Latest Fieldnotes

It took us ages to find this place. It’s one of those places which requires orienteering skills to get there – a real quest.
According to the map there were 2 stones – we could only find 1, but according to the Ancient Scotland website, the other stone was under a fallen tree right beside us.
We visited on a cold January afternoon in 2000.
The stones are in the middle of a clear row in a Forestry commision forest. The place is totally sound insulated due to the trees, and this adds an eerieness.
Before the trees, this site would have had great views, as it sits on top of a gentle hill. A young River Carron rushes a few hundred metres to the North.
I want to go back and see the other stone.

I think this might have been the first neolithic site I went to, when I was about ten. My mum was showing the local sites to an American friend of the family, Kate Ascher. I remember this so well, because Kate’s visits were a highlight for us – she seemed uninhibited and free, more so than anyone else we’d met in our fairly restrictive council estate and R.C. upbringing. I also remember her as a humble and benevolent person. She later told us that she thought we were all referring to the ‘local hills’ when we talked about the Ochil Hills. Anyway I think me and my little brother were wearing the NY Yankees t-shirts that Kate had brought over, and we went for lunch at the Sheriffmuir Inn. I remember I was intrigued and a bit worried about the [one remaining] standing stone and there was talk of witchcraft and rituals.

I didn’t know, until a few years ago when I was looking at the OS Landranger, that this place was actually a stone row of five stones, of which only one remains upright.
On closer inspection, this site turns out to be very unusual.
The stones are almost perfectly aligned, roughly SW-NE. The most northerly stone looks as though it would have been the tallest, standing at about 10 feet tall. The second one is still standing at 6 foot, and is called the Wallace Stone (see folklore). The middle stone would have been around five feet tall. The fourth stone has split into two and would have been about seven feet tall. The south stone has cup markings.
The stones are all almost evenly spaced, being about a hundred metres apart.
When I last visited with a friend last year, we found animal bones and an animal skull around the stone.
The site is on rough, exposed, heathered moorland on the western shoulder of the Ochil Hills.

We drove past this circle in the summer of 2000. It sits on a steady steep slope, high above the NW side of Loch Tay. I recall taking my eye off the road and seeing a strange, small, boulder like circle.
I’ll have a proper look when I visit Kinnell in Killin hopefully soon.

8/6/02
We parked down at the horn-carvers shop just down the hill at Lawers.
This strange little circle is in beautiful place high up above the loch, with views of the water stretching up to the north-east and down the the south-west. The mighty Ben Lawers was only partially visible behind the circle on the day we visited.

The circle sits on what looks like a levelled platform which has been built up on one side of the slope. Inside the circle there are many small stones just below the undergrowth which might be broken parts of this partially destroyed monument or might be a kind of cairn – it’s hard to tell- these small stones and indeed the whole monument are more visible in Martin’s photo taken in 1986.

I went to cuween in may 2000 and was completey blown away. This seems to be the most genuine and untouched of the orkney sites (that isn’t to detract from the enourmous awe inspiring nature of the whole orkney landscape).

Whilst in the chamber, I was crawling on my knees, feeling around and my hand came across what felt like small twig wedged between the lower slabs of stone and the floor. Without thought, I picked it up and continued to experience the mood.

Once outside, I looked at the twig and saw that it was a thin small bone with a sharpened end opposite a knuckle end- “probably from somebody’s piece of cold chicken” I thought and chucked it away feeling annoyed that someone could have left litter in such an amazing place.

the next day I was in the Skara Brae visitors centre and saw the bone awls found there – thin bones with one sharp end opposite a knuckle end probably used to make holes in hides and leather ................... doh.

Barely visable it seems to have virtually sunk in the peat!

Easily approached by a public footpath from the lane between Pencarrow and Moorgate.

A tall (nearly 3 metres tall) granite stone stone with extensive views to west and south.

Just a couple of miles from Camelford.

This is the highest stone on the moor.

In Cornish ‘HYR’ means ‘Long’ and ‘Ven’ means stone.

The stone once marked the boundary of Predannick moor.

It has since been encompassed by a housing estate. It now sits nicely in a shrubbery in someones back garden.

Can be viewed from the roadside.

Avebury, Silbury and West Kennet : AN AERIAL VIEW, 25 Nov 2001:

Am I the luckiest girl alive? A wonderful now-ex-colleague who only recently got his private pilot’s licence asked me if I’d like to go flying with him one afternoon and where would I like to go? Ummm, Avebury, perhaps!?

