Visited back in May, this little beauty must be one of the easiest, yet hardest circles to see at the current time.
Easiest..... since it’s just a short walk down a forestry track and through the trees to your left (where the dilapidated field wall begins to border the track).
Hardest... since I had to clamber over umpteen fallen, soaking wet trees in the process and nearly lost an eye and broke a shin or two along the way. Must have took a fair ten minutes.
Needless to say it’s worth it!
Walked up from Llanvair-Discoed (22.5.09). It took a bit of finding – the entrance that is, the hill itself is pretty obvious!
Walking along the road leading east from the village, you come to a junction at the picturesque Old Mill, taking the right turn, you start to climb up the hill – at this point I passed an overgrown path going off on the right hand side, but ignored this. Coming to the entrance to Coombe Farm, there is a path going off into the trees on the right. Obscured by vegetation on the left here is a small outlying earthwork. You then come to a gate into a ploughed and cropped field – the OS map shows a single black pecked line (not a right of way), which leads across the field into the wood itself. This had obviously been used by others, as there was a clear line across the field through the crops. I took this “path”, which led into the wood. From this point there are nicely maintained gates and stiles, but there’s certainly nothing to indicate that the fort is in state guardianship – it’s certainly a contrast to the Cotswold hillforts, which are mostly either golf courses or a least low grass.
I entered the fort itself from the NE, at a point where a series of parallel earthworks running NW-SE hits the main circular enclosure. It’s not clear what purpose these parallel banks and ditches served.
The banks are well preserved, although the ditches are choked with vegetation at this time of year. The interior of the main encloure is knee-deep in vegetation, but a great spot as it was totally deserted – I can’t remember the last time I visited a state maintained hillfort that showed no signs of anyone visiting at all. The slopes on all sides are wooded, so there is not much of a view, but the sense of peace and quiet was terrific. I spent about 15 minutes sitting in the grass and then went off down to the SW. Here, a steep path scrambles back down in the direction of the road, eventually turning into the overgrown path I had ignored earlier. I still don’t know what is the “official” way in, but it’s well worth a visit!
From here I walked down to Caerwent, with its impressive Roman walls and rather excellent pub.
Stopped off briefly on the way down from Gray Hill. The stone stands in the muddy bottom of a field. It’s visible from the road, which is just as well as the field was full of cows and looked soggy and uninviting, so I didn’t linger.
More interesting is the village church (which even sold a postcard of Gray Hill circle, good to see a tolerant attitude to pagan worship!) and a decent pub.
From here it’s off to Llanmelin Wood hillfort.
What a great site! Walked up from Foresters Oaks round barrow, climbing Gray Hill up the path from the NW corner of the hill, which involves a very steep climb. Once at the top, at the western end of a ridge, you come out right next to a low cairn. There are views across to the Black Mountains, while the Severn flows past to the south. Both Severn bridges are visible. From here, I walked east along the ridge, before cutting southwards down the slope. After a while the large outlier became visible.
The outlier is a big, “double slab” of conglomerate rock, leaning to the north-east. From the outlier, another large standing stone is visible further down the hill to the south – this stone is another outlier, standing immediately adjacent to the eastern end of the circle itself.
The circle is small ring of recumbent slabs. Although it’s overgrown by the vegetation, it’s a lovely setting, with terrific views over the Severn. Two larger stones lie in the circle, possibly the remains of some kind of “cove” setting – they were reported as being upright in the 19th century. After months exploring the limestone of the Cotswolds, the ferns and quartz-pebbled rock were a welcome change of texture and reminded me of Cornwall. A truly lovely place to come.
From here I headed down the slope to the south, passing a smaller, moss-covered, possible standing stone next to the path as it wound through the trees. Then off to the pretty village of Llanvair-Discoed and its possible menhir.
Patrick Will, from the Mill Of Kelly, told me to look at gateposts on my way up here. Most of the other stones have found different jobs. He was right. I counted at least seven stones all probably from this circle being used for the purpose he mentioned. The one remaining stone still remains in the wall and is now covered in jabby things, both natural and man-made.
If using the car follow the directions as for the Wood of Shivas. Walk slightly to north of the wood and follow the old dry stane dyke west. Some rocky outcrops are in the field after the stone but big cows were taking to much of an interest in the two of us.
Visited 7/07/09.
Walked here from Wentwood barrows, on a roundabout route via Five Paths. As I walked along the bridleway I stopped to check the map, and when I looked up noticed that I was actually standing next to the barrow! The easiest way of finding it would be from the path leading NE from Foresters Oaks car park/picnic area. The barrow stands at the junction of two paths – where the footpath hits the E-W bridleway, it’s right there. It is surrounded by high vegetation, which obscure the sides of the barrow. The top of the barrow has been cleared, and the stumps of half a dozen trees show that it has been much more covered over at some point.
