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Foel Fynyddau (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes

Visited 25 February 2023.

The last hill and last site on a hilly walk from Port Talbot. After steep but straightforward visits to Twyn Disgwylfa round barrow and the Buarth y Gaer sites, my post-Covid stamina is starting to fail as I get back to the minor road to the west of Foel Fynyddau. The sporadic sunshine that had accompanied me so far is gone, replaced by failing light, grey skies and a chill wind.

Foel Fynyddau's summit is open access land, with a track heading off from a bridleway to the southwest of the summit, past a farm. For whatever reason, probably fatigue-induced brain fog, I decide to avoid the farm and the easy track, instead heading directly up the rough ground to the west of the summit. Although the terrain is open and the distance not that much, I regret this decision pretty soon, as the tussocky grass, ankle-sapping heather and various small streams and valleys suddenly seem as exhausting as climbing a mountain. By the time I reach the upper slopes I'm practically falling over with tiredness, resorting to a longer but less steep zig-zag along faint sheep tracks to avoid having to tackle the slopes head on. It's a blessed relief to make it to the masts and the cairn.

Despite the inevitable trig pillar and central hollow, the cairn is decent and stands to a good height. The views are excellent, other than the masts and sundry fenced off compounds in close proximity, which sadly detract from the monument's atmosphere. On this grey afternoon, the whole area feels a bit forlorn and unloved.

I sit down on a handy bench a little way off the summit, eat my sandwiches and feel a little less weary. Restored, I have another mooch around the barrow and take in the sweeping views from this very prominent hill. Y Mynydd Du, Fforest Fawr and central peaks of Bannau Brycheiniog are all on display to the north, with the Hafren/Severn and far away Somerset to the south.

To the east and south the hill drops very steeply to forestry tracks which have been co-opted to form a network of suicidal cycle routes. I don't fancy going back to the west, having decided to catch the bus back to Port Talbot from the village at the foot of the hill, so I tentatively head off to the southeast.

This turns out to be a very bad decision, as the very steep descent off the hill this way is perilously slippery, with me clinging to the vegetation to avoid a swift fall. Once past the steepest section, I'm into the cycle tracks, which have been made smooth and slippery by use. Before long I'm on my arse in the mud. Eventually I emerge onto a broad, stony track, but unfortunately it only seems to go back up the hill and so I have to resort to a much smaller track, shown on the OS map but quite badly overgrown. The further I go, the more overgrown the narrowing passage between gorse and brambles gets, and eventually I have to climb underneath a gorse bush to get any further, as there's no way I can face going back now. I emerge with lots of bits of twigs and branches down the back of my neck and under my clothes. Yuck. I slip over again on the muddy tracks before I finally reach a road, battered and exhausted. It's rather taken the shine off what had been a really nice walk! I strongly recommend just following the damn track from the west and returning the same way if you come here.
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
24th February 2024ce

Gaer Fawr (Briton Ferry) (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Images (click to view fullsize)

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24th February 2024ce

Gaer Fawr (Briton Ferry) (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Fieldnotes

Visited 25 February 2023.

Like Carl I come down here after visiting Buarth y Gaer hillfort and cairn. The fences on the current OS 1:250000 are out of date; the fence to the south now encloses the whole site rather than separating the outer earthworks from the central site.

It's a big site overall, there are two low banks uphill and to the south of the central site, which if continuous would enclose a very large area. Although the OS map describes it as a "fort", the size suggests a big settlement site, with Buarth y Gaer being a more likely position for a properly defensible spot, with extensive views in all directions.

The inner enclosure is however surrounded by at least three lines of banks and ditches, so there is a sense of something more than the mere domestic here as well. There are great views to the north across the Vale of Neath, stretching as far as Y Mynydd Du's distant summits, with the prominent ridges of Mynydd Marchywel and Hirfynydd dominating the middle distance (there are plentiful Bronze Age remains on those ridges).

Interestingly neither the Buarth y Gaer cairn or hillfort are visible from the central enclosure, although they can be seen from the uppermost/outermost rampart.

The sun comes out briefly and casts some welcome light on the scene. Not exactly a first rate site, but there's certainly enough here to warrant a visit coupled with the Buarth y Gaer sites. I head back up to the cairn and then regain the forestry track to the east, which provides an easy and fence-free route up to these sites. I have one more hill to climb, the biggest of the day.
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
24th February 2024ce

Buarth y Gaer Cairn (Cairn(s)) — Images

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24th February 2024ce

Buarth y Gaer (Hillfort) — Images

<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Buarth y Gaer</b>Posted by thesweetcheat thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
24th February 2024ce

Twyn Disgwylfa (Round Barrow(s)) — Images

<b>Twyn Disgwylfa</b>Posted by thesweetcheat thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
24th February 2024ce

Buarth y Gaer (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

Visited 25 February 2023, after Twyn Disgwylfa round barrow. Carl came at this site the hard way; a much easier approach involving no fences is to take the forestry track from the minor road to the east, which leads to a gate into the field to the north of the hillfort, just above the cairn. From here it's a gentle ascent over the grassy slopes to the fort. A rudimentary (i.e there's no foot boards) stile then gives access to the earthwork.

