Loupin Stanes

Loupin Stanes is a prehistoric stone circle with twelve stones arranged in an oval shape on an artificial platform near the River Esk. The site features two prominent entrance pillars on the west-southwest side, which are typical of ceremonial stone circles in southwest Scotland.

The stone circle was built in prehistoric times and shows features typical of ceremonial structures across the region. The exact dating remains uncertain, but the construction method suggests a period when such gathering places held significance for local communities.

The name comes from an old tradition where people would try to jump across the tops of the two largest stones. This custom shows how the local community connected with the site over many generations.

The site is accessible via the B723 road from Lockerbie toward Eskdalemuir, with parking available nearby. Access is straightforward, though visitors should be prepared for changeable weather in this hilly area.

A line of stones extends southward toward the Girdle Stanes circle, suggesting that these two archaeological sites were connected in ancient times. This spatial link between the two monuments is uncommon and hints at a coordinated system of prehistoric locations.