Latest Fieldnotes

Visited here today. You can park at Belmont Centre and walk up the castle drive (ask permission, it’s a site used a lot by schools so there are often a lot of children about). The stone’s on the left a couple of hundred metres up the path, just inside a field which had several horses in it today. Not much to look at, about a metre high with a slight tilt to the west.

I spoke to a couple of people in the area about it, but despite having searched the Statistical Accounts and a couple of other references I can’t ascertain why it is thus named – it sounds almost Danish, and certainly other stones are named after battles with the Danes. This one, however, seems to have no such tale attached to it.

I’d been to Madron before, and was aware that the well itself was away from the wishing well and chapel, but thought the only way to get to it was wearing waders!

On my last visit, however, I was impelled to try one of the many gaps in the trees on by the path, and try to find this path I’d heard of – found it! The path is a nuber of small logs – well, branches – laid out across the mire – very slippery when I was there (May 2003) and I was glad of my sturdy walking boots! I felt like Indiana Jones, leaping across huge puddles, swinging on overhanging branches (just like he did in that film, oh, Indiana Jones & the Fat Bastard, I think it was – not one of his best...)

After what seemed like ages, I came to the end of the path, and discovered some old clouties hanging above what looked like a pond – the well! Some stones were visible, but due to the amount of water, it was suitably submerged.

I felt I was in the middle of nowhere – it was so quiet. Gorgeous. Must pop back during drier weather...

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A curious sequence of stones on the RH side of the road to Yesnaby. They go up the hillside towards the right of South Seatter farm. Not from a ‘standing stone fence’ as they face the road, though still possibly each a part of a fence of its own. Not a stone row as they aren’t in anything like a straight line. Maybe just my fancy rather than a real entity ?? When I first saw them I marched off the road and down among the boggy tussocks to obtain a better picture. For any that follow me I say continue along the road as no distance ahead lies a farm track up to South Seatter that will provide a more stable viewpoint for photos.

Unfortunately it was tipping it down with rain and I was focussed on the forts ahead so the NGR could be wrong. This standing stone is the first I saw on the LH side of the road to Yesnaby and the only one photographed. Standing in apparent isolation but below it can be seen a small clump of stones that could be associated or merely wall remains. There were a few more of its general shape and size further along the hill – well at least a couple more – so this may be what still exists sparsely of a ‘standing stone fence’ (there are several fully populated ones between the car park and at least as far as the Broch of Borwick.

There is meant to be a cist in the SE quadrant of the Stones of Via ditch. What I found was well to the right of the stones however, so I presumed it to be my error for the aerial ‘socket’ until I saw on CANMAP that it isn’t even “in the ballpark” for this. There is a waterlogged patch of ground going uphill and the feature is at the top of this. On CANMORE a mound HY21NE 4 formerly stood at HY260159 and in relation to my find it is worth noting that in 1928 a mound of stones (now gone) at the south edge of a pool of water was presumed to be its remains.
RCAHMS archaeology survey section believe this cist may only relatively recently have come to the surface.

Travelling from Breastagh Ogham stone to Kilcummin Holy Well I noticed a megalithic tomb at Cashel marked on the OS map. I could not really confirm what type of megalithic structure it was, as most of it looked like field clearance, but figured it must have been a Court Tomb. A lot of the stones were shaped but they seemed too geometric and most of the stones appeared to be too uniform in thickness. I now know it is indeed a Court Tomb thanks to Fourwinds.

What an exquisite place, and an exquisite structure. A definite one to visit, a megarak’s must-see.

I said to the arresting Kate that it was a little gem, and then was put in mind of small iced biscuits. Now, I’ll never be able to eat a purple-topped Iced Gem without thinking of this most divine example of dolmen building.

It is perfectly constructed in every way, and enjoys terrific views over the Conwy Valley. (See weblog for further details).

Go on. Treat yourself this summer. You won’t be disappointed.

This a confusing one. There is a ring cairn which I believe to be Circle 278 just beyond a far more interesting jumble of stones*, which appear to have been moved about somewhat. There is clearly confusion over the name of this mix of stone; please refer to my weblog for a more in-depth discussion.

It’s all very lovely, nonetheless!

