Latest Fieldnotes

Visited 31.5.14

Directions:
From Builth Wells take the A481 east. When you reach the village of Hundred House you will see a pub on your left. Just past the pub (on the same side of the road) you will see the barrow in a field. There is no public right of way to the barrow.

The barrow is visible from the road as a grass covered mound.

COFLEIN state:
A mound, 21m in diameter and 0.9m high, thought to be levelled in 1835, revealing, a stone kerb, a circular arrangement of 8 pits and a central cist ‘resembling an oven’, containing 9 urns.

Visited 31.5.14

Directions:
From Builth Wells take the A481 north-east. When you come to the junction with the A44 turn right towards Radnor. You will shortly come to the hamlet of Llanfihangel Nant Melan. On the left hand side of the road (north) before you reach the church and pub is the barrow.

The barrow is no more than a small grass ‘bump’ on top of a conical grass mound.
Not one to go out of your way for.

COFLEIN state:
A mound, 9m in diameter and 0.5m high, set upon a knoll.

Visited 31.5.14

Directions:
From Builth Wells take the A481 north-east. When you come to the junction with the A44 turn right towards Radnor. You will shortly come to the hamlet of Llanfihangel Nant Melan.
The church is on your left, next to a pub with a large car park.

I saw this entry for the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust:
The 20th-century Radnorshire historian, WH Howse, claimed a round barrow in the churchyard and commented on the tradition that a stone circle surrounded the latter. If correct this would be a remarkable and exciting coincidence. These identifications have, however, not been confirmed by later writers, and some consider them to me no more than mis-sitings! Nevertheless, the church surmounts a prominent platform which may have coloured Howse’s view, while the stone circle tradition has been confirmed by a householder in New Radnor who mentioned two stones in the churchyard and a third in the adjacent inn car park. The tradition remains to be verified.

I also found another reference to ‘an ancient stone embedded in the hollow trunk of one of the yews’.

I am very fond of ‘church sites’ so just had to visit this one.
You can park in the pub car park and you are soon in the churchyard.

It had been a long day and Sophie was playing up. Karen was tired and the light was starting to fade. In all honesty I didn’t have as long as I would have liked to have had a good rummage around.

The church was locked (not surprising given the time of day) so myself, Dafydd and Sophie walked around the outside of the church.
The churchyard is quite small.

The tall, old yew trees were unmissible although I didn’t spot any stones sticking out of any of them! Neither could I spot any obvious standing stones amongst the headstones or a stone in the car park. There didn’t appear to be any suspicious stones used in either the construction of the church of the boundary wall.

The church has been clearly built upon a raised and levelled platform.

In saying all that I was rushing and it is entirely possible I missed something.

This is a place I will definitely re-visit for a proper look when I am in the area.

One for the ‘disputed category’ section me thinks.

Visited 19th May 2014
Located in Milltown just outside the town of Dingle on the Dingle peninsula, the large standing in the front garden of Milestone B&B is clearly visible from the road. Known locally as the Milestone, the stone stands in good view of Brandon Mountain with large recumbent stones in the adjacent field. These stones feel ‘related’ to the standing stone though now separated by a fence. I *think* one of the stones has cup and ring marks but heavily covered in lichen so hard to make out. The farmer who rents the field politely asked us to leave at this point as he wanted to lock the gate – so we really only had a cursory look.

