Saturday 21st June is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and this will be marked with gatherings at the Australian Standing Stones.
At 11:30am, The Australian Standing Stones Management Board will mark the solstice with a gathering to see the longest solar noon shadow of the year – all are welcome to come along. We’ll start at the centre of the monument at 11:30am to get our bearings, then walk over to the solar noon array accompanied by piping from Glen Innes Pipe Band members. We’ll have a short talk as the shadow cast by the high noon Sun crosses the Winter Solstice marker. A raffle will be held and drawn there and then you can join a walk and talk around the Australian Standing Stones where you can find our about the alignments of the Stones with the seasons throughout the year.
Early birds, come up from 6.20am or earlier and watch sunrise on the shortest day just before 6.50. This is an iconic moment – the Australian Standing Stones are designed with this as the main alignment: The Sun will enter through the Winter Solstice sunrise Avenue and light up the central stone in gold – together this is a unique experience you will be glad to have seen. Feel free to celebrate your way – But make sure you wear warm clothing as it can be quite chilly at this time!
It might be cold outside, but there’s warmth and coffee inside Crofter’s Cottage which will open especially early at 7am, and remain open until 2pm for lunch with the solar noon shadow gathering too. So come up and enjoy this special moment.
