Latest Fieldnotes

Despite the name, Over Low occupies quite a low lying position in a valley to the West of the East Staffordshire village of Stanton.

Wetton schoolmaster and Antiquarian Samuel Carrington opened Over Low in 1848. Two crouched burials were found, one of which was accompanied by a few flint implements and one sherd of coarse pottery. Source: “10 years diggings...” Bateman, T. 1861 p.127.

Over Low is 26m in diameter rising to a height of 1.3m. A public footpath leads from Stanton towards Over Low before splitting into two paths. The right-hand path goes along the valley bottom below the site. Blakelow Lane from Stanton snakes around the hill of Blake Low above the site and may provide a better view.

Scheduled Ancient Monument No.=1009411. Scheduled as Over Low Bowl Barrow.
RSM=13592. NMR=SK14 NW21

About 50yds up the path from Backstone Beck West look to your left. In the bracken you will see a large flat stone with these rather bigger than average cups.

Grind Low is about 400m south of the Burton Moor barrow. Larger, at getting on for 30m diameter, ploughing and stone robbing have also taken their toll and the barrow is around 1m high.

Nothing extraordinary....typical Peak barrow.

Out walking yesterday – one of those November days that feels like a gift. Sunday, the rain lashed down. Monday, the sun came back and warmed the sodden earth. Had arranged to walk with my Gloucestershire walking friend who picked out a route that stuck to green paths where possible. We set off at from the little village of Yanworth (near Chedworth Roman villa) and walked to the village of Hampnett. Hangman’s Stone is marked on the OS map about halfway between the two villages, just off the Salt Way and on the Macmillan Way. The stone itself lies on its side and is well camouflaged by the Cotswold stone wall behind it. Now in two parts with a hole through what looks like the top half. (Just read tsc’s post which indicates the stone has always been two stones – to me it looked like one standing stone that had split naturally through weathering)

Curious this one – came upon it by chance and it doesn’t really want to be seen.

Visited 29th October 2012

Deepdale is one of those stones often viewed, its prominent position on a ridge overlooking the main Stromness to Kirkwall road means you always see it peeking into view as you drive along the main road across the island. Actually visiting it though is not quite as straightforward, there being no obvious place to park up anywhere near to the stone, which is why I’ve always admired it from a distance until today.

I parked at the nearby chambered tomb of Unstan (itself a must see) and took a brisk walk along the A965 towards the stone, which can be seen atop its ridge even from Unstan. Although busy by Orkney standards the trek along the road is not too onerous, and only takes about ten minutes. If you wanted to park a peedie bit closer then there is a pull in (probably for the benefit of fishermen) just over the Bridge of Waithe to your left (if you are heading in the Stromness direction). As you approach the stone an obvious muddy rutted track heads up the rise, but I wouldn’t fancy risking taking a vehicle on it unless it was a 4x4 or tractor! Past the large mound of old tyres at the top of the track the stone is clearly visible, although on the other side of a low barbed wire fence. I managed to step over the said obstacle, as I couldn’t see an obvious gate into the field from this direction.

I’m actually quite glad I approached the stone in this way, I like having a bit of a walk in to a site, rather than just pulling up and piling out of the car, in some ways it feels more adventuresome, and fires my imagination, feeling like a quest or pilgrimage to these places, particularly as here at Deepdale you can see the stones in view all the way as you approach, beckoning you on. It’s probably why I romanticise these places so, the idea of a quest to visit even smallest little stump of stone enough to set my heart fluttering, and it’s all part of the experience of visiting a site, soaking in the atmosphere, which for me is the main thing, rather than just ticking another site of the list.

There is cetainly plenty of atmosphere here today, the clear wintry light over the loch seems surreal, the primary colours of the water and the Orkney landscape as vivid as a child’s painting, and the haunting call of Curlews and Oystercatchers floating over the loch.