One of the more curious megalithic sites I’ve visited but well worth a detour to see if (as I happened to be last week) you’re in the Loire Valley, specifically in the vicinity of Saumur. It’s very easy to find, no tramping around the countryside with an OS map,all you need is a good road map of the area. It’s in the suburb of Bagneux, a left turn just off the D960, the main road going south out of town towards Montreuil-Bellay, well signposted. Truth to tell, the bar/restaurant in the garden of which it’s situated struck me as a bit rundown with only one old local perched on a stool as I walked in. I had expected to pay an entrance fee to see the monument but as there was no-one behind the bar I stepped through the plastic curtain leading to the garden and there it was, a big rectangular structure sitting in the shade of the surrounding trees. It’s had some restoration work with concrete blocks added to support the entrance but they’re hidden behind one of the ‘porch’ slabs and don’t detract from its aura. There’s no need to stoop as you go in and I could stand to my full height. The car parked by the side would have spoiled my photos but it was moved by the proprietaire after she had demanded 4 Euros from me and I had bought a drink which seemed the proper thing to do, the Kronenbourg slipping down very pleasantly as I took my pictures. It’s genuinely impressive in its incongruously eccentric location, the big capstones resting evenly on the walls. There’s some homemade information boards and a book of old prints/postcards showing how it once stood in open countryside which makes its survival in such good condition in its present setting all the more remarkable. Well worth 15/20 minutes of your time if you’re in the area and fancy an alternative to a chateau.

Visited 12th May 2014

This was the highlight for me of our visits to Shetland ‘old stones’. After seeing some pictures of it in Charles Tait’s Shetland Guidebook (an excellent guide by the way, we found it indispensable on our trip) and reading that it was one of the best preserved examples of a heel shaped cairn on Mainland it was a place I really wanted to visit.

Our first attempt was two days ago, under grey clad skies, spitting rain, and the kind of incessant biting cold wind you only get at 60? north. We walked to Mavis Grind and looked around the headland to see if we could spot the cairn. It didn’t look far on the map but knowing from bitter experience that this can be deceiving, and lacking any visual point of reference we soon have to retreat to the car to thaw out.

What a difference a couple of days make though, today you couldn’t ask for better weather, the sun feels positively warm, and although a constant wind still blows it is light and lacking in any bite, so a return to Northmavine is on the agenda.

Parking at the large layby right next to Mavis Grind the deep azure of the North Sea and Atlantic, flank us to either side. I thought to bring the binoculars today, and standing next the remains of the dragons teeth tank traps left over from the war at the head of Minn bay I scan the headland, and spot the cairn.

We set off around the coast, at first the going is steep as you have to first climb and then descend the high headland, but as we came down the other side with the cairn in view and the sun sparkling on the beautiful waters of the bay I can’t think of a finer place to go for a walk.
A path is visible, with the occasional stile over a fence, and we encounter a sheep, which looks as if it has just given birth, its lamb still tottering on unsteady legs and being licked clean by its mother. Trying not to disturb the pair we detour slightly around, the cairn now tantalisingly close.

When we reach it I’m taken aback. Although a small heel shaped cairn its frontage remains, nine smallish stones forming a curved forecourt, which opens into a short entrance passage and chamber. The siting of the monument is exquisite, overlooking the Atlantic side of Mavis Grind and sheltered in its own bay you couldn’t wish for a nicer view to look out at over eternity.

I sit in the cairn, which turns out to be a right little suntrap, and completely sheltered, possibly one of the cosiest little cairns I’ve ever seen. Movement by the rocks next to the water below suggests the presence of otters, but today they are hiding from us. We find a bone talon amongst some rocks near the shore, and it leads me to wondering whether there was any similarity between burial rights and customs seen here with those such as at the Tomb of the Eagles on Orkney? I resolve to look up any information on excavations or finds made here to see what current theories are.

The chambered cairns and tombs found on Shetland tend to be much smaller and less complex than their Orcadian contemporaries, the forecourting and shape seemingly sharing more similarities with monuments found in Caithness, but something in the siting of these places, and how they fit in the landscape seems to resonate with the Orcadian monuments, perhaps because they are both island communities?

We spend quite some time here, and don’t see another living soul, it’s only a one mile walk from the car, although certainly steep in places, it only took us about twenty minutes, and yet we could be in the middle of nowhere. This is one of the nicest places I’ve ever been, perfect natural beauty and peace, combined with the fine remains of a lovely little chambered cairn. The only sounds are the calls of birds and the lap of the sea as it enters the bay via a narrow passage, and these are the perfect accompaniment to the absolute feelings of peace and restfulness you can experience here.

