Latest Fieldnotes

Our next point of call was to see if anything remained of the Little Argham Henge. The OS map showed the henge as being in a supposedly easy to find spot at the corner of two roads on the Maidens Grave hill. Also the Gypsey Race runs straight past it. According to local sources burials had been discovered here within a triangular structure at least four trackways led to it over the wolds. Given its proximity to Rudston and it being in direct alignment with the monolith, one suspects that the place was once of great importance.

Alas, farmers and father time care not one jot for former influence. The Henge was a massive disappointment. It has indeed been totally ploughed out and there are no signs of it that I could see from the ground. Add to this the added disappointment of seeing the Race for the first time – totally bone dry and rather anti-climactic! Ah well I understood that the race could be free flowing in some parts and dry in others such is the nature of the Gypsey.

Of all the neolithic centres in Britain, one that has always held a special interest to me is the area built up around the Gypsey Race stream. Not least because the last place you expect to see a centre such as this is on my doorstep in the East Yorkshire wolds.

The name of the Gypsey Race also has certain romantic connotations. In the TMA Julian was told by a Bridlington book seller that the name of the river was such because it ‘wandered around all over’. Whilst it does indeed meander all through this area, that is not really the reasoning behind the name.

A Gypsey river or stream is simply one which flows overland in certain parts and underground in others. At times of high rainfall the underground water levels from which the Gypsey survives breaks out overland and sometimes within a couple of hours a previously dry riverbed can become a raging torrent.

During the research for my trip to I’d come across lots of references to egends about the Race foretelling doom when in full flow. More references told me that the Race was only actually in full flow every two years or so.

I would suggest that to the Neolthic peoples who built there monuments around this river, this place was made ever more important because of the nature of the Gypsey. How amazing it must have been for the river to be suddenly dry and then because the underground water levels were full suddenly become a torrent. For a people who seemed to place great emphasis on nature and the ‘Goddess’ this life giving flow must have been a sight truly amazing to them. I don’t see this river as being an omen for doom, rather a giver of life to be celebrated and not vilified.

The Rudston Monolith stands proud in the yard of the local church. A truly massive and awe-inspiring feature it stands 26 feet above ground with a lot more below. The monolith from the road gives the impression that it is much smaller, indeed my companion said to me at the time that it only looked the same size as the stones of Callanish. As soon as you get close though, it really does hit you. It is gargantuan, enormous, huge, this is something else, a lone monolith standing proud. How many odds must it have defied to stay standing in a place which has clearly been Christianised. I would wager that the only reason it did survive is because of its size. Indeed at one point in its history a cross had been placed upon its top. Not there any more I hasten to add! Now its crown is adorned by a metal helmet to help prevent erosion.

I had heard a rumour that the site was formally surrounded by a stone circle. I do not feel that this is folly! Of all the places that a stone circle should have stood this is surely it although there are no real remains of it left. The outer wall church yard is made up of red brick so no clues there. No sarsens remain in the walls to tell us their story. But the fact that a church has been built slap bang next to a clear Neolithic structure should be clue enough. Also part of the boundary walls look as though they could have once been circular. If that isn’t enough there are earthworks in the grounds of the churchyard which go round in a circular motion. Maybe I’m reading too much into things but its all very coincidental. Plus it also appears that the church and the churchyard have been built on a mound with clear earthworks visible – further signs?

Visited 7th December 2003: We had no problem gaining access to the church, because it was a Sunday. Luckily there wasn’t a service going on.

The stone is almost opposite the church door behind the font (which is a bit of an obstruction). Its was exciting to see Welsh rock art of this quality so close up. I’m no expert, but the spiral seemed pretty well defined. It’s a shame that we don’t have more understanding of where it came from.

We followed this with a trip to its neighbour, Sharpe Howe, again Julian marks this on his map of the region in the TMA. Our initial disappointment of not being able to see Spell Howe immediately had been overcome when we actually did find it. How we hoped that Sharpe Howe would continue our jubilation.