We took off in a tiny Grummond(?) Tiger from Blackbushe Airport in Hampshire and flew for 20 minutes west. From 2000 feet Jim navigated us towards Marlborough, a splendid town, and I navigated us by eye from hereon, following the road west, pointing out the unmistakable hump of Silbury which utterly dominates the landscape, even from 2000 feet. We flew towards it, then Jim sought permission for us to drop to 1000 feet to circle Avebury, which was granted and we banked sharply round to the right following the line of the avenue. Jim opened the hatch so I could take some photos. And although it was freezing and my hair blew around like a mad woman... What a buzz! My God! I hardly knew where to look – to see the village so familiar to me swirl around below, those gorgeous and huge beech trees, even from 1000 feet looking as impressive as they do on the ground, and the fantastic achievements of the builders of Avebury; the ditches; the banks; the rhythm of the stones; the low winter sunshine filtering over the undulating land..... To have witnessed this most sacred of places from the viewpoint of an soaring eagle is a priviledge I can hardly express. Thank you SO MUCH, Captain Mc, my mind has been blown.

Yes, I am the luckiest girl alive!

Belas Knap, 1 Dec 2001: A deeply impressive site and gratifyingly well signposted on the lane that leads from Charlton Abbots to Winchcombe. You can park by the sign, (don’t forget to briefly admire Sudeley Castle) and walk up the sunken path from there following the Cotswold Way. And what a hike uphill! Just when you think “it’s gotta be there soon!“, it is, looming out of the trees. Oh, and by the way, if you’re going up there in the winter, or in the damp, wear grippy waterproof shoes/boots!

Climbing to the top of the mound the views are impressive – it’s no wonder that the builders of the Knap chose this place. It certainly seems to be the highest, most strategically important point hereabouts. We got there at 3pm, the sun sinking low in the sky, casting deep, sculptural shadows over the smooth, curvacious surface of the longbarrow. The wind was biting on the top, though and so we retreated into the cosiness of North West chamber with a flask of tea. Had it been dry I would have crawled into the low chamber on the other side.

I struggled to find a place from which to photgraph her. I took some shots, (I’ll upload shortly) but she is so big, and the site so small you can’t get back far enough. JC was right to illustrate it with an aerial shot.

I was very happy to see that the site is so well cared for – neat drystonewalling shoring up the edges. But it almost felt too new, too cosmetic in a strange way. There was no sense of discovery, like when one “stumbles” across Wayland’s Smithy for example, so secretly hidden among the trees besides the Ridgeway. Nevertheless, there is such a delicious feminine vibe given off by Belas Knap. You really do feel that those who were buried here were returning to Mother Earth, from where they came. Looking forward to returning when it’s less cold and I can hear the breeze rustle the corn in the neighbouring field.

Anyone know who was Belas?

On the road from St. Clear to the Hurlers. A Christianised menhir?

The most phallic of all Cornish menhirs!

The large unworked stone was shown as a boundary marker on the 1840 tithe map. It was erected in it’s present position in 1932 by the Royal Cornwall Society in 1932.

Easy access. Can be found to the south of the airfield. It stands in a side road, slow down as you drive along because you may easily miss this one.

I shouted to stop the car when I saw Silbury just after leaving Avebury. I wasn’t expecting to see it. When I did I felt priveliged. I just gawped for 10 mins from half a mile from the hill. 2 years ago, 500 miles and I want to come back here. The impression I remember was that the hill has a magic, living presence.

We stopped the car just after we left Avebury on my request when I recognised this landscape and the horse.
I scrambled up to the top of a grassy bank with the video camera and stayed there for a minute or two. That’s all – just a minute – and it’s 2 years ago and 500 miles away, but Iwant to come back here.

My brother decided to stop here for lunch on the way to Falmouth for the eclipse in August 1999.
It was raining steadily but it was so warm and I walked and walked on the soggy chalk paths. I was cagouled in long shorts and sandals and it felt good.
Up on a nearby hill, someone had spirographed a nice crop circle and despite the rain, this place was so busy.
I could not comprehend this place as a whole, but I still found the visit exhilarating.
I walked down the avenue alone and I’ll never forget that.
A week wouldn’t be enough for all this.
Everyone else was waiting in the car when I got back.

I had been working for the best part of a week in Blackpool during the illuminations in November 1999. I was staying in a cold apartment, with the wind and the rain howling against a damp net-curtained window every night.
Travelling back home, I was so happy to stop here.
The henge at King Arthur’s looks almost too landscaped, but surely retains much of it’s strength, despite the close proximity of the roads. I didn’t stay too long.
I went over to Mayburgh. The sun was low and there was an eerie gloom inside the henge – those bare trees and the great pebbled edge surrounding that lonely stone. I remember a feeling of vastness and peace and I’d like to see this place at different times of the day.

