The standing stone at Starlaw Farm is situated on the south side of the junction 3a sliproad for Bathgate on the M8 westbound.
The Starlaw Stone from the M8 Sliproad's Central Reservation
At the time of writing (March 2007) the Starlaw Stone is not listed in the CANMORE database and does not appear on either the first edition or contemporary Ordnance Survey maps. While this could easily suggest a modern erection of the stone, its condition and context are compatible with an ancient provenance. Click here for a location map provided by StreetMap.
Given the popularity of astronomical interpretations of megalithic monuments, the placename Starlaw is suggestive, with law as a common Scots placename element meaning "hill" thus yielding the meaning "Star Hill". However, with no other extant megalith in the immediate area, any possibility of claiming an obvious astronomical alignment for this stone is at best obscure. Equally, historical spellings of the name include "Starelaw", suggestive of alternative meanings.
The Starlaw Stone on the Slopes of "Star Law" (?)
No revealing records of the placename's origins are currently known and it appears exclusively in association with the farmhouse to the southeast of the standing stone. Nonetheless, it seems obvious that Starlaw Farm derives its name from the law or hill on which it and the stone is situated. In this, the placename presumably predates the existence of the farm and may indeed have some undiscovered folkloric association with the standing stone.
The Starlaw Stone, Looking East and West
The stone itself is of the basalt typical of West Lothian megaliths, with a smooth appearance and standing around 1.6m high. No artificial markings are visible on its surface, although significant flaking has occurred due to erosion.