drewbhoy

Sadly only scattered cairn material and one stone of this circle remains and even it is drill damaged. It is housed in a fenced section just north of the steading at Westpark. The other stones were taken away to help build the nearby Mill Of Tynet. Like the King’s cairn there is excellent views south, the views north somewhat hidden by trees and the Meikle Hill.

The easiest way to get here is to go south on the B9016 and take the first minor road east thru the wee village of Clochan, shortly afterwards head south at the next minor road. This road comes to an end but head east on the track stopping at Westpark. Here I was met by the occupant who kindly allowed me park. The remains of the circle are behind the building, a short walk of 200 meters to the fenced section.

Visited 15/5/2012.

Opposite the Buckie junction (A942) on the A98 take the minor road south to Drybridge and keep going until the road stops at the Redburn Farm track. Unfortunately, for me, I misread the map and headed up the wrong track and ended up having to go cross country to the correct track. However I was rescued by the farmer who told about me about Meikle Hill, local musicians and re-energised me with a cup of tea. I should have gone by Redburn track and then taken the first track south. This heads up over the Addie Hill into the trees. At the top the trees clear with the cairn being to the east of the track just before a forestry track about a 1/4 mile south

King Indulphus wouldn’t be to impressed with what has happened since he was laid to rest. The cairn has been houked, ploughed and even worse drilled and blasted. It is somewhat nothing short of a miracle that anything remains but somehow despite everything it survives, just. To the east a sunken path contains cairn material which has fallen, to the west the forestry people haven’t been to careful. It stands at 8 meters wide and almost reaches 0.5 meters in height. Two very large boulders remain, as well as cairn material, showing damage caused by drilling. The old king certainly had beautiful views to keep him company.

With that it was back over the hill and back to the car via the proper route, which was much easier and much, much shorter.

Visited 15/5/2012.

Cairns and stones circles have often been recycled for places of execution, courts, towers, beacons, bases for crosses, roads, houses etc etc. This is the first one I’ve seen rebuilt into a windmill on the spot where it stood. Originally a stone circle probably surrounded the cairn, also in the same field, to the west, a barrow stood. Wonderful views to the Moray Firth and south to Durn Hill.

Situated to the north of the A98 between Portsoy and Cullen just east of the Sandend junction. Pull in at the Glasshaugh Distillery (tragically closed, or it looked closed as it was deserted). The unusual remains of the cairn are in the field to the west.

Visited 15/5/2012.

On the map this was the easiest of the sites to find. In reality it proved rather different and more than slightly chancy. Chaos surrounded the entrance to Glencarse with roadworks everywhere, entrance to Inchyra House was blocked, I asked permission from the workmen to park and walk thru but was promptly denied by a jobsworth wearing a tie (much to the disgust of the workmen) so I turned around headed south and pulled in on the St Madoe’s side of the dual carriageway, the A90. From here I ran across the carriage way, jumped the central barrier, ran to the other side, scissor kicked the fence and walked the short distance to the barrow.

The barrow has been excavated on the northern side, with urns (unfortunately lost) being discovered. Local men also took away ‘several cartloads of stones’. Other finds are kept in Perth museum. The turf covered barrow sits in the grounds of Inchyra House, is 18 meters wide and over 2 meters high. It is surrounded in pleasant countryside (except for the carriageway) and interestingly shaped trees.

With that it was back to the car via the chancy route I’d came only to discover the police pulling up. When I was asked for the reason why I’d parked they received an answer that they probably wouldn’t have expected and quite a bit longer.

Visited 3/5/2012.

Rait hillfort, Iron Age, is very easy to find as it is situated on the north eastern quadrant of the Rait crossroads. I crossed a small burn, the Carse Burn, and clambered up the fairly steep but short climb to the top of the hill. This climb forms part of the small forts south west defences. The three ramparts, all at various heights, are situated mainly to the north with the entrance in a central position. Great all round views are now obscured by trees but to the south the River Tay is easily spotted.

The fort is still used by children using tyres as swings at the northern end. Instead of climbing down the south west flank I jumped a fence and landed in amongst bramble branches which made for some wonderful patterns on my legs. Still a path slightly further south leads uphill to allotments and downhill back to the small mill, Carse Burn and car.

Visited 3/5/2012.

I parked at the crossroads and climbed the hill to the hillfort. Spied the stone from the north of the fort and clambered thru the parks to the track that leads to the stone. Just a shame that the first signs of the surrounding area being used as a tip. Nice to see some bee hives tho.

Visited 3/5/2012.

From Witch Hillock I walked back to minor road then headed south west past Gawloch Farm until this road ended. Opposite there is track, which if followed eventually leads to the Capo Long Barrow. Tho still overcast the day was beginning to improve. As others say if coming in from the other side it is signposted. From here I walked cross country back to the car via the Witch Hillock. There are a maze of paths in these woods but for change I didn’t get lost. Time for lunch in my favourite Forfar pub via Keithock!

Visited 3/5/2012.