Cairnpapple
Wednesday 21/11/01
The Mother Henge. She watches over all- and what a view. I climb down inside the chamber and sit down, whilst outside, the wind howls and the sun sets. I plug in and listen to ‘Odin’ and for the first time all day I feel warm throughout sitting on the edge of the north grave. I emerge back into the wind and a beautiful sky with a half moon hanging over the Pentland Hills to the south. I walk round and round the grass covered dome looking at the sunset, the moon, the Pentlands, Edinburgh, Fife- it’s all just a bit overwhelming. I liked the piece in the guide book which says that it’s no coincidence that the radio mast is sited here because of the reception area it serves- the same reception area that Carinpapple has been serving for 5500 years. I go back to the small Historic Scotland hut and chat for ages to the manny (whose name I did not catch)- we talk about theories re henges, cup and ring marks, souterrains, landscapes, the Modern Antiquarian, Ancient Lothian. But, alas, it’s 4:30 pm and time to close for the night. The sun has set, the moon is high above me and I leave Cairnpapple totally enchanted.

Galabraes Standing Stones
Wednesday 21/11/01
An evocative pair of stones situated on a ridge in the shadow of Cairnpapple. The westernmost stone is now a stump just over a foot high- destroyed in 1921 apparently. The remaining monolith has the most distinct difference in worked and rough faces I think I’ve ever seen, and one of the sharpest on angles running the length of the stone. The smooth surface of course faces up the hill towards Cairnpapple, whilst the sharp edge points in an easterly direction. At last, after a day of relentless wind and rain, the huge sky is finally clearing, prompting me to go to Cairnpapple to watch the sun set.

Directions
From Edinburgh take the M8 west heading for Glasgow. Come off at junction 3 at Livingston. Head right on the A899 towards Dechmont. A89 towards Bathgate and head off right towards Bangour. Follow this road passing the sign for Cairpapple. Just after the car park for the wildlife reserve is a farm track on the right- go here and ask permission. Back along the road and turn up towards Cairnpapple, the stones are in the field to the left.

Kaimes Hill Cairn, Fort and site of Cup and Ring Marked Rocks
Wednesday 21/11/01
With weather so atrocious, I had to write these notes back in the car. The rain was horizontal up there thanks to the howling gale. I struggled up a very muddy path on the back of Kaimes Hill. The powers that be quarried most of this monument and have now filled it. The huge fencing around what used to be the quarry has been ripped down and now there are ominous pipes and huge valves dotted all over the hill. These valves emit a stench so intense that I was actually gagging and swallowing back vomit on the way back down. Jeez- why are there no warning signs about this? On the old fence is a sign about contractors not being responsible and about parents warning kids about this place! I made it almost up to the site of the cup and ring marked rocks, but was met by a fence and an impenetrable jungle of vegetation. It’s difficult to say how much of the fort remains and I guess most of the cairn has been destroyed. My advice- stay away from this horrible place and just visit the neighbouring Dalmahoy Hill.

Dalmahoy Hill Fort and Cup Marked Rock
Wednesday 21/11/01
(see also Kaimes Hill notes)
I crossed the horrendous place that is now Kaimes Hill to make it here. I headed for the trig point on the summit and the wind almost blew me off my feet. I found the cup marked rock fairly easily, just north of the trig. There are 5 cups, all quite deep. The view was cool, but the weather was just so bad that I didn’t hang about long enough to appreciate it!

Tormain Hill Cup and Ring Marked Rocks
Wednesday 21/11/01
In a howling gale. On the way up here I stopped to check out some of the massive boulders and stones and slowly turned round to have a look at the most amazing view of Edinburgh- I laughed! In a perfect row stood Corstorphine Hill, Berwick Law, Arthurs Seat, Traprain Law and the Braids Hills. What an amazing ancient skyline! What a place- 360 degree views all around the Lothians, Fife and beyond. Away from the industrialisation, the motorways and the airport to this site. The rock markings are dotted on the outcrops of this wooded hill- I’ve never seen rock markings like these- the main cup and ring rock is a complete mind-fuck. Y’know, the first thing that came into my mind when I looked down upon it, then looked up at the skyline was ‘viewfinder’. Is this a landscape interpreter? A magickal symbol encompassing all the surrounding sacred sites? I’ve had to move down off the hill into the slightly more sheltered tress as it’s pissing down now and the flask of coffee is out as I’m so bloody cold! I think about the symbols above me with the wind roaring through the trees towering above me- I’ll have to check out my dates etc. The other main cup marked rock (and I could find 6 in total) has cups joined by channels and grooves- a cross with the grooves running off down the hill. one of the other smaller rocks has been brutalized by the OS many years ago- nice one. I leave this place with shivers running down my back and, no, it’s not because I’m cold.