We leave Shetland today to return back to Orkney, and this has been a magical way to end our trip, if you ever make it this far north come here and see one of Shetlands lesser known megalithic gems.

Visited 19th May 2014 while spending a week exploring the Dingle peninsula, Kerry, Ireland.

Learnt about this spiral rock carving whilst visiting Kilmalkedar ruined medieval church on the Dingle peninsula. Before going into the church and churchyard – which contain a fine ogham stone, a large stone cross and stone sun dial, all dating around 12th century – we wandered up the lane to another atmospheric ruin, Fothraich Brenndan (St Brendan’s House) with a fast flowing spring nearby. Also nearby was an information board which made reference to a recently discovered spiral rock carving known as the Corr Aille Spiral. We noticed the route of the Pilgrim’s Way or ‘Way of the Saints’ was close by going uphill and marked by posts with the Pilgrim’s Way symbol on them. We fell in with a couple also visiting from England and set off with them in search of the stone. We walked up Reenconnell Hill from post to post which were positioned every 100 metres or so, jumping over bogs in the process. One of other two people strode on ahead and at the very top of the hill in what appeared to be a rocky outcrop he located the spiral stone. From this point there are fabulous views towards Brandon Mountain on one side and two bays on the other.
The Pilgrim’s Way or Cosan na Naomh starts at Ventry Bay and goes to the summit of Brandon Mountain, 18 km or 11miles. It is thought to be a much older pre-Christian pilgrimage route in honour of the festival Lughnasa traditionally held 31st July. It was later renamed for St Brendan the Navigator who came from the town of Tralee.

Visited 24.5.14

Directions:
From the village of Churchill take the A38 south. After about 1km you will see some houses on your left and a bridleway sign. You can access the Hillfort from here. Alternatively, continue south along the A38 and take the first turning on the left (east). There is a small passing place on this minor road where you can park. A public footpath is signposted which runs along the base of Dolebury Warren.

I wasn’t planning on visiting this site but as we were passing the place on the way home and, despite the grey skies, it was still dry, I thought to myself ‘Why not?’

In hindsight what I should have done is approached the hillfort from the bridleway to the west. However, (as I wasn’t planning on a visit) I hadn’t brought my notes with me so approached via the minor road to the south – big mistake!

Karen sat in the car while myself, Dafydd and Sophie too the muddy path down through the trees. Sophie complained bitterly about the ‘stink’ of the wild garlic! At the bottom of the valley we crossed a small stream thanks to a wooden bridge and continued along the path. After a bit, in my infinite wisdom, I decided it was time to head uphill to the hillfort. I was hoping to have encountered a path up to the site (not realising that the footpath to the hillfort runs east-west not north-south).

We came off the path, through some trees and over a barbed wire fence. We were then confronted by a very steep, very high hillside. I had severe doubts that I would be able to get up there with two children in tow – all three of us in wellies! I took the children by the hand and we very slowly made our way up. It took a long time to get to the top and had I known how difficult it was I would never have attempted coming this way. They certainly knew how to pick a place to build a hillfort!

It was with a great deal of relief that all three of us made it to the top without major incident. Once we recovered the first thing to strike you were the all-round views. You could see for miles in all directions – in the distance even Brean Down, Steep Holm and, through the mist, the South Wales coast – home!

This is a large hillfort. A herd of cows were happily munching away in the middle of the site. Although we didn’t have time to walk all the way around we did head for the highest point. This is near the eastern entrance where there are multiple banks and ditches some of which are above head height.

Near the highest point iare the remains of a stone structure. A short section of walling comprising of a couple of layers was visible. I have no idea of the age of this. Judging by the many outcrops of stones scattered around the site there was clearly no shortage of building material.

Before long it was time to head back to the car. It had taken much longer than expected to climb up the hill and Karen was sure to be getting restless.
We all managed to get back down the hill without too many problems; except for when Dafydd fell backwards with his legs up in the air – much to Sophie’s amusment.
On the way back up the muddy path Sophie fell face down in the mud. It was now Dafydd’s turn to have a laugh!

