Back by popular request an article posted 1st April 2001
An amazing sight has been found on Machrie Links. Simon Freeman , Course Manager and his team were being assisted by local contractor Gordon Currie in continuing the construction of the new nine hole course.
Last Sunday while Gordon's digger was in action an ancient Neolithic stone was unearthed and further movement of soil revealed a circle of stones in a design similar to the stone circles of Clannish on the Island of Lewis and elsewhere.
"There was real excitement when I found these stones" explained Simon. "They are millions of years old but what their history is baffles us all."
Malcolm King, the owner of Machrie Hotel and Golf Links was amazed. "This is an unbelievable find. It will be an additional attraction at Machrie as it is within sight of the Nature Trail and the Hotel car park. Plans are afoot to control access in the area, keeping in mind the present Foot and Mouth restrictions but thereafter golfers, walkers and tourists can enjoy this addition to Islay's ancient history.".
Local Branch of the Scottish Natural Heritage have been advised. It is possible that this site will be as big a mystery a thousand years from now, just as today, the purpose for stone circles is lost in the mists of time.
These stones predate the Ancient and Mediaeval Sculptured Stones of Islay studied and highlighted by W D Lamont in his book by that name.
According to Domhnul Gruamach in his "Historical Guide to Islay" stone circles appeared on Islay along with the more ubiquitous Druid Standing Stones between 2000 and 1500 BC.
A spokesman for Tony Robinson's "Time Team" has announced a repeat of their visit to Finlaggan. When they do they will have an additional site to explore.
The Clannish Stones have been studied by Professor Alexander Thom who has discovered that an avenue in the circle of stones points to where the midsummer moon sets. See www.stonepages.com/scotland for full article. In Islay's case we missed the full moon on the first of the month but each succesive full moon will be studied by Simon's team to see if it has any effect.
With the present precautions in place, Simon requests that all visitors to the site make use of the disinfecting tubs provided at the entrance to the course.
"This latest activity is no joke" Simon Says "Any false movement now and the games up"
Should the stones become as popular to visitors as Stonehenge the area may have to be fenced off for the public's safety but in the meantime they are worth a visit- at no extra charge.