This is a very beautiful site and is obviously quite well looked after. Situated, surrounded by a well kept fence, in a small clearing the barrow stands at 18 meters wide and is 2 meters high. Wooden steps are provided for those with short legs. The three stones mentioned by Canmore remain as does the well mentioned in Rhiannon’s post.

I took the first minor road north from the A90, south west after the B974 road, then took the 2nd minor road west stopping at the end of the trees, There is plenty of room for car parking. From there it is a very pleasant walk south in Inverury Wood, with at last some heat coming thru a cloudy sky today. After a gate, the barrow is a short distance and slightly east of the path. Today not a sound, what wonderful and peaceful place.

Visited 3/5/2012.

Some directions to the place. From the A90 take the B966 to Brechin and take the first minor road heading north east. This also takes you past the Temple Wood cairn. Keep looking north and the stone will come into view. Just after the stone there is a house that has plenty of parking space next to the road.

Visited 43/5/2012.

Damaged by quarrying, a dyke, a road and the planting of trees this barrow does well to survive. It has wonderful views, despite the near by dual carriage way, to the east (and the Cruick Burn) and of the mountains to west. It is also in area that has quite a few barrows, some surviving, some sadly removed. What is left here is 26 meters wide, 4 meters high turf and tree covered. Still the daffodils give the place a sense of new life unlike one of the trees, which has a message that supporters of a team that play in green, white and gold more than slightly annoyed.

Coming south from Edzell on the B966 go thru Inchbare and take the next road north east to Ballownie farm. If coming north from the A90 take the first right. The barrow is situated to the south of the road over a dry stane dyke just after Ballownie farm. (the farmer here was very pleasant and helpful.)

Visited 3/5/2012.

Just to the south of Edzell is Edzell Wood. Pull in at the 3rd parking space on the east, near a disused quarry on the B966. On the opposite side of the road a path can be spotted. Follow this path until the Wishop Burn, here the path seems to vanish but I jumped the burn. Helps having long legs I guess. After the ‘boggy bit’ a path of sorts reappears on top of what looks like a long forgotten quarry. This leads to a rather more used path, turn south east, follow the path for 100 meters approx, the barrow is next to the path on the southern side.

The barrow stands at some 26 meters in width and is 4 meters high being made of earth and sand. Fortunately most of bushes and scrub have been removed to give an indication of size, unfortunately the forestry people seem to have left logs sitting at several points of the barrow’s base. Still, it looks impressive and must have had some great views. Today it is surrounded in trees, which keep it company in a pretty lonely place.

As the name suggests this place was recycled and used for rather grisly purposes during Medieval times. On the way back I didn’t fall in the burn, or trip on anything, so a good start!

Visited 3/5/2012.

This cairn has taken a battering and not much remains of the once massive structure which stood at 25 meters in width. All that remains is a basic circular bump of cairn material. A few clearence cairns and field systems are also in the area.

I parked at the Altnaglander car park on the B9136 south of Glenlivet (what a lovely name and place). Go thru the gate, follow the stream then head up thru the trees. At the moment this is very boggy area made worse that holes have been ‘houked’ for the planting of trees but once among the heather the underfoot conditions improve. Eventually a deer fence is reached, find the gate and the cairn is a few yards to the west. Glorious scenery on a sunny day but for me the rain was turning to snow so best not to hang around for to long.

Visited 8/4/2012.

This must have been a massive cairn when built but now it is reduced to it’s foundations. Still it is placed in a wonderful location, tho not today as it poured with rain, and overlooks the Braeval Distillery, Chapeltown and it’s famous chapel. Field clearence has been dumped into the cairns interior as are some larger rocks which might be kerbs,

The farmer at East Auchavaich, as is common up here, used the cairns real name and tries to look after it as best he can despite the confusing information he receives from Historic Scotland. (he put up a fence, it fell down, he was told not to put it back up type of thing) Within the collapsed fence the cairn is still some 20 meters wide and almost a meter high.

Going north east from Tomintoul, on the B9008, take the first minor road heading east. Keep going until Chapeltown and take the farm track east at the chapel to East Auchavaich. I parked at the farm walked up the till jumping the gate into the field to the west. The cairn is easily spotted. Beware the electric fence or you might jump higher than intended.

Visited 8/4/2012.

Travel south on the B9136 and take the first minor road heading south east after St Michael’s church and cross. Keep going until the the minor road going north east indicated Glenconglass. I stopped at the info sign at the road’s end.

From here I walked west towards, then turned north crossing the Chabet Water, wild with snow from earlier in the week, towards Ellick farm. After crossing the bridge head east past the first hillock until the next hillock can be seen. The cairn is situated between the two telegraph poles. Canmore says it is probably Bronze Age and was used as a ‘hidey hole’ for the infamous James Grant. It stands at 8 meters wide and is almost 1 meter tall. cairn material pokes thru the grass. Once again a tremendous setting. Hard to think that only 6 days ago 8” of snow covered this area.

Visited 8/4/2012.

Three standing stones mark the spot of a cist which overlooked the River Avon and it’s glen. The farmer has done well here and the site is protected by a fence. (non barbed on one side so no damage to body or clothes).

Follow the directions for Bhodiach except stop at the first corner south of Craigroy farm. Head east across a field, then head south on a track, jump a gate and head north east. The barrow should be easily located.

