Latest Fieldnotes

01/08/2016 – Described on Canmore as a ‘turf-covered long horned cairn of the Orkney-Cromarty group, with a Camster-type chamber.’ This cairn really is a good one. Over 200ft long with the east side looking to be intact. Small entrance to a passage on the cairn but looked too small and dangerous to go in. Setting is just great, looking over Loch Calder. A real favourite. This and the nearby Torr Ban Na Gruagaich chambered cairn are well worth a visit. Access wise we followed the shoreline of the loch from the south and then headed into the forest west to Broubster stone setting.

01/08/2016 – I liked this one. Good location, overlooking Loch Calder. Similar to Tulach Buaile Assery chambered cairn nearby. A fine couple of cairns, well worth the walk.

01/08/2016 – Grassed over chambered cairn. Started from the road to the west (ND 0511 5844, good parking) near Monadh nan Carn. Just follow rides through the trees. Probably just as easy to walk the shoreline of Loch Calder round to the cairn from either north or south. There is a gate just east of the cairn to gain access to the forest from the loch side.

Visited 4.8.16

Directions;
South West of Doune. To the north of the B8031 – next to Craighead Farm.

The cairn is easily seen from the road as a large tree covered mound. As the rest of the field was in crop I settled for a view from the road.

Canmore states:
The cairn measures 14m x 1.5m in height. Surrounded by a dry-stone wall, surmounted by trees.

From the western-most lower cairn up the hill I could see what looked like a white stone, it seemed to be in the right place and I had nothing else to go on so I went on over. Dodging as I went the large steps left in the ground where peat cutting has been done, I’ve got to say a little something about these, I’m not into it at all, they are everywhere, but everywhere, at first we thought the large bags of peat might be dumped rubbish but it didn’t take long to realise that these people are stripping the landscape and selling it, it’s their ground who am I say what they should do with it, but I don’t like it. Done.
The big white thing did indeed turn out to be a stone, I could see the stone delving deep through the clear clean looking water at it’s base, it was a deep moat, Mia the Jaques Rousel had a drink. The big stone was covered in long straggly lichen, or moss, either way it was doing well. From this stone I can see the rest of the circle, an arc of maybe ten or so stones, low, no higher than a foot and a half. Burl says they dug into the hill side and leveled the site before erecting this embanked stone circle, but it really doesn’t look like it, the large lichen covered stone is maybe six feet higher than it’s neighbours. The ten or so stones are on the western side, Burl says the eastern side is denuded, that’s the word he uses, it means stripped something of something, pretty vague, even more so as Greywether says the other side is maybe under the peat, that’s not the same as denuded, who to believe?
But then Burl goes on about playing card slabs on edge at the ENE and SE, didn’t see them, so I’m going with Greywether, for under the peat, in which case, come on you locals get that peat stripped and shipped we’ve a stone circle to find.

Sometimes I hate myself.

I think I parked where Greywether suggested, then took one of the dogs and walked up hill up the footpath, it’s not a footpath those are seemingly rarer than stone circles on this island, but just go up hill. I was actually willfully ignoring these chambered cairns intending to only visit the very nearby stone circle, but I apparently went too far up the path because before I knew it a large grassy mound stood before me, I couldn’t ignore it any more.
But time is still just as against me as it was yesterday, there is another ferry with my name on it for this afternoon, so I was quick.
The higher (altitude wise) of the two cairns is a large grassy mound with some large blocks of stone on the top, next to it is a few stones set kind off circularly, could be a hut circle, or another cairn inserted into the side of the big cairn.
Down hill, slightly, is another cairn, presumably of the chambered variety, but on the ground it’s another grassy mound with a heavier sprinkling of masonry on top than it’s nearest neighbor.
There are other chambered cairns and more stuff besides over the hill but i’m looking in the opposite direction, for a stone circle, there are more than a few stone circles on North Uist but Burl in his bible only mentions two, and one of them is before me, I can see a white stone from on top of the lower (altitude wise)cairn I’ll head for that.

