drewbhoy

First stop of an another long but good day. Coming from the east on the A926, to Kirriemuir from the A90, take the minor road south at Maryton then the first farm track east. I stopped at two cottages, the second of which appeared to used as a rubbish dump.

Both of these stones have fallen and are 3 meters in length and over a meter wide. Chokes lay about underneath. It might have been a circle (if it was it would have been impressive to see the other stones all standing as well) according to Canmore.

Also known as Fletcherfield there seems to be a lot of destroyed souterrains in the area. Still, decent souterrains aren’t faraway. Tealing, Airlie, Shanzie etc.

Visited 27/12/2014.

After reading Rhiannon’s folklore about this place I’ve always wanted to go. Check out a bit of Arthurian legend etc.

This is a stunning place with stunning views and friendly cows. I approached from the west heading north from Alyth (not a very good baker) on the B954 stopping between the Hill Of Loyal (west) and Barry Hill (east). The western climb is a steep effort but worthwhile from my point of view as it showed that my fitness is coming back. Plus it takes you past the small pond. The fort itself is some 78 meters in length and 23 meters wide and now contains some wind shelters built with rampart stones. On the south east rampart the entrance can be found.

Several ramparts have been constructed some reaching four meters in height and some 15 meters in width. The inner defences are made from rocks and anything they could get their hands on. Defences on west are natural as I found out!

The pond on the western side (is fenced) is inside the ramparts on a plateau and once again old Mr Easson was right as he mentioned this place as well. Canmore described it as an outer fort. So they had a water supply.

From the air this place must be stunning as the Canmore notes state. Being the last stop of a very long and early day I wandered all around the fort several times. This fort is a remarkable achievement, like Barmkyn up in my corner, and simply amazed me. Best to look for yourselves if possible.

By the time I’d finished wandering it was getting dangerously dark so it was back down the hill and into the car to head back up to the NE.

Visited 22/12/2014.

If ever a site could be restored this might go down as a possible contender. A fantastic site with an uncovered souterrain. Fortunately the cross lintels, or at least some of the them are still there. In between the walls amongst the grass there is some form of flooring. There seems to have been entrances at both ends with some kind storage room in the middle, on the inside of the curve. If Barns of Airlie is 19 meters in length then Shanzie appears to me to be well over twenty meters. I tried looking for cup marks but unfortunately couldn’t see any as the light was gradually beginning to fade.

Set on a wee hill across from Shanzie Farm this is a tremendous site with nice views south. With that done it was the odd route to the standing stone on the overlooking hill.

Thanks to John Easson and his father for this one. Spot on. The other sites they mentioned will be visited on the next visit to Angus/Perthshire. Park with permission at the farm. Once again the friendly owner told me of a few places including Barry Hill.

Visited 22/12/2014.

Entering Alyth from the east I parked just after the golf course at the first house. From here a track heads south which leads to a golf practise area. Jump the fence the standing stone should be 300 meters approximately away to the east.

Lovely stone and the paint that Nick mentions has now faded completely. Good time to visit.........no golfers.

Visited 22/12/2014.

From the souterrain I headed straight up Drumderrach Hill. A fairly steep climb with loads of nasty trees with branches at the wrong height and jabby things. However I eventually reached a path, probably used by pheasant shooters, and headed back east which led to the stone.

Fantastic views looking south towards the River Isla and beyond. From here it’s straight down the hill as in Nick’s notes which I should have used in the first place.

Visited 22/12/2014.

From the Kirton of Airlie I drove on the westish minor road until I reached Philpie, almost onto the A926. Opposite the Philpie gate walk go into the field opposite (today a mud bath), walk along the fence and it takes you straight to the stones.

To me, one of them looks like a glacerial and the other (east) looks like a proper standing stone. Good setting tho.

Visited 22/12/2014.

From Philpie head west on the A926 and head north on the next minor road. I parked at Dryloch Farm. Take the track south next to farm which leads to another track then turn west. According to the OS map following the tree line south and then west leads to the cairn. This maybe isn’t the case as a new plantation seems to have appeared and I had great fun climbing deer fences, jumping burns and wandering thru bogs before reaching a track of sorts. Still I followed this west until fir trees appeared then OS map was almost correct.

The cairn itself still stands at 28 meters wide and is 2 meters tall. Kerbs still exist on the west and east flanks. Sadly the centre has been badly hollowed and has been used as a rubbish dump by the forestry people. Still its a great place and a wee clean up would do wonders.

Just to the north of the cairn there is a track which in its own twisty way leads eventually back to farm. So no adventures on the way back. Still a fine hike of four miles all round one way difficult and one way easy.

Visited 22/12/2014.

After walking back up from the souterrain John Easson showed me a cup marked stone and 5 querns.

The cup marked rock has 2 cups about 2” wide and deep plus 3 smaller cups on one side. On the other side there is one cup also “2 wide and deep. Sadly this stone/slab has been broken and maybe there is an another part lying somewhere.

Also in the collection were 5 querns in various conditions. Several querns can also be seen in Alyth museum.

Visited 22/12/2014.

Just up the hill from the Kirkton Of Airlie the Barns of Airlie is a fantastic souterrain in superb condition. Everything in the fieldnotes by Martin still applies except that one of the lintils is cracked and in need of support. John Easson, the farmer, informed me that the HS people in Edinburgh had promised some goalpost structure to support the stone two years ago. But no sign yet.

It is important to think of the atmosphere inside this place. There is a strