Latest Folklore

According to a letter in Archaeologia Cambrensis (Oct. 1875), this stone was “traditionally said to mark the grave of ‘Gwydion ab Don’.” Gwydion ab Don (as Evans-Wentz tells us) was the king of the Tylwyth Teg – the fairies. Caer Gwydion (the Milky Way) is named after his castle, don’t you know.

The author of the letter and his friend Mr Wynn had a dig around the stone – they found the remnants of an urn and the cremation it held on the eastern side. Unimaginatively they put this down to the Romans.

More imaginatively, Mr Wynn rejected the idea that the stone marked Gwydion’s grave. But then attributed it to someone in the medieval ‘Englynion y Beddau’ (stanzas of the graves), to his friend’s dismay.

The traditions of the country point to these lands as the site of an ancient battle-field. One of the workment present told us that a very old master, with whom he worked on that land when a young man, used to say that there had been foul work there a long time ago. The old farmer would threaten to call up the “old one” who was buried there.

From ‘Tumulus at Berriew, Montgomeryshire’, in Archaeologia Cambrensis, July 1857.

Cup marks the shape of the Great Bear could once have been seen on the recumbent. Unfortunately the bear has gone away and is catching fish somewhere else!

The farming community, as well many of Turriff’s older generation many of whom worked on farms, often say that a remains of a circle near Drachlaw were taken and put into a wall at Mill of Laithers. This happened during the nineteenth century. On the Hill of Laithers, nearer Armiddle and beside the B9024, another standing stone can be seen. This would seem to tie with Aubrey Burls “Guide to Stone Circles” in which he says, concerning a circle near Backhill of Drachlaw at Newton Of Fortrie,

“A similar ring just to the south-west was destroyed to make way for farm buildings in the nineteenth century.”

One stone was left to remind locals and visitors alike that once something better and bigger stood here. More probably it was left to ward away evil spirits and the like!

From Coflein:

“This is an ancient standing stone erected (according to tradition) in early British times to commemorate a battle which was fought here between two kings or chiefs, one of whom was named Ifor.

.....

About 1km to the south east of Carreg Maen Taro is the site of two burial cairns called Careg-Croes-Ifor (nprn 405021), presumably the same Ifor mentioned above, and Pen-ffordd-goch (the head of the red road) (nprn 404999), 1.5km to the south east, is said to take its name from a battle waged there; there thus seems to be a vague tradition of a battle fought somewhere in the area.

B.A.Malaws, RCAHMW, 13 October 2006.”

Westertown farm has the Cairnton RSC within its grounds even though the circle is regarded with a different farms name. Although rubble and bigger boulders are behind the recumbent the resident farmer insists that 3 stones lay beneath the heaps. He also can point to at least 2 other stones used for corners in a barn. At least the recumbent and a flanker remain, what a view especially when rain is coming up the valley!! Arnhill down the road equally brilliant.

Visited December 08.

... the great massive monolith known as “Carreg y Bwgi” (the Goblin’s Stone) was examined. It is 15 feet in length, and on an average 4 feet wide by 3 feet in thickness, and lies within a moated circle of 60 feet diameter. It is said to have been upset in search of treasure; and, alas! the farmer on whose land it lies has offered five shillings for breaking it up into wall material. Happily, however, there is a salutary tradition, confirmed by the subsequent experience of some of the party*, that any rash intruder on the Bogey’s precincts will be made to feel the consequences of his temerity, and perhaps fear may preserve what covetousness would destroy.

*Unsatisfyingly, this is not elaborated on.

From a report of the ‘Lampeter Meeting’ in Archeologia Cambrensis, October 1878.

This hill has cairns with kerbstones, cists, a bronze axe head – and of course, was the home of ‘Gormal Mor’:

“who is said to have lived at Achinduin at the south-west end of Lismore, which faces the Garbh-shlios Hill in Morven.

‘Gormal,’ it is said, ‘was as strong as five ordinary men, and very proud of his strength; and so the Evil One tempted him by a challenge to fight, with the design to destroy him.

Gormal induced his friends to row him over to the lonely shore of the rugged Garbh-shlios. There [...] he bade them farewell [...] in the waning light they thought they saw a huge black bull, terrible and grim, descending the hill to meet him [...]

