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Hob H
Hob Sep 4, 2009 20:56:40
Replying to Gwass

Heyup Gwass,

A gps does help*, but for a few of the good sites that Mac mentions, the ones in Northumberland, you can find them quite easily with an OS map and a quick look at one of Stan Beckensall's books. Chatton, Weetwood, Old Bewick and Lordenshaw are amosgts the best from an ease of finding vs interestingness of carving perspective, but way and beyond them, on both counts, is Roughting Linn, which is a superb example and very close to the road. Almost unmissable.

If you want a bit of variation though, try Kilmartin, the rock art is clearly signposted at Achnabreck, Kilmichael Glassary and Cairnbaan and is of equally superb quality as those sites in Northumberland. Plus, you get all the standing stones, cairns etc. Northumberland is a bit short on decent standing stones, and the cairns are all chamberless ruins that have been mucked about with.

This message brought to you by the Big-up Northumberland Rock Art Association. Someone else might give you the low down on Dumfrieshire, Perthshire and Yorkshire, which are the other main rock art patches that have decent quality stuff that doesn't need a gps.

*To be honest, it can sort of take a bit of the fun out of the proceedings.

S StoneGloves
StoneGloves Sep 4, 2009 21:39:28
Replying to Hob

"Northumberland is a bit short on decent standing stones, and the cairns are all chamberless ruins that have been mucked about with."

Reads like pure crap, to me ...

C Chris Collyer
Chris Collyer Sep 4, 2009 21:52:42
Replying to Hob

As you brought it up it reminded me to ask about Old Bewick, I was there a little while ago and never managed got to the stones.

It looks easy enough on the map, park at the houses, nip up the path and then take the path round the north or south of the hill then a quick trek uphill to the stones. First problem was parking - there were 'no parking' signs up at the houses and I couldn't find anywhere else to park so ended up down a lane next to the church. I then had to hike back up to the houses and up the track to the gate onto the access land around the hill. The bottom of the hill seemed to have a wire fence round it so I had a wander round the southern path until I got to another gate in the wall on the eastern side of the hill that leads into a small wood. I never noticed any obvious paths leading up the hill and as I was pushed for time and daylight I had to call it day.
So, first question - where is the best place to park and secondly should I have taken the path round the northern side of the hill (your fieldnotes mention going up behind the trees but I wasn't sure which ones).

Ta!

-Chris

G Gwass
Gwass Sep 5, 2009 10:08:13
Replying to Hob

Hob wrote:
Heyup Gwass,

A gps does help*, but for a few of the good sites that Mac mentions, the ones in Northumberland, you can find them quite easily with an OS map and a quick look at one of Stan Beckensall's books. Chatton, Weetwood, Old Bewick and Lordenshaw are amosgts the best from an ease of finding vs interestingness of carving perspective, but way and beyond them, on both counts, is Roughting Linn, which is a superb example and very close to the road. Almost unmissable.

If you want a bit of variation though, try Kilmartin, the rock art is clearly signposted at Achnabreck, Kilmichael Glassary and Cairnbaan and is of equally superb quality as those sites in Northumberland. Plus, you get all the standing stones, cairns etc. Northumberland is a bit short on decent standing stones, and the cairns are all chamberless ruins that have been mucked about with.

This message brought to you by the Big-up Northumberland Rock Art Association. Someone else might give you the low down on Dumfrieshire, Perthshire and Yorkshire, which are the other main rock art patches that have decent quality stuff that doesn't need a gps.

*To be honest, it can sort of take a bit of the fun out of the proceedings.

Cheers Hob

Sounds like a trip is coming on! I've got a few Beckensall books but not got round to reading them yet. Always been fascinated by rock art but only became aware of it years after becoming interested in other megalithic/prehistoric sites. I'm amazed that most people wouldn't have a clue it even exists (down south anyway). You associate rock art with Australia or another far flung place and I was surprised that A) we've got so much in the Uk and B) it is so spectacular and in my opinion more inetresting due to it's abstract and unexpalinable nature. A carving of a person or animal while although amazing can be conceivably explained at least.

G Gwass
Gwass Sep 5, 2009 10:13:13
Replying to Hob

Oops

Meant to say Roughting Linn sounds like a must. I'll base myself there and work out. Now comes the herculean task of persuading the missus to go. I could always disguise it as a romatic trip to the Lake District then hijack the weekend as usual. Failing that a little something slipped into her drink would do the trick ;-)