Blackfaulds Stone Circle — Fieldnotes

After visiting the cairn at Williamston / Tammieteeth I kept heading north west until a farm track that headed north east. Jump the dyke, chances are if you jump far enough you'll end up landing in the site. 10 stones remain, perhaps only 2 remain upright, 8 of them are taking a rest. Nice way to finish the day. Visited 05/01/2024. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 20th March 2024ce

Williamston (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes

From Ardgilzean, I headed north on the A93 taking the first minor road east at Newmiln Cottages. Take the first minor road that heads north west, go past St Martin's Mill, look for clump with tees on top in a field to the west. Fortunately some frost remained which made the ground easy to walk on. Unlike Ardgilzean, it hasn't been invaded badly by field clearance. There is some, but much of the original cairn is visible. It is 12m wide and almost 1m tall, a wall that surrounded the site is in a very ruinous condition. With darkness on its way it was a good time to visit as the sun hadn't vanished, instead the light seemed perfect for visiting, almost an otherworldly feel. Visited 05/01/2024. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 20th March 2024ce

Ardgilzean Cottage (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes

With night fast approaching I headed for the huge cairn at Ardgilzean. After being given permission to park I made my way, west, along the farm track. Today the cairn stands at 32m wide and is 2.5m tall (I would think they should add a meter to that. Sadly most of the visible stones are tonnes upon tonnes of field clearance. Not much of the original cairn can be seen. The north / south east has best views of what originally stood. Future years will, no doubt, see these parts covered up as well. Still the night hasn't fallen completely, so a chance to visit a couple of nearby sites. Visited 05/01/2024. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 19th March 2024ce

Kilspindie (Stone Row / Alignment) — Fieldnotes

Three fallen stones, two with cup marks, make up this stone row. The east stone has a clearly visible cup mark, the west stone has 3 well worn cup marks, and the middle stone missed out on the rock art. Nearby woods have more cup marked rocks, another day for them. Visited 05/01/2024. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 19th March 2024ce

Kilspindie (Stone Circle) — Fieldnotes

I parked mid-way between Oliverbank and Arnbathie Cottages near a small wood. Heading straight south I jumped the fence and headed straight for site(s). A nice gentle climb. The four poster is near a fallen stone row and consists of two larger stones and two earthfast smaller stones, along with some field clearance. Not much to look at but the cup marks and stone row make it an interesting place to visit. Great views to south, to north east Law Hill Fort. Visited 05/01/2024. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 19th March 2024ce

Murthly Castle (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Folklore

Near Murthly, north of Perth, there is a standing stone of which the tradition is that a man brave enough to move it would find a chest with a black dog sitting on it, guarding it. it is said that the schoolmaster's sons once shifted the stone with gunpowder but were terrified by the dog so put the stone back again. Katherine Briggs gives this 'on the authority of the Rev. Routledge Bell, who had it from one of his parishioners.' The stone to which the tradition refers is probably Murthly Castle Standing Stone, Little Dunkeld. It is unusual to find a dog among supernatural treasure-guardians which are far more often birds, including eagles, and black cocks or hens, although the fairytale The Tinderbox features three guardian dogs, each progressively larger until the third has 'eyes as big as mill-wheels' The colour black is generally the sign of a diabolic presence, but in England phantom Black Dogs could sometimes perform a protective function to travellers on lonely roads. The Lore Of Scotland - A Guide To Scottish Legends Westwood & Kingshill Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 15th March 2024ce

Over Durdie (Hillfort) — Links

Canmore Superb aerial photography. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 14th March 2024ce

Over Durdie (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

Not much remains of the fort at Over Durdie but what a place it must have been if aerial photography is anything to go by. After the misfortunes of hunting for cairns in the lower regions of Pole Hill, I headed over to Over Durdie where I was given permission to park by the owners. From the farm I headed east, downhill then uphill via jumping a couple of fences. Not much of the ramparts remain, a broken circular rampart barely exists (bits have been ploughed out), a small patch of erosion shows some stonework, on the south the remains of a wall can be seen. The forts interior is featureless, however there are a load of sites on the other side of the River Tay that can be seen. After the battering of gorse, furze, anything that has jabby stuff it was good to get some proper walking done. Worth a look. Visited 05/01/2024. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 14th March 2024ce

Law Hill (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Fieldnotes

NO1722126230 The best preserved of the hut circles. Follow the route to Law Hill Hillfort and this will be the first hut circle seen. Walls are at least 2m wide and stand at an average height of 0.4m, many stones still sit in place, with the entrance in the north west. NO1708326185 On the slopes leading to the fort, sadly has field clearance or the remains of other hut circles dumped inside. It still stands at 11m wide with walls at almost 4m wide, 0.5m tall. The probable entrance is on the east. NO1706726257 The furthest north of the hut circles that I visited before darkness descended. It is almost 13m wide and has a well defined wall. What I thought might be an entrance on the west is probably recent damage. There are a few more hut circles in the area, however by the time I reached the car it was getting dark. A good time to be heading home. Visited 29/12/2023. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 14th March 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. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by drewbhoy 17th February 2024ce