So they came home to Achinduin, and spent the night in great fear and dismay for their brave strong friend and kinsman Gormal; and next day they crossed the Linnhe [...] but they found only his trampled body lying in the wood on the hillside, and they brought him home with weeping and wailing [...] ‘

This story was told to the narrator of it by a cottager in Lismore as absolutely true. Another cottager of a more rationalistic tendency of mind denied its truth, and explained away the appearance of the evil one by saying that the hills [...] were the one time abode of wild and fierce cattle.

From ‘Records of Argyll’ in The Scottish Review 6, October 1885.

During my visit to Midmar Kirk RSC I happened to enter the church. Two ladies were organising flowers for a funeral to be held the next day. To be polite I said hello and asked if they knew anything about the circle. Surprisingly I was told that two of the missing stones from the circle are to be found in the foundations of the kirk.

The tall and superb stone 100 meters north is called Balblair, which the ladies also said had once been part of a circle.

Visited September 08.

The farmer, who is very proud that these monuments are on his land, at Logie Newton farm told this strange tale during the visit. An urn, containing human remains, was found in the field directly below the quartz cairns. This was then broken and passed amongst the onlookers. To mark the discovery a stone was taken from the west cairn and placed at the location. It still stands. Visited April 08.

I love the wiggly stone at the front in Postman’s photos. I wonder if it was chosen so you could reach your hand in the gap and get some benefit from being close to the ancestors – rather like at a medieval shrine?

My actual point is that I’m sure the Ancient People were pleased that Postman sneaked over to see them and tidy up a bit – because the name ‘Bryn yr Hen Bobl’ means ‘Hill of the Ancient People’.

Coflein is giving nothing away about this stone. But there is a story that relates to its vicinity:

A tradition connected with [the slopes above the stone], and related to me by the present tenant of Waen-canol, runs thus, and must be taken for what it is worth: “A great battle was fought on this spot by two armies of Welshmen, commanded by two brothers. The fight had been in progress some time, and the slaughter had been great, when the two brothers met in mortal conflict, while the other combatants ceased fighting to watch the struggle. A terrible thunderstorm, however, sprang up, and so fearful were the flashes of lightning that they thought it was a sign from the heavens to make peace, and they did so.”

From ‘Archaeological Notes and Queries’ by A Stepney-Gulston, in Archaeologia Cambrensis 15:60, 1898.

Calling at a farm, Maes y tyddyn Ucha, a lad told me he knew where Bryn y Beddu (Hill of the Graves) was, where he said his father had told him there had been severe fighting in the olden days.

From ‘Archaeological Notes and Queries’ by A Stepney-Gulston, in Archaeologia Cambrensis 15:60, 1898, p370.

A fort defended by a single wall and a rock-cut ditch topped this hill.

... tradition points out on the north side of Bizzyberry (or Bushyberry) “a hollow rock and a spring called Wallace’s seat and Wallace’s well.”

- from the Statistical Account of 1834-45, page 359, volume 6. Wallace and his men were said to have fought a huge battle locally.

... [a] characteristic specimen of a Tanist* stone may be seen on the top of Dun Add... On a smooth flat piece of rock which protrudes above the surface there is carved the mark of a right foot, covered with the old cuaran or thick stocking, eleven inches long and four inches and a half broad at the widest part, the heel being an inch less.

It is sunk about half an inch in the rock, and is very little weather-worn ... Quite close to it is a smooth polished basin, eleven inches in diameter and eight deep, also scooped out of the rock. With these two curious sculptures is associated a local myth.

Ossian, who lived for a time in the neighbourhood, was one day hunting on the mountain above Loch Fyne. A stag which his dogs had brought to bay charged him, and he fled precipitately. Coming to the hill above Kilmichael, he strode in one step across the valley to the top of Rudal Hill, from whence he took a giagantic leap to the summit of Dun Add. But when he alighted he was somewhat exhausted by his great effort, and fell on his knee, and stretched out his hands to prevent him from falling backwards. He thereupon left on the rocky top of Dun Add the enduring impression of his feet and knee which we see at the present day.

*so called from the Gaelic word tanaiste, a chief, or the next heir to an estate... These stones were used in connection with the coronation of a king or the inauguration of a chief.

From ‘Footprints’ in the Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, July 1885, p115.

As commonly held beliefs about the site, these surely belong in the ‘folklore’ section. People state as fact what they hold as a belief, or they say what they think will impress people, or they tell other people what they want to hear?

