Permission sought for houses near Auchagallon stone circle
North Ayrshire Council’s planning department is considering an application to build four new houses near to Auchagallon stone circle at Machrie.
Applicant, Dougarie Estate, is seeking planning permission to build four houses across two separate sites near to the neolithic burial cairn.
The first site is adjacent to the existing houses at Auchagallon, in the field to their immediate north west, and uphill of Auchagallon stone circle. Proposed are two one-and-a-half storey houses, with parking for six cars and an upgraded access track.
A further planning application being considered is for two houses at the end of the existing row on Machrie Moor road, to the north west of Cala-na-Sithe.
The site for both developments are in Machrie which is part of the North Arran National Scenic Area, which encompasses the whole of the north of the island, down to the Machrie Moor road in the west and the String road in the east, extending across the String to Beinn Bhreac in the south.
In-between the two sites in the proposed plans lies the four-thousand-year-old Auchagallon stone circle - a neolithic burial cairn consisting of 15 stone slabs.
The historic site has not been excavated in modern times and its true origins are not entirely understood. An excavation of the centre of the cairn was undertaken in the 1800s and a cist was uncovered. These stone boxes usually contain a burial.
However, consensus has not been reached on whether its primary aim was as a stone circle, or whether stones were later used to contain a burial mound or cairn, or whether the stones are an incidental feature.
Historic Environment Scotland believe that the feature is a Bronze Age kerbed cairn incorporating an earlier stone circle and the site was registered as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1994.
North Ayrshire Council’s planners are currently considering the applications and neighbours within 20 metres of the site boundary have been notified. The application for the two houses at Auchengallon is open for comment on North Ayrshire’s planning portal until Monday April 27, and comments for the application near Cala-na-Sithe are accepted until Friday April 24.
Why not try these links to see what our West Coast AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
Latest News
JOBS
Front of House with Reception - The Holly Tree Hotel & Swimming Pool
Freshwater Operative (12 month Fixed Term Contract) - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
Office Co-ordinator (Sales & Marketing) - Midton Acrylics Ltd
Sign up to our daily Newsletter
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
You may also like
Rebuilding of historic Allt Mor bridge under way
Museum roof rescue fund launched
Castle rangers serve up an Easter treat
Latest News
JOBS
Front of House with Reception - The Holly Tree Hotel & Swimming Pool
Freshwater Operative (12 month Fixed Term Contract) - Bakkafrost Scotland Limited
Office Co-ordinator (Sales & Marketing) - Midton Acrylics Ltd
Sign up to our daily Newsletters
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
© 2026 Wyvex Media Limited.