*Edit by TMA Ed: the “jumble of stones” is now generally thought to be Monument 280“.

A splendid place. Certainly one to sit and contemplate in for a while, enveloped by the sea, sky, and land which entirely surround the observer on all sides. A large ring, with some significant stones; most spooky being the one that has the form of a white-robed druid.

The location of this circle is intriguing; despite stunning views over Conwy Bay to the north, it has been sited behind a steep mound, thus blocking the view of the sea. Or has the mound been built in front of the circle? There is no doubt that the mound, whatever its origins, is an excellent observation post for anything that might be taking place in the sacred space below.

Also interesting is the proximity of Circle 275 and Circle 278, which flank this larger circle a few hundred yards away on either side. Were they used in conjunction with ceremonies inside the Druid’s Circle?

Small, but perfectly formed. Very endearing, and evidently the smallet circle in the British Isles. I can well believe it. Definitely worth a look when exploring the Penmaenmawr area.

This is clearly an important and impressive site – and the views it commands must be stupendous. On this occasion, we saw it from the Red Farm circle; yet the size of the boulders that form it are huge, gazing down magisterially from their lofty summit, a significant sight for miles around.

Footpaths circle the whole of the mountain. To reach the peak, the footpath crossing the southwestern side is probably the best choice, but it will still necessitate a hearty stroll across the mountaintop on unmarked land.

Blink, and you’ll miss ‘em. Four stones are all that remain of this once proud circle, judging by the survivors. They are in a field not far from Bryn Derwydd farmhouse, so I wouldn’t advise brazen trespassing.

They look quite pretty, nonetheless, and by balancing on rocks at the side of the drystone wall bounding the field, it is possible to have a good look at them as they sit in a graceful curving line.

Especially intriguing is their position in relationship to Cefn Maen Amor circle, which can been seen on the summit of Cefn Maen Amor mountain directly behind them on the eastern horizon . . .

Further along, there is a huge standing stone right outside the farmhouse, the Bryn Derwydd Standing Stone. It’s an impressive erection, and like the remains of Red Farm, looks towards Cefn Maen Amor.

Visited 27th August 2003: By the time we reached Port Grenaugh, everyone was tired, especially William. It was very hot and sunny, and the last thing he really wanted to do was walk up any kind of gradient. Ice creams were mentioned a lot, but there was no van.

The cliff top path up to Cronk ny Merriu isn’t all that bad, but there’s a stile to get over that will cause problems for anyone with mobility problems. There is a bench along the way for resting though (which William made use of).

The fort isn’t very large, but it’s dramatically situated above the beach. Once inside we kept a t tight reign on Will (Alfie was safely on my back) because there are sheer drops on three sides of the fort. The rampart is large, and tucked in behind it are the remains of a Viking house. It’s worth walking off along the footpath to the east to get views of the fort from that direction. From here you’ll see the rampart apparently joining up with a natural rock promontory running up the cliff side (badly explained, but I know what I mean).

After visiting the fort we played on the beach. In the sunshine this was jsut the trick (even without ice ceams). In most other respects, Cronk ny Merriu is not very kiddy friendly (not small kiddies anyway).

Symonds Yat – 24.4.2004

The OS map shows three parallel lines of defences on the south side of the Symonds Yat Rock, and an extra bank at the west end. This would have attempted to cut the whole of Huntsham Hill off from the mainland, with the River Wye surrounding it on three sides.

They are situated on the west side of the road (B4432), just to the south of the entrance to the car park for people with disabilities. Three lines of banks and ditches are clearly visible (but not large), with the northern one being the largest. This one seems to straddle the road as well. This is not actually the high ground in the area, and the defences are slight, so this seems to be a relatively low-key attempt at any sort of ‘defence’.

The nearby Yat Rock is a major viewpoint in the area and is well worth a visit. Another excellent viewpoint exists just off the east side of the road, opposite the banks and ditches.

The Long Stone (Staunton) – 25.4.2004

This is a very impressive chunky stone, marred only by being so close to the road and thus taking on a bit of a novelty factor. It is quite literally 2 metres from the edge of the road, on the north side.

It must be more than 7ft tall because my 6’ 5” friend stood next to it and quite a lot of it went over his head. I’d say it must be close-ish to 8ft tall.