A very quiet place, with lazy bees droning and birds in the trees the only noise.
After a stop here, it’s on to Gray Hill and a steep climb.
Visited 22.5.09, walking up from Parc Seymour through the woods. The barrows stand on a high point within the trees, passed by a forestry track that runs immediately along the south of the clearing where they are located. Two large, well-preserved barrows, the eastern barrow is the larger of the two. The site is obviously well visited, felled trunks on the top of each barrow being used as seats, and there were signs of a recent campfire between the two barrows. A nice spot, with spring flowers in the trees around.
From here it’s off to Foresters Oaks round barrow.
If you’re visiting Balgorkar, be sure not to miss this little oddity, just across the road in the grounds of Castle Fraser.
Entry is free at this point, and the stone is opposite the car park across the drive. Enter the field by the gate and keep walking straight across until you see the stone.
Afterwards, tea & cakes in the Castle tearoom is highly recommended and if you go for a tour of the castle you’ll bump into my sister who works for NTS....
Leave the A920 at the Edinglassie road, 2 miles from Huntly on the way to Dufftown, and keep going until the Mains Of Artloch. Go another 500 meters and the Hill Of Backside is found. Plenty of room to park.
Climb for about 300 meters following the ridge of a destroyed stone wall. At its end is the kerb cairn. There are four kerbs in their original place with others laying strewn. 4 stones a meter or so in length lay beside each other a few meters north of the cairn. A pity that ploughing and other agricultural damage has happened here as probably most of the original stones remain. The cairn is reasonably intact apart from some damage done by rabbits.
The cows here certainly behaved better than their pals at West Hatton keeping a close watch from a distance. The scenery looking up and down the Deveron valley is quite wonderful. One of the nicest Backsides I’ve seen!!
Visited 11/07/09.
From the village of Largue, really a row of houses plus a school on the B9001, turn towards Auchaber Church. At the church turn left up the hill. About 1 mile from here two woods are entered, Aucharnie on the left Auchaber to the right. For cars there is enough room to park safely.
Enter the wood and walk down the middle for about 100 meters. To the left are the two stones that are the original site. Another granite stone 50 meters right, a meter in length, and another two 50 meters further downhill, similar length also granite, are supposed to have made up the rest of the circle.
Visited 2/07/09.
In her book ‘Irish Megalithic Tombs’ (published by Shire Archaeology), Elizabeth Shee Twohig lists Knockane as a site to visit for County Cork. The site lies southeast of Teerelton and northeast of Cappeen near a farm to the north. Park your car at the farm and ask there for permisson. As you walk from the farm, pass a field and turn right into the undergrowth where the access road bends to the left and watch out for a trail that leads west. Follow this path for about 75m over a small terrace, around bushes and brambles and make sure, that you always have the little wood on your right.
Within a stone’s throw of each other you’ll find two heavily overgrown and moss-covered, but still neat little wedge tombs. Both tombs consists just of a single slab that rests on the side walls, thus building a small gallery. More details are really hard to detect, because the vegatation nearly have smothered entirely both tombs.
So if you want to make further analysis, bring a lawn or hedge trimmer with you ;-).
Visited May 2009
A hawthorn tree located in the ring of the circle leans sharply along the circumference of the ring with its trunk split into multiple sections which come back together; branches both ascend towards the sky and descend to the ground and are re-rooted, with the trunk eventually re-rooting as well. People leave offerings in the branches. I saw coins, bits of clothing, key chain sheep, and a manikin formed from a tuft of wool. I wondered if the manikin was something more than an offering.
This tree understandably is treated as a fairy tree. The offerings are similar to those left at holy wells dedicated to Irish saints, but there was no indication of any connection to saints, Catholicism, or Christianity here.
Leave Kintore by the B977. Instead of heading over the bridge head straight on towards Deystone and eventually Kinellar Church (flanker in the wall place!!) is reached. Turn right, at the church, and pass Cairntradlin Farm. Fortunately a new road, not on the OS, has been made, take it turning right in the process. Travel a 1/4 mile approx and pull in. The standing stone is about 100 meters to the left. Follow the tractor marks and no crops will be harmed.
