Carlin Stone or Carline Stane is the name given to a number of prehistoric standing stones and natural stone or landscape features in Scotland. The significance of the name is unclear, other than its association with old , witches, and the legends of the Cailleach.
Etymology
A 'Carle'
[ SND: carle] in
Scots language is a commoner, a husband or in a derogatory sense, a
churl or male of low birth. The name 'Carline', 'Cairlin', Carlin, 'Cyarlin', 'Kerlin' or 'Kerl' was also used in lowland Scots as a derogatory term for an old woman meaning an 'old hag'.
[ Scots Dictionary ] It is from Old Norse
Kerling[ SND:Carline ] or a corruption or equivalent in Scots
[McHardy, Stuart (1999), Scotland: Myth, Legend & Folklore. Pub. Luath Press, Edinburgh. P. 24.] of the Gaelic word “
Cailleach”, meaning a witch or the 'old Hag', the Goddess of Winter.
Carlin is used as a surname and has several variations e.g., Carlen, Carlon, Carolan, O'Carlin, O'Carlen, O'Carlon, O'Carolan, Carling, Carlton, etc. It is stated as being of Irish Gaelic origin and is found somewhat less frequently in Scotland.
Scottish sites of Carlin stones or natural features
Carlin Skerry, Orkney
This is a rocky islet in the South of Orkney.
[ Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland]
Alvah, Aberdeenshire
Near Sandlaw Farm in the parish of Alvah is the Carlin Cist, thought to have been part of a
Dolmen at one time.
[ The New Statistical Account of Scotland. 1834. P. 161.]
Backhill of Drachlaw, Aberdeenshire
This stone was part of a recumbent stone circle, around in diameter. It has several alternative names, such as the Caerlin stone; Cairn Riv; Cairn Rib; or Cairn-Rieve. Its map reference in the parish of Inverkeithny is NJ 6744 4659. Three stones remain in line, the Carlin Stone between two others quite small in comparison. In addition, there are two set stones projecting inward from the Carlin Stone.
This boulder is rugged, unshapely, and most unusual in height. Other stones were broken up and removed within relatively recent times; the mounds of stones being carted away for making dikes or drystone walls. In or near the circle were found a small perforated axe-hammer, portions of 3 bronze armlets, flint chips and a jet button.
Bishop Hill, Perth and Kinross
This natural stone outcrop is known as
Carlin Maggie and has the look of something imported from
Easter Island, but it is natural. It is said to be a
witch turned to stone by the
Devil after she got on his nerves
(
carline is an old
Scots language word for 'witch'). The Devil threw a lightning bolt which had the effect of petrifying her.
It is a rock pillar estimated to be high, on the Western slope of
Lomond Hills, overlooking Loch Leven. The
Ordnance Survey grid reference is NO 18403 04413.
[ Carlin Maggie]
Balgair Muir, Stirlingshire
A "Carlin Stone" is marked on the OS 6 inch series of maps from 1843 to 1882 at this location approximately 5 km NNW of Fintry.
Dunlop, North Ayrshire
On top of the Common Crags overlooking the village of Dunlop and the
River Irvine is a large procumbent boulder known on the
Ordnance Survey as the ‘Carlin’s Stone or Stane’.
[Love, Dane (2009). Legendary Ayrshire. Custom : Folklore : Tradition. Auchinleck : Carn Publishing. ; p. 24] It is also known locally as the Hag's Stone.
[Oral communication to R.S.Ll.Griffith by Mr. Clement in 2006]
It is not listed by the RCAHMS
Darvel, East Ayrshire
Two farms named High Carlincraig and Low Carlincraig' on the
Ordnance Survey maps are to be found above
Darvel in East Ayrshire.
Waterside, East Ayrshire
A Carlin Stone is situated on Whitelee Moor near Craigends Farm, below Cameron's Moss near Waterside in
East Ayrshire. A nearby watercourse is known as the
River Irvine, joining the Hareshawmuir water just below the site of the Carlin stone. The stone has been much visited in the past; indicated by the remains of a footbridge running to it across the Hareshawmuir Water.
Knockshinnoch, East Ayrshire
Carlin knowe is a low hill with a prehistoric cairn on its summit near Knockshinnoch farm.
Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire
The OS Maps locate a Carlin Stone or Carlin Crags/Craigs near Bonnyton Golf Club on the outskirts of
Eaglesham. Cup marked stones are present at the site. At least two fairly horizontal flat rock faces have cups on them, rings being entirely absent. Two sets of crags are present at the site but only the upper has the petroglyphs.
[Eaglesham Heritage Trail Guide]
Carlins Cairn, Dumfries and Galloway
This is a mountain in the south-west of
Carsphairn parish.
Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway
This town was known as Carlinwark until 1792. The title came from nearby Carlinwark loch in the north of the parish of Kelton.
[ Carlinwark Loch][McHardy, Stuart (1999), Scotland: Myth, Legend & Folklore. Pub. Luath Press, Edinburgh. P. 25.]
Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway
A Carlin Stone is to ben found at 'The Derry', near to the head of Elrig Loch near
Wigtown.
[ Derrie Carlin Stone] It is thought to have been part of a
Stone circle and is situated at the
Ordnance Survey Reference NX326497.
[ Photographs of the Carlin Stone.]
Scottish Borders
The Carlin's Tooth is the name of a natural rock outcrop in the borders between Knocks Knowe and Carter Fell.
[Mack, James Logan (1926). The Border Line. Pub. Oliver & Boyd. P. 215.]
Miscellany
Near Kirkhill outside
Stewarton are several farms having the name 'Kilbride' in their title. Bride - an anglicization of
Brigid, Brìd or Saint Brigid - was originally the Celtic Goddess linked with the festival of
Imbolc, the eve of the first of February.
She was the goddess of Spring and was associated with healing and sacred wells, therefore the antithesis of the Carlin or
Cailleach.
Papers in the Scottish National Archive state that the lands of Kilbride Cunninghame near Stewarton were also called the 'Lands of Carlin.'
External links
