
Looking towards the nearby round cairn...
Looking towards the nearby round cairn...
Looking toward Cwm Doethie in deepest Ceredigion...
Not exactly ‘standing’ anymore – if it ever did? – now more a fabulous quartzite block ‘reclining’ in old age. Punters might wish to compare with not-too-distant Cerrig Cyfamod Glyndwr upon wondrous Pumlumon.
themodernantiquarian.com/site/13116/cerrig-cyfamod-glyndwr
Standing – or rather reclining – a little distance away from the obvious Blaen Nant-y-rhiw cairn (there is apparently another possible cairn which I could not positively vouch for here, too), this is a ‘bonus’ site to be enjoyed in this wild, out of the way spot. Great, sweeping views only curtailed by forestry upon the northern arc. Combine with a visit to the wondrous Carn Saith-wraig (starting from the old church at Soar y Mynydd) and you’re onto a winner.
As with the legendary Cerrig Cyfamod Glyndwr further north upon Pumlumon, whether this represents a natural erratic... or a boulder moved to this position (there is an apparent mound beneath the stone) is a question I guess only proper excavation can answer.
DAT (PRN 9117) reckons:
“A large recumbent white quartz boulder, facing N-S, and intervisible with prehistoric cairns PRN 9118 and PRN 8528 which lie a short distance away to the SW and N respectively. The stone is situated on a small knoll which forms part of a ridge running across an undulating high plateau with extensive views, particularly in the southern sector down the Doethie valley. The view to the N is obscured by forestry. The stone measures 1.8m in length N-S, 1.15m wide at is widest point E-W and 0.7m in height at its northern end, tapering to 0.55m in height at its southern tip. Extensive views are achieved from the site which may well have enjoyed a 360 degree panorama, and the Brecon Beacons were clearly visible to the SE. NC 2001.”