Unfortunately the ancient Neolithic monument of sharpe Howe is now a farmers dumping ground with sacks of rubbish, bails of hay and farm equipment strewn around it. The mound looks sad and more akin to a rubbish pile than the once proud hill that it probably once was.

We returned inland and back through the Dyke, again looking mightily impressive from the road. This time the plan was to visit Spell Howe, a tumulus mentioned in the TMA but not covered on this website. I could not understand why this was but as soon as I found it I understood. The tumulus of Spell Howe is located within the grounds of a farmers garden. Not just any farm but a fort knox type place with beware of the dog signs, intercom and infra-red gate opening mechanisms. I had initially been confused by what my OS map was telling me and I walked all around the field at the side of the house to see if I could catch a glimpse of the mound. I was wrong, the mound is actually very easy to see, its just beyond the gate and is bang next to the roadside. We tried buzzing the intercom for a better look but nobody was home so the pictures that we took were from the outside. Again the placing is obvious, on the brow of a hill overlooking a valley, Spell Howe is at the top most point and could probably have been seen for miles.

A bit of a strange one this in the middle of a public park and no-one seems to know much about it, as I havn’t really found many references to Hawksclough. Me and Rivington Pike (a fellow member of TMA) who also had vaguely heard of it decided to find it.

What we found does seem to be the site that’s on the map, its earthworks quite prominent, just no-one seems to know its there! This monuments purpose and meaning has been sadly forgotten but after all this time it still remains there on the hill for all to rediscover.

Not to hard to find this one, this settlement is located high on a hill in the middle of a field of sheep with the highest dry stone walls i have ever seen! on this occasion there was one too many farmers and tractors about to get a good close up. I will return soon, i also found what could be the remains of a stone circle just outside the field with castle hill in. You can also see high park from here and i soon realised why its called this, its cos its so high up! to access it from here you need to go down a huge slope cross a river and then climb another huge slope to get up to it another way round is needed i think.

An ancient rock shelter with evidence of early human habitation stone tools and bones were excavated here.
The Fairy Holes consist of 3 caves one large enough to walk into, the other 2 entrances being about 2 and a half foot high but open into much larger chambers a small crawl is required.
These caves took me about 3 hours to find but were more than worth the effort. Beautiful and serene and set in a magical setting its easy to see how faerie folklore has attatched itself to these caves. There is definately an ambience here ive never seen my dog so nervous when i came accross the large entrance to the walk in cave i was also greeted by a small bird which didnt seem to want to let me enter he sqawked at me as i walked by him but didnt move from his prominent position , once inside i switched my torch on and marvelled at the cave it went back at least 40 foot and ends in a small cavern too.
All the while i was inside the guardian bird is sqawking in the background making it very eerie indeed! i think ive been brave for long enough now so im coming out!
I only peered inside the other two caves as what i was wearing wasnt really appropriate for crawling and besides when i attempted to look in the other 2 caves the dam bird blocked my way! freaky :)
So you can make sense of the photos i will give the caves a label from left to right A,B,C. (A+C being the smaller of the caves)

DIRECTIONS: there are 2 ways to access the caves one hard way and an easy way! guess which way i chose? anyway the best way is park up at the inn at whitewell plenty of room to park there and by the church, take the footpath on the left hand side of the church down to the river bank, look to your left and youll see the stepping stones that cross the river cross these and go up the hill towards the farm just before you reach the gate at the top of the hill which leads into the farmyard there’s a metal gate to your left just before the farm, which leads into the woods take this! a word of warning though im not sure wether your allowed access here so be cautious, the path beyond leads to a small tip at the end turn right into the trees and youll see two paths the slightly higher path leads to the fairy holes but is quite treachourous when this path bends right look up to your right and youll see the rocks the caves are located in if you take the lower path count the water manholes you see along the way when you get to 5 look upto your right and youll see the rocky outcrop the caves are in just remember the caves are in the woods and not outside them like i thought they were! alternatively you can walk round the right hand side of the trees once again im not sure about access but look for the wooden gate outside the forest where it bends to the right enter the wood and the caves are below you. As always have fun!

