Standing Stone as Old as the Egyptian Pyramids is Located in Edinburgh

An ancient standing stone, thought to be as old as the Egyptian pyramids, can be found in a council estate in Edinburgh, Scotland. This megalith was erected around 4,000 years ago and stands in a cul-de-sac in Ravenswood Avenue in the capital’s Inch area. The stone is caged in by railings to protect it from vandalism.

This prehistoric stone remained untouched for millennia until it was moved in the early 1800s to facilitate road widening in the area. The stone was relocated back to its original position in 1891, but in the 1960s it was moved once more as the new housing estate began to take shape. Presently, it stands around 100 metres north of its original location.

The megalith is just under seven feet tall and was originally built in the Neolithic period, making it roughly as old as the Great Pyramid of Djoser. It’s one of several such megaliths that can be found around Edinburgh and the Lothians, but definitely one of the more curious examples considering it’s planted in the middle of a scheme.

Illustrations from the 19th century show it standing alone in fields to the south of Edinburgh, with barely another man-made structure visible for miles around. With the monument bearing nothing in the way of markings or other details, very little is known about the grey sandstone block or why it was erected. Some scholars have suggested that it was put in place to commemorate an ancient battle or that it was used for a ritualistic purpose. However, the truth is nobody really knows for sure.

Regardless of its mysterious origins, it’s fascinating to think of the countless people who have come and gone since the menhir was built. We can imagine advancing armies from medieval times passing it on their way to try and take Edinburgh Castle or Mary, Queen of Scots admiring it from the rooms of nearby Craigmillar Castle.

Nowadays, the ancient standing stone forms part of the visual scenery of an unremarkable Edinburgh housing estate within metres of the busy A7 road into the capital, but we’re delighted that this remnant of our Neolithic past is still with us. The stone is caged in by railings to protect it from vandalism, and it’s a reminder of the long history and mysterious origins of our civilization.