The Lochmaben Stone sits beside the Solway Firth, about a mile west of the River Sark’s mouth. It’s the last remnant of a once grand Neolithic stone circle, with only one smaller stone still standing nearby. Marking the northern end of the Esk’s most useful ford—the “Sulwath” or “muddy ford”—it lay along the old invasion route to Burgh-by-Sands in England. For centuries, it served as a gathering spot for both peace and conflict, where English and Scottish Wardens of the West Marches came together to settle affairs. In the 16th century Lord Wharton referred to it as; “Loughmaben Stone standyng in Scotland, wher we have beyn accustomyd to keip days of marches.” Very near here the battle of Sark was fought in 1448.