Tigh na Cailleach under threat | Forum

G

goffik Mar 10, 2011 01:03:01

Replying to BigSweetie

Oof! This is awful!

Incoming via Facebook... :)

G x

T

tiompan Mar 10, 2011 08:55:55

Replying to BigSweetie

BigSweetie wrote:

I thought Tigh na Cailleach was listed on here once, maybe I'm mistaken....

iirc there was a tacit agreement , due to other dangers , to keep quiet about it .

H

Howburn Digger Mar 10, 2011 20:58:12

Replying to BigSweetie

I'm off there at the start of May combining a much looked forward to visit Tigh na Cailleach with some hill loch, trout-commando activities.

This is very worrying news for the Cailleach. Like many I am very much in favour of Hydro-schemes. My father built a lot of the switching gear for the original Hydro network built in the Highlands in the 1940's and 1950's. He spent long periods away from home during those years. The scheme was vast - not just a few dams with turbines and switching stations - but a vast system of tunnels connecting distant lochs and channeling water through chains of lochs over long distances. It is often only really utilised to cope with a surge in demand when the kettle goes on for Eastenders. It would be such a pity to wreck the peace the Cailleach enjoys for that.
I havent read the full proposal yet but I shall and will leave my comment on the application.

T

tjj Mar 12, 2011 09:02:18

Replying to BigSweetie

BigSweetie wrote:

Many of you will be familiar with Tigh na Cailleach or Tigh nam Bodach in Gleann Cailliche near Glenlyon, said to be the site of the "oldest uninterrupted pagan ritual in Britain". A planning application for a hydro-electric scheme in Gleann Cailliche has been submitted.

More details can be found on the Glen Lyon History Society's website:

"Planning permission was recently lodged for four hydro electric schemes that will forever transform the Gleann Cailliche and the surrounding landscape. Existing tracks will be upgraded to take heavy traffic. Power houses will be constructed, borrow pits dug and fresh tracks will be carved into the steeply sided slopes to weirs. An overhead power line will be run past the Tigh nam Bodach and down the side of Loch Lyon."

You can view the application details here (if that link doesn't work, go here and search for application reference 11/00061). Comments on the application will only be accepted until the 18th of March.

I would urge anyone who has an interest in this fantastic glen to submit a comment. As someone who doesn't generally get particularly misty-eyed or blown-away by sites, Tigh na Cailleach really does it for me.

While I'm in favour of renewable energy, I think any changes to this particular glen would spoil it and detract from it's uniqueness. I know that argument can be used for pretty much any place, but I do feel this is somewhere special.

There's an account of my walk through from Bridge of Orchy to the Tigh na Cailleach on my website here - it gives a sense of the remoteness you can experience in this glen, despite not being too far away from civilisation.

I thought Tigh na Cailleach was listed on here once, maybe I'm mistaken....

I've been reading this post and re-reading it for the past couple of days now; there is something deeply unsettling about it. At first I thought I've never been there so therefore unqualified to comment. I took on board this sentence in your post ..."I would urge anyone who has an interest in this fantastic glen to submit a comment. As someone who doesn't generally get particularly misty-eyed or blown-away by sites, Tigh na Cailleach really does it for me." ...and didn't want to jump on the band wagon.

I do recall the discussion about Tigh na Cailleach a few years back and remember that people thought it so unique and precious it was better not to publicise it. Its ironic it now needs to be publicised to protect it. I've just read the Glen Lyon History Society link in detail (only had time to glance through it earlier) it had quite an effect. So although I'm a southerner who, though maybe back in Scotland later in the year, am unlikely to get the opportunity to visit Gleann Cailliche, I will email [email protected] with a comment.

Just when it feels as though we're all going to hell in a handcart and what's the point - you realise the point is that hopefully there will still be some wild and ancient places without the very large footprint of modern civilisation on it left for the generations that follow us.

Am away to write my email, hope I haven't waffled on too much.

B

BigSweetie May 4, 2011 15:24:29

Replying to BigSweetie

The objections to the proposals made it onto the BBC Scotland news today, they had a camera crew there. It was quite strange seeing the stones on TV actually!

