The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

East Lothian: Latest Posts

Previous 10 | Showing 11-20 of 277 posts. Most recent first | Next 10

Lammer Law (Cairn(s)) — Images (click to view fullsize)

<b>Lammer Law</b>Posted by thelonious<b>Lammer Law</b>Posted by thelonious thelonious Posted by thelonious
15th May 2016ce

Hare Law (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

13/05/2016 - Walking the fence line off Lammer Law back to West Hopes we passed this hillfort. Viewed it from afar as I was a bit sleepy to go over and the electric fence had got me twice already by then and I didn't what to give it its hat trick. Feel a bit bad about not making the effort as it does look a good little site. Canmore mentions it being vitrified. thelonious Posted by thelonious
15th May 2016ce

Lammer Law (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes

13/05/2016 - Starting from the end of the public road just south of East Hopes (Good parking NT 55741 63272) we headed south past West Hopes (location was used in the opening scenes of the film 'Greyfriars Bobby' 1961). Good tracks all the way to the cairn on top of Lammer Law. A fine walk on the hills, looping round Hopes reservoir back to the car. Though not the highest point of the Lammermuir Hills, Lammer Law is perhaps better known than Meikle Says Law due to its name and its big cairn at the summit. The footprint of the cairn is a good size and views across the Firth of Forth and over to the Pentland Hills are very impressive. Bit cloudy today so the far stuff was a little tricky to make out. Well worth a visit this one and one I had looked forward to for a while so it was good to finally make the trip. The walk over to Whitestone Cairn, east of here, on Harestone Hill from West Hopes looks good as well - next time. thelonious Posted by thelonious
15th May 2016ce

The Chesters (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

Visited 30.7.14

We followed the signs and parked in the small parking area next to the approach road to the farm. A sign states that the parking area closes at 6.30pm in summer and 4.30pm in winter.

The weather was bright although there were dark, threatening rain clouds on the horizon. The children were asleep in the car so I followed the path to the hillfort alone.
The path runs parallel to the farm access road before crossing a small field of cows and the start of the outer ramparts. (200m walk)

The information board states that the hillfort is unexcavated which I found surprising.

There are many stones sticking out of the grass on the ramparts which no doubt is what the banks were originally made up of. The site is large but not huge and it doesn’t take long to walk around the entire perimeter.

There are good coastal views and in the distance Arthur’s Seat can be seen. Nearby Traprain Law stood out like a beacon as it was lit up by the evening sunshine.

On my way back to the car a family arrived with two young children. It is always nice to see children being shown these ancient sites and they will (hopefully) gain a better understanding of their forebears and an appreciation of the importance of these special places.

This is a very easy hillfort to access and is well worth a visit if in the area.
Another Historic Scotland site knocked off the list!
Posted by CARL
19th August 2014ce

Kirklandhill Standing Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Miscellaneous

'Drive by' 30.7.14

Didn't stop as the field in which the standing stone resides was in crop.

The stone is tall and easy to spot from the adjacent A198.

Post-harvest visit required for a proper look.
Posted by CARL
18th August 2014ce

The Witches' Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Fieldnotes

Visited 31.7.14

Directions:
From Dunbar, take the minor road south towards the hamlet of Spott. The stone is on the roadside when you come out of the other side (south) of Spott.


On the way to visit the Witches’ Stone keep an eye out for the Easter Broomhouse standing stone which you will pass.

The Witches’ Stone is quite small – about 1m high. There were several coins which had been left on top of the stone.

There is a worn information board next to the stone which states that the stone marks the spot where Marion Lillie (AKA the Ringwood Witch) was burnt at the stake in 1698. She was the last witch to be burnt in Southern Scotland.

This is an awkward place to get to but worth the effort if in the area.
Posted by CARL
6th August 2014ce

Easter Broomhouse Standing Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Fieldnotes

A view from the road 31.7.14

Directions:
From Dunbar, take the minor road south towards the hamlet of Spott. The stone is in a field on your left (east) as you head towards Spott.

As with the Pencriag Hill stone I also visited today, Easter Broomhouse was surrounded by a crop of wheat. Again easily seen from the road but a post-harvest visit required for a close up look.
Posted by CARL
6th August 2014ce

Pencraig Hill Standing Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Fieldnotes

A view from the road 31.7.14

The stone is easily seen from the A1 but I was unable to get a close-up look as the stone was surrounded by a field of wheat. Once the crop has been harvested it would only be a short walk from the road. A nice, tall, pointy stone. Well worth a look.
Posted by CARL
6th August 2014ce

Doonhill (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Fieldnotes

Visited 31.7.14

Directions:
Sign posted off the A1 – south of Dunbar


As part of my on-going mission to visit all the Historic Scotland sites I find myself at the Doonhill Homestead. I would strongly suggest you park at the start of the track leading to the homestead rather than be tempted to drive up it. The track is not in good condition but the biggest problem is that at the top of the track (where there is a small car park) several bars are missing from the cattle grid. This means that anyone driving over the grid will feel their tyres disappear into a big hole! (Unless you happen to be driving a tractor of course). Luckily I had decided not to drive up the track before knowing this.
It takes about 10 minutes to each the site from the road.

There is a large information board explaining the site and both the Anglian chief’s hall and (more importantly perhaps) the 6,000 year old Neolithic hall are marked out on the grass. The Neolithic hall is surprisingly large. The information board states that the hall was deliberately set on fire and destroyed. There is also a small rectangular cemetery marked out in the grass but the information board doesn’t specify from which period it dates.

There are all round good views, spoiled only by the large (cement?) works.

I really liked it here and thoroughly enjoyed my visit – no doubt helped by the fine weather. It you happen to be in the area I would certainly recommend a visit.

Very surprised no one has posted about this site before?
Posted by CARL
6th August 2014ce
Previous 10 | Showing 11-20 of 277 posts. Most recent first | Next 10