Dolebury Hillfort is well worth the effort of visiting when in the area.

E.H. state:
The monument includes Dolebury Camp, a large univallate hillfort and associated and later earthworks, on Dolebury Warren, a carboniferous limestone ridge on the edge of the Mendip Hills, overlooking the Somerset Levels. The hillfort has a sloping sub-rectangular interior 487.5m east-west by 200m north-south. The eastern end of the fort is c.60m higher than the west and the interior contains at least four medieval pillow mounds aligned north-south and ranging from 50m to 150m in length and 0.5m high. Surrounding the enclosed area is a single rampart comprising an inner bank c.4m high and c.12m wide. This is bounded by a terrace c.5m wide on the south side of the fort where there is a scarp slope, and elsewhere by an outer ditch c.10m wide and c.1m deep with a counterscarp beyond. The main entrance to the fort is located at the western end. Additional earthworks, immediately beyond the western entrance, may be of later date and include a hollow way linking the entrance with Dolebury Bottom immediately to the west. To the north-east of the hillfort is a series of outworks visible as earthwork banks and depressions. The depressions are likely to represent rakes or quarries. Beyond them is a slight linear bank c.0.3m high and c.1m wide with an accompanying ditch c.1.2m wide and c.0.3m deep which runs north and then west for a total of c.550m. This earthwork is interpreted as an outwork of the hillfort, possibly unfinished, and encloses an area likely to contain evidence for contemporary settlement and land-use. Finds from the site demonstrate an extensive period of occupation, and include Palaeolithic flintwork, Bronze Age pottery, a bronze spearhead and Roman coins and pottery. In the post medieval period a series of pillow mounds were constructed within the fort representing a rabbit warren. It was this that gave Dolebury Warren its name.

Visited 24.5.14

Directions:
Next to the church of St Lawrence in the village of Priddy.

I can’t resist a church site so I had been wanted to visit these barrows for quite a while. There are two barrows near the church. Worth a look.

The first is 130m west of the church, next to a football pitch. It can be easily seen as a large grass covered mound from a metal field gate which gives access to the field.

E.H. state:
The barrow mound is 24m in diameter and 2m high.

The second barrow is 25m north of the church. It can be seen over the hedge at the back of the church. There was a handy compost heap to stand on! The barrow was covered in long grass and several sheep.

E.H. state:
The barrow is known as Priddy Glebe Barrow. It is 25m in diameter and 1.5m high. The barrow was partially excavated in 1894 by the Rev T Palmer, then vicar of the parish of Priddy. Finds from the site included a bronze knife, a bronze awl and some worked flints – now in Wells Museum.

Visited 25.4.14

Directions:
From Draycott on the A371 take the minor road north-east towards Priddy.
The barrows are to the west and east of the farm on either side of the road.

The barrows which can be seen from the road are no more than slight ‘bumps’ in the fields.

Not worth going out of your way for.

The O/S reference for the other barrows are:
ST49419 51291 ST51036 51629 ST50742 52157 ST50252 51353

Visited 25.4.14

Directions:
South-east of Priddy

Yet another grass covered mound

E.H. state:
The barrow mound is 22m in diameter and 1m high. The barrow was partially excavated by BM Skinner in 1816. Finds included a cremation burial, a flint arrowhead and charcoal fragments 0.6m from the top of the mound.

Visited 25.4.14

Directions:
North-west of Priddy on the northern side of the B3135

There are three barrows close by each other along the northen side of the road. All three can be seen as grass covered mounds.

The most western of the three:

E.H. state:
A barrow mound 17m in diameter and 1m high. A slight central depression may mark a previous excavation although no details are known.

The two a little to the east:

E.H state:
Bowl barrow 70m northwest of Hill View. The barrow mound is 22m in diameter and c.2.5m high at its highest point. ST 52180 52320

Bowl barrow 90m northeast of Hill View. The barrow mound is 18m in diameter and c.2m high at its highest point. ST 52299 52388

Don’t go out of your way.

