Moelfre beyond, the ever present. Still trying to suss where the cairn on top of it was viewed from.. the related settlement. It’s visible from Shell Island way and the coast but you lose sight of it as you approach from the west.
Image credit: Mike Purslow
Yeah... the more of these upland cairns you see the more it becomes clear they weren't just plonked on top of hills and mountains for ALL to see.... as we'd probably do nowadays... but for selected people to view from particular locations(s). As I recall, Moelfre's not at the summit, but upon the south-eastern shoulder.
Correct. Plainly visible from the beach south of Shell Island but not I think intentional… I think it relates to Craig-y-Dinas’s settlement to the south. I love it when these cairn’s suddenly appear as you approach from the right direction, as if they were saying ‘boo!’ Jackson’s Barrow near Delph a case in point.
It’s totally wrong to assume cairns are only to be found on the topographically highest point. I think there are many out there still unrecognised for what they are. I’ve found a nice kerbed one by chance on Colonsay, yet to appear on TMA, sitting in plain sight. You just have to ‘get the angle right’, find the hidden silhouette.
As for that superb area around Moelfre and Cwms Bychan and Nantcol, doubtless much still to be found in that bracken, it just depends on the time of year a survey is done, and LIDAR will reveal so much.
Yeah. Footprint's the key. I'd encourage people to walk around the periphery, discount the usual modern marker cairn, and view a site from all directions before deciding probable provenance. Quite a few times now... Moel Ysgyfarnogod and Rhinog Fawr to name but two... I've only 'got it' after a few trips.