This stone stands at about 11/2 meters tall and has, to my eyes, no markings on it. I know Chris has a theory about Tyrebagger and line of straight stones, taking in the circles at Tuach and Cairnhall, leading to the destroyed circle at Inverurie and the henge at Broomend. I think it goes even further taking in Brandsbutt, some more standing stones eventually ending at Balquhain. This stone would be part of the straight line. Who knows but there is a lot going on here!
Visited 9/07/09.
Go thru Kirkton of Skene and take the first tarred road left over the Auchronie Hill going past the standing stone of the same name. Go to the end of this road and turn left. The site is a further 1/2 mile and space has been provided for at least two cars to park.
Open the gate and you will face a modern wall surrounding the white stone which has been concreted into the ground. It is some 41/2 feet wide and 21/2 feet high. Although this stone has been here a long time it has “Drum Stone/1411/Harlaw” inscribed.
Visited 9/07/09.
I entered the town of Westhill from the north, a well used short cut for commuters, and turned left at the roundabout, in the centre of the town. As the town ends any decent tarred road ends to be replaced by one of the worst roads I’ve ever driven. The next 1/2 mile was slow and punishing for both the car’s and my health. The road thankfully finishes, turn uphill pulling in to the side as road widens on the ridge of the hill. Helpfully a wooden step has been provided to gain access to the field. The cairn is a short walk of about 50 meters.
The long cairn is in the field to the left and has been heavily robbed. It might have been a chamber cairn, certainly according to Canmore a cist was removed. Today it retains it’s original shape being some 52 meters in length and 12 meters wide. At the east end some larger boulders certainly hint at a larger monument. However some newer field clearance has been flung on top and cows can clamber all over it.
As for the cows, they weren’t as friendly as their cousins at Auchronie on this occasion. A gate had been left open at the bottom of their field and they piled onto the cairn as I was taking photographs. Being a bit of a wimp I jumped the fence into the lower field and made my way back to the road.
Visited 9/07/09.
Nothing much to add to what Chris says. You can park at the houses further down and walk along an old path heading east. Then walk south along the dry stane dyke, climb over another and the site is reached. There are some massive piles of field clearance here and it wouldn’t be surprising if the missing stones are buried here. The other unusual thing is that two of stones stand beside but are not part of the wall. The other stone being further into the field. As for the site record.....
Visited 9/07/09.
Head west from Westhill on the A944 turning right, north, onto the B979. Go thru the village of Kirkton of Skene taking the next tarred road left when back into the countryside. This road climbs the Auchronie Hill. The standing stone, which stands at about 11/2 meters tall, is about 1/4 mile away from the junction. Unfortunately the cows, who today weren’t in a bad mood, at least at this place, use it as a back scratcher.
It seems that the stone looks longingly towards the Tyrebagger and the famous circle situated on the other side of the hill. Still, it looks safe and strong enough being only a short distance from the road.
Visited 9/07/09.
The A4 is a race track here and there is nowhere safe to park – I left the car up the road at Fyfield (a bus between Calne and Marlborough would stop here too). There is a footpath all the way back, though it’s a bit terrifying with the lorries flying past, and then you still have to make a mad dash across the road. But then it’s a quick hop over the stile, you’re in, and it’s an oasis of calm.
Fittingly there were lots of sheep mixed in with the stoney ‘greywethers’. But they weren’t impressed with my intrusion and quickly set off, bleating madly.
I had had some daft idea to walk from here to the stones at Fyfield Down, but soon realised that there was more than enough to occupy me here (and also it was way too far for me today). If you can’t get to Fyfield Down, but want to see the sarsens in somewhere that feels a little bit more remote than Lockeridge Dene, then Piggle Dene would be the place.
Some of the stones are little, and some are really huge. Lots of them have extraordinary shapes – sticky up bits, curvy bits, dippy bits. Most of them are smothered in lichens of all colours, many of which are rare (contributing to the SSSI status of the site).
Some of the stones have been split – I found a few where I could see where someone had attacked them, but others to the untrained eye looked unchiselled. I wish I knew more about the subject.
I stayed here for a couple of hours and didn’t see a single person – though I was the star attraction for many many pairs of sheepy eyes.
I couldn’t help feeling that the stones were like a river in their dry valley – a valley that feeds down into the Kennet. I also had this strange feeling that they were bursting out of the ground – that the ground was producing them. It’s true I wanted to lay my head on them and see what I dreamt. More practically, because they’re in the bottom of the valley, you can examine just about all of them without doing any climbing up and down slopes. You just have to watch out for the nettles and the sheep poo.
Eric and I got up early and sneaked off to see these stones before everyone was up. It wasnt a happy visit, It was raining sideways, we were both waterproofed up but he still wanted to go as soon as we got there. I wanted to try again later in the week but just never found the time, so much to see so little time. The stones are big ones, bigger than their neighbours down the hill, Two up three down.
