The 7stanes are seven mountain biking centres
spanning the south of Scotland, from the heart of the Scottish Borders
to Dumfries and Galloway. 'Stane' is the Scots word for stone, and at
each of the 7stanes locations, you'll find a stone sculpture reflecting
a local myth or legend.
The stanes are found out on the trails in
the forests, in prominent locations near cycling and walking paths.
They’re accessible on foot or by horse as well as by bike, and range in
size from one to three metres high and from two to six tons in weight.
What are the sculptures?
Glentrool: The Giant Axe Head
The
Glentrool area of Scotland is known for its stone age past and legends
of Scottish and Irish giants throwing objects at each other. The Giant
Axe Head - a 1.5 ton sculpture which overlooks Loch Dee - closely
resembles actual neolithic stone axes and has runic text inscribed onto
its top surface.
Kirroughtree: The Gem Stane
Kirroughtree's
trails are known as the 7stanes' hidden gem, and the sculpture here
takes its inspiration from the trails' reputation and their close
proximity to the Creetown Gem Rock Museum. This 1.75 ton stone is made
from Scottish pink quartz.
Dalbeattie: The Heart Cleft Stane
A mammoth piece of Dalbeattie granite has been donated by Tarmac Limited from their local quarry to make the Dalbeattie stane.
It
symbolises the fact that the Kirkcudbrightshire town was once the heart
of the granite industry in the south of Scotland and exported stone all
over the world. The inscription on the giant heart gives an indication
of where the granite has been exported to over the years.
Mabie: The Ghost Stane
Situated
in the 'misty glade' - a beech wooded area with a small stream - this
stane is made from white marble. The 2.25 ton sculpture appears to be
standing by itself. Its surface is engraved with a local lace pattern.
Ae: The Talking Head Stane
The
head stane is made from a glacial granite boulder. It's 1.5 tons and
looks south towards Ae village and the Solway. The stane has a carved
mouth, ears and eyes and is inscribed with the translation of a
Norwegian poem.
Glentress: The Meteorite
This six ton Ledmore marble stane contains text carved in Klingon, with the obvious implication it may not be of this world.
Newcastleton: The Border Stane
The
sculpture resembles the tail fin of an aircraft and faces north -
south. On the north side, representing Scotland, Auld Lang Syne is
inscribed and on the south side, representing England, the words of
Jerusalem.
The highlight of the stane is that it stands right on
the border between Scotland and England. The hole in the
middle allows people stand on either side of the border and shake hands
through the stane.