There doesn't appear to be much more news really, the estate owners declined to comment.

All the objections (plus application details) could be seen here, although it seems to be down at the moment. The case number is 11/00061/FLL.

B

BigSweetie May 4, 2011 15:27:13

Replying to BigSweetie

Oh, and the BBC report can be watched here.

H

Howburn Digger May 5, 2011 14:44:56

Replying to BigSweetie

I tramped in to visit during the Easter school holidays. Drove up to Achallader and walked in stopping for some hill trout commando activity on a high corrie lochan on Beinn Chreachain. It was a beautiful day. I'd longed to fish this loch as it holds some Ice-Age refugees called Arctic Char. After some rod bending I clambered down 1500 feet or so to call in on the Cailleach.
She and her family were present. I ate my picnic there. It is a beautiful lonely setting.
I fully understand why there are no photos or entries here on TMA. There are a number of reasons which dont take much thinking to figure out. I had first become aware of Tigh na Cailleach back about twenty years ago when I read an article by Rennie McOwan in The Scots Magazine where he described walking into the site. I had longed to visit over the years but everything else always seemed to get in the way. I am really glad I did. It was a solo trip and I am glad because it is a long walk in and out and I was pleased toi be able to walk at my own pace. Fast on the easy bits and slow on the harder bits. It took me eight and a half hours (with a spot of fishing included). I suppose you could visit the Cailleach and back in about six.
I didn't see a soul all day until I got back to my car. I cannot recommend a visit highly enough. I saw Golden Eagle, Harriers, Merlin, Red Deer, Arctic Char, Mountain Hares, larks, Grouse... and I wasn't even trying. The publicity about this site is probably as much of a threat (possibly more) as the proposed Hydro. My father worked on the original Hydro Schemes back in the forties and fifties. He built and installed the switching gear on many dams and power stations. I don't know the answer regarding the local power generation plans... but my suggestion is probably something like - "Go see while the Cailleach and her family are still there" - she might not be one day. There is a collection of similarly shaped "portables" at the Visitor Centre at Killin.

F

fitzcoraldo Sep 5, 2011 10:35:55

Replying to BigSweetie

Received an e-mail this morning that the planning application has been withdrawn, wonderful news.
Our thanks should go to Andy Big Sweetie for flagging this issue up and to all the people who sent in letters of objection to the application. Well done everyone.

cheers
f

T

The Eternal Sep 14, 2011 21:16:42

Replying to BigSweetie

BigSweetie wrote:

Many of you will be familiar with Tigh na Cailleach or Tigh nam Bodach in Gleann Cailliche near Glenlyon, said to be the site of the "oldest uninterrupted pagan ritual in Britain". A planning application for a hydro-electric scheme in Gleann Cailliche has been submitted.

More details can be found on the Glen Lyon History Society's website:

"Planning permission was recently lodged for four hydro electric schemes that will forever transform the Gleann Cailliche and the surrounding landscape. Existing tracks will be upgraded to take heavy traffic. Power houses will be constructed, borrow pits dug and fresh tracks will be carved into the steeply sided slopes to weirs. An overhead power line will be run past the Tigh nam Bodach and down the side of Loch Lyon."

You can view the application details here (if that link doesn't work, go here and search for application reference 11/00061). Comments on the application will only be accepted until the 18th of March.

I would urge anyone who has an interest in this fantastic glen to submit a comment. As someone who doesn't generally get particularly misty-eyed or blown-away by sites, Tigh na Cailleach really does it for me.

While I'm in favour of renewable energy, I think any changes to this particular glen would spoil it and detract from it's uniqueness. I know that argument can be used for pretty much any place, but I do feel this is somewhere special.

There's an account of my walk through from Bridge of Orchy to the Tigh na Cailleach on my website here - it gives a sense of the remoteness you can experience in this glen, despite not being too far away from civilisation.

I thought Tigh na Cailleach was listed on here once, maybe I'm mistaken....

