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Scotland
Midlothian
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Sites in this group:
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23 posts
Carnethy Hill Cairn(s) |
7 posts
Castlelaw Fort Hillfort |
13 posts
Castlelaw Souterrain Souterrain |
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24 posts
Crichton Souterrain Souterrain |
6 posts
Glencorse Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art |
13 posts
The Gowk Stane Standing Stone / Menhir |
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16 posts
Hawthornden Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art |
6 posts
Roslin Glen Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art |
5 posts
Sowburn Rig Small Cairn Cemetery Cairn(s) |
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1 post
1 site Turnhouse Hill Hillfort |
8 posts
Wright's Houses Standing Stone Standing Stone / Menhir |
Sites of disputed antiquity:
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3 posts
St. Matthew's Well Sacred Well |
Latest posts for Midlothian |
Showing 1-10 of 128 posts. Most recent first | Next 10 
Turnhouse Hill Cairn (Cairn(s)) — Images (click to view fullsize) |
 
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Posted by GLADMAN8th December 2012ce |
Turnhouse Hill Cairn (Cairn(s)) — Miscellaneous |
| Wonderfully sited at the summit of Turnhouse Hill, to the north-east of Carnethy Hill's massive example, Canmore gives the dimensions of this cairn as c12.7m in diameter, rising to a height of c0.4m with 'a clearly-defined internal robbing-scar on the SW' [R Mowat and D R Easton, 13 November 1993]. |
Posted by GLADMAN 8th December 2012ce |
Turnhouse Hill (Hillfort) — Miscellaneous |
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I was actually planning to visit this enclosure back in May, following an ascent of Carnethy Hill from the south... only for the vision of the onward route to Scald Law - and an apparent large cairn upon South Black Hill - to call the louder. Some other time, then. Anyway Canmore records the following: 'Part of a palisaded enclosure is visible within the earthwork that crowns the prominent hill to the SE of Turnhouse Hill. The enclosure was probably roughly circular, measuring about 30m in diameter, but the palisade trench is clearly defined only on the N. The earthwork measures 85m by 60m within a rampart and ditch, and there are entrances on the NE and SW. Where best-preserved, the rampart stands up to 1.7m above the bottom of the ditch, but to the S of the field-wall that cuts across the earthwork the defences have been reduced to a scarp by cultivation. Within the interior the positions of at least nine timber houses can be identified, two of them exceptionally well-preserved ring-ditch houses about 13m in overall diameter. (P Hill 1982; RCAHMS 1988).' |
Posted by GLADMAN 8th December 2012ce |
Carnethy Hill (Cairn(s)) — Images |
   
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Posted by GLADMAN 8th December 2012ce |
Carnethy Hill (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes |
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Rising from an rather chilly 'overnighter' beneath Tinto I'm pleased to note that enduring a little discomfort would appear to have presented me with the prospect of a fine day ahead. Yeah... nothing good in this life comes without a price... and I reckon the reward is currently worth the (it has to be said) not insubstantial outlay. Not sure my back totally agrees, but thankfully it is reasonably acquiescent. For now. So, onward to Edinburgh. Or at least The Pentland Hills, which overlook Alba's capital. It would seem - in retrospect, as usual - that most (and there would seem to be quite a few) visitors to this comfortably 'compact' range of hills ascend from the Loganlea Reservoir to the north. Needless to say I, the inevitable consequence of blind ignorance as opposed to any integral 'maverick tendencies', approach from the south. To be fair, however, it is not a poor choice. Parking in a large layby upon the A702 beyond Siverburn, I follow a marked path crossing very wet ground - the excess water no doubt having overwhelmed the Grain Burn - before veering right at a 'crossroads' to ascend the right hand shoulder of Carnethy Hill. Despite the highest point not quite reaching 2,000ft it is by no means an easy climb - well, in my opinion - and I'm consequently more than happy to reach the summit, the 'cherry on top' (so to speak) a very substantial cairn. Yeah, suffice to say a structure of this magnitude was not erected by student punters on a day trip from Edinburgh! Seeing as most of them (the males, anyway) look as athletic as Jarvis Cocker. No offence, Jarvis.... I settle down upon the great stone pile and reckon there are few places I'd rather be this day. Sure, the great cairn has been defaced by the inevitable 'storm shelters'.... if that is indeed what they are ..... but it has enough sheer bulk to overcome this with ease. Indeed the view westwards towards Scauld Law is impressive, an apparent cairn upon South Black Hill (to its left) intriguing.... as it transpires, overwhelmingly so. I stay for several hours, enjoying the company of female students - and the excellent views - more than that of route marching muppets. But there you are. Anyway, as mentioned, Scauld Law beckons, the eroded path testimony to the popularity of these hills. No corresponding monument crowns this top. However, venture along the peak's southern spur to South Black Hill and this sad state of affairs is subsequently rectified. Yeah, crowning a classic Bronze Age position sits another very substantial cairn, curiously not cited by the OS (or Canmore, for that matter) as being of ancient origin. Strange. Hey, if there is documented evidence to this end, fair enough. But I have to say I was inclined to adopt a contrary view, all things considered. Great views, a great place to hang out for a while. I descend to Silverburn Quarry (neglecting to visit a hillfort just excluded from my map extract - doh!) and so complete the 'loop' and return to the A702. My legs are comprised of the proverbial 'jelly', rendering a visit to Castlelaw a 'no-go'. Instead I decide to head across the Firth of Forth, a visit to the obscure Denoon Law having stuck in the brain. Yeah, why not? |
Posted by GLADMAN 23rd July 2012ce Edited 24th July 2012ce |
Carnethy Hill (Cairn(s)) — Images |
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Posted by GLADMAN 23rd June 2012ce |
Showing 1-10 of 128 posts. Most recent first | Next 10
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