Smashing setting, smashing place with an atmosphere all of it’s own.

Visited 8/4/2012.

Last October I tried to visit this cairn after visiting several others in the area. Unfortunately a speeding van driver decided to use my car as a brake on the single track road resulting with van being practically halved, my car badly damaged and myself covered in bruises and a very sore head but no real damage except to my confidence. After that lucky escape I decided to try my luck again and this time no heart stopping moments.

From the A95, take the road south indicated Shenval and Chapelton. Inbetween the two Lagmore chamber cairns would also be a very accurate location. Follow the road until it’s end at Chapelton and look east, the massive cairn is in the middle of a field overlooking the Avon glen.

Sadly two more cairns stood here but they have been removed. Still Bhodiach is a massive reminder set in spectacular scenery, tho very wet and cloudy today. Complete with trees it stands at 21 meters wide and over 3 meters tall. Some ‘houking’ (great word) has happened in attempt to make shelters. Ploughing has also made the outer edges more steep. The bottom half being covered in turf, the top half with bare rocks.

Still, it looks splendid in its beautiful location with superb views of the River Avon, The Bodiach and Deskie hills and Drumin Castle (and to the east Drumin Chamber cairn on the other side of the Avon). Plenty to visit in this area, take care on the single track roads.

Visited 8/4/2012.

This barrow is found in amongst the trees of Innes Wood. Head east fromWallfield thru the village of Lochhill until the junction. Turn north and keep going straight onto a farm track past the Newton Of Innes farm until the tracks end. Over the gate and a crossroads will be found a few meters in front. Head east for about 300 meters, then look south and the barrow will be standing nearby.

Today, with sun and heat, the trees make for a very beautiful setting, silhouetting the barrow perfectly. It still stands at 11 meters wide and is over 1.5 meters tall. Damage has happened to the south western flank but on the whole the barrow seems to be reasonably intact.

Visited 27/03/2012.

From the minor road south of Wallfield farm this platform barrow looks to be in reasonable condition with just parts of it being covered in the ‘jabby stuff’. On closer inspection it is sadly rather different. The southern and eastern flanks are hidden by farm machinery, concrete blocks etc but it looks like the barrow hasn’t been damaged recently. Northern and western flanks are protected by a fence but have been damaged by ploughing. Still it still stands at 14 meters wide and 2 meters high. Finds discovered at the site can still be seen in Elgin Museum.

I took the minor road from Garmouth heading east towards Lochhill. Look for the farm track heading north towards Wallfield Farm after the junction heading south west (this will take you to Innesmill/Standing Stones Of Urquhart, no devil today!) signposted Urquhart/Llanbryde. I asked permission from the farmer, who was ploughing at the time, to have a look around.

Good area this, plenty of cairns, stone circles and forts nearby. The barrow is also used as a viewpoint. Maybe not a good idea going by recent debate, but up here the view belongs to everyone.

Visited 27/03/2012.

This was fairly easy to find eventually, the difficult bit being that none of the locals I spoke to knew about it. Leave the A96 at Fochabers taking the B9104 north towards Garmouth. The streets of Garmouth bring new meaning to the word narrow so take care if driving or using any mode of transport.

I parked in the car park beneath the Water Tower and climbed west up a stairs, past an old primary school and onto the path which leads straight to the circle. Two stones of the four poster remain standing whilst a third might be a possible cist cover. The info board dates at 1500 BC and also gives details about the Tower and the Spey Bay area.

This must be one of the most beautiful places in Moray with fantastic views of the Spey, it’s Estuary, Moray Firth, Black Isle and all views wast west and south. Stunning place!

Visited 27/3/2012.

Spring Equinox arrived so a trip up to Moray beckoned with Tor Sliasg the number one priority. Head west from Buckie on the A98 turning south at the B9016. Keep going until the second minor road heading east and stop at the Oxhill Woods car park. From here it is a steady climb of about 2 miles in the pleasant Corsekell/Stonyslacks Woods to the top of the hill. However radars, telephone masts make the place look like a retirement home for spaceships. Just beyond these monstrosities a hardly used track veers south. Follow this for about 300 meters and the cairn is spotted slightly to the south.

After reading Canmore’s description I feared the worst and the cairn would be full of rubbish etc. However somebody has cleaned the place up to such an extent that cairn is clearly visible. It sits at about 14 meters wide and is 1 meter high. Unfortunately it has been robbed, trenched and quarried but it still survives. Cairn material can also be seen popping through the grass. As usual if it wasn’t for the trees (who look ancient themselves) wonderful views of the Moray Firth and Highlands to the south could be seen. Today only the view east can be seen.

If very lazy the track to the space station could be driven to but don’t do that. Moray is a beautiful place so get out and have a walk.

Visited 20/3/2012.

Cairn Mude has escaped my attentions in past due to the weather, running out of time or like yesterday (3/4/2012) gale force winds, blizzards and flying buckets. This was the fourth attempt and today it was much calmer and with supplies from the Alford baker I headed east from Lumphanan on the A980 taking the first minor road south to Kincardine O’Neil. I pulled in after Colliestown.