Directions
From Sighthill in the west of Edinburgh, take the A71 west heading out past Heriot Watt University. At Linburn take a right (Bonnington Road) on the B7030. At Bonnington Mains farm take the road right. Just before Ratho look out for a line of trees on the right with a footpath sign. The rocks are just past a sign that says ‘footpath ends’ near the top of the hill.

Huly Hill (AKA Newbridge) and Lochend Stone (outlier)
Wednesday 21/11/01
The signpost at the entrance to here has all but worn away- if you stand at the correct angle you can still read some of it, but mostly it just says “Dode” in bright red spray paint. The path to the site is littered with pornography, McDonalds shit and an amazing amount of broken glass. This site has everything for the Urban Pagan- aircraft taking off almost overhead, stones aligning with the golden arches of McDonalds, building sites and beautiful industrial estates. And, amidst this all, the monument of Huly Hill. That this monument remains is an amazing testimony to the builders- how it laughs in the face of it all. Long after the McDonalds has crumbled to dust, when, no longer planes fly in the sky above here, Huly Hill will remain. The mound is about 30 m in diameter and three monoliths watch over it. The two westernmost stones have deliberately been aligned so their broadest sides point the antiquarians gaze eastwards- ‘look’, they say, ‘this is where we fit into this ancient landscape’. They point towards Arthurs Seat and Corstorphine Hill, the latter of which (only last week) I found out has cup markings on a rock outcrop which just blew my mind. The smallest monolith appears aligned with Arthurs Seat when viewed from the top of the mound and its streamlined shape points eastwards. Just over the massive motorway intersection is the Lochend Stone, a possible outlier to here, but now can’t be seen as it’s hidden in the ‘Bodycote Materials Testing’ building. And that’s where my travels take me next...
...and this place isn’t much better! Right next to the A8 with a couple of bird tables for company. All round is the ‘Bodycote’ building with its nice big windows so that all the folk inside can look out and think ‘what’s that idiot up to?!’ This is a massive monolith, far far bigger than the three around Huly Hill, but if it’s an outlier I guess size matters! Its broadest face points approximately E/W, moving my gaze again up to Corstorphine Hill.

I used to live a couple of hundred yards from both circles and over the years the view fron Aquhorthies changed from panoramic pasture,including a magnificent line of Beech trees to an Aberdeen overspill town.
In what used to be farmland to the north was a barely recognizable cairn which had been ruined by Spruce planting,the area was called Craighed.
A year or so ago I went back to visit some memories and found , in the middle of Badentoy Industrial Estate a ‘re-created Stone Circle’, courtesy of the developer. It had a flower bed built in! A shame they didn’t leave it to go back to the land.
I looked for the circle that used to be near a farm to the north without luck.Is it still there?
Recommendation is a booklet published mid ‘70s by the Town Council.Its called something like Ancient Sites in Grampian and is the result of a survey carried out of all stones and circles in the area.
PS.The area around Aquorthies used to be a prolific mushroom area,massive puffballs and beacoup Chanterel
Zak

This was worth the visit while we were up visiting Kintraw in Feb. 2000.
This is a simple cairn, with capstone still attatched.
We got directions from an eccentric, elderly woman who smelled of whisky and we didn’t expect to find it. The Cairn sits above the hamlet of Ardfern which is on the shore of the (sea) Loch Craignish, in a field beside a newish private house. The owners were helpful and we had the company of thier happy little collie dog for the duration of our visit.
Take the Road uphill from the village (towards Craobh) for about a hundred metres, then the private house is up a drive on the right hand side.

A friend and I visited this site in Feb. 2000. We drove (probably shouldn’t have) half way up the track which leads to this place and used the map to take us across the rough bit of moor land after the track. This is well worth it. These are three very weathered, rough and spooky looking stones, which were aligned in a NNW to SSE line.
Today the alignment is not the aesthetic feature that grabs you – it’s the spookily, comic way they now are. The N stone stands upright like a tooth, the middle stone is at an outrageous gravity defying angle and the S stone lies recumbent.
There is a feeling of power here, high up in the moorland.

We visited this site in Feb.2000. What a view. Situated high above the head of Loch Craignish on a steep bend in the A816 a short drive north from Kilmartin village.
The views SE over Loch Craignish towards the mountains of Jura and Islay are outstanding.
We had no time to explore the complex Alexander Thom theory as described in the MA. However, this stone seems to have a definite and precise vertical presence which would perhaps support this theory. The journey here is a must, if visiting the Kilmartin area.