I parked up the hill by the other stones in the forest, and then went bumbling down the hill only then did I see the stones and say to myself “oh right” I should have parked on the hairpin bend (theres plenty of room) by the cemetry. Because of its ease of visit I came here twice, once in drizzle and once during a golden sunset guess which was best.
Only the largest stone is in the wall the other two smaller ones come away at an angle, but a fourth stone is in the wall further down about 10 metres away, a theory occured to me, when the wall was built they incorporated the biggest stone in the wall, dragged the fourth one into the wall but as it was so hard they left the other two and decided to just build a burial ground right next to it. Genius ? ? Ha dont fool me
Quite easy to get to, follow signs for the castle but when you come to a T junction turn right then left into the forest. Follow this track through the picturesque woods and when a view opens out to the right spot the stones below you park further on by a barn.
Me and Maggie the new pup came here about 7.30 am never saw a soul even the sheep hadn’t got up yet.
All I know about these stones is that they should be in a line, one is out of place which one I dont know. A more pleasant place there may be but right now I cant think of it, the sea is dominant to the north, forests stretching away to the south and everywhere else is gentle undulating shapely hills.
The stones are all tall and each have a personality of there own , the ring around it is most perplexing, if it isnt ancient why would anyone else bother to erect it, some big stones are in the ring and would have taken some tugging.
We drove halfway up, and parked by a row of old static caravans with sad looking people watching tv. These were our first stones of a week on Mull being less than a mile from the campsite, a natural choice. I had no idea there was three stones, the fallen one is closer to one stone than the other making it look like if it fell where it stood then there is a big gap where a lost stone could have been originally.
As you enter the non-village of Loch Buie a sign on the left of the road alerts you to a small carpark and directions to the circle. Youre apparently supposed to follow the white stones but either the ground moves or someone has fiddled with certain stones. So cross the sodden feild passing the battered ring cairn, then make up a game see who can stay the cleanest, then turn left through a gate with a stone by it and your in the same field as the circle.
This is probably the last big stone circle on my must see list,(except places like the isle of Lewis ) and it was a good one ! Kept well out of the way of casual visitors the nearest thing of interest is Moy castle then its nothing for miles.
The stones are all large except the modern replacement and the nearest outlier (of which theres three), The ground is always wet I assume so bring yer wellies.
Just 400m northwest of Cahergal lies within eyeshot Leacanabuile, another fine stone fort. To reach the car park for both forts, leave the N70 in Cahersiveen at the post office northbound. Turn left after the bridge that crosses Valencia River and follow this road until you come to the car park on the right side.
The entrance to the fort lies in the east, away from the prevailling wind. Inside are the remains of four houses, in one corner lies a quern- or mill-stone and entrances to two souterrains leads to openings in the enclosing wall. Like Loher, there is a covered drain that leads from the central square house to the fort entrance.
As Leacanabuile lies on a hillock, there are stunning views from the top of the enclosing wall in nearly all directions, particularly to the west towards Killelan Mountain, across Doulus Bay to Valencia Island and south towards Cahergal.
Leacanabuile (from Leaca Na Buaile – the slope of the Booley – summer cow pasture) alone is well worth the small detour, in conjunction with Cahergal, there is no reason at all to exclude these very easy to access forts on your next trip around Iveragh.
Visited May 2008
Loher Stone Fort lies well situated on the foothills of Beenarourke and Farraniaragh Mountain beneath the Ring of Kerry scenic coastal road midway between Caherdaniel and Waterville. Although you can already spot the fort from the layby where Coomakista Pass reach its highest point and the passing N70, you have to drive on until you come to a very sharp turn-off on the left side. Follow this road, that runs parallel to the N70 to the south, until you reach the stone fort.
There is a lintelled entrance to the fort, much of the interior is taken up with the remains of two houses. Beneath the floor of the (older) circular house is a now closed souterrain. There is also a covered drain, that leads from the doorway of the rectangular house towards the entrance. The drystone enclosing wall is around 3m high, on the inner face there a steps that leads to the top level of the well-built wall.
The scenic views from the stone fort across Ballinskelligs Bay are simply overwhelming and, together with the good farmland, pretty sure were one of the reasons to built this defended farmstead, here.
I wonder how many tourists pass by on the Ring of Kerry without even knowing that such a beaty spot lies close by. Most guide books make no mention of it, which is a shame, as it is really a fine stone fort, that ranks only a little (if at all) behind the well-known Staigue Fort.
Visited May 2008