Using O.S outdoor leisure 28 map park at very small grass layby at SX684603 directly opposite is a bridle path that leads to Ball Gate , half way along on right hand side is Aish ridge access land .Spotted this one on the way back from Corringdon Ball in total 14 stones, quite large in comparison to other stone rows on the moor in height & width . This only warrants 2 dots on the O.S map so I am unsure of its antiquity, can anyone shed any light?

Finavon (Angus):
“Wooded sacred lands”, from Fiodh Neimhidh.
(www.scottish.parliament.uk/gaidhlig/ pdfs/placenamesF-J.pdf)

In Earth/Cosmic energy terms, this is an immensely powerful site! Infact very probably the jewel of the whole region (and I have got around a few sites). Finavon Hillfort is the site of an old Pictish vitrified fortification which in its day would have also been the `capital’ of the area where the ancient regality would have resided exerting political influence over the area. It will not take any sentient person too long before they start to sense the history of this site but beware, this was a military establishment for over 2000 years and consequently many men have fought and died here and indeed women and children executed. I mention all this by way of a warning to ‘peace-love-& happiness’ tree hugging types. Although finavon hillfort is essentially a hugely positive place, it is also an extremely heavy place. The residual energies remind the sentient modern day sacred sites day-tripper exactly how hardcore and violent this site once was! (enough tradegy can be sensed here to last 1000 lifetimes!)

Phrases that would best describe the nature of the ambience at this site would be; controlled agression; enhanced sensations of personal worth; feelings of belonging (or sometimes not belonging!!); and the fort’s exculsive and distinct brand of beauty and value. I have a huge amount of experience of this hill and perhaps it could have been described at one point in time as my site of pilgrimage. But I am not going to bore everyone with a laborious description of all my personal experiences of this hill but I will say that anyone who visits this hill at the right time and spends 2 to 3 hours on it. Will go home absolutely bubbling with feelings of personal worth and strength (a bit like cocaine for the soul). However, visit this place at the WRONG time, then ……. OO-ER! I have often found that early mornings have proved to be ‘right times’ (especially mid autumn) and dusk can often be the ‘wrong time’.

I have associated three deity like energies with this hill:

1) Large Buffalo/Bull type deity: Dispensenser of ‘power vision’, aggression and personal courage. An undefeated champion!

2) Elephant type ambience: Strange for Scotland but I have experienced an Elephant style ambience fairly consistently. It was autumn of 2002 when this ambience seemed to be consistantly present.

Now these two ambience/energies I believe would not have existed upon Finavon hill had this not been a Pictish centre. i.e. I believe that the presence of these deities is due to the religious practices of the Picts. However, there is a far more eminent and powerful `energy being’ that frequents this hill and although the Picts may have harnessed its energy and worshipped it, I get the feeling that this thing is very much independent of any human
spiritual conjuring, namely:

3) Giant Silvery Bear/Yeti type Energy Being!
Posesses Supreme Wisdom over other energy phenomena. Radiates energy which translates into immense high of pure silvery excellence. This energy being’s presence can be sensed regularly but the date upon which I experienced its presence at its fullest capacity was on the morning of October 6th 2000. This remains my most valued ‘earth-powers’ experience and would consider trading in a limb in order to relive the experience again!

Most people reading this will consider it to be deluded madness, but I have grown bored and tired of trying to convince such people of a phenomena that I personally recognise as very tangible and a plain and simple reality of the world in which we live.

