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Fieldnotes
| Visited: February 24, 2012 I had tried to visit this Stone Circle remnant last year but ended up completely baffled by the 'missing path' reported by other observers. But, as I found out later, the path is still there. Anyway, turning left from the B992 at the Cushnie sign, just before Auchterless (heading north), I visited the Mains of Hatton Circle before turning right at the following crossroads, past Pitglassie, to park at the end of the metalled road leading to Uppermill Farm. I walked to Uppermill, crossed the field to the right, and then the stream. This is a 'trenched' stream, and the far bank is in many places a daunting vertical obstacle. However, after searching a while, I found a place where it proved possible to step over the stream. Now I started to contour, anticlockwise, around the hill—and within a few paces, there was the 'missing' path. Everything was easy now: just follow this path round the hill to the ruined Corrydown farmhouse, and the field gate appeared immediately adjacent. All that remained was to follow the field margin for about 200 metres, and there were the recumbent and fallen pillars of Corrydown Stone Circle. Eveything is enclosed by a fence, and a number of the other circle stones, partly buried, can still be seen. This is the best time to see remnant circles such as Corrydown. From early summer onwards their fallen stones become buried in a tangle of weeds and grasses and can be hard to view. In late winter, the previous years growth has collapsed and they are seen much more to advantage. Finally, for the return to Uppermill, I steadfastly followed the path till I arrived at a rusted gate, with the Uppermill Burn ahead. Close inspection revealed that the path actually continued across the burn, which was culverted for several metres. This covered section was somewhat disguised by a growth of saplings on top of it, but this was no obstacle to progress. There now followed a walk over a grassy stretch behind the farm buildings on the south side of the approach road, two gates to cross, and I was back at the start of my walk. The mystery of the disappearing path is this: the path shown heading south from Upperhill (on the OS map) is now closed off by a gate (see photo), and what used to be the first 100 metres of the path has been grassed over (perhaps deliberately, to discourage walkers?). Just pass through the gate and follow the field edge on your left, along the grass behind the buildings, till you reach the stream. The clump of saplings indicates where you can cross. Step over the old rusted gate ahead, and you are on the path, which takes you almost all the way to the circle |
Posted by LesHamilton25th February 2012ce Edited 26th February 2012ce
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