I approached this site from the north which proved to be an obstacle course. On the way back it was easier as I managed to find a bridge that crossed a stream instead of jumping. Gates instead of barbed wire fences. All the usuals. Take the first minor road east north of Methlick on the B9170. Keep going until this road ends at the Mill Of Sessnie. Walk back to Sessnie Croft and walk thru the field, over the bridge climbing the hill in front which will lead to a track. Turn south for 1/2 mile. The barrow is on the eastern side.
The barrow is has a ditch surrounding it which has all but filled up. Ground from the track to the barrow is also quite swampy in places. All the other details are in the Canmore pages, type Bellmuir. This area has many hut circles, causeways, a standing stone and probably most importantly the River Ythan. There are also rocky outcrops all over the place.
This place with its surroundings does have an aura about it. I know several sites have been excavated in the area and there's a sense of maybe better things to come. Better to go on a nice day, and for a change when I visited it was.
Travel east from Methlick on the B9005 stopping at the bridge that leads to a quarry. This quarry is still in use and a locked gate means that the rest of the journey is on foot.
The cairn is situated on a small hill on land littered by rocks and bog. Also there are hut circles, causeways, a standing stone and maybe the remnants of a circle. There is also another cairn but a severe dowsing in rain sent me back over of the bridge to the cover of the car. A pile of stones indicates the cairn which is mostly grass covered being almost 10 meters in width and less than a meter high.
This is an interesting and historic place. Quite clearly this was a major settlement and, for me, it would be great to go back in time just to catch a glimpse of what it really looked like. Throw in Mill Of Kelly, Shethin, Schivas, Ythsie, Fedderate and the Candle Stone for good measure, a great days hunting!
Bellmuir (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Fieldnotes
The cairn is surrounded by many hut circles centred on NJ880364. I'd hoped to take images of most of them but a torrential downpour sent me running back to car after spying the first hut circle. Various hut circles, causeways etc. are on the banks of the River Ythan. So a fine excuse to go back!
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Posted by drewbhoy
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