Head along a track, north west for about a 1/2 mile then head into the woods, south, for a further mile (approx) until a crossroads in tree breaks. Head east and the much ruined cairn is found in a clearence. Still it stands at 13 meters wide and a couple of meters high. Sadly wide trenches have been cut through it, even more sadly I’d left both my phone and camera in the car instead of in the rucksack. So I’ll have to go back, no problem as I now know a shorter route.

During my first attempt the farmer at Newton, home to ring cairns, told me that dead soldiers from Macbeth’s army were burned on the cairn. On that occasion I was beaten back by thick vegetation and ended up getting lost.

This time I decided to climb to the top of Stot Hill and managed to get lost on the way back down. Somehow I almost ended up in Lumphanan, but found my way back via the public stream, more commonly known as a footpath.

Visited 4/1/2012.

Clashholm is situated in a glen on the eastern side of the B9119, from the A980 head east at Crossroads (a pub) and stop at Cloak Wood. Walking past this wood reminded me of a tip whisky bottles, old bikes and some gas cylinders littered the wood. Just beyond the wood, jump the fence and head towards the bottom of the glen. The two hut circles are enclosed by a wall (rather ruined) and could easily be spotted amongst the snow. It’s shame the wall is in such a condition as beasts will probably trample all over this monument. Anyway for the moment they are still here.

Visited 4/1/2012.

Climbed up from the west side parking at Knockenbog. From there I used the path then climbed the fence and went straight up. For 3/4s of the way it was fairly long tough heather and jabby things but after jumping a ditch the heather becomes fairly short making it much easier to reach the top. At the bottom it was calm. At the top a major gale blew with occasional hail for good company. Still the trig provided cover for a wee sit down and a chance to admire the scenery before clouds and darkness moved in.

The small circle, same as Theolonius, wasn’t there the last time I was here but it looks very pretty with it’s little outlier. A couple of cairns are at the top, one a climbers cairn and the other a memorial to a youngster from Aberchirder who died tragically young.

Visited 2/1/2012.

I’d have to say, sadly, anybody wanting to find this cairn would be wasting their time. The cairn has been covered in field clearence and is now covered in turf and weeds. A small mound near the road is all that remains.

Going south from Dufftown on the B9009 taking the minor road east after Aultbeg, after a sharp corner the road heads south. I stopped at Croftburn and walked down a forestry track till a crossroads. The cairn is supposed to be in northern quadrant. Sadly this cairn has been almost consigned to the prehistoric rubbish dump. Almost a pity the flood didn’t do a better job :-(

Visited 14/10/2011.

Buchromb stands on the hill of the same with good all round views. Unfortunately it has taken a battering with an enclosure or something similar being cut into it. Still kerbs remain on the northern side and it still is almost 27 meters in diameter plus 1.5 meters high. Canmore reckon the damage done is deep enough to have reached any internal structures.

However the missing kerbs might not to be to far away as a field clearence pile is 60 meters to the west. It is made up of small stones, slates and bigger stones that look like they belong somewhere else. There are other small piles dotted around.

I met two people on my way to the cairn, one who didn’t know it was there (unbelievable) and farmer who went on about getting grants for putting up a fence around it. There is a fence, in worse condition than the cairn, but it is in severe need of restoration. I offered to repair the fence there and then but received a negative response.

From Dufftown head north west towards Craigellachie on the A941 turning east at the second of two entrances to Buchromb. Keep going until the cottages. The cairn is on top of the hill behind, follow the track till it’s end then head east at the pile of field clearence.

Visited 14/10/2011.

This uncompleted fort must have been a massive place as it measures 600ft by almost 500 ft. Two lines of stone ramparts surround the top of the hill except on the northern side where ditches seem to take over. It seems that stone defences were never finished. The views to Dufftown are stunning, Tap O Noth can be seen to the east, Durn Hill in the far north with Ben Rinnes to the south and to the west, The Highlands. So massive was the fort that some agricultural uses have been recorded.

There must be an easier route than my one as there is a path of sorts at the top which seemed to go north towards Dufftown. I stopped at the second farm track heading west south of Dufftown on the B9009. From here walk the track thru nice woodland, past a quarry, some ruined farmsteads until the tracks end at the 7th hole of the local golf course. Seeing golfers prepare to drive up the hill, I waited, only to see balls come over my head from behind me. Obviously the 7th is uphill. Over the back of the green into the woods and head straight up jumping over a couple of burns. This is very steep in parts and if an easier route can be found use it. Still the views are astonishing, I’ve never been here before and to see Tap O Noth just appearing over the hills in the east is magical. Ben Rinnes, which I’ve climbed several times, looked majestic, and very shapely. As is usual going back downhill is easier, and this time I was ready for the 7th hole.

Visited 14/10/2011,

They say this is a very small stone circle and they are correct. They also say it might be a RSC, if it is it is the smallest recumbent I’ve ever seen. Two slab like flankers are at both sides of a small slab which is the possible recumbent. Several stones presumably from the circle lay at the sides. What looks like a possible cist also sits amongst the stones.