Harold’s Stones – 25.4.2004

First things first – these are ENORMOUS! After several trips in Cornwall (and other places) searching out the minor league stones and barrows, I’d almost forgotten what things like this looked like.

None of the posts on here actually said how big they are, and the only other report I had read also didn’t mention the height, and the pic I saw made them look distinctly human size. I hadn’t read the page in the TMA book before going – oops. However it actually made it better by not knowing what to expect. The largest stone (the cock stone as Jane says – or the ‘Cock Rock’ I reckon!) is actually about 14 ft tall and dwarfed us all.

The middle stone is strangely circular and looks a bit like a missile ready to fire. The third stone then looks a little out of place, as it is the smallest and most upright, is less rough and crumbly, and is more of a shape that you would find in a stone circle.

King Arthur’s Cave – 24.4.2004

I don’t think I’ll try to explain much about how to get here because we came via a walk along the river and a detour up to the stunning views off the Seven Sisters Rocks. Personally I’d say that the easiest way is probably from a mini layby at SO548157, a hundred metres or so before you get to the bigger car park (circa SO548158) that is at the edge of the entrance to the Biblins Camp Site. From this layby head south down a track, past the old quarry on your left, and then you will come across several sets of caves on your left (opposite a lovely grassy field on your right). The caves range from large ones to tiny holes and possible rock shelters. Given a lack of information over which one exactly is ‘King Arthur’s Cave’, I can’t say for certain if the most impressive one is King Arthur’s Cave or not. Oh well; they were all pretty atmospheric anyway.

This used to be in the field to the left of Scapa Distillery. The broch tower itself was levelled in 1981, along with the immediately surrounding area, but points of interest still remain – as do unexcavated settlement mounds from there back to the main road at least. The most visible evidence of the broch lies either side of the stream outlet as it reaches the shore and cascades down (see photos).
As you go up the cliff path to here you will notice a feature, 14m across and taking in an area out to the cliff edge 11m at furthest point, that itself looks like the remains of a broch or somesuch; a place where the cliff goes out and there is a ditch 1.8x1m like a sector of a circle, and within its arc a flat area 6x4.8m. As I can only see earth and sod and it isn’t shown on CANMAP we may perhaps safely call it a simulacrum? The LH edge of the arc goes 6m straight to the cliff edge. HY436088
If you pass over the bridge and up the other side you will need to watch your step the rest of the way – a teenager fell from near here just recently in damp conditions. There is another curious feature just past here inside where the lichen-covered wall turns for a few metres before resume its coastline track. At the point where it first turns (HY434087) there is a short line of regular-shaped stones darker than the wall, level with the path and over which you narrowly pass. Then up between where the wall turns again and its next juncture (HY433087) similar lines of like nature can be made out. Being on the coastline side of the decaying cliff face I assume that this predates the present wall. If this feature were angled away from coast I would have no doubt it represents the walls of a structure, but unless it is very ancient I am at a loss as to what it can be ( why no lichen on the stones for starters !). P.S. Going back today I noticed to the landward side of the ‘simulacrum’ a very small ditch I could walk in parallel to the present drystane wall about the same distance from it as these stones so wonder if it is the same feature this side of the burn also, whatever it is.
Down on the coast one can see more evidence of settlement at the top of the cliff face on the stream outlet’s immediate right, though I wasn’t convinced until I saw it today in the light of recent visits to other brochs. Above where the cliff’s stone ends 3.9m up is a layer of what looks like cultivated soil and a thin line going straight across, very reminiscent of the broch bases at Ingshowe and Berstane. There are the odd few stones to be made out in this ?matrix. But it is the next layer, that under the grass, that has finally convinced me now that I have made it out clearly. This is a layer several inches thick made up of nothing but angular fragmented small stones (and possibly man-made material as though there are red rocks on the Scapa shore there are none up the cliff-face this side of the bay except here) several inches deep. Unless my eyes decieve me this is most likely to be a destruction layer. The total area is 8.7m long and something under 3m deep. HY435088

Stowe’s Pound is a large sprawling site. Often ignored by those that visit the Cheesewring, it stretches away to the north encirculing the top of the hill.
The pound is divided in to two circular enclosures. The smaller one is the one that surrounds the summit rock formations including the famous Cheeswring. Part of it has been destroyed by the 19th Century quarry.
The northern enclosure lies on a slightly lower level and features within itself many cleared circles which the CAU believe were for setting up tents in during the summer months. In the far north east of the site a 3 tiered barrow can be found.