Visited 24.5.14

Directions:
1km west of the King Down Farm Barrows.
Where the road forks for the B3135/B3371.

All that can be seen is a grass covered mound.

E.H. state:
A bowl barrow located on level ground 400m southeast of Wellington Farm. It is visible as a mound 18m in diameter and 10 high. The site is thought to be that which was partially excavated by A. Shelly in 1904. Finds from the excavation included two amber beads and a flint arrowhead.

Visited 24.5.14

Directions:
On the B3371, at the junction south of the hamlet of Charterhouse – either side of the crossroads.

My O/S map shows five Barrows here – three west of the crossroads and two on the eastern side. You cannot see the three to the west from the road but you can see the other two.

The Barrow nearest the farm buildings is a grass covered mound.
E.H. state:
A mound 18m in diameter and 0.5m high when viewed from the south. The barrow mound has been spread by cultivation.

The Barrow a little further to the north-west of it is easy to spot and is covered in trees
E.H. state:
A mound 21m in diameter and 2.5m high. The barrow mound was planted with trees on 12.5.1937 in honour of the coronation of King George VI

Visited 24.5.14

Directions:
Just south of Dolebury Warren Hillfort; on a minor road west of the Swan Inn.
Park at the pub and walk along the muddy track opposite (alongside the beer garden). You will shortly come to a metal field gate on your right. From here the Barrow is easy to see in the field.

The Barrow is quite large – approximately 1.5m high x 15m across – and is well defined.

For some reason E.H. have nothing to say about the Barrow

Directions:
A short distance south of Tyning’s Farm Barrow cemetery. Right next to the northern side of the minor road. Access to the field is via a metal field gate.

The barrow is now a rough grass covered mound right next to the hedge / road.
The most prominent feature is a large moss covered stone sticking out of the top.
I have no idea if this is part of the barrow construction or field clearance?

E.H. state;
A bowl barrow located on sloping ground 250m south west of Ashbridge Farm. The barrow is 20m in diameter and 1m high. The southern side of the barrow has been levelled b road construction. Encroachment on the barrow by cultivation has exposed part of the stone kerb, the largest stone of which is 2m in length. The barrow was excavated in 1966 by D.J. Tomalin. Finds included a cremation burial which was later than the construction of the monument.

Visited 24.5.14

Directions:
From the village of Shipham take the minor road east towards Charterhouse.
The Barrows are next to the road when it takes a sharp left then sharp right.
An O/S map would be useful.

There are 3 Barrows on the eastern side of the road and a single Barrow on the opposite side of the road. All are grass covered mounds.

The group of 3 Barrows are prominent and easy to see – they look in good condition.
The single Barrow opposite is ploughed down and trickier to spot. It is near a stone wall.

Worth a look when in the area.

E.H. state:

The three barrows:
The barrows form part of a dispersed round barrow cemetery. The northernmost barrow is 20m x 2.5m, the central bowl barrow is 17m x 1.75m and the southernmost bowl barrow is 20m x 1.75m. All 3 barrows were partially excavated by R.F. Read in 1924 and by H. Taylor in 1932. There were finds from all 3 barrows including cremation burials, small ceramic cups, flint arrow heads, saddle querns and a spindle whorl.

Single barrow:
A barrow mound 14m in diameter x 0.25m high. The barrow has been spread by cultivation. The barrow was partially excavated by R.F. Read in 1924. Finds included a cremation burial in a cist 1.2m long by 0.8m wide. The barrow mound was constructed with a retaining kerb of limestone blocks.

Visited 24.5.14

Directions:
From Burrington (on the A368) take the B3134 south and look out for the ‘Rock of Ages’ car park (free) which has an information board and a toilet block. This will be on your left. Directly across the road is the famous rock in question. The cave is on the same side of the road as the car park, just around the bend to the south – two minute walk.