The ‘flankers’ are about 3 feet tall and recumbent 1 foot tall. The widths are in centimetres no more than 20 of them. Still the debate about this place will go on, Adam Welfare mentions it in his book as well.

Situated almost in the Glenlivet valley the views of the mountains are superb. This place has an atmosphere tho, it feels old, really old.

Follow the signpost at Glenlivet to Tomintoul, the B9136 taking the second minor road south just after Glenlivet Health Centre. Head south and take the first farm track to the west signposted Nethertown. Park at the farmhouse, I asked permission, and was also given direction by the farmer. Walk up past the barns, over the gate, past a dung midden then its the circle. Today it didn’t smell to bad and the cows posed quite happily for foties.

Visited 14/10/2011.

This is a splendid cairn with several kerbs surviving on the western side. On the negative side the area has been reforested with the cairn being left in a clearing. So how easy a place to find in the future is guess work.

The cairn, which sits in the glorious Spey side valley, is some 10.5 meters wide and over 1 meter in height. I don’t know if kerbs have outliers but one stone certainly looks like one. Some cairn material pokes thru the turf.

From the A95, take the B9138 west and be careful at the bridge crossing the River Spey. Take the B9102 north and pull in near the Mains Of Kirdells. The cairn is to west of road. Climb a gate, jump a burn and walk to the brow of the hill.

Visited 14/10/2011.

The fence here is in far better condition than it’s near neighbour as Auchorachan.Take the B9136 turning south near the primary school. As the road heads directly south stop at the first gate on the east. The stone is about 50 meters from the road. This beautifully sited monument has wonderful all round views. About 200 meters down the road is the famous distillery at Glenlivet. Lovely place!!!

Visited 14/10/2011.

Go south from Dufftown on the B9009 until Auchbreck. From Auchbreck head south on the B9008, going past Auchorachan farm pull into the east side of the road at the first gate after the farm. The stone, standing on the brow of the hill at 1.7 meters in height, has lovely views south, north and west. Packing stones can be seen at the base of the stone.

The lovely sight of Glenlivet distillery is on the other side of the valley. Sadly the fence has seen better days on the plus side no cows dropped dead during the visit!

Visited 14/10/2011.

Canmore quite rightly hedge their bets and say this might possibly be a kerb cairn then again it might be a ruined stone circle set on the eastern slopes. There are certainly stones that look like they once stood and there are certainly some kerbs plus loads of cairn material. Sadly it has also received some harsh treatment. However its position keeps alive some of the former glories. Views east and west are of the Don valley, to the south Culquoich and to the north the modern cairn on the summit of Dalrossach. There are some cracking rocks for cup marks etc, I couldn’t find any unfortunately.

I parked at Dalrossach west of Glenkidie on the A97. Opposite the farm entrance is a track that winds up the hill. Fairly steep all the way to the cairn but worth it for the views. Looking for the other cairn I accidentally climbed the hill to the north. Looking all round I discovered that I’d climbed every hill in the area and still there is much to find in what is my favourite hill walking area.

Visited 13/10/2011.

This should be one of the best kerb cairns in Aberdeenshire, probably Scotland but it left me in a pretty bad temper. Culquoich is rich in history with 3 cairns all nearby, this was the third attempt to find this one.

Sadly the three trees mentioned by Canmore have been sawn down and left to rot on the cairn. Obliterating some kerbs in the process. Up to 18 kerbs I counted with the inner cairn reaching 0.7 meters in height. I know these places are high up and out of sight to most folk but that surely doesn’t mean they should be treated in this way. Being incensed I phoned Aberdeen Archaeology who have asked for these photographs as evidence, something I’ve gladly passed on. Why oh why could didn’t they cut the trees down and make them fall another way, out of the cairn. Probably it would have been better just to leave them. One of the reasons I probably missed the cairn previously was because I was looking for three trees surrounded by stones. So annoying, I must have walked right past this place looking for something I’d never find.

Still on the plus side the views would be tremendous if it wasn’t for the trees. However Culag is a short distance southish, the views south from there are wonderful with my friend Morven dominating the skyline.

From Culquoich 1 head south east towards the deer gate. The deer today were very friendly allowing me to pat them on the head, obviously getting messages from their pal in the south to be good to this visitor. Once over the gate head straight east and a clearing amongst the trees is reached. What should be a superb site marred by people who should really know better.

Visited 13/10/2011.

Leave the A944 (Alford road) at Milnbank and head south on the B993. Take the first minor road west marked Baudygaun. Just after Baudygaun (a farm) take the first farm road north, signposted Denwell then head north west at the fork. Just after Denwell a bridge has to be crossed, keep going until the end of the road. At this point there is a small steading. Follow the track on foot and as it veers west head thru the park, the remains of the circle are straight in front.

Although only two stones remain, a standing stone and the possible recumbent it would be a safe bet to say that some stones are in the nearby walls. Location is everything, so they say, and this circle had tremendous views south to the prehistory central of Deeside, saying that whole area is prehistory central.

This isn’t a very hard walk compared to the other two today, very simple. For the views alone very rewarding and at last I’ve visited here here, its been a long time coming.

