Lochmaben Stane (Stone)

The Lochmaben Stane (or Lochmabenstane, Lochmabenstone, Clochmabenstane, Old Graitney Stone, Lowmabanstane, Loughmabanestane) stands in a farmers field near where the Kirtle Water enters the Solway Firth. Made if granite, it measures 7-8 feet in height and has a girth between 18 and 21 feet (depending upon your source).

Thought to be part of a now buried Stone Circle by a nineteenth century Ordnance Survey map, the stone, being well known and close to England, was a convenient venue for cross border negotiations. For instance in 1398 the Scottish David Stewart (born 24 October 1378 – died 26 March 1402), 1st Duke of Rothesay, heir-apparent to the throne and the English John of Gaunt (died 4 February 1399) Duke of Lancaster met at the Lochmaben Stane to exchange prisoners. It was also one of six recorded meeting place of the marcher Wardens of England and Scotland from the late fifteenth century. In a letter from Elizabeth Dacre to Lord Dacre on 27 March 1534 she wrote of Sir Christopher Dacre meeting Lord Maxwell at Loughtembane Stone (yet another spelling), on Monday, March 16th, and appointed an assize from the two realms for the trial of Cannaby Holme.

The stone also made a convenient meeting point for Scottish armies to assemble at (as was the case in 1557) and for bands Border Reivers before heading south to plunder England.

There is even said to be a local legend that the Lochmabenstane was the stone from which King Arthur drew his sword.