A solitary stone about 1.7 metres high marks a prehistoric act of placing and commemoration in the agricultural landscape outside Muir of Ord.
Quick facts
- Date
- Neolithic or Bronze Age
- Architect / designer
- Unknown prehistoric community
- Type
- Single prehistoric standing stone
- Designation
- Scheduled monument (SM3128)
- OS grid reference
- NH 53103 48332
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The upright is a single irregular stone, approximately 1.7 metres high, now leaning towards the north-west. Its visual effect comes from the contrast between the narrow monolith and the open cultivated setting.
Its story
The stone was erected during the Neolithic or Bronze Age, although its precise purpose is unknown. National scheduling recognises its survival and potential relationship to other prehistoric monuments in the district.
Why it is included
Scheduling protects a durable but vulnerable monument whose position can contribute to understanding prehistoric movement, ceremony and land use.
What to notice
- The stone's inclined profile.
- Its relationship to the surrounding ground and horizon.
- The absence of carving identified by the reviewed field record.
Reading the surroundings
Do not enter cultivated fields, climb fences or touch, mark or lean on the stone. Seek the landholder's permission where no public route is evident.
Timeline
- Neolithic or Bronze Age The monolith was set upright in the prehistoric landscape.
- 1970 The standing stone received statutory scheduling.
- Later survey Field recording noted its north-westward lean and lack of ancient markings.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Its exact date, purpose and original relationship to other monuments remain unknown; recent paint noted by survey is not ancient carving.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Windhill Standing Stone, SM3128 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Highland HER: Windhill standing stone — Field dimensions, condition observations and local archaeological context.
Location
OS grid reference NH 53103 48332 · Location confidence: High: corrected to the centre of the current scheduled polygon, supported by Highland HER MHG9110 and the 1975 OS resurvey at NH 5309 4832. HES catalogue NGR NH 53103 48332 is retained as a source reference only. No public access is implied. Approved 28 September 2026. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.