Now I’m sat on a comfortable tussock of grass which has established itself over one of the chocking stones at the base of the menhir, providing a comfortable seat to look out over the lovely view across the Loch of Stenness, the diamond shaped Deepdale stone at my back. I can see most of the sites of the sacred Brodgar landscape from here, Maes Howe clearly visible, and the tiny forms of the distant Stones of Stenness can just be made out.

From here I can also see an interesting looking stone in the field boundary to the east, and on closer inspection it looks as if it could possibly be a standing stone, it is certainly seperate from the fenceline, and I’ll post a picture so that maybe someone may be able to shed some light on it.

People may wonder how I can rabbit on and get so enthused by what is in effect a stone in a field (I’ve encountered several farmers in my time that held this view!), but enthroned here in this wonderful landscape, sat by this ancient stone, it really answers the question of why I do this.

There’s a fair bit of gate climbing involved to get to this barrow from the path that crosses the now improved Burton Moor.

Crossed by a stone wall the barrow is around 13m diameter and a little over 1m high. It looks to have been disturbed more than likely from being robbed of its stone for the walls around here.

Little to get enthused about; however if you find yourself in the area here and the nearby Grind Low are worth checking out.

Nearest neighbour to Cop Low this barrow is completely ploughed out today.
A farmer dug the barrow in 1932 discovering 2 cists, their contents are unknown.

I must admit I didn’t get this Neolithic oval barrow at all; couldn’t distinguish what was natural and what was supposedly barrow.

Measures some 20m in length and below 0.5m in height....or does it? Confused me.

Not marked on the O.S map, I came across this barrow in John Barnatt’s Barrow Corpus. The name of the barrow got me interested as I have a few friends who consider themselves Derbyshire Tups.

Situated WNW from the village of Foolow, Tup Low is an impressive barrow of around 20m diameter and between 2-3m in height. The Corpus says that it is unexcavated and it pretty much looks undisturbed.

Two fields away to the west from the Foolow to Grindlow path.

The walled plantation that Blake Low is situated in probably hasn’t done this barrow many favours. Trees, undergrowth and the likelihood of being robbed for its stone means the only real giveaway to its position is the telegraph pole that stands on the barrows top.
It also has quarries and the ugly Deep Rake fluorspar workings as close neighbours.

Two other barrows were recorded in the area. One to the south which has now completely vanished. The one still visible to the SE at Beacon Rod, and marked on the 1:25000 O.S map, has been described by John Barnatt, in his Barrow Corpus, as being a natural knoll.

A very difficult place to get to this.
I feel fortunate to have seen this barrow via access from from local residents whose house backs on to the MOD land. The photos are taken from the bottom of their land.
This place is used by the MOD for grenade testing and there was evidence all around that it’s actively used. As a result there is no way of getting any closer without signing up and going out on exercise.
The barrow is in fairly good condition if quite overgrown. A shame that we can’t enjoy what is a very beautiful and mystical part of Dorset despite the military activity.

This prominent, distinctively shaped hill is to the west of Longstone Edge/Moor and directly above Cressbrook Dale. Although part of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve the hill is open access. Without trepassing the only way to get onto the hill is from Wardlow Mires, making your way up the Cressbrook Dale’s eastern side above the outcrop of Peter’s Stone and using the access land.

The barrow is sited right on top of Hay Cop and topped by a trig point. It survives to a decent height but the small summit of the hill adds to the height of the barrow depending on which side you view it. Disturbed slightly on one side it has however never been excavated, the steep sides of the hill possibly giving antiquarians second thoughts on ascending the hill.

An impressive barrow on the whole and I’ll be back for another visit to take in the views. This time with a camera in my pocket and not in the glove box of the car.

Visited 26th October 2012

I’m quite fond of the Comet Stone, as Ellen and I got handfasted here in 2005. Also as Carl says in his fieldnotes, not many people bother to come out to see the stone, always in the shadow of its more impressive big brother, you can stand here and watch the coach loads of visitors process around the ring, with not one of them casting a glance towards the poor old Comet Stone.

