Built on Black Hill, just ½ mile southeast of Stonehaven, on land donated by Lady Cowdray, it overlooks Strathlethan Bay. The incomplete structure was built initially to commemorate the  First World War dead, but Commemoration to Second world war dead were also added later. Built circular, as a classical temple, it was completed and unveiled on Sunday, 20th May 1923. Designed by John Ellis of Aberdeen. It looks in disrepair, with rubble strewn around the base near the steps, but this is intentional as it was designed to be symbolic  of incomplete lives. 

 

 

Inside is a plaque with the names of the war dead.

 

On the inside of the lintels is cut the quotation from Donald Hankey’s book ‘Student in Arms’.

“One by one death challenged them, they smiled in his grim visage and refused to be dismayed”.

Also on the outside of the lintels are the names of some of the outstanding battles of the First World War; Mons, Jutland, Gallipoli, Zeebrugge, Marne, Somme, Vimy and Ypres.