Visited 13/10/2011.

In yet another attempt to find the second Culquoich cairn ending in failure I noticed my map had the fancy writing for cairn on a hill to the west. Sure enough a small cairn exists being almost 8 meters in width and 0.7 meters high. Two stones, possibly kerbs, are earthfast. Strangely a ram’s skull is under the biggest stone, so maybe sometimes this place is still used.

From Culquoich Cairn I walked to the trees in the east heading in a southish direction, climb over the gate, thru the bog, jump over the burn and head towards the Culag Hill. The cairn is en route, on dry land, to the summit. As for Culquoich 2, something that is 26 meters can’t be that hard to find. Seems impossible to me but another attempt coming shortly then the pleasures of Dalrossach.

Thanks to Bruce Mann at Aberdeen Archaeology for the grid ref.

Visited 10/10/2011.

Sometimes when you ask to park somewhere people say okay and go on about their business. Today at Glentone I asked the same question and then was given a few bits of local myth as well as useful directions.

One thing I didn’t know was that whilst arguing Mr and Mrs Devil had somehow woken Jock O Bennachie from his slumber. Unlike previous aims at Tap O Noth, this throw was more accurate and warring couple were silenced. Later Mr Devil, clearly not amused by proceedings, lobbed the rock at his wife leaving a mark on the rock. Fortunately for me there were no fighting devils and I know Jock wouldn’t throw a rock at his ‘lankie’ pal.

Head east on the B993 from the A944 and park at Glentone. I asked permission to park here but access to the rock can be gained from the Tomscairn Wood. After splashing across the Ton Burn, then another boggy burn head about 300 meters in a south westerly direction thru the trees until a clearing is reached. The stone, and it is massive, resides were the warring couple left it.

With Autumn fast approaching the colours of the wood make a lovely sight. Plus it didn’t rain, for a change.

Visited 22/09/2011.

Once again another cairn that survives despite the ravages of time and agriculture. Thankfully the site is now protected but in reality there is very little to see. However it’s location is special, it is almost exactly in the middle between two of Aberdeenshire’s most famous RSCs, Louden Wood and Aikey Brae. Throw in Dens, Cairndale and Auchmachar as well.

On what was to prove a very good day I parked at the entrance to Mains Of Bruxie, just west of Deer Abbey. The cairn is sited on top of the hill near the sadly uninhabited farm of Stockbridge looking down onto the South Ugie Water, being some 16 meters wide, at it’s highest it might be close to a meter. A scattering of cairn material remains as well of evidence of robbing. Still on the good news front it is protected by a fence from the friendly bulls who made sure I left safely.

Visited 21/09/2011.

Litterty Hill is situated in the valley to the west of the Cummerton Cairn. From where I parked I walked a further 1/4 mile north then took the first tractor track to the west. To call this a track is ambitious but it does lead down to the bottom of the quiet and almost forgotten Glenquithie valley.

Further south is Strath Howe, the hillfort, to the north is the Moray Firth and Pennan, now famous for it’s crumbling cliffs as well as Local Hero. However here at Litterty time seems to have stood still empty crofts and farmsteads providing an eerie backdrop even during a nice warm (a shock) September’s day.

The cairn itself must have been huge at some stage. Records have it at 24 meters wide and 3.5 meters tall. Nowadays it might still reach 24 meters in width but it has been much robbed leaving it around about a meter tall. It is now also covered in ferns and turf but underfoot cairn material can still be felt. One thing nobody can take away is location and nature. The views north and south are still wonderful. As for nature young red deer played in the sun, red squirrels played in the trees and birds chirped away quite merrily.

Visited 19/09/2011.

Two things really astonished me about this cairn, 1) how I didn’t know about it until recently and 2) how it managed to survive despite the growth of Inverurie.

Go to the town centre in Inverurie and look for Barclay Road making for the streets end. In front is Kellands Park (a place were I terrorised Inverurie’s batsmen many a time) turn right and enquire at the first house. Unfortunately the people who live here were out but the kindly next door neighbour allowed to ‘loup’ her dyke to see the ancient site.

Somehow, miraculously really, the cairn is almost 25 by 20 meters and a further 5 meters tall. It is now covered in turf and trees. Some damage has been done to the eastern end but overall it is in fine condition. In 1902 an urn was discovered during excavations and displayed in Inverurie museum.

Bizarrely the building of houses has protected this cairn from major damage and it seems to be looked after in the appropriate way. Good news for a change and a nice way to end the day.

Visited 8/9/2011.

From the ruined piano on top of Clachcarr I headed further north downhill until I came to a wee track heading in a south westerly direction. Keep going until the junction of two tracks, one coming from the Don which heads eventually back up Culquoich, and another track which leads to the ruins at Barns farmstead. Don’t take the track to Barns, jump the fence and head to the summit of Cairnbeg Hill passing another ruined steading.

Not much remains of this once huge cairn but the rise of the land and a scattering of stone gives an idea of size. Once again the views are superb with Morven to the south west and Clachcarr/Culquoich to the north east/east. Also the A97 is clearly visible, heading south, giving an idea of the distance covered as the road goes past the Deskry, Cairnbeg, Clachcarr and Colquoich hills.

