Calling Drew | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

D

drewbhoy Aug 15, 2017 08:16:39

Replying to thelonious

thelonious wrote:

Hi Drew or anyone else :-)

You heard anything about the cairn on top of Geallaig Hill? It's not on canmore.
https://binged.it/2hZasdo

If you ignore the wind shelter built on top of it, the shape looks to have more in common with the old cairns just to the east like on Morven, Pressendye etc compared to the modern cairns on the hills to the west.

Couple of photos - probably just wishful thinking.

https://500px.com/photo/221687695/cairn-on-geallaig-hill-by-spaceways
https://500px.com/photo/221687697/cairn-on-geallaig-hill-by-spaceways

Cheers T, I have heard and been told about Geallaig Hill but never seen any pics until now. Will go have a look in the very near future possibly this week. Also a cairn on Erchite Hill near Loch Ness above the cairn at Loch Ceo Glais has been mentioned. edit. Just noticed that the OS has its italic style writing for this place as well.

G

GLADMAN Aug 15, 2017 18:28:54

Replying to thelonious

thelonious wrote:

Hi Drew or anyone else :-)

You heard anything about the cairn on top of Geallaig Hill? It's not on canmore.
https://binged.it/2hZasdo

If you ignore the wind shelter built on top of it, the shape looks to have more in common with the old cairns just to the east like on Morven, Pressendye etc compared to the modern cairns on the hills to the west.

Couple of photos - probably just wishful thinking.

https://500px.com/photo/221687695/cairn-on-geallaig-hill-by-spaceways
https://500px.com/photo/221687697/cairn-on-geallaig-hill-by-spaceways

The grassy lip is intriguing. If there's a logical historic reason for it to be there you know of.... or can discover... such as poor relief or suchlike, fair enough. But if not, why else would it be there? Assuming it doesn't get masses of walkers?

D

drewbhoy Aug 18, 2017 07:05:09

Replying to thelonious

thelonious wrote:

Hi Drew or anyone else :-)

You heard anything about the cairn on top of Geallaig Hill? It's not on canmore.
https://binged.it/2hZasdo

If you ignore the wind shelter built on top of it, the shape looks to have more in common with the old cairns just to the east like on Morven, Pressendye etc compared to the modern cairns on the hills to the west.

Couple of photos - probably just wishful thinking.

https://500px.com/photo/221687695/cairn-on-geallaig-hill-by-spaceways
https://500px.com/photo/221687697/cairn-on-geallaig-hill-by-spaceways

Went up and it is very similar to Pittenderich and Cairn Mon Earn. The trig appears to sit on top of a block of cement mixer concrete which in turn is on top of loose stones. Surrounding the trig is a wind break made with stones from the cairn, much needed. The footprint continues about a meter wider than the visible stones and interestingly appears to have several kerb like stones, this stands at least 0.4m high all the way round. At a guess the site would be near 20m wide and 2m high, 3m + with the wind break.

To the north west there are hut circles.

I'll post pics here and put up a site page so we can discuss further. I'll send pics to Historic Scotland, Bruce at Aberdeenshire Archaeology and Ian Suddaby at CAD archaeology. Any feedback will, of course, be shared here.

G

GLADMAN Aug 19, 2017 12:25:36

Replying to thelonious

There's another 'unsubstantiated', yet massive cairn upon South Black Hill in the Pentlands which, to me, makes no sense unless complementing the one on nearby Carnethy Hill

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/img_fullsize/108783.jpg
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/img_fullsize/114201.jpg
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/img_fullsize/114198.jpg

Guess the point is there just aren't enough 'official' resources to visit and note everything...

T

thelonious Aug 19, 2017 14:09:15

Replying to thelonious

Drew and Gladman - as I know you've both been, what's your thoughts on the age of the cairn on top of Oxen Craig, Bennachie? I've always had my doubts (don't know why really).

D

drewbhoy Aug 22, 2017 20:36:24

Replying to thelonious

Photos and a DES form sent to Canmore. (I'll post some of them here as well) If you want a copy of the email T just ask.

D

drewbhoy Aug 25, 2017 13:40:33

Replying to thelonious

Bruce Mann, Aberdeen Archaeology, will add it to Aberdeenshire Council list of sites. He likes the look of it and says he will have a look in the near future.