From the standing stone keep heading north westish until the wood stops. In the clearing on a small mound at least two of four barrows can be spotted overlooking the River Spey.

A square and round barrow can be seen with the other two others somewhat overgrown. A fence post also makes finding the round barrow very easy. Dense forest that Canmore mentions seems to have vanished.

Nice site overlooking the Spey with an equally nice view looking over to An Leth Chreag. Noisy geese on the other side of the river provided natures music.

Visited 31/7/2016.

The blue granite standing stone at Pityoulish is a bonnie wee thing standing proudly in the woods of the same name. It stands at almost 1.5 meters tall and could well be an outlier for the nearby barrows. Whatever the reason, standing stones are common on this part of the River Spey.

Leave the village of Boat Of Garten (steam trains and ospreys are the claim to fame as well as Bob Dylans brother) heading south on the B970. Go through the Street Of Kincardine, past a minor road and pull in at the third farm track heading west (after the Street).

From here its over the gate on the opposite side of the road and head north west for about 200 meters. Lovely stone, lovely site!

Visited 31/7/2016.

30/07/2016 – Tried to visit here last year but felt too tired to give it a go when passing. Better to come back another time, a bit more awake. A year on and we got another chance. Probably the shortest route is from the A9 near Upper Latheron but we thought we’d make an afternoon of it and instead started from the north at the parking for Rumster Forest (marked on OS map), just down the road from Loch Stemster. Nice walk south through the forest on good track (two brochs nearby to visit if you want as well). When we got near enough to the circle, we left the track and made our way across. Not far but very boggy! Got there in the end but with wet, grumpy feet. The circle sits just west of the river, a little up stream of where it flows into the loch. Only 3 and a bit stones left of a biggish circle (Canmore states a diameter of about 48m). The location is lovely and we were both very taken with the place. A little out of the way but worth it if you fancy a walk. Lots of other stuff to look at just south if you come from that direction. We looped back over Ben-a-chielt, with its fine views over Caithness.

This big long cairn is really a Hebridean passage grave in disguise, apparently, I’m not altogether what this means precisely. Perhaps it just means it can be seen from the road, No? Is it because it’s in the Hebrides? maybe, or is it the horned forecourt, possibly.
None of the passage can be seen and though I read that some of the chamber can still be pointed out I never saw it. But the standing stones at the end of the cairn Iv’e seen before at places like Skelpick, does that mean it’s a horned forecourt? I dunno, probably maybe, all I know is it’s good, far better than sitting watching TV, anyway.
Don’t come here the way I did, ie: climbing over the fence at Carinish stone circle , drive further down the road to the better car park and footpath toward the cairn.

Avebury, Long Meg and her daughters, the Leys of Marlee, all have something in common with this on the far edge of no where mostly ruined stone circle, no? well it’s a stone circle you can drive through, and for that reason alone makes this for me at least, a must see site, and as a further incentive there’s a very decent Hebridean passage grave just five to ten minute walk away.
There’s a little layby with room for one right next to the circle or a larger one a bit further down the road, which is where you’d park for the long cairn, if you knew it was there first.
There are at least seven circle stones still to be seen, in 1928 there was sixteen , so it has suffered somewhat, which made me want to come here even more, feeling sorry for it and cheering on the underdog and all that.
One stone at least survives on the south side of the road, and another six are on the north side, all the stones are very white.
A telegraph pole is too close to the stones but it at least is something to watch for on this sometimes featureless island road.
Eaval is the highest point on Benbecula, and North Uist too for that point, it is close and dominates the horizon east from here.
A high fence cuts off the circle from the long cairn but that was the route I took, me the lad and two dogs, what a dummy, theres a stile and a path up the road. Oh well I’ll know for next time, he looks wistfully to nowhere.