It's a pretty decent univallate ring, well preserved but not particularly big ramparts. The views are excellent, taking in Twyn Disgwylfa, Bae Abertawe across to Mwmbwls and the Gower, then northwards as far as the southern flanks of Y Mynydd Du.

There's a small, dug out round barrow on the high point of the fort's interior, which makes a good place to sit for a bit to get out of the fresh February breeze as the sun goes behind cloud.

From here it's an even easier stroll back down the hill to the north, to visit the cairn and the neighbouring complex enclosure.
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
24th February 2024ce

Twyn Disgwylfa (Round Barrow(s)) — Images

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24th February 2024ce

The Great Circle (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>The Great Circle</b>Posted by ryaner ryaner Posted by ryaner
23rd February 2024ce

Newgrange (Passage Grave) — Images

<b>Newgrange</b>Posted by ryaner ryaner Posted by ryaner
23rd February 2024ce

Wiltshire — News

American recreates bronze age necklace from Wiltshire Museum pictures


A woman who lives more than 4,000 miles away from Wiltshire has recreated an ancient necklace from the county.

More info :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68316993
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
21st February 2024ce

Stonehenge and its Environs — News

Stonehenge tunnel campaigners vow to keep fighting


Campaigners have vowed to continue their fight against a proposed road tunnel on the A303 near Stonehenge.

More info :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68348523
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
21st February 2024ce

Stonehenge tunnel: Campaigners lose High Court challenge


Campaigners have lost a High Court challenge against renewed plans to build a road tunnel near Stonehenge.

Sadly more info :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-68338484
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
21st February 2024ce

Essex — News

'Exceptional' hoard of Bronze Age axe heads found in Essex


The "exceptional" condition of a hoard of 10 Bronze Age axes discovered by a detectorist has surprised an expert.

More info :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-68293004
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
21st February 2024ce

Drumanwherran S (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery) — Fieldnotes

Directions to Drumanwherran S Cairn Cemetery: The access to the cairn cemetery is complicated by the construction of a nearby windfarm which may cause future restrictions. The following route is currently open: Take the unsigned New Luce turn off the straight on the A77 at NX 08557 63769, c. 0.3 miles N of the A751 Innermessan junction. There are traffic cones on the road restricting it to one lane. Follow this road for c. 5.3 miles to reach the disused Penwhirn Filter Station. Continue past the Penwhirn houses for c. 200 yards to a dead-end single track left turn over a bridge. This is the road to Lagafater Lodge. Take this road for c. 1 mile to reach Darnigap Farm. A track leading W into forestry starts opposite Dalnigap Farm. It is possible to park 50 yards up this track. The track runs for c. 1.2 miles through the trees. Follow this track on bike or foot to reach the dead-end. The track becomes a forest ride which is boggy underfoot. Follow this NW for c. 0.4 miles to the end of the forest ride. Head W for c. 50 yards to cross the burn at a narrow channel. Head NW through boggy rushes towards a prominent natural mound. Canmore Id : 61893 is c. 40 yards N, a circle covered in rushes. Follow a rough 4x4 track N for c. 120 yards to reach a small grassy cairn, Canmore Id : 61892. The most obvious landmark on Drumanwherrran Moor is c. 50 yard N along the 4x4 track. It is a modern Shepherds Cairn measuring c.10 feet high in the centre of a large robbed cairn, listed as Canmore Id : 61935. Take a 4x4 track heading W from here, passing a natural mound then bear S to Canmore Id : 61894, a grassy cairn with a recumbent slab in its centre. My walking route can be viewed on Drumanwherran S Cairns. Posted by markj99
18th February 2024ce

The Witching Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Images

<b>The Witching Stone</b>Posted by markj99<b>The Witching Stone</b>Posted by markj99<b>The Witching Stone</b>Posted by markj99<b>The Witching Stone</b>Posted by markj99<b>The Witching Stone</b>Posted by markj99<b>The Witching Stone</b>Posted by markj99 Posted by markj99
18th February 2024ce

The Witching Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Fieldnotes

Visited 17.02.24

I've passed by The Witching Stone countless times, however, the field was usually in crop or I was on my way to somewhere. Yesterday, while travelling home from a Bill Bailey concert, I noticed that the field enclosing The Witching Stone was being drained so it seemed like a good opportunity to finally visit the standing stone.

My first difficulty was finding a place to park on the busy A77. After some trial and error I parked down the track to the cottages S of the Alginate factory. The lane is a high tide detour off the Ayrshire Coastal Path. The track leads onto the beach. After following the coast S for c. 0.5 mile i headed to a gate in the NW corner of the field. The Witching Stone was c. 150 yards SE from the gateway across a sodden field (I had wellies on obviously).