Dr. Pegge, writing in 1783, says that “the stones formerly stood on end, two and two together, which is very particular.” Glover, in his History of the County of Derby (1829), states that “Mr. J. Pilkington was informed that a very old man living in Middleton, remembered when a boy to have seen them standing obliquely upon one end;” tersely adding that “this secondary kind of evidence doesnot seem entitled to much credit.” One of my excavators, an old man, assured me that he had seen five stones standing in his boyhood, and had sheltered under them! On inquiry, however, I ascertained that the man had a reputation for gross exaggeration.

From ‘On the Excavations at Arbor Low, 1901-1902’ in Archaeologia 58 (1903), p466.

Judging by the record on the RCAHMS site, unfortunately I don’t think there’ll be much left here – or at least, there won’t be anything accessible below ground, maybe just a cairn above.

In the beginning of May, Mr. Hourston, tenant of the farm of Yinstay [...] was engaged in fencing operations ... his spade fell from his hands and disappeared underground ... breaking through rough masonry [he] effected an entrance into and underground chamber of very peculiar structure...

It is the highest ground in the neighbourhood... Tradition tells of a standing stone here, which is said to have been destroyed by a bauldie*, who took it for the devil...

The opening to the chamber, which is only three or four feet below the surface, and only a few feet from the cairn, is very difficult to negotiate, and can only be accomplished feet foremost, working oneself down sideways, and on the back... it is of an irregular oval shape, about 19ft. long from east to west, and about 10ft. in greatest breadth. The roof... is formed of flagstones, and supported upon nine apparently water-worn stones set upon end, forming pillars... In the chamber were picked up fragments of deer’s horn, bones, and teeth of horned sheep, oyster and whelk shells, burnt wood, and a few fragments of... pottery.

From ‘A Curious Chamber’, an article in The British Architect, June 1906.

I like the sound of the water worn stones and the image of the farmer wriggling into the space.

*??

The earliest known account of the Dwarfie Stone is in a Latin description of Orkney in 1529 by Jo. Ben, an unknown author, variously identified as John the Benedictine, or John Bellenden. Ben relates that the chambers had been originally made by a giant (i.e., in point of strength) and his wife, and that the latter was enceinte at the time, as was shown by her bed, which had the shape of her body. He was unable to account for the use of the door stone farther than that it was related that another giant, who was at enmity with the occupant of the stone and grieved at his prosperity, made the door stone to fit the size of the entrance so that the occupant might be shut in and perish from hunger, and that thereafter when he himself ruled the island he might have the stone for his own use. With this end in view the other giant took the stone, thus made, to the top of the mountain, and with his arms threw it down into the entrance. The giant inside awakened, and found himself in a quandary, being unable to get out, whereupon he made a hole in the roof with his mallets, and so escaped.

From A W Johnston’s article on the Dwarfie Stone in ‘The Reliquary’ April 1896. He also writes:
“Dr. Clouston, in his Guide to Orkney [1862], states that offerings used to be left in the stone by visitors.”

also that
In Bleau’s Atlas (1662) the stone is called the Dwarves’ Stone, pumilionum lapis, or commonly “Dwarfie Steene.” It is also related that it was a common belief that the cells conduced to the begetting of children by those couples who might live in them.
and
It may be noted that Ben, in 1529, described the doorstone as stopping the entrance, ostium habet obtrusum lapide; later writers, including Ployen, in 1839, describe it as standing before the entrance.
Perhaps that shouldn’t be given any more credence than the folklore though? as early accounts often get the measurements of the stone completely wrong, and we can be pretty sure those haven’t changed at least.

Now I’m not 100% certain this is the right stone. But it could well be. The article mentions Cowdenknowes and Smailholme, and Gordon, all of which are near. Also the cottage – which although isn’t there now, is mentioned on the RCAHMs record as having been demolished .

On a knoll by the side of [the] road there was an old thatched cottage, with an immense upright block of stone at the end of it. The place was called ‘Standing Stone,’ and there was a popular rhyme attached, which used regularly to afford us matter for the most serious inquiry, whether superstitious, mythological, or historical; shedding also a mysterious interest on the house itself and its inhabitants.