No lounging around in beer gardens for us, it is a little after 8am so that would be a bit strange, I didn’t have the heart to drag Eric over the hill to it, so we let the dogs drag us the short walk from the hotel through the heather and bracken.
After enjoying a people free Barpa Langass last night I thought it not quite odd but at least fortuitous to have the stones to ourselves, these are famous places right?
I think I worked it out, North Uist is as much water as it is land, there is no Stornoway here, no town as such at all, and there is no Callanish, the place will always live on in my memory as being mostly people free.
I can see stones, we have arrived, the bracken and heather is doing very well on this south facing hillside, too well, the ground is quite boggy. What a place, a few miles south east-ish there is a small mountain which I think is called Eaval, and more on the horizon. The north view is short, it is uphill, that’s where I go next to see it from above, ah, ever had an itch you couldn’t scratch, I have a few, this ones called Pobuill Fhinn, but now I can scratch away, it’s quite a relief to finally get here. No analogies can do this feeling justice, it’s just very good to be here.
The portalled entrances are quite obvious, but why two? Swinside and the Druids circle have just one, so why two here, a small voice inside me says it’s because it’s twice as good, more is always better than less.
It’s an embanked stone circle, nay oval, but oddly the northern circle stones are inside the bank and the southern stones are outside it, explain that one if you can.
Man what a beautiful place, I adore the Outer Hebrides, but it’s time to leave this idyllic place, hunt down some breakfast and then drive through a stone circle, one of only four places that I know of where you can do that.

From the Lochmaddy ferry terminal we headed straight here, just follow the road as it bends left, past some antenna type whatsit, round Beinn Langais, that’s the hill on who’s side the burial chamber is perched upon.
If memory serves the cairn cant be seen from the east, so the first sign that you’ve arrived is a sign pointing to the car park.
Car duly parked, the last few yards up hill to the chambered cairn are delirious ones, I was as giddy as a lone child at Christmas, I’ve been looking forward to this one for quite some time.
From the beginning really, I am slowly working my way through the big orange book, apart from a few stragglers here and there I’ve only got these far flung places still to get to, this is a big one.
It really is a big one too, I wasn’t expecting it to be so big, or is it the wide open spaces that make it look big, or is it just me.
Then I saw the sign, read the sign, and swore at the sign, shit, what? closed? say it isn’t so, I make my way to the entrance, eye up the wooden frame covering the entrance, pick it up in one hand and put it to one side, that’s not closed, Hetty Peglar’s tump, that was closed, this isn’t closed.
Peering into the gloom inside, I decide that I’ve waited too long and come too far to be a prude, in all I might have given it a seconds thought, nah, who am I kidding I just went straight in with out a thought of what if it collapses on me, I haven’t won the lottery nor been hit by a meteorite, I pass through the universe largely unnoticed, nothing interesting ever happens to me, it’ll be fine.
It’s a cramped scurry along the short passage, sidling past the collapse, footing is damn near treacherous, the floor is covered in large chunks of cairn material. This is the most chaotic burial chamber ever, it all looks very precarious, it got even more so as my son entered the tomb, then dad took over, I told him just a quick glimpse ‘cause i’m coming out. So, no sitting and chilling, no pondering the mysteries of life and death, but at least I am here and I’ve seen whats inside and sat next to it.
When we’d got out Eric noticed the dogs had turned on the hazard lights in my car so he went down to correct things, while I had a final ten minutes up here. Walking round the Barp I reckon I saw a few large kerb stones on the maybe northern side, but they were more like circle stones than kerb stones.
I didn’t climb up onto it, that would be maybe too much, the universe might see me.
It’s now almost ten o’clock at night and we’ve yet to find a campsite, so that’s where were off to next, but, my it’s been a long day.

Visited 29.7.16

A short distance out of Brodick – along the B880.

We parked next to the metal barrier at the entrance of the forestry track and while Karen and Sophie stayed in the car, myself and Dafydd headed into the trees on another mini adventure.

There was mist in the air with a hint of light drizzle. Very atmospheric in a forestry setting. We simply walked along the track (passing a sculpture of a face carved out of a tree and someone’s camping gear (although no sign of the person) All very ‘Blair Witch’!