(By the way, when I visit these places I am prone to being under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms)

After hearing that this site was featured on the ‘Fortean’ TV show hosted by the biker priest, I headed out to pay this place a visit (around November 1999). Firstly, I should mention that an unfortunate feature of this den is that the burn that runs through it acts a sewage stream for the houses surrounding it!

Secondly from the accounts I have heard from other people Dunino Den was supposedly a highly revered site of pagan worship. For example, on the Fortean TV show it was reported that one of the camera men lit up a cigarette only to hear a voice inside his head snapping at him to ‘GET OUT‘

However my personal experience of this place was that it was very much the sort of place where one might discover the ‘teddy bears having their picnic’. I found the ambience of the place very gentle and unprovoking. Indeed, if the den were a person then there would not be a better baby-sitter in town. A very nice place indeed, but in my opinion it was NOT a site of PRIMARY pagan worship. The energy of this den would provide the worshiper with too much of a sheltered outlook on life for the duration of the worshippers stay (Worship = outlook = approach to life i.e. A close pact with the energies in this den is not going to get the worshipper through times of great challenge and hardship).

Of course, the above is just an account of my own personal experience of the place.....and I have only ever been once....perhaps there are sharper more powerful elements to the energies here that I never stumbled upon orn was aware of?

I feel I should have planted a flag.....the first entry for this site!
The Stipple Stones and henge lie on the southern shoulder of Hawks Tor, just north of the A30 heading towards Bolventor from Bodmin. Infact the constant drone of traffic makes you realise how close you are.
I am not sure how you are legally supposed to access them but I aproached via the Trippet Stones, down into the valley to the left of Hawks Tor farm, through a gate and up an old trackway. This brings you out below HawksTor, climb to the summit then descend towards the south heading for a gate. Once through the gate the henge is ahead slightly to the left.
It consists of four upright stones, plus others that have fallen, inside a shallow ditch. THe central menhir lies fallen and has at some time been cut for moor stone. A wall eats into the eastern side of the henge and over it nothing remains of the ditch.
On a sunny day in June this is a magical site (if you can ignore the traffic noise) but i do wonder what brought man to this site all those years ago, what makes this such a special place?

A short long cairn (pardon?) – with good views of the surrounding area.

Open access thanks to Dumfries and Galloway’s Archaeosights scheme.

Visited 7 May 2004

Completely underwhelming chambered cairn situated above the Tulloch Burn.

The chamber exposed on excavation can hardly be seen now and the cairn is now largely grass-covered.

Access is easy though. It’s just off a Right of Way. Parking difficult if approaching from nearest road on E.

Visited 7 May 2004

An ok chambered cairn and a ruined stone circle once surrounded by forest but now cleared on two sides.

The cairn, which sits on the 300m contour, has the distinction of being the highest in S Scotland – possibly in all of Scotland.

Rather than follow the complex and uphill forest road approach from the S, I decided to go in from the minor road on the N where the altitude is about the same as the cairn.

Park at the cattle grid at the regional boundary then follow the boundary line down to the forest. (Not as daft as it sounds – it’s marked by a fence.)

Head E to where the forest has been cleared then SE to the corner of the remaining plantation. Heavy going.

Visited 20 May 2004

A long cairn situated on a Right of Way route to Beattock.

In forestry. Not too closely planted but views obscured. Around 260m OD.

Take the minor road W at St Ann’s bridge and follow the signs to Minnygap. Plenty of parking space. Easy going forest road for first half then rougher ground.

Visited 20 May 2004

A Clyde cairn in a fairly average state of preservation and with a non-typical SE orientation.

One tall portal stands guard over a long but ruined chamber.

Park at the bridge. One fence, some marshy ground.

Visited 29 April 2004

Whoever chose to bury their dead here had a good eye for location. This could be the best-located chambered cairn in Scotland.

Sitting on the 110m contour above Loch Awe, the E end of the cairn faces the Cruachan Hills.

No surviving chamber at the E though but this area has been disturbed by later building and there are some orthostat-like stones lying around.

