Australian Standing Stones: A Celtic Tribute in the New England Highlands

The Australian Standing Stones, located in Centennial Parklands near Glen Innes, NSW, stand as a powerful tribute to the Celtic people and their contribution to Australia. Officially dedicated on February 1, 1992, the monument was inspired by the Ring of Brodgar in Scotland's Orkneys and the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis. The project was initiated by a dedicated group of citizens wanting to mark Glen Innes' Celtic heritage, as the first settlers were largely of Scottish descent, arriving in 1838. The site features an array of 38 standing stones, each representing a Celtic nation, including Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Brittany. The stones, made of local granite, stand as a symbol of the ancient Celts' strength and endurance. The arrangement includes a circle of 24 stones representing the hours of the day, with three central stones connecting all Celts: the Australis Stone for all Australians, the Gaelic Stone for Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man, and the Brythonic Stone for Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany. The Australian Standing Stones serve as a cultural gathering place, hosting events such as flag-lowering ceremonies, solstice celebrations, and the annual Australian Celtic Festival. Visitors can explore the Stone Cottage which is a cultural center and café that brings a little bit of Celtic culture to people's everyday lives through Celtic-inspired events and food. The Celtic Family Wall on Tynwald Hill offers individuals, families and clans the opportunity to house authentic stones from Celtic homelands. The site is open to the public and offers facilities such as picnic areas, public toilets, and coach parking. The Glen Innes Visitor Information Centre provides brochures for self-guided tours, enhancing the visitor experience.