BigSweetie,

I read your post and immediately thought that I have to do something to help, as I know the area you refer to. The Highlands have been subject to many hydro-electric schemes without thought to the dustruction of, and/or the desecration of a special place in Scotland and Britain. We have ravaged a high percentage of the beauty that we have, and it has to stop before it's too late.

However, when I visited your link to the application, in order to comment, I came across this message: "It is not possible to comment on this Application. Only Applications currently under consideration are available for comment." Also, a field on the application entitled "Status" had the comment "Application withdrawn" in it.
What is the situation?

Cheers, and you have my support, if needed,
TE.

N

nickbrand Oct 29, 2011 10:36:07

Replying to BigSweetie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-15496261
Planning application withdrawn.

H

Howburn Digger May 4, 2017 17:17:23

Replying to BigSweetie

I thought I would give a wee update on this strange and remote place as it is in my thoughts just now. A friend died very close by here a few days ago. I found myself reading news reports and looking at maps and satellite images of the glen and adjoining peaks. I realised that the site doesn't have an entry on TMA. With all the fuss over the proposed development a few years back, the complete re-build of the shrine pretty much from scratch and some calls for a blackout on publicity about the Cailleach and her family (and new home) maybe we should have an entry on here?

Here was the shrine in August 2011.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rGrXv_7spfY/TlIewXdsEVI/AAAAAAAAA6s/4pZHifmvFTA/s1600/House+002.jpg

Here it is after the rebuild and repair team hiked in late August 2011 and made some extensive renovations and the guidance and expertise of Norman Haddow.

http://wallswithoutmortar.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/tigh-na-cailleach-rebuilt.html

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-172-oSTB3Fg/T7FCJ1H40-I/AAAAAAAABOU/6AgJtHrgbdA/s1600/House+003.jpg

I'm gonna head in to see the Cailleach and her family at the end of May, so I'll get some new pics. Perhaps the site could go up here as one under "disputed antiquity"? It is an interesting little relic, maybe not so ancient now, maybe parts of it so, not much of its original construction exists but it was always being renewed each Spring anyway and re-roofed regularly too. It wasn't so much the "House" of the Cailleach which was important as much as the looking after of She and her family each year and giving them a secure house for the Winter. It isn't like the site is a secret or ever has been.

M

moss May 6, 2017 11:18:44

Replying to BigSweetie

Many of you will be familiar with Tigh na Cailleach or Tigh nam Bodach in Gleann Cailliche near Glenlyon, said to be the site of the "oldest uninterrupted pagan ritual in Britain". A planning application for a hydro-electric scheme in Gleann Cailliche has been submitted.

More details can be found on the Glen Lyon History Society's website:

"Planning permission was recently lodged for four hydro electric schemes that will forever transform the Gleann Cailliche and the surrounding landscape. Existing tracks will be upgraded to take heavy traffic. Power houses will be constructed, borrow pits dug and fresh tracks will be carved into the steeply sided slopes to weirs. An overhead power line will be run past the Tigh nam Bodach and down the side of Loch Lyon."

You can view the application details here (if that link doesn't work, go here and search for application reference 11/00061). Comments on the application will only be accepted until the 18th of March.

I would urge anyone who has an interest in this fantastic glen to submit a comment. As someone who doesn't generally get particularly misty-eyed or blown-away by sites, Tigh na Cailleach really does it for me.

While I'm in favour of renewable energy, I think any changes to this particular glen would spoil it and detract from it's uniqueness. I know that argument can be used for pretty much any place, but I do feel this is somewhere special.

There's an account of my walk through from Bridge of Orchy to the Tigh na Cailleach on my website here - it gives a sense of the remoteness you can experience in this glen, despite not being too far away from civilisation.

I thought Tigh na Cailleach was listed on here once, maybe I'm mistaken....

"I thought Tigh na Cailleach was listed on here once, maybe I'm mistaken."

Maybe because it has no validation as prehistoric, and because it is so special people wanted it kept quiet, but obviously not so quiet that this special place would get development.