After having a look at the ‘Rock of Ages’ and standing in the ‘cleft’ to see how much shelter it provided (not much) I walked across the road and around the bend to Aveline’s Hole. This is a delight – if you like caves of course!

The cave is large enough to walk upright in although it does angle down quite steeply and it is slippery underfoot. I was surprised by how far the cave went back. Despite not taking a torch with me there was enough light (once my eyes had adjusted) to enable me to make my way right to the back of the cave. The small chamber at the back is fenced off – presumably to stop the more curious visitor from becoming stuck!

Stood at the back of the cave and looking out towards the light at the entrance you couldn’t help but try to imagine what it was like to have stayed here all those years ago.

I don’t know why the Rev. Augustus Toplady chose the cleft in the Rock of Ages to shelter from the storm when he could have walked around the corner and sheltered in the cave instead – which would have been far more sensible.

Just think, we could have had a very different hymn to sing:
‘Cave of Ages, hole for me,
Let me hide myself in thee;’

Well worth a visit when you are in the area visiting the famous Cheddar Gorge.

Just back from a dream like week on the Dingle peninsula. No stone circles on Dingle though lots of standing stones. This wedge tomb, however, more than compensated for the absence of stone circles. Probably one of the most inaccessible sites I’ve ever visited. A long drive down a narrow single track road and very difficult to locate on a steep, boggy hilltop overlooking sea and mountains in the parish of Min Aird. The tomb is on the other side of a stone wall and unless you know where to look almost impossible to see. We were directed there by a helpful, friendly, person at the Ballyferriter (West Kerry) Regional Museum.
Apart from the breathtaking views – my amateurish photo cannot do it justice – it is of particular interest as most of the original stones covering the cairn are still in place.
Just had to sit for a while and soak up the ‘words fail me’ beauty of the place.

Visited: May 16, 2014

Dun Bornasketaig stands on a 30 metre high flat-topped rocky knoll set back about 100 metres from the pebbly shoreline to the northwest of Kilmuir. Much robbed of stones to build nearby settlements, the remains of the broch now consist mainly of a grass-covered saucer on the summit of the crag. Judging by the depth of the central hollow, it seems likely that several courses of walling still lie hidden beneath the turf, although just the odd stone protrudes to the surface.

There is a space for cars at the end of the easternmost of the two roads that head north through Kilmuir towards the community of Bornesketaig (sic). Head westwards along the coast till you encounter a stout fence with a gate in it. After passing through the gate, the top of the broch is just visible on the horizon between the rising terrain to left and right.

Note: The road farther west does not provide access to the coast and broch. Progress is blocked by fences, and a polite ‘No walkers please’ notice.

Visited: May 16, 2014

Just as you are approaching Loch Mealt on the A855 en route for Staffin in Trotternish, you will see an impressive, flat topped, cliff-girt plateau on the right of the road. This is the site of an Iron-Age fort, Dun Dearg. A car-park on the right, just 100 metres farther up he road facilitates easy investigation. A roadside gate near the northern end of the dun provides easy access.

The grassy summit of the dun measures 80 x 40 metres, and precipitous crags and cliffs fall on all sides save the north, where the entrance to the fort is to be found. There is little to seen nowadays, but remains of the footings of its western wall are still evident in places.

The best thing about Dun Dearg is that it is a fantastic viewpoint, particularly to the vertical basalt cliffs along the coastline to the north. It’s also a great starting point for coastal walking along the spectacular cliffs nearby.

Visited: May 12, 2014

To say that Dun Edinbane has seen better days is an understatement. This dun has been almost utterly destroyed, and there is almost nothing recognisable to suggest that the present-day rubble pile was ever a broch except that it is circular in outline. The interior is just a jumble of fallen blocks, and the nearest I could find to a section of walling of any significance was where a single large second course block remained in place, balanced on two stones of the foundation course—the merest hint of what must once have been. But a broch it is, and thus it demands a visit.

