The Slidey Stone | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Arthur’s Seat 1

Image by Branwen

Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh: The Slidey Stone

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olly Dec 22, 2009 12:15:08

Replying to Branwen

Not sure if this topic is buried- or partially submerged- but the slidey stone is mentioned in Janet and Colin Bords "The Secret Country". I think the Glacial eratic on the East side of Dunsapie hill fort would be quite good for sliding off (if you were inclined to do so) as it is very smooth with a view of Criagmillar castle, the Pentlands and North Berwick Law. Dunsapie is well worth a look as it has ramparts and some curious rock formations facing west, towards Arthurs seat. Given Ediburghs ancientness i wonder how many lost monuments there are. The boulder near west port by the grass market is intersting as there is also one in the foundations of a building beside it. Also on the anthropomorphic side of things- viewed from Craigmillar Arthurs seat looks like a very fat man laying on his back. Which is interesting as Craigmillar has an interracitve concrete sculpture of Gulliver in one of its parks

Branwen Dec 22, 2009 14:33:44

Replying to olly

olly wrote:

Not sure if this topic is buried- or partially submerged- but the slidey stone is mentioned in Janet and Colin Bords "The Secret Country".

Do you remember what they had to say about it Olly? Was it the slidey witch stone that was removed or the slidey stone kids play on they were referring to?

olly wrote:

I think the Glacial eratic on the East side of Dunsapie hill fort would be quite good for sliding off (if you were inclined to do so) as it is very smooth with a view of Criagmillar castle, the Pentlands and North Berwick Law.

I could try that, and hope I have as much padding as Becky's Doup had to survive to tell the tale...

olly wrote:

Dunsapie is well worth a look as it has ramparts and some curious rock formations facing west, towards Arthurs seat. Given Ediburghs ancientness i wonder how many lost monuments there are. The boulder near west port by the grass market is intersting as there is also one in the foundations of a building beside it. Also on the anthropomorphic side of things- viewed from Craigmillar Arthurs seat looks like a very fat man laying on his back. Which is interesting as Craigmillar has an interracitve concrete sculpture of Gulliver in one of its parks

I sometimes cycle up there for the view, will have to check that out. Stuart Harris "Place Names of Edinburgh" certainly clued me up on many stones, some, now sadly gone.