The doggerel couplet involved a favourite quirk with the vulgar of most rural districts, though somehow or other it always seemed to have in this case an unusually imposing effect--

‘When Stannin’-Stane hears the cock craw,
It wheels about, and faces Gordon Law.‘

He then goes on (at great length) to describe a boyhood incident when there was a ‘the most awful thunder-storm I ever witnessed’ and he and his friend were terrified by the stone’s ‘black shape as silent as death’ waiting to act as their gravestone. ‘Drenched we were to the skin, yet couldn’t think of going up to ask shelter.‘

From Chamber’s Edinburgh Journal of Nov. 11th, 1848.

Ilbury. Near Ilbury Farm takes name from Galoberie (Domesday Book) OE geolu burh – ‘Yellow fort’ – a reference to this camp. The ridge yields yellow ironstone

A bit of a silly story:

As late as a few years prior to the demolition of the Stone of Odin, a woman was known to have travelled about 12 miles to lay her pain-racked head within the healing embraces of Odin’s Monolith. One can picture her disappointment on finding that her low stature precluded her from this privelege. After a little thought she gathered some small stones, and by standing upon them got her head into the desired hole. Whilst thus dedicating herself to the healer, the stones slipped away from beneath her and she was left with her head in the chill, relentless grasp of Odin. After several painful and frantic efforts she managed to extricate her head, and found that her neuralgia was cured, and that her only pains were where her head and Odin had come into too close grips.

From ‘Standing Stones and Maeshowe of Stenness.’ by Magnus Spence, in the Scottish Review of 1893 (v22, p401).

Various have been the conjectures as to the origin of the erection of the [stones]; they are commonly known by the name of the Standing Stanes of Lundy, a seat belonging to a very old family of the name of Lundin, now to Sir William Erskine, near Largo in Fife.

Tradition tells us, they were placed there in memory of that victory gained by Constantine II. over Hubba, one of the generals of the Danish invaders, about the year 874. It is certain that battle was fought near this spot; but whether these were in memory of the action or not, I cannot determine: It is more than probable they were of a much older date.

I have been found fault with for looking farther back than I should upon a former occasion, and by a person who never examined the subject which I endeavoured to give an account of. I shall not here controvert his arguments; I do not sit down for that purpose: My aim is to amuse myself at a leisure hour, and add my mite to an useful and entertaining publication.

From a clearly irritated correspondent in the Edinburgh Magazine of November 1785 (p324).

The owners of the modernised farm at Hatton of Ardoyne have an interesting story to tell. A previous owner, during the 1850’s decided to repair the old barn. New stonework was required, therefore one of the stones from the circle was used as a lintel above a door. In previous times cows and sheep would enter freely but with this new addition the beasts were spooked and would not enter. This continued for a winter with several cattle dying. The farmer cut his losses removed the stone and put it back to its original standing place. What damage was done to the stone can be easily spotted. A brand new factory stone was used at the entry door which seemed to please the beasts as they re-entered the barn.

As told to Alexander Jarvie by Bob and Elaine Lyons, the present owners of Hatton Of Ardoyne, August 08. (I’m their music teacher)

The next day we repaired to the place, and shortly after we were met by Miss Pickford [..] who most obligingly gave us the history of the mound in question. She narrated as follows:-

‘The place was called from time immemorial ‘The Gospel Hillock;’ the mound was held in considerable estimation and reverence, as its name imports, for here, in perilous times, people repaired for religious purposes, and holy persons preached and read the scriptures, whence it had obtained the name by which it was known.‘

We of course assented with her on its sacred character, and we thanked her for the valuable information we had obtained, and after her departure we commenced our operations with spade and pick, not doubting that ere long by these means the exact nature of ‘Gospel Hillock’ would tell a different tale as to its origin and purpose.

You can see a diagram of the three disturbed occupants of the barrow here in the article ‘Archaeological notes made by Captain Francis Dubois Lukis, H. M. ‘s 64th Regiment, during a visit to Buxton, Derbyshire, in 1865’ in ‘Reliquary and Illustrated Archaeologist.‘

This camp is situated upon the brow of a hill, next the Severn, so as to command an extensive view of that river, and every thing passing upon it. ‘Tis supposed to be Saxon, but no mention is made of it in the Chronicle, nor by any of the antient writers.

Tradition will have it to be the work of Offa, king of the Mercians, whose coffin the common people think was dug out of a tumulus, at Over, in this parish, in the year 1650, but Florilegius affirms, that he was buried at Bedford, whose authority, in this matter, ought to be preferred to vulgar opinion...

From ‘A New History of Gloucestershire’ by Samuel Rudder, 1779 (p222).