Latest Fieldnotes

On this freezing cold January afternoon the hills above the circle were alive with people walking their dogs, out with the kids etc. Quite a few of them walked to the circle in the time we were there, and I got the feeling, as in Julian’s notes in TMA, that local people Love this site. Great view of the hills to the east and over Morecambe bay.

Scant remains, in complete ruin (the result of excavations, from what I can gather), of what must have once been a very impressive site (well according to the artist’s impression!). Still keeps a good amount of atmosphere however.

Cheetham Close stone circle is almost non-existant. One stone stands roughly 0.5m upright, the rest are fallen and barely visible above the tufts of moorland grass. Around the site are the remains of a couple more cairns.

The ruinous condition of this circle are the result of a local farmer, the tenant of Turton Tower, taking sledgehammers to the stones in 1871, the circle was said to be in a good condition until that point.

Love your brum-brum engine! It won’t love you that’s for sure when you make it climb the hill to this place! “Upwards at 45 degrees” gained new meaning there!

After roaming around, freezing are fingers and toes off, Commondale and Freebrough Hill we finally reached these lovelies. I was a stone-circle virgin and lost my circle virginity at the High Bridestones – how appropriate we thought!

The main stone looks just like a big willy with it’s bell-end and it’s lovely grassy forest – but it’s a good one! I’m currently painting it, and everyone who sees it thinks the same thing...

A few fallen stones beside it, and some smaller ones scattered about – we had some gorgeous views on that FREEZING autumn evening.

The area can be very boggy when wet, so best not take your good shoes. Lots of lumpy moss all around helps give it an other-worldly atmosphere, but I have to aggree that the area has been badly disturbed by ignorant pheasant shooters, local teens and sheep farmers!

The Low Bridestones just down the hill towards Grosmont are quite hard to find amongst the heather and peat bogs, but just follow the stone wall from the road and you’ll soon see them.

We could easily see circles here, but you’d need an aeriel view to get a better idea of what’s there – but we’re convinced!

Take lots of thick, warm clothes and hot drinks if you go at anytime other than a heatwave – that wind is a nighmare!

I probably wouldn’t be able to count how many times I’ve climbed this wonderful hill!

Also known as Odin’s Hill, due to the theory that he was once worshipped here, it is a great place for a lovely walk with friends and family, and is often visited by the locals in the Cleveland / South Durham area.

Has gorgeous views of the Freebrough Hill, Cleveland Hills, the North Sea, Eston Nab, the Wainstones, Great Ayton and the ‘Teesside’ conurbation.

If you look at this site on Multimap (or just any map really!) you’ll see, just to the south, Aireyholme Farm, once home to that great explorer James Cook! He has a bloody great monolith all to himself over on Easby Moor – lucky sod!

As you climb from Roseberry Lane and Newton-under-Roseberry you’ll pass through Newton Woods, which a wonderful oak wood filled to the brim with bluebells in spring!

Go there, climb, sit, enjoy. And if anyone uses their mobile phones: THROW THEM OFF THE EDGE!!!!!! (the people that is!)

I first saw this stone when I was still at school and used to hang around here with a friend who lived nearby.
This sturdy, giant, 12 foot stone stands in the centre of the small county town of Clackmannan.
The stone almost certainly doesn’t sit in the original landscape but has been revered in history and folklore throughout different ages and now is a symbol of the fierce independance of the old county of Clackmannanshire.
You wont usually find this a particularly serene place, but it is worth the visit, if for no other reason, than to check out the extraordinary phallic nature of this monument – the main part of the stone is at a slight angle and has a large and seperate boulder sitting on top.
It’s an absolute rager, sitting right in the middle of this traditional and sleepy looking Scottish town centre.

This feature is cool, you can actually lie inside it like a granite coffin.
I visited this site a few years back. I was maning a check point for an orienteering event.
Spent about 3 hours here. Even had a snooze in it!

Easily reached from Roughtor carpark.
Head towards the left most peak.

This strange weathered granite formation is like a mini Cheesewring.
themodernantiquarian.com/browse.php?site_id=298

The site is natural but is completely surrounded by an ancient ring cairn of granite stones. There is also evidence of hut circles and ancient field enclosures all over the place. Nice views too

Helsbury Castle or Beacon is a fine circular earthwork. Looks like it could be Iron Age.