A great place to walk and there must be easier ways than my route. But Donside is beautiful and I love this area, always have and always will which is good news as on my return to the first cairn I marched straight back down the hill only to realise I’d missed a kerb cairn of considerable size plus no injuries. Oh dear I’ll have to go back.

8/9/2011.

Opposite Glenkindie House (home to a magnificent souterrain) on the A97 take the road south over the River Don signposted Culquoich. This road is very short and I parked at it’s end.

With all sorts of padding and strapping protecting the dodgy left leg I plodded up the slopes of Clachcurr, basically follow the track up and south until it ends at the deer gates. A short distance on and the cairn can be spotted next to track on the western side.

This cairn was well placed as Morven and Tap O Noth can be seen as well as spectacular views of the River Don and Deskry Water. One thing that astonished me was the distance the A97 heads west before it turns south towards Dinnet. I’d walked over the hill whilst on the road from Glenkindie to Bluemill must be at least 10 miles.

At 24 meters wide this cairn was obviously massive and a few kerbs remain sprinkled around the outer edges. Canmore say 0.6 meters high, I’d have said, with the casual eye, at least 1 meter.Some larger boulders and smaller cairn material can be seen in the cairns interior.

With that it was time to conquer Clachcarr. At the peak there is a walker’s cairn, more surprisingly is the remnants of a piano, strange but true. My next stop was Cairnbeg, a tortuous climb down proved the leg was back working properly and an indicator that the padding is indeed a good idea for the ankles.

8/9/2011.

From Aboyne take the B968 over the River Dee (past The Boat Inn, excellent pub!!!) and turn east on the B976 until the Bridge Of Ess on a very sharp corner. I parked at the tower near the bridge and walked east along the minor road. Many years ago when wee boys my brother and I along with our dad and his pal Dod Coville often walked these paths. Dod was the factor at the Glentanar Estate so these roads brought long forgotten memories back. Fortunately the stunning scenery is still stunning with hardly any development of any kind.

A couple of miles further west is a welcome addition, the Braeleoine Visitor Centre. Went in to have a look and was quite impressed tho the assistant didn’t have a clue about cairns. From here head up the hill on the tarred road until it ends, this is pretty steep going. Move onto the track at the gateposts going past the sign to Belrorie until a crossroads is reached. From here head west until the cottage at Hillhead. The cairn is north of Hillhead but I headed slightly further west, jumped the gate, and followed the fence line, jumping a burn at the back of Hillhead. This takes you to the edge of the forest, simply follow the fence (don’t touch electric, a new high jump record has now been set in these parts) and you’ll walk straight to the cairn.

This cairn has tremendous views especially over to Morven with Loch Kinord sparkling in front. South is the Glentanar estate, aboyne east and Ballater west. Although the cairn has been excavated the centre is still intact and sits at 15 meters wide, 2 meters high, no kerbs remain. Maybe there hadn’t been any in the first place. Other cairns nearby have long gone, however some of the walls mentioned in Canmore remain. A wonderful place and a wonderful walk, Deeside is a treasure trove of sites.

Visited 11/08/2011.

At Crathie go onto the South Deeside, the B976, past the entance to Balmoral Castle and head back east until Mains Of Abergeldie, just after the first minor road heading south. I parked here and walked on to track opposite the farm. There is a crossroads of tracks, head west and keep going west onto the grass track, the stone is slightly to the south up a small hill.

To the north is Abergeldie Castle and the River Dee. This well shaped stone must have had good views which are now blocked by the trees. Still a pretty place tho.

Visited 11/08/2011.

The standing stone at St Maire’s burial ground has obviously lasted much longer than the chapel that also stood here. All that is a left on the knoll is an enclosure shaped place with the remnants of a dry stane dyke. It has stunning views of the Dee valley west and east, being surrounded by the Grampians. Yesterday this road was under several feet of water as the road was closed due to the Dee bursting it’s banks.

It has an upside down boot shape and is 1.4 meters tall. Head west from Ballater on the A93 (Royal Deeside road), past the Coilacreich pub and park at entrance to Lebhal farm, plenty of room. The standing stone is about 300 meters back east up a small slope on the north side of the road. Jump the small stream, torrent today, and your there. This place reeks history.

On the hill on the other side of the Dee, to the south west Creag nam Ban, the last witch on Deeside was burnt. (cheers Thelonius) The standing stone at St Manire’s would have made a gruesome vantage point.

Visited 11/08/2011.

New find, 11 cup marks near the River Ythan at Methlick (which supplied the water).

Torrential downpour chased me back undercover but plenty more to look at another day.

Visited 6/08/2011.

The last stop of a very long day, I’d planned to do walk to another 2 cairns but time and nature combined to make this the end of the second Mearns day.

