Images (8)
Fieldnotes (1)
Miscellaneous (1)

Images

Image of Mynydd Gellionen (Cairn(s)) by thesweetcheat

The northern cairn (centre), seen from the high point of the common to the NE.

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

The largest rhododendron clump on the NE side of the cairn covers what I took to be the modern addition referred to on Coflein. Some of the cairn material protrudes through the turf.

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

The northern cairn, looking east. From here you could be forgiven for thinking this was just a rhododenron bush.

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

The northern cairn, as overgrown as the southern. Looking NW(ish).

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

Large-ish slab in the western side of the southern cairn. Is this part of the possible cist mentioned on Coflien?

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

Looking north across the southern cairn. The largest stone I found in the cairn is visible in the centre of the picture. The highest points of Mynydd Gellionen common are visible on the skyline. The northern cairn is visible as a blob silhouetted on the left slope, just above the black fence post.

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

Looking ESE across the southern cairn.

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

The overgrown and difficult to see southern cairn, looking NW.

Image credit: A. Brookes (24.9.2011)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

Articles

Mynydd Gellionen

Cairn(s)

CARL May 19, 2014

Visited 16.5.14

Directions:
From Pontardawe take the minor road west out onto Mynydd Gellionnen.
Follow the little brown signs for Gellionnen church. The Cairns are on top of the mountain shortly before you arrive at the church.
Look out for the very rough parking area with information board.

I parked in the parking area (trying to be as kind as possible to the suspension) and went over to look at the info board. Lots about flora and fauna but nothing of a prehistoric nature.

Immediately opposite the info board (the other side of the road) is the southern of the two cairns. It is little more than a very low, gorse covered stony mound. To be honest if you weren’t specifically looking for it you wouldn’t know it was there.
However, I was and I did! The outline of the cist can just about be made out. A small gorse bush is growing out of the centre of it. I hate gorse.

The northern cairn is back across the road, through the parking area and up the hill. The cairn is not at the summit but on the higher part of the southern slope. There is a ‘path’ leading up the hill. The cairn is to the left (west) of the ‘path’.
It was a pleasant walk up the hill in the warm sunshine. A cuckoo was doing its thing in the distance. There are good views to be had. In the far distance Mumbles Head could be seen. I bird of prey was hovering overhead. The nearby white walled church and adjacent graveyard continues the traditions of our ancestors in this place.
All in all, not a bad place to be laid to rest.

As for the cairn, it is a fairly large, low stony mound covered with rhododendrons
(better than the evil gorse I suppose!).
So spotting it is made rather easier. I wonder who planted them here? And why?

On a day like today this is quite a pretty place to come but one for the keen only I would say.

Mynydd Gellionen

Cairn(s)

thesweetcheat Sep 25, 2011

Two cairns on Mynydd Gellionen. Coflein descriptions:

South cairn (SN7030427)

The remains of a denuded cairn measuring 12.5m-13.7m across and 0.3m high with the remains of a cist near its W side. (1989)

North cairn (SN70190462)

A circular stony patch, probably a cairn base, 13.7m-14.9m in diameter with a raised rim1.8m-3m wide and 0.3m high. The rim is practically destroyed on the SW. A small modern cairn has been erected near the NE edge. (1989)