The Caiy Stane

One of the best-known ancient stones in our area is the Caiy Stane.

Now surrounded by housing, it was erected on a high point in open country some time in the Neolithic period, possibly to mark a burial place. There are cup-and-ring marks on the East face and, although nine feet high, it is said that there is as much below ground. Its name varies between Caiy-, Ket- or Cat- Stone; the Camus Stone was a separate entity nearby, which was broken up for roadstone in less enlightened times.

Although under the care of the National Trust for Scotland this has sufferd some vandalism in the form of carved initials and painted graffitti on the East side, (out of sight of the street), which tends to obscure the original Neolithic marks. However, it remains an impressive reminder of the different cultures that occupied the land that is so familiar to us.