There is a good chamber at the W end with most of its feature still visible.

Great spot. Took far too many photos and left reluctantly.

Park just N of the hotel. Take the track opposite N first then follow the telegraph wires to the wall. Climb the wall and continue on that line up hill. Steep but short.

Visited 29 April 2004

No, there’s not a lot to see here.

But, given that it’s on the way to the much better Port Sonachan and Ardchonnell, it’s by the roadside and the parking is easy, it’s worth a short stop.

Visited 29 April 2004

What a splendid site this is!

First, credit is due to the Forestry Commission. Often criticised in these postings for their close-planting policy, this is an example of how it should be done.

There is some planting to the N but it is kept well clear of the site and 360 degree views have been maintained. Indeed, it looks like the older, pre-forestry trees around the cairn have been felled to open up the site.

The cairn area has then been enclosed in a deer fence with a stile put in for access.

Then there is the site itself.

You come to expect sites to be either cairns with no chambers visible or chambers with little or no cairn material – certainly none above chamber height.

This one has both. A cairn so well preserved that you can still feel under your feet the outline of the horns at one end. And it’s not covered in vegetation.

Plus a chamber still well preserved and roofed at its inner end. Accessible enough to shelter from a shower – as I can testify.

Later, sitting having my lunch, I had a thought.

If this were a stone circle in a comparable state of preservation, lots of people would visit it. Because it’s a chambered cairn it probably gets very few visitors. Perhaps I should be grateful for that.

Easy access but with a high stile to climb at the end.

Visited 29 April 2004

I’ll bet there are a few hits at this site to see what’s going on.

Nelson’s Monument?

OK. Its current location is not its original one. It was taken in 1805 from a site 1.6 km north where it was one of a number of similar stones in the field giving it a very probable prehistoric provenance.

It is now inscribed with a dedication to Nelson from the workers at Lorn Furnace.

It is a majestic piece of granite set, in its present elevated position, in a wonderful location against a backdrop of the surrounding hills.

3.4m high.

Visited 29 April 2004

This stone is 2.8m high.

You don’t need to pay to get into the castle to see it. It’s on the approach to the castle.

Visited 29 April 2004

The O.S. map for Nidderdale shows a ‘Standing Stone Hill’ just north of the village of Hartwith, near Summerbridge. Though any references to an actual stone are hard to come by.
We followed the public footpath through Highfield farm and asked the farmer permission to wander his land looking for the stone. He was very amiable and gave us directions to it, telling us it was off the footpath in the middle of one of his pastures. He also mentioned that the stone was pushed over by cattle in recent years. After a prolonged bout of torrential rain, the ground (which is damp pasture anyway) became so soft, the cows constant rubbing and scratching made it topple into the mud. The farmer and his family re-erected it. It seemed pretty well planted to me. Hat’s off to him!
On first sight, it reminded me of a miniature ‘Devil’s arrow’, the huge stones further south-east. It possesses the same curious weathering, a ‘fluting’ at the top. The views west to the lofty Pennines are magnificent, the vast Vale of York lays to the east.
There are 3 possible cup marks on the side of the menhir (Prehistoric Rock Art of the West Riding, 2003), but I didn’t notice them. Having said that, there were so many little indentations on it’s surface, they could’ve been any of them!

Visited 7th December 2003: We parked on the A496 and asked about access at a house near the stones. The gentleman I spoke to was very congenial. He said that a footpath runs very close to them, and he couldn’t see any problem with us taking a closer look. I should add that it wasn’t his land, but he seemed to know what he was talking about.

We found the stones standing very modestly in the field in the shadow of a large tree which stands right next to them. There’s an iron fence around them and the tree, presumably to protect all three from livestock. One of the stones is tall and slender, and the other much shorter. As Julian observed, the smaller of the two looks almost delicate, and it’s amazing that’s it’s survived. Wear wellies if you visit during the winter.