It has a square ruin in the centre said to be the remains of a medieval chapel.

The site is 684 feet above the sea and is sometimes called St. Syth’s beacon.

The chapel must be pretty old as it was in already in ruins when William of Worcester visited it in1478.

It reminds me very much of Knowlton Henge in Dorset which also has a religious building plonked in the middle.
themodernantiquarian.com/browse.php?site_id=44#post-2117

Great views of Roughtor to the north-east.

Corstorphine Hill Cup Marked Rock
Friday 4/1/02
It’s a glorious Winters morning as me, Aed and H-dog head up Corstorphine Hill for our mornings walk and in search of this cup marked rock. Due to the large boulders and tree roots the path’s a bit bumpy for Aed’s off-road buggy, but we all manage to get up to the main path along the crest of the Hill. I’m trying to use the OS map and a Corstorphine Hill map to find this site, but there are so many paths heading off through the trees- we head in the general direction of south and hope for the best. The other problem is that there are so many rock outcrops and glacial pavements up here. Thankfully, there are a couple of buildings on the west side of the Hill and working out their position realised that we’ve actually gone past the site. Using instinct and following H-dog we head back along a lower path and through the gorse bushes a huge stone pavement area opens up before us, covered in snow, ice and frost. We slowly make our way across this and I almost walk straight over the top of the cup marks! The rock they are on has been cleared of frost n snow, and the markings are fairly shallow, but small amounts of snow remain in the depressions picking out a pattern of 10 cup marks almost forming a circle with 8 markings on the diameter and 2 in the middle. The views from here are inspiring indeed and especially on a bright and bitterly cold day such as today. From the Pentlands to the left right round to the hills of Fife in the distance, just able to make them out through the frosty air. These cup marks were only rediscovered in 1991 and I would be very surprised if these are the only sacred markings on this hill- we passed literally hundreds of rock outcrops on the way up here, many of which are almost now covered in vegetation.

This is the sweetest little stone circle i have ever met. Look on a good map at the two fish shaped lakes, or loughs as we call them, northeast of Housesteads. Near the western lough is the circle. It’s on Haughton Common, which sounds like Hutton , my name, and the name of many small settlements in Cumbria and the borders. As you approach from crossing the wall west of Housesteads, and heading north, you will know the path when you cross it. The path takes you East through a cut in the Crags, Kings Crag and Queens Crag, linked by local legend to Arthur. You can see Sewingshields Crag (the site of Sewingshields Castle) where Camelot is said have been. There is a hidden cave here where a local farmer once found Arthur’s Knights frozen in sleep waiting for a horn to sound, summoning them to save britain (small B).

The circle seems to rise from the ground as you stumble on it. The last time I went I found a sheep horn in the centre. Its a lovely spot and you can see the Wall from most of the walk. I don’t think there is a right of way, but who’s counting?

This should be one of the most beautifully located circles and still manages to retain some dignity in the face of such a monstrous neighbour. You get the feeling this place is just totally UnLoved.

On this particular day (02.01.01ce) we drove round to the Sellafield Visitor Centre car park to check the map, then drove round the other side of the Power Station, where the circle is located. Two clean-cut squaddy types in Land Rovers followed us right the way round then continued past us to the Sellafield entrance next to the circle. Next a security guy drove past as we walked down the footpath. On our return a copper drove past us as we got back in the car. Sure enough he was waiting further down the road and proceeded to follow us for a further 3 miles, presumably ‘til we were safely away from Sellafield. I presume there’s heightened security at the moment, but two clowns struggling to fold up an OS map on a deserted car park, and then trudging through fields to a stone circle, seems like quite an unlikely threat!

I visited this site in October 1999 whilst on holiday with my wife. We arrived nearing the end of the day and she, being well pregnant at the time, said the hill looked “a little steep” and decided to stay in the car. Too right its a little steep! bloody buggerring steep I’d say! However, it is definitely worth the effort to get there.
I arrived as the sun was starting to set and saw some of the chambers turn a marvellous golden orange. Stepping back toward the wooded area I was able to observe the mound bathed in a golden halo. This was spectacular stuff and I felt in awe. I just sat there unable to move but just stare. These monuments often have a magical feel to them, but I had obviously caught this one at the right time.
I made a mental note to bring my wife and new child up here in the future, probably for another Autumn sunset.

