The cultural and historical story of Strichen spans a stone circle probably built in the Early Bronze Age and buildings dating from the 18th and early 19th centuries. The sites also differ in location: Strichen Stone Circle lies southwest of the village, while the Town House is in the centre of the planned village.

Strichen Stone Circle

Strichen Stone Circle is a reconstructed recumbent stone circle measuring about 15 metres in diameter. It comprises a recumbent stone, two flanking stones and seven other stones made of local grey granite. Excavations suggest that the circle was probably built in the Early Bronze Age. The stone arrangement describes its form; the archaeological evidence indicates a probable time period.

The circle is three-quarters of a mile southwest of Strichen, on the summit of a low hill. This location provides a distinct point of reference from the buildings in the village. Those planning a trip focused on cultural history can consider the hilltop site separately from the historic sites in the village centre.

Church history in the village

Strichen’s former parish church was built in 1798, replacing an earlier church dating from 1620. The local church history therefore features two building phases: the predecessor church of 1620 and its replacement, built in 1798. The former parish church is in the burial ground between Newton Wood and the North Ugie Water, within the village of Strichen. This location places the church history in the village while also identifying two geographical points of reference.

The Town House and village planning

Strichen Town House is in the centre of the village, which was planned in the 18th century. It is an outstanding example of an early 19th-century castellated town house, designed by the renowned Aberdeen architect John Smith. When considering the dates, note the distinction: the village was planned in the 18th century, while the Town House itself is an early 19th-century building. This makes it possible to explore settlement planning and architectural history as two connected but distinct topics.

The ground-floor arcade is particularly interesting. It was originally open and served as a covered market. The building’s form is thus connected to a specific former use: the arcade provided space for the market as well as shelter. The historic Town House can therefore be understood both through its castellations and through the former function of its ground floor.

Another monument

Strichen War Memorial is a carved grey-granite monument in the form of a churchyard cross. Its design sets it apart from the historic buildings: the cross shape and the monument’s material are its defining features. Alongside the former parish church, the Town House and the prehistoric stone circle, it adds another distinct type of monument to the local overview.

A useful way to choose a cultural and historical focus is to compare the sites: the stone circle centres on archaeological form and probable dating, while the Town House offers insights into village planning, architecture and former market use. The former parish church represents two building phases, while the War Memorial is defined by its cross shape. This allows you to explore Strichen through the topics that interest you most, rather than reducing its history to a single period. If you are planning a visit, check the current accessibility of each site in advance.

Discover more destinations: Banff, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, New Aberdour, Pitmedden, Marykirk, Portlethen, Balmedie

For the regional travel overview: Aberdeenshire.