a steep climb up Bognie Brae beside
the hotel, a mile up to the top of Fourman Hill for spectacular
views up and down the Deveron valley, the river snaking its way
between large estates and steep hills. From here you can see Rothiemay.
From the Marnoch/Rothiemay road, the stone circle can be seen in
a field on the left (S) behind the Mains of Rothiemay before you
reach the village. Ask at the farm first. No internal ringcairn
remains but four big mossy stones and the famous but mysterious
cupmarked recumbent stone survive. The hundreds of cupmarks on the
inner face of the stone defy explanation. Are these ancient star maps?
Who knows; there have been a few theories ranging from solar or lunar
observations, even maps of fresh water wells.
