On Candle Ridge

The Candle Stone of Drumwhindle is a massive standing stone dating from the Neolithic or Bronze ages. A conspicuous landmark in the Buchan landscape the stone is 10 feet 2 inches in height and has a maximum girth of nearly 18 feet.

Back in 1926 the archaeologist James Ritchie discussed the origin of the name 'Candle Stone' in a paper on the folk-lore surrounding Aberdeenshire stone circles and standing stones. Besides the Candle Stone standing on Candle Ridge there are three Candle Hills nearby, each with the remains of a stone circle. This association inevitably gave rise to the idea that candles were used in "Druid" ceremonies at such sites. Ritchie argues, however, that Candle may be derived from a Gaelic word signifying a huge torch, a figurative description of a tall stone in the shape of a torch.

We don't really know how the stone got its name and we have even less idea as to what use it was put, back in the dense mists of time.