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Scotland   Perth and Kinross  

Benarty

Hillfort

Nearest Town:Lochgelly (6km ESE)
OS Ref (GB):   NT147977 / Sheet: 58
Latitude:56° 9' 51.3" N
Longitude:   3° 22' 25.34" W

Added by Rhiannon


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Folklore

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This large hillfort was protected on one side by the natural crags, and had a single rampart around the rest of its perimeter. A lot of the stones from the wall have gone, but the Canmore record suggests that there are still some massive 'grounders' that remain. It also mentions that the boundaries of three parishes meet here.

Robert Chambers' 'Popular Rhymes of Scotland' (1826) says on page 33:
On the top of Benarty, which rises above Loch Orr, there were formerly held games, which all the herds of Fife, and other neighbouring counties, attended. They brought their wives, daughters and sweethearts; and having a plentiful stock of victuals, kept up the fete for a few days, bivouacking upon the ground during the night. The chief games were the golf, the foot-ball, and the wads*; and what with howling, singing, and drinking, after the manner of the modern Irish, they continued to spend the time very merrily. The top of Benarty is flat, and sufficiently extensive for their for their purpose. This custom is now disused, -- the number of herds being much diminished, and the profession not being of such importance in the country as formerly, on account of the increased number of fences.

* Wad -- a pledge or hostage.
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
15th April 2009ce
Edited 15th April 2009ce