The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

   

Wormy Hillock

Henge

<b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoyImage © drew/amj
Wormy Hillock is the name of the natural mound here. The henge itself is to the SSE of the mound and is 13.5m in diameter, with the oval inside the ditch approximately 6m in diameter. For more details see the Canmore record:
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/17295/details/wormy+hillock/
Also known as:
  • Clashindarroch Forest
  • Hinglenny
  • Ealaiche Burn

Nearest Town:Huntly (11km NNE)
OS Ref (GB):   NJ450308 / Sheets: 29, 37
Latitude:57° 21' 51.83" N
Longitude:   2° 54' 51.99" W

Added by fitzcoraldo


Discussion Topics0 discussions
Start a topic



Show map   (inline Google Map)

Images (click to view fullsize)

Add an image Add an image
<b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by tiompan <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by thelonious <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoy <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoy <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoy <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoy <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoy <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoy <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by drewbhoy <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by thelonious <b>Wormy Hillock</b>Posted by FriendlyFire

Fieldnotes

Add fieldnotes Add fieldnotes
Crap pic , but it does show the horizon before the trees blotted it out . Worth comparing with Thelonius' pic to see the changes 10 yrs approx can make .
This a one of the rare cases of a possible henge entrance orientation towards the winter solstice sun rise .
tiompan Posted by tiompan
30th January 2017ce
Edited 30th January 2017ce

I parked at first track after Orditeach on the A941 and walked north hoping to find the Chapel cairn as well, sadly I didn't and became lost instead. Now looking at a map (which I'd stupidly left in the car) I found I climbed the Hill of Oldmerdrum, down the other side and waded the Kirkney Water to get back onto the main forestry track. Good fun this if somewhat tiring. I doubled back to the bridge, found the wee car park complete with henge and hillock.

I've always wanted to come to this place. It certainly has superb views of Noth. The maze of roads offer superb walks. Take an OS map, helps a lot.

Visited 24/5/2012.
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
24th May 2012ce

3 miles south of Huntly turn right onto single track road to Mytice. Keep driving until you run out of road then walk for 2 miles on main forestry track. The henge is on the right before you cross the bridge.

Bit of a hike but it's a very peaceful place and you get good views of the Tap o' Noth too.
Posted by FriendlyFire
29th March 2006ce

Folklore

Add folklore Add folklore
"The old road that ran through this area was known as 'Wormy Howe' because it was created by a giant worm as it set out to do battle with a rival near Bennachie. Worms or wurms are a type of dragon found folklorically in Scotland, Northern England and Scandinavia; they are hugh serpents lacking legs and wings, but otherwise well equipped with traditional draconic attributes such as jaws filled with razor sharp teeth, poisonous or fiery breath, and avoracious appetite for human flesh. Sadly the legend doesn't say if the two worms met, or what happened when they did. Presumably the shape of the henge prompted the belief that the worm had coiled up to have a nap here.'

James Taylor "The Cabrach" (1914)
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
18th December 2009ce

"In [Finglenny] there is a 'mound' known as the Wormie Hillock, which has long been regarded as one of the interesting sights of the place. Legend tells us it is the grave-mound of a dragon, which at one time infested the neighbourhood, and was slain at this spot by some unknown St. George."

From 'Place Names in Strathbogie, with notes historical, antiquarian and descriptive', by James MacDonald (1891).
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
26th October 2009ce