In the parish of Baldernock, county of Stirling, and in the neighbourhood of “fragments of stone reared by creatures of clay,” Craigmadden Castle, the pedestrian will find three large stones well worthy of his notice. They are situated in the centre of a bog; consequently, if the said pedestrian desires to observe, measure, and minutely examine them, he must, as three friends lately did, take off boots and stockings and wade through the water that surrounds the stones to within two feet; that is to say, if he desires such articles to remain dry. The bog forms part of an extensive natural amphitheatre, situated in the Craigmadden moor; and the stones have received the name “Auld Wives' Lifts,” from the absurd tradition that they were placed, once upon a time, among the heather by three old women, natives of Baldernock, Strathblane, and Campsie.

The Lifts are considered by some antiquaries to be nothing more or less than a cromlech or sepulchral monument; others, however, think they are an altar which the Druids used. The former opinion is maintained by Dr. Daniel Wilson in his ‘Archæology.’ His words are: “It is remarkable as an example of a trilith, or complete cromlech, consisting only of three stones. Two, of nearly equal length, support the huge capstone; a block of basalt measuring fully 18 feet in length, by 11 in breadth, and 7 in depth. A narrow triangular space remains open between the three stones, and through this every stranger is required to pass on first visiting the spot, if, according to the rustic creed, he would escape the calamity of dying childless.