[2] It is from Old Norse Kerling[3] or a corruption or equivalent in Scots[4] of the Gaelic word “Cailleach”, meaning a witch or the 'old Hag', the Goddess of Winter.
[5] Carlin is used as a surname and has several variations e.g., Carlen, Carlon, Carolan, O'Carlin, O'Carlen, O'Carlon, O'Carolan, Carling, Carlton, etc.
In or near the circle were found a small perforated axe-hammer, portions of 3 bronze armlets, flint chips and a jet button.
[13] A "Carlin Stone" is marked on the OS 6 inch series of maps from 1843 to 1882 at this location approximately 5 km NNW of Fintry.
On top of the Common Crags overlooking the village of Dunlop and the Glazert Water is a large procumbent boulder known on the OS map as the ‘Carlin’s Stone or Stane’.
A Carlin Stone is situated on Whitelee Moor near Craigends Farm, below Cameron's Moss near Waterside in East Ayrshire.
The stone has been much visited in the past; indicated by the remains of a footbridge running to it across the Hareshawmuir Water.55°39′34.6″N 4°20′59.7″W / 55.659611°N 4.349917°W / 55.659611; -4.349917 Carlin knowe is a low hill with a prehistoric cairn on its summit near Knockshinnoch farm.
Bride - an anglicization of Brìghde, Brìd or Saint Brigid - was originally the Celtic Goddess linked with the festival of Imbolc, the eve of the first of February.