The Philla Cairn is shaped like a ‘flying saucer’ in that it is built on two levels. First a platform was built, some 20 meters wide, then a cairn built on top of that, some 12 meters wide. At it’s highest point it is over 1.5 meters in height. To the south west a large flat stone can be found, might be the remains of a cist. Some damage has been done but this shows us the construction work. Recently the gorse, jabby things etc have been removed but the cairn is very overgrown. The local farmer at Haremuir improved things greatly by moving the piles of dead vegetation further away. (He also, with permission, intends to try and tidy up the site, so re-visit at some point coming up. Plus a visit from me to visit other cairns, lucky chap!)

Once again this cairn has stunning views of the Mearns countryside. I’d intended to walk on to Kenshot but it was getting dark, so it can wait till the next time.

Visited 3/08/2011.

The picture taken by Mr Hogan, where has he gone (his fieldnotes, tho long, were always informative and brilliant) is of a pile of field clearence near the radar station. The long cairn is on the other side of the road. His mistake can be forgiven as Canmore admit to making a mistake and originally thought the site an enclosure.

All that is left is basically the shell of the cairn which I estimated with the casual eye to be around 40 meters long, 20 meters wide northern end, 10 meters wide southern end. The height at the northern end would be about 1.5 meters whilst at the other end 0.5. One or two bits of cairn material remain with possibly a couple of kerbs. It must have been an impressive site and it has truly magnificent views. I’m beginning to love the Mearns, it is full of interesting stuff with loads more to visit.

Sweetcheat’s sheep were all well behaved. Leave the A90 just north east of the RAC monument taking the first minor road south east stopping at Ferniebrae farm, plenty room to park. Opposite there is a dead straight road going up Bruxie Hill, radars and things to left, long cairn to the right. Lots of cattle grills and gates so keep the farmer happy and keep them closed.

Visited 3/08/2011.

Cothillock when you see it on the OS or Phillips maps appears to an easy cairn, near the road in a small wood. Nae probs, says me.

Heading east after Arthurhouse on the B967 stop after the Lewis Grassic Gibbon centre at the road end to Pitcharles. The cairn is in the small wood. For me it took ages to find, up and down I looked, crawled and jumped until eventually I flung myself thru a gap in the trees to land on the cairn edge. If I’d approached from the south there is a gap but I didn’t spy it, handy for getting out tho.

The cairn is 14 meters wide and just over a meter high. There is damage to the edges with eastern side jumping down at least 3 meters. One or two bits of cairn material can be seen amongst the turf. It is well protected and hidden by the trees. Still if the mist had been here, like at Montgoldrum, it would have been ‘well scary’.

Visited 3/08/2011.

For this visit I went past Millplough and up to Cluseburn, parking at the end of the track. On the nearby hill is supposed to some cairns but they, sadly, seem to have vanished. It was clear at this time, on the way back it certainly wasn’t. So I decided to head cross country in a north east direction to Montgoldrum Cairn, something I’d missed the previous week. Cluseburn has water, not to deep as I discovered by mistiming my jump to land in but not over. Fortunately not as much water as my recent Loch Of The Clans adventures. So on I went over several fences and gates until I flukily walked straight into the cairn.

At one time this cairn had been protected by a fence but it appeared to an ancient relic as well going by it’s condition. As for the cairn, it is some 16 meters wide and 1 meter tall. For some reason it reminded me of the Trancie cairn, bowled out with ditch, minus the ditch. Damage to the cairn shows the constuction of earth and boulders. From the there it was up the hill, behind the wood to the east, to visit the RSC again (I like that place).

The way back was a bit of a nightmare as the sea mist had come in, visibility was poor and it was freezing. However a change of boots and socks lifted spirits as indeed did a visit to the Bervie chipper.

Visited 3/08/2011.

This place I’ve wanted to visit for a long long time. So yesterday provided the chance and I took it. The cairn is 46 meters in length. At the North East end it is 14 meters wide and 1.7 meters high by the time it reaches the South West it is only 8 meters wide and 1 meter tall. It has been extensively robbed for it’s materials. Large rocks can still be felt underfoot as the cairn is mostly covered in turf and grass. The stunning thing about this place is it’s location. To north Gourdon/Inverbervie and their bays, to the south Point Of Bard (Haugh Bay). At times the view was superb then a north sea mist rolled in, the temperature dropped and the atmosphere became very eerie. So back down the hill I went.

The best access to this site is by the following route. South on the A92, thru Inverbervie, past Gourdon and take the first track heading west. This leads up a very steep hill. Keep going until the first crossroads and take the road heading north east. Keep going towards the crest of the hill, the cairn is in the field to east with tremendous views in all directions. Great place.

Visited 3/08/2011.

The Cairn of Arthurhouse is set in the tranquil woods overlooking the Bridge Of Kair underneath flows the Bervie Water. Supposedly massive at some stage it remains an excellent site being 21 by 19 meters in length/width and 3.5 meters tall. The north side has been partially dug away and a small pit remains on top of the cairn. But the setting is wonderful, the Mearns countryside once again breathtaking.

Easiest directions, road wise. Leave the A90 at Fordoun and head east. Turn onto the Waterlair track, south, just before the Bridge Of Kair. From here I walked thru a field to a wood up the hill to the south. Keep heading south until the wood narrows then widens again. In a large clearing the cairn sits proudly in the middle.

Visited 3/08/2011.