Edinbane is a typical one-street community, and parking is a problem: you may have to leave your vehicle some distance from the starting point of your walk in. Look out for a house near the end of the road, the only one with a bright red tiled roof. The way to Dun Edinbane, which lies unseen to the northeast, starts at the previous property, where the driveway continues past the house to a whitewashed cottage a hundred odd metres uphill (No 21 Upper Edinbane). From the gate to this cottage, take to the heather and simply follow the fence on the right uphill for a further 200 metres, and it takes you straight to the broch (red line in the map).

Visited 7th May 2014

It’s a gorgeous day as we head down to South Ronaldsay on my obsessive quest to visit every little mark on the O.S. map that could possibly be an ancient site. Today will be a treat though, as I’m on the hunt for a standing stone, which should hopefully be more visible than some of the indeterminate lumps and bumps I encounter when looking for some of the more obscure sites I’ve yet to see.

Traveling south down the main A961 on South Ronaldsay the red phone box, just after the turn to Sandwick, makes a good indicator of the left turn you need to take into the lane which leads to the stone. The lane narrows and becomes more potholed, looking as if it will peter out at any minute, but putting our faith in the O.S. map and persevering with the bumpy conditions brings us to a handy parking spot at the end of the road. You can access a path down to the beach from here, but our destination lies in the opposite direction, as we head towards the stone that we’d spotted on our approach, near the crest of the hill behind us.

Clambering over a field gate just up the lane, back the way we’d come, gave us access into the field adjacent to that which held the stone, clearly visible and beckoning us on, and an open entranceway took us into its field.

The stone at Stews is around 6’ in height, fenced in behind a low and rickety barbed wire enclosure, the reddish stone is almost entirely swathed in Orkney’s ubiquitous lichens. I step over the barbed wire fence so as to get up close and personal with the stone, and settled myself down, relatively comfortably perched amongst the chocking stones visible around the base.

The siting of the stone is divine, fine views open out to sea, looking out across Newark Bay. The mossy stone is cushioned against my back, the sun warm on my face, the honking of Greylag Geese strutting around the moorland at the top of the hill the only sounds to be heard, and I could almost doze off sat here in the little barbed wire pen.

I take my typical variety of photo’s from every conceivable angle, whilst Ellen photographs me looking like an exhibit in a human zoo, (the rare lesser spotted megalith enthusiast in their natural habitat!). This is another of those stones that takes on a different appearance from each angle, looking like a stout pillar from the side on, the other faces being triangular and fin-like. It’s a lovely spot here, easy to get to and a stone that’s well worth a visit. On a day like today we take advantage afterwards and head down to the beach, a lovely stretch of sand that we’ve got completely to ourselves, well if you don’t count the Oystercatchers!

Visited: May 16, 2014

After reading what Carnmore has to say about Dun Grianan, I was in for a pleasant surprise: there was much more to see than I had imagined, with several courses of white stones forming an almost complete circle around this broch. Dun Grianan lies very close to a major tourist attraction on Skye, the Kilt Rock viewpoint beside Loch Mealt. In fact, Dun Grianin actually lies in the loch itself, on a tiny peninsula, just a one kilometre walk from the car-park (red line on map below).

To reach the broch, head left from the Staffin Museum and continue to the croft gate (3rd on the left on the Ellishadder township road) from where you can walk down to Loch Mealt. Just follow the shore to your left and you will soon emerge at the broch.

It seems amazing that the small peninsula has survived for two millennia, as the south wall of Dun Grianan stands virtually on the water line. This is a site that has clearly been neglected, but which is easily accessible and stands in a splendid location. Yes, the broch has seen better days, but just to stand inside it generates a feeling beyond description.

Visited: May 12, 2014

Dun Flashader lies about 300 m along the road leading to Kildonan from the edge of Flashader village. There is space to park beside the post box. To visit the broch, just ascend the adjacent mound where the remains of Flashader Broch, though levelled to the foundation course, are somehow strangely impressive. The periphery of the broch is very apparent, and the entire interior of large blocks is on the same level, refreshingly not totally overgrown with vegetation. At one point a row of impressively massive foundation blocks can be seen.