The Witching Stone is natural pointed boulder leaning c. 30 degrees ESE. It is set upright with broad sides on a ESE-WNW axis. The stone measures c. 4x3x1 feet. The overall height is reduced to 3.5 feet by the lean. It is located at NS 19924 01730 (transcribed from OS Aerial Mapping).

There is no obvious reason why this rather ordinary stone has been set upright and preserved in the field. It is not listed on Canmore and a Google search for Standing Stone The Curragh Girvan produced no result.
Posted by markj99
18th February 2024ce

King Coil's Grave (Cairn(s)) — Folklore

Speaking of Coylton, on the Water Of Coyle, the Statistical Account Of Scotland (1798) says;

'There is a tradition, though it is believed, very ill-founded', that the village derives its name from a King Coilus who was killed in battle in the neighbourhood and buried in the church here. Fergus Loch, to the west of the church, 'is supposed by some to take its name from King Fergus, who defeated Coel King Of The Britons in the adjacent field'.

According to others, however, the battle was fought in the parish of Tarbolton, and they pointed to the slabs of stone covering a burial mound known as King Coil's Tomb in the grounds of Coilsfield House. The tomb is probably the cairn marked near Coilsfield Mains on modern maps.

The site was investigated in May 1837 by the minister of the parish, the Reverend David Ritchie, whose report went into the New Statistical Account 1845. The excavations unearthed a circular flagstone covering another, smaller stone which itself covered the mouth of an urn filled with white coloured burned bones. Other urns were found nearby, and though no coins, armour or other implements were discovered, Ritchie notes:

An old man remembers that his father, then a tenant on the Coilsfield estate, turned up pieces of ancient armour and fragments of bone when ploughing the 'Dead-Men's-Holm.'

Reverend David Ritchie 1845
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
17th February 2024ce

Rubers Law (Hillfort) — Folklore

A poor man from Jedburgh was on his way to one of the sheep markets held at Hawick at the end of every year to sell off sheep for slaughter. As he was passing over the side of 'Rubislaw' nearest the Teviot he was suddenly alarmed by a frightful and unaccountable noise which seemed to come from a multitude of female voices. He could see nothing of the speakers but heard the howling and wailing mingled with shouts of mirth and merriment, and he made out the words,

'O there's a bairn born, there's naething to pit on't.'

The outcry was evidently occasioned by the birth of a fairy child, at which most of the fairy women rejoiced, while a few lamented the lack of anything to wrap the baby in.

Much astonished at finding himself in the midst of invisible beings in a wild moorland place, far from help should help be needed, the poor man, hearing the lament over and over again, stripped off his plaid and threw it on the ground. No sooner had he done so, than it was snatched up by an invisible hand, and the lamentations ceased, but the sounds of joy redoubled.

Guessing that he had pleased the invisible beings, the poor man lost no time in continuing on his way to Hawick market. There he bought a sheep which proved a remarkably bargain, and returned to Jedburgh. He never had cause to regret the loss of his plaid, for every day after that his wealth multiplied and he died a rich and prosperous man.

Folk-Lore And Legends: Scotland (1889)
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
17th February 2024ce

Aquhorthies (Stone Circle) — Folklore

A special type of stone circle known as 'recumbent' is to be found in this part of the country (aka Aberdeenshire), distinguished by a massive block lying flat and flanked by two upright stones. A good example is found here, near Banchory-Devenick. It is said that a local man removed one of the stones to serve as a hearthstone, but was afterwards so disturbed by strange noises that he put it back where he found it. Similar stories are told of many stone circles, but a more unusual tale concerning Aquhorthies is given in an 1813 agricultural survey:

Close to the principle druidical circle there are two parks of extraordinary fertility, although much incumbered with large masses of stone interspersed through them. The ground of these parks has been long remarked for its productiveness; that in the time of the Picts, soil had been brought to these parks, all the way from Findon, a distance of two miles; and that this was done by ranging a line of men along the whole distance, who handed the earth from one to another

It was remarked in 1985 that the fields around the Aquhorthie circle still have some of the best soil in the area.

The Lore Of Scotland - A Guide To Scottish Legends

Westwood & Kingshill
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
17th February 2024ce

Law Hill (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

From Shien Hill I headed, west, retracing my easily found steps in the track or mudbath until I reached a track heading south. Follow this until some trees, then follow the fence heading west. A gentle climb to a small ridge gives a superb view of the hillfort plus a couple of hut circles.

I approached through the north entrance which is lined by two small dry stane dykes (the borders of the probable main entrance), cutting through several defences. 5 ramparts plus a cheveaux de frise protect the north, it being the most easiest climb. Entrances can also be found to east, west (very steep) and south. The southern entrance appears to have been quarried almost out of existence.

A 6m wide wall surrounds the hilltop, protecting the 154m by 90m site, the best remnants are on the north west.

A much easier climb than Evelick.

Visited 29/12/2023.
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
17th February 2024ce
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