I stopped at Long Meg last August, on the drive from my home in Bristol to Galloway, where I was brought up.

I took some photos, including one of Long Meg against the sun. I used flash so that I’d get some detail of the stone. To my eye, and other people I’ve shown it to agree, there is a definite face visible.

I haven’t scanned it yet but I’ll try to do that soon. Just in case anybody suspects I’ve altered the photo, the original slide is available for inspection by julian if he wants to drop me a line.

Known locally as the fogou, this narrow cave is situated about a mile inland from Porthcothan beach

The low entrance to the cave is halfway up the valley side on the right. It’s very well hidden in bracken and gorse in the summer. I’m not totally sure that public access is permitted as it is on farmland. (Find a friendly local who may know the way)

The site has been used in the past for smuggling and also as a hide-out during the Civil war.

There are notches near the mouth, into which smugglers lodged a beam of timber; they then heaped earth against the beam and covered the pile with furze to hide the entrance. The tunnel supposedly led to a farm half a mile away

Although some may say it is cave, on the 1888 map of Cornwall it is marked “fogou”

see the 1888 map online at old-maps.co.uk/

In the Co-ordinate box type:- 186461,71394
and click – search

Visited 28/12/01CE
Lovely barrow cemetary on top of the hills on the edge of purbeck. Its about 1 mile straight up the side of the hill from Rempstone Stone circle so both can easily be visited in a visit.
Note the location of the barrows is to the west of “Nine Barrows Down” marked on the map.

The cemetary itself consists of one neolithic long barrow and 8 bronze age? round barrows. Two of the round barrows have clearly visible ditches and one of these is about 15-20ft high. The round barrows are spread in a line along the crest of the hill running west to east, seemingly getting larger the further east you go. The long barrow is located at the east end about 10 metres south of the line.

The views are as amazing as the earthworks. Poole harbour, wareham, poole and on a clear day bournemouth, to the north. Swanage and most of purbeck to the south. Also if you look west along the coast, you can see the distinctive outline of Golden Cap. I was at the cemetary for sunset but unfortunately the cloud cover was too dense to see much, but I imagine the sun sets pretty close to Golden Cap from that angle.

Visited 28/12/01 at the same time as Nine barrows down on top of the hill above.

Walking around the wood I found another 10+ stones scattered about, presumably from the destroyed half of the circle. I would be interested to know if a resurrection of the circle would ever be possible as I found its desecrated state rather depressing.
I also noticed that the “main” stone, with all the cups and offerings, had a marking carved into the side of it. Unfortunately I didn’t have a camera with me but it seemed to be a symbol for the sun.

What better way to spend Boxing Day then walking up to the Cheesewring to wonder at the pile of precariously balanced stones. The walk up was well worth it, the sheer size of the largest pile surprised me. It was much bigger than I had thought it would be. It almost made the Hurlers below seem quite insignificant in comparision.

From the elevated position we felt like we were on top of the world. A hail storm blew across Bodmin Moor and we watched it make its way in our direction. It was a great feeling to see the weather doing its thing below us and then it was upon us – the piles of stones provided easy shelter.

A place where we felt glad to be alive

Visited on my birthday (Dec 27) with our children (7 & 4) – the stream that must be crossed is the Tawe of Abertawe (welsh word for Swansea). Vowed to return again either without the children or in summer when the stream is not so high. Walked about to get a feel of the place & spotted the northern standing stone. Excellent. On return down the valley passed the ‘new’ stones at the entrance to Dan Yr Ogof caves & will explore when the caves are open again after the holidays. The caves are well worth a visit but a little overdone on the “son et lumiere” effects.