As we approached the Ring of Brodgar on foot along the path from the Stones of Stenness we came to the Comet Stone first. Standing on the small mound on which the stone perches, storm clouds gather around us, and waves are being whipped up on the Loch of Harray. I can’t spot any sign of the two small stubby stones by the base of the Comet Stone, scrubby tufts of grass hiding them from sight.

You also get a great view of Brodgar on the horizon from here, but this lovely stone is reason enough to take a detour from the main stone circle to get up close and personal with it.

Visited 26th October 2012

As fine a monolith as you’ll ever see, but the Watchstone sometimes gets overlooked amongst the excitement of visiting Stenness and Brodgar. There are clear blue skies over the Ness of Brodgar at the moment, but ominous clouds gather around on the horizon, and we drove through a snow shower on the way here from Kirkwall.

As I stand at the base of the stone in the bitter morning air, I just marvel at the immense menhir in front of me. I love this stone, it’s usually one of the first places I come to when I get to Orkney, in a way the Watchstone is a touchstone for me, a signifier that I’m here, in my favourite place in the heart of Neolithic Orkney. We had a horrendously rough crossing over from Aberdeen last night, seasickness striking Ellen, but standing here, all of the ordeal of the journey up seems worthwhile.

Ellen and I parked the car up at Stenness and walked along the road to the stone, the path continuing along a newly constructed lochside route, which leads you on a lovely walk, onwards from the stone, past the site of the Ness of Brodgar excavations until you get to the Ring of Brodgar itself, a walk well worth taking, just make sure to say hello to the Watchstone on your way, as he keeps a silent watch out across this ancient landscape.

I omitted to add this when I wrote up my fieldnotes on Gower. This atmospheric cairn is about 30 metres from Maen Ceti and the two sites seem connected. I don’t know if there is any archaeological data concerning this cairn – it just seems to be in the right place. Stopped here for bit to enjoy the estuary view towards Llanelli. Anyone visiting Maen Ceti would feel naturally drawn to walk over to it.

This site is described as “stone circles” in Topographical Notes on the Barony of Coshlea, Co. Limerick, including Lackelly, the Lake District, Cenn Abrat, Claire, Tara Luachra, &c. by
P. J. Lynch (1920) RSAI

Rev Lynch, who from his paper I believe only viewed photos of the “circles” described them as follows ;

“The discovery of the stone circles on the eastern end of Slievereagh induced some writers to identify them as the remains of the residence or burial place of Olioll Olum.” we skip on to “When I prepared the first plan of these circles I described them as probably two concentric circles outside the remains of a dolmen or cairn. I have given the question further consideration and changed my opinion somewhat. I have completed the outer circle (about 45 feet in diameter), when complete, could have rested within the “Benches” while the second “circle” and the stones inside of it, mark the base of a cairn about 26 feet in diameter, enclosing the tomb, of which the inner stones formed part.
There is no “Cromlech” (marked on OS Map) on the mountain. There are several blocks of stone resting on the rocky surface of the mountain; but as Dr. Fogerty writes “if a Cromleac is something built by human hands, there is none”"

He then goes on to give a plan of the stone circles. If anyone has access to JSTOR you can find the plan here jstor.org/stable/25514569?seq=17.
However from looking at the remains up there I would say that the best these circles could be is the kerb of a cairn. Even at that most of the stones up here look to be naturally placed rather.
The notice board in Glenbrohane mentions that the “King’s Chair” can be found amonst the rocks of the cairn. I’m not sure which stones they refer to but I’ve taken a photo of what I thought looked most chair like.
The walk to the top follows a marked path for a lot of it and then swings off on a forestry path up to the antena on top. Views from here are great into the plains of Limerick to the north.

Les and I were astonished to find that the cup and ring marked stone had been getting some harsh treatment. Before it had been easy to find, on our visit we had to remove rotting branches of trees and trunks dropped on top or near to the stone. Large logs had also appeared nearby. Sad really, as the stone during my previous visit had obviously been well looked after.