Once we reached the end of the track (10 minute walk) we carried along the ‘path’ for a short distance and soon spotted the large, flat rock outcrop.

The carvings were covered in pine needles and we had to brush them off as best we could. However the rock face was slippery in the wet and we had to take care not to fall. The light was far from ideal to see the carvings although we managed to make out several easily enough. Looking at the photos there were clearly many more we couldn’t make out properly.

Dafydd then asked me ‘what do they mean?’ You can imagine the conversation which followed!

This is a fine (and relatively easy) site to visit and well worth the effort although (in my opinion) the carvings are not in the same league as the Killmartin ones – but then again – what is?

Visited 31.7.16

Directions:
Drive east out of Port Ellen, past the school, and take the first track to your left (north). The stone is a little way uphill on your right. Access over the drystone wall via an old wooden stile.

It was our last day on Islay and we had to be up to catch the early morning ferry. However, I couldn’t resist a quick ‘cheeky visit’ to one more ‘old stone’ before departing.

The stone is huge (well over 2m) and covered in the ‘hairy’ lichen I have become so fond of. This is a lovely rugged part of Islay with fine coastal views. I have really enjoyed my brief visit to Islay and Jura and would highly recommend others to do so if possible. The scenery is great, the people friendly and excellent places to visit. It was even sunny! (and they have a mobile chippy on a Friday and Saturday night in Port Ellen) – what more can you ask for!

I can see the ferry coming into port. Quick run required back to the car to make sure we don’t miss it! :)

Visited 31.7.16

Directions:
From Tarbert take the A83 south and then the B8024 turn off. The stone is found about 2 miles along the B8024 on your left (east). Easily seen from the road.
Access is by hopping over a rusty metal gate.

The wooden fence is still there and this 2m stone is further protected by waist high nettles. Not good when wearing shorts! The surface of the stone is covered in green lichen.

This is a very easy stone to visit (and well worth it) if you ever happen to find yourself in Tarbert – which is in itself a nice place to visit.

Visited 31.7.16

As Postie says these stones are well looked after in the small but pretty village of Kames. Even the grass bank where two of the stones reside is well trimmed and neat looking. The one behind bars is also suitably manicured.

Watch out for the speed of cars on the road running through Kames – particularly at ferry departure times. As Greywether says, you pass the stones along the road if you only fancy a ‘drive by’.

Nice little place Kames.

Visited 2.8.16

Directions:
Follow Mr G’s advice although I would add that it is not a water works you pass but in fact an electricity sub power station. If you continue walking along the track you will pass stables on your left and a field gate is immediately on your right – this allows easy access to the site.

Well, here I am again in the footsteps of Mr G – a little over two weeks since he was here. It’s a small world!

There is little I can add to Mr G’s fine notes other than when Dafydd peered under the capstone he was convinced he could see cup and ring marks! As you can imagine I got very excited about this and eagerly tried to see for myself. Much trampling down of vegetation and lying on the floor at various angles followed. Unfortunately all I could see was the natural uneven contours of the stone. However, Dafydd is still convinced the marks are there. I think he is mistaken but his eyesight is better than mine to be fair! Perhaps another TMAer can visit and confirm I am right? :)

Either was this is a fine tomb to visit and one which is easy enough to access. The ground is likley to be boggy in wet wheather – bring yer boots.

Visited 2.8.16

Directions:
Driving along the B836 you will come to a horseshoe bend at the head of Loch Scriven. At this point (next to a bridge going over the burn) is a track north leading to a farm. The stones are easily seen in the field on your right, near the farm house.

You can access the field to the stones via a gate. The field was full of sheep and cows on my visit. As well as views down towards the loch the stones are surrounded on 3 sides by hills. It reminded me of being in Killmartin Glen – reason enough to visit these stones when passing on your way to catch the ferry to Bute.

