This is a problematic stone to locate! All references give it as being in the Hopetoun Wood, just to the South of Abercorn and to the North of Duntarvie. The CANMORE O.S. reference for this stone is NT 0808 7759. However, the stone at this precise location looks extremely unlikely, being rather rough, and clearly unworked, although it seems likely that it has been erected manually:
Probably NOT the Justice Stane!
One problem is that in the Hopetoun Wood, visibility is difficult due to undergrowth, but if one goes only a few yards on the woodland path to the South-west, another, more likely stone can be found at approximately NT 079 775. Click here for a location map provided by StreetMap.
The stone which we believe to be the Justice Stane is located within undergrowth behind some rhododendron bushes typical of the forest estate which surrounds it, and without careful attention, can easily be passed by!
Yes, Behind There!
However, this stone has not only been erected manually, but has also been worked, having a basically rectangular cross-section.
Probably the Justice Stane
Nonetheless, it seems to have been damaged some time ago, and has probably lost a certain amount of height. Again, this is characteristic of many standing-stones, defaced by Christians wishing to root out "pagan idolatry", not least in the wake of the Reformation.
Old Damage to the Stone
There are two slightly conflicting local pieces of lore surrounding the name of this stone. One claims that in ancient times, legal disputes were heard in the location, and so it was a stone around which justice was given.
The Justice Stane?
The alternative piece of lore claims that the stone was a medieval meeting-place for tournaments involving sports such as jousting, hence "Jousting Stone". Regardless, both theories regarding the origin of the stone's name mark it out as a place of gathering of one kind or another.
The Justice Stane?