Very sad this, as a person drove up and I explained that we’d looked at the stone. She obviously knew what I was going on about and even more sadly didn’t seem to care.

Revisited 24/10/2012.

On a hill above the wooded Afon Clwyd, south of Clocaenog forest, is this dilapidated hillfort. The wife and I parked down the lane from a farm Clegyn Mawr above which is the settlement. Only the entrance and the bank on either side is still recognisable, though with a trained eye, one can follow the earthworks all the way round though they were hidden by summer growth on our visit. The south west edge is undefended due to vertical cliffs, the whole inside area is quite large maybe 150 m across. Though the weather looked a bit threatening we were lucky, and appreciative of the good views all around.

Visited 14.10.12

Access is easy enough from the small parking area for Abbotsbury Castle Hillfort.

There are three Barrows to explore which are only a short distance from the car park.

The first Barrow is well mangled (technical term!) and stands next to a small derelict building of some sort. It is also close to a metal fire beacon which looks like one of those to mark the millennium? 2 huge toadstools grew nearby.

The second Barrow is approximately 1m high x 10m across and has been dug into.
It is covered in the dreaded gorse.

The third Barrow as also approx 1m x 10m and has again been dug into.
This is the best of the bunch; easy to see from a distance and covered in grass.

It is well worth the short walk to visit these Barrows when visiting the nearby Hillfort.
Great views can be had of Chesil Beach.

Sunday 21st October 2012
The day started overcast but quickly turned into an amazing day full of blue sky and sea. Rhossili soon became very busy because of the lovely weather (surfers out in droves). Fortunately we had made an early start so avoided the crowds until later in the day. The plan was to walk to Hillend from Rhossili along the top of Rhossili Down and return along the beach (which I believe is the largest in the UK). Sweyne Howes burial chambers came into view at about the half way point of the walk – one is ruined with the stones scattered. The larger and more intact chamber is reminiscent of some of the wedge tombs I saw in Ireland. Unlike the wedge tombs, however, these two are hidden from the sea view being well below the high ridge of the Down.

Saturday 20th October 2012
Starting from Penmaen, three miles along the Gower Way – the walk along the top of Cefn Bryn made the visit to this astonishing site all the more memorable. It was a beautiful mid October morning – the sea visible on both sides. So much to see and enjoy, not least the free range Welsh ponies which galloped across the brown bracken.

Maen Ceti is astonishing – a massive capstone standing on several small stone ‘legs’ with a scatter of smaller stones around. The legs stand in water and the surrounding ground is boggy in places – I believe there are a few springs nearby. Close by too, is a large stone cairn (which felt related).

Cat Hole Cave is just a short walk from Parc Le Breos (about 200 yards north) uphill into a wooded area. Access is no longer possible as the cave has now been closed to the public with bars in situ. A local person said this was because the bats were being disturbed by people going into the cave looking for the ‘reindeer rock art’.
In 1968 excavations recovered flint blades of the ‘Creswellian’ type which indicated this cave was the home to hunting parties towards the end of the Ice Age some 14,000 years ago.

Visited Friday 19th October 2012 – first port of call of weekend on the lovely Gower Peninsular. About half a mile up the hill from the Park Mill Heritage Centre, this chambered stone long barrow is hard to miss. This was my first encounter with a ‘cairn’ type long barrow. Now open to the elements in the same way that Nympsfield in the Cotswolds is – the chambers are impressive.

The Cat Hole cave is a short walk away up into a wooded area.

This standing stone is only about 400mm high and is very unimpressive. You would have to wonder about it possibly being a broken scratching post or something like that. The only thing in its support is the two larger stone in the vicinity.

You can just make out the pilon where the other stone is located in the distance.

I spotted the other large standing stone in this townland by accident while driving by but did not spot this one until I saw it on Philip Powells website. Its a tall (approx 1.6m high) “sail shaped” stone.
The power- pilon above it is a real contrast. Surprisingly this stone doesnt appear on the either of the 1840s survey maps.