Sometimes going the wrong way can be a good thing, call it a fortuitous accident or a happy blunder, but I found this site by a total fluke.
Does historic Scotland presume souterrains are more interesting than say a stone circle, because this is a big car park for somewhere I’ve never heard of, and road signs too, you don’t see many of those out in the, well I was going to say middle of no where, but this is the northern tip of the Isle of Skye so if anything it’s at the far edge of no where.
Not long before the ferry now, and i’m getting very excited, but I must try and be in the here and now because I like souterrains, not as much as a broch mind you but I do like them, imagine if brochs always came with a souterrain, how cool would that be?
Anyhoo, Eric, my tiny hell hounds and me approached the entrance to the northern fogou with a small look of apprehension, on two posts either side of the entrance was a pair of yellow wellies, strange I thought, why would you take off your wellies and leave without them?
Then I had a look inside, and things kind of slipped into place, the whole tunnel was flooded, how deep it was I couldn’t tell through the brown possibly smelly water, I’ve been to Scottish sites before where a torch or hard hat was provided, neither of those were here, but the wellies were.
Just inside the entrance, to the left, is a side passage, a creep I think you call them, the entrance to the creep was partially made up of stones? that looked suspiciously like sand bags, just how deep does the water get. Either way I’m not putting on a strange pair of wellies, i’m not an animal you know, a few pictures later and were peering over the old low wall at the site of a round house, presumably also iron age, it’s good to know that like fogous, souterrains are part of a small settlement.

The villagers of Auchenblae still refer to this site as fort as I found out at the shop in the village. They seemed very proud of this beautiful place, quite right as it is!

The site is to east of the village surrounded by minor roads. I jumped the fence at the south junction. As is normal with this type of site three sides of the fort have steeps whilst the entrance, in the north east, is relatively flat.

Visited 28/7/2016.

The last stop of a long day probably provided the most beautiful setting, certainly the calmest. Normally the crannog is completely covered but we got lucky as the monument was slightly above the water.

Alas after looking out my diving gear I discovered that I had forgotten to put it in the car. Hopefully the photos give an idea of how beautiful this loch is with its 15 meter wide crannog.

Park at the cemetery north of Aviemore on the A95. An easy stroll over a wee hill leads down to the shore. Beautiful place!!

Visited 31/7/2106.

Visited 31.7.16

Directions:
The cairn can be easily seen in a field next to the Colintraive ferry terminal which takes you over to Bute.

Whilst waiting for the ferry why not visit this large (if a bit mangled) grass covered cairn? As well as having good views over to Bute the cairn also has two hawthorn trees growing out of it which look quite nice.

Canmore states:
The cairn measures 13m x 12m x 1m in height. It stands on a stony platform about 1m above the level of the field. There are two possible kerb stones on the SW side. The centre of the cairn has been extensively disturbed.

Visited 1.8.16

Directions:
Visible from the B875 (south) on Ettrick Bay.

We parked outside a rather run down house and I walked back up the road, hopped over the metal field gate and walked over to the stones. Access to the circle is via a weathered wooden kissing gate. The stones being fenced in for their protection no doubt.

Looking at Mr G’s photos a lot of growth has occurred since his visit. The stones were surrounded by tall rough grass. In fact, the two small ‘stumps’ of stone were only visible once I had trampled the grass down.

To concur with Mr G, I also liked this circle – a lot. The views over to Arran are lovely. I am sure this point wasn’t last to the builders of the circle. The ‘modern’ large old tree now sharing the scene with the stones merely adds to its charm.

Ettrick Bay is a very popular beach destination on Bute (we also liked it – superb views over to Arran – at the risk of repeating myself) and it is well worth paying a visit to this circle at the same time.

Visited 1.8.16

Directions:
Visible from the B875 (south) on Ettrick Bay.

We parked next to the field gate and I simply hopped over the gate and walked over to the stone. The field had already been harvested so no problems with access.

The stone is about 2m high and has a chunk missing from its shoulder. It looked natural to my untrained eye. Surprisingly enough it didn’t have the usual ‘hairy’ lichen on it you usually find on the Scottish islands. Ettrick Bay stone circle can be seen in the distance, with the sea beyond that. Nice stone.