Hawthornden Cliff Carvings (AKA Gorton House)
Monday 24/12/01
‘Inaccessible rock ledge…situated in a precipitous cliff.‘
I managed to scramble down the banking to the rivers edge opposite these cliffs as an OS report from 1954 said these carvings could clearly be seen from the opposite banking- however, this report is contradicted by a more recent one from 1975 saying that the site could no longer be located. I stood and stared for an age at the massive cliffs over the river from me scanning their couple-of-hundred-foot towering mass up and down and from left to right. I peered intently at the large vertical slabs where I would have expected something to have been, but nothing. There was, however, many areas covered by vegetation and I was about to admit defeat and say that this site has now been covered by plants when, just through the trees I saw it- a single spiral. It was on a rock face in a small recess about 30 or 40 foot up the cliffs above the river. That was it- I simply had to see them and touch them. Unfortunately the carvings were across the other side of the river and straight up a very steep and muddy banking and cliff face. There was only one thing to do and I did not think twice- I was entranced by the sight of that single spiral. I grabbed a huge stick from the banking and waded into the river, the cold water filling my boots immediately and freezing my feet. Actually, it wasn’t that cold considering it was the end of December- I’ve been in colder water (like surfing in the North Sea in April- brrr!). As it turned out (luckily) the River North Esk was only about knee deep. That was the least of my problems. I still had to get up about 30 or 40 foot of mud, cliff and trees. I tried working out a route, but had to return to my original crossing point as I came across a vertical rock wall with no holds. I started off up the mud and used the trees to swing horizontally above the river on my way up n up n up! I slid, I climbed and I scrambled and I bloody well made it- hahahahahahaha! And I was completely blown away. I expected a couple of carvings, including my enchanting spiral, but not the sight that greeted me. The overhanging vegetation, the red rock cliffs and these carvings- for all intents it looked like a forgotten Australian aboriginal sacred rock. Except here I was at this sacred and once lost Scottish aboriginal site. There were spirals, triangles, double S shaped spirals, notches and these circles all over- just plain circles. Not only these but an amazing fish type symbol- it looked like a horizontal Einsturzende Neubauten symbol. I’ve seen a fair amount of rock carvings on my travels, but this place, no- something very different about this place- it felt more primitive. The only similar spiral I’ve ever seen was at the Templewood circle. I was shaking- partly from exhilaration as I had just waded a river and climbed up here (and I’m not that keen on heights) but mostly I was extremely energised- I had made it here and it felt as though I was the first person to see these symbols for many, many years. I fired off about ten pics, but I was shaking so much I doubt if any of them will actually turn out okay. I eventually scrambled and slid back down to the river almost coming a cropper on a couple of occasions. I waded back across the river and back up to the main path. I was totally soaked, freezing and covered in mud. But most of all I was completely bedazzled. This precipice, high above the River North Esk is an extremely powerful, sacred and magickal site, made even more so due to its inaccessible and hidden nature. This site crackles and buzzes with energy.

Directions
Firstly- this site is *extremely* difficult to find and reach. Sometimes I turn into a complete idiot with no sense of fear, especially when it comes to exploring places like these (although I always retain my sense of respect). I could easily have been swept away in the river, fallen from the cliff (almost did) etc. Just cos I write about this site doesn’t mean I’m recommending an actual visit. Follow the A701 south out of Edinburgh. Pass Ikea on the right and head through Bilston. At the roundabout in Bilston take a left through Roslin. Go down the main street which turns sharp right and look out for the Roslin Glen signs before the main road turns right again. Down this steep road and park in the designated car park at approximately NT272628. Take the path across the river, under the castle drawbridge (see Roslin Glen Folklore) and follow it northeast along by the river. Paths lead off uphill, but stick by the river- pass Lovers Leap on the way along the path (see Roslin Glen Fish Carving). Continue along the path next to the cliffs above the river. The path descends down to the level of the river and in places is carved from the cliffs and takes the traveller along the river bed- it’s obviously only passable during periods of low rain/snow fall. Keep an eye out for Wallace’s Cave high above the river on the opposite side- the carvings are approximately 30 metres further round from the cave (north) and about 8 metres below it. Best to view from the other banking in the Winter with a pair of binoculars!

Roslin Glen Fish Carving
Monday 24/12/01
I left Kat and Aed following a path along the top of the glen as it was a rather steep descent to get to this rock. I actually remember being here about nine years ago- but never knew about this Iron Age carving. I knew about this carving that looks kinda like a face- is this it? Lovers Leap rock is a large horizontal slab perched precariously above the River North Esk and is literally covered in carvings- all of which, unfortunately, seem to be very much more recent. Nevertheless, I scoured the top and sides of this rock in search of the fish, but nothing- still the only carving that looks like it could be Iron Age is the face-like carving. I crouched beside it and looked for a while- I guess it actually does look like a fish face on! Rather cool little piece of rock art anyways.

