Loupin & Girdle Stanes

The Girdle Stanes is the name of a stone circle near Eskdalemuir, in southern Scotland. The western stones appear to have been washed away by the White Esk river, leaving only 26 of an original 40 or so originally positioned. One theory is that another stone circle, Loupin Stanes, just a few hundred yards’ distance to the north, was constructed to replace it. It is assumed, though it cannot be proven, that these were religious sites as they seem to have entrances flanked by pillars which correspond to the rising of the sun at significant points in the year. The Girdle Circle’s corresponds with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, of which Halloween was a later corruption.

Quite what their users thought of their temple being washed away by the river, one cannot say. Was it the gods’ displeasure? The malevolent work of nature spirits? If historians are right, and the circles are dated to around 2500 BC, there would have been older members of the tribe who might have remembered Father Japheth with his knowledge of the One God. Some might have attributed the circle’s disruption to the great Creator’s displeasure at the descendants of the redeemed Noah constructing stony temples inside which various ceremonies took place. The God of the Great Flood swept it away with a minor flood. Yet as one temple, altar or idol falls or is washed away, our dark hearts quickly erect others. Empty spaces and dull vacuums will soon fill themselves with clutter if the Living God is not first and foremost there.

One must not merely turn from idols, but turn to Christ. 

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22