The Australian Standing Stones is the national monument to Celtic people, past and present, acknowledging the contribution to Australian culture made by people from the Celtic nations of Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Wales, the Isle of Man, Brittany, Asturias and Galicia. An array of flags at the entry to the Stones represents these nations

Ancient Celts were farming people who lived across Europe and the British Isles around 2600 years ago. 

 

The Celts raised stones as calendars to mark the change of seasons to help indicate when they should sow and when they should harvest. 

The array of 38 Australian Standing Stones includes a circle of 24 stones, representing 24 hours of the day. The remaining stones represent or indicate various other relationships, but we found one particular stone of interest. A series of ground plaques indicate where the shadow of the noon Sun from this stone will fall each month, but most importantly the significant events of Summer and Winter solstice and the Autumn and Spring equinox.

Adjacent to the Stones, the Crofter’s Cottage is a replica ‘taigh dubh (tie doo)’ or black house inspired by a taigh dubh that survived the 1746 Battle of Culloden. It is a cafe and gift shop, and we couldn't resist the temptation of the carrot cake. At least we just shared one piece and despite the gusty wind blowing across the Stones site, it was a very pleasant location to enjoy our coffee and cake. 

The Land of the Beardies History House Museum is housed in what was the first hospital built in Glen Innes, with the original part dating back to 1877 and it closed its doors as a hospital in 1956. Operated by the Glen Innes and District Historical Society, the Museum opened on 24 January 1970. Today there are over 10,000 items on display and the associated Research Centre has over 300,000 cards recording the history of this area. 

 

The rotary canister on display in the old hospital kitchen was interesting as we've not seen one before. 

 

Throughout there were personal stories which we think bring museums like this to life. For example in the hospital kitchen there was a quote on the blackboard in reference to how hospital food was bland which said the difference between custard and scrambled egg was that there was salt in scrambled egg!

There was also a display acknowledging Margaret Fulton, Australia's best known cookbook writer. Margaret was born in Scotland, but in the 1920s when she was 3 years of age, her family moved to Glen Innes. Her father Alexander Fulton, typically known as "Sandy", became one of the town's tailors, with a shop on the main street.

But we had underestimated the extent of the display because we'd not viewed all rooms as the 4pm closing time approached and so we rushed through those. We'd certainly recommend a visit to anyone passing through.

Dinner was sweet chilli chicken tenders with penne pasta and Mediterranean vegetables. No desert after our morning tea at the Crofter's Cottage and so just a cup of tea tonight.