Directions
Follow the A701 south out of Edinburgh. Pass Ikea on the right and head through Bilston. At the roundabout in Bilston take a left through Roslin. Go down the main street which turns sharp right and look out for the Roslin Glen signs before the main road turns right again. Down this steep road and park in the designated car park at approximately NT272628. Take the path across the river, under the castle drawbridge and follow it northeast along by the river. Paths lead off uphill, but stick by the river- Lovers Leap is the only really large horizontal rock slab down here. It’s down the cliff from General Monck’s Battery- a large square remain by the top path. The carving is down next to the path on the vertical rock.

Monday 24/12/01
We stopped off here on our way home from Roslin Glen. This is about the third time I’ve visited this stone- now it has a small black iron railing surrounding it which completely destroys any atmosphere or decent photo! What on earth possessed them to do this? Is it to protect the Christians on their way to church??!!! The stone is slowly getting covered in a thick layer of moss- although there’s meant to be about 26 cup marks on it I could only count about 20 -odd. I think five or six are also ring marked, although it’s difficult to say due to the moss. Saying all that, practically the whole surface is covered in symbols. Here stands this small stone, surrounded by an iron fence, next to the church standing above it and yet, nestled at the base of the church tower, this stone has more symbolism, power and spirituality than the building it sits beside.

The site has lovely views over the moors and me and tim (dodman apprentice) had a nice post-christmas picnic between the high and low stones on a nice flat outcrop
The whole complex is a bit of a bombsite really.
Trying to inturpret this site is nigh on impossible. Possible stone rows, possible four poster and circle. I don’t think we’ll ever know. The tallest remaining stone is constantly under attack from arseholes jamming coins into the weathered cracks with the result of accelerating the erosion. The whole site is becoming terribly eroded by vehicles accessing the moor and ?the robbing of stone

A complete Iron Age village!

I first visited this site on a school trip in the late 1970’s
It can be described as a classic site, the largest of the courtyard house villages, and one of the finest prehistoric villages to be found anywhere in Britain.

This site is well signposted and reached by the back road to New Mill which leaves the B3311 at Badgers Cross.

The horde who sacked Yeavering Bell, the tribal palace of the ancient Northumbrian Kings, must have descended from the Cheviots when they attacked. By the time I reached the crumbling fortifications, I couldn’t have lifted a sword, much less swing one.That’s how steep the climb from the valley floor had been. I stood and caught my breath, and as my pulse began to slow, I turned round and took in the beautiful view.
Somewhere to the North East was Duddo stone circle, but I couldn’t make it out. Standing on the peak of Yeavering Bell I had gained 240 metres of height since breakfast at Duddo. I was ready for my Lunch.
The day had started at eight when I packed my bag, and waited for Tom, my mate. He drove and I read maps on the way to Duddo. At Duddo village, we left the car and walked out across the open country. The circle was visible from some distance, looking like rotten teeth pointing up to the sky.
It was a typical January day, gray clouds spitting mean rain at the hills. We walked over a farmer’s field, a strange feeling for me; I would have felt better on a footpath, yet I could see no other way to approach the stones. Once among the stones I felt better and sat to enjoy the moment.
Tom, on the other hand, spent ten minutes walking around the circle, on the field itself, before he came inside. As I enjoyed the rest, Tom rummaged in his bag and produced a miniature of Grouse, that he’d brought for me. Perfect.
We could see Yeavering Bell, and felt the call to leave, much too soon for Duddo. We agreed that we’d be back, and so we left. Back at the car, we ate a sandwich, and had some coffee, then we drove to Yeavering, a row of cottages under Yeavering Bell.
Again we left the car, but this time the path was pitched more steeply, and soon I was breathing hard. The path was an old drovers road, straight up into the Cheviots, marked all the way with massive boulders.
We crossed a stream bed and the path got steeper. From here we could see the old walls, and then we thought we’d seen people at the top, but as we got closer we saw that it was the wild goats of the Cheviot Hills, which neither of us had seen before.
When the Northumbrians were defeated at Yeavering, they moved across the valley to Gefrin, ‘the place of the goats’. Yeavering sounds like a variant of Gefrin, so I guess the wild goats were at home.
They had disappeared into thin air by the time we arrived at the top, and we ate lunch together in the solitude, if you know what I mean.