The south-east tip of Cornwall has few ancient sites, there is mention of a quoit at Treninnow, (SX418509) which is said to have been big enough to walk under but nothing remains today.
This Barrow can be found within the confines of the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park beside the cricket pitch. (The structure to the right of the barrow in the photo is the pavillion).
I can find no record to say it has been excavated or if it has ever been dated.

Driving along the A303 Stonehenge takes you by surprise. One minute your looking at the map thinking “must be close” next its right there in front of you in all its glory! But...

The last time I saw a fence like the one surrounding Stonehenge was around an army base on the outskirts of Londonderry (its that bad) which would have been pretty depressing if I hadnt been so excited by being there after such a long journey down from Scotland.

What the hell though..you have to see this, really, despite English Heritage turning the place into such a circus! Its majestic and iconic and completely a one off in terms of construction. What this must have been like in its heyday is just mind blowing which is why its now regulary swarming with familes on a day out and tourist parties. Lets face it if they gave access the stones themselves some idiot would attack/deface them. The only way to avoid this is to lessen its impact as a tourist destination and frankly its already too late. The proposed tunnel and vistors centre is only going to turn this into another “Newgrange” where you get an alotted time to go round before being herded on the bus again, sad but you wait and see..

See it, marvel at its brilliance and then get in your car, turn the ignition on and turn your face north to Avebury and beyond cos this is a lost cause!

Since there always seems to be news and discussion about this site how could I miss it on a trip south to see Avebury and Stonhenge? It is a popular spot and no mistake! I counted forty people at one point all milling around (some with dowsing rods kindly supplied by the lady in the hut). The stones themselves had been vandalised the previous week with yellow paint which was another reason I wanted to see the stones.

The form of the vandalism itself is (to me anyway) pretty strange. Someone has taken the time to go round every single stone with a small brush and paint small strips of yellow on each. Now, this must have taken some time and is not what you would call a purposeless attack by your average tanked up idiot with a grudge. It looks to me like the work of a seriously obsessed individual with a fixation for this colour!

The stones themselves are very strange. Gnarled and worn the space they make draw you into the the centre where you can find a spot to sit and enjoy the good vibes. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

What a corker! This is a huge, overwhelming, complex and thoroughly unusual hillfort. Massive ramparts tower upwards, on the eastern side numbering five banks, but on the west increasing to seven. Even more intriguingly, the western side has five massive pits built into the defences, a construction totally unique in hillfort design.

The history is rich (see weblog for full run-down), the views magnificent, the atmosphere lovely and unspoilt. An absolute must-see for any self-respecting hillfort fan, or those requiring a jolly splendid picnic.

Apparently two though only one registered with me. In the same slightly boggy field as the Wasbister ‘disc barrow’, slightly above left of centre, with many stones about a central line. In the mid-19th century they weren’t sure what these were only to say they looked like larger versions of hut circles. Lo and behold, when the whole area was geophysiced as part of the interpretation “may also imply that there is also a Neolithic settlement hidden among the remains at Wasbister”.

Its being down on CANMORE as Bookan Barrow means I did not make the most of my opportunity. The site looked wonderful when I was on it but I couldn’t fit any of the views I wanted with my wide-angle lens and so took no photos . You need better than 28mm it seems, or maybe being a six-footer or taller ? I can see why some archaeologists call this a superb example of a disc barrow, oh its divine. They all refer to it as the Wasbister disc barrow, so do websites and news reports, but CANMORE only shows Hall of Tankerness disc barrow in Orkney. In the RCAHMS listing the archaeologist says Wasbister lacks the diagnostic berm. It is in a field with several waterlogged bits. On the shoreline above the barrow two monoliths were found and related to the Ring of Brodgar and such. If I had known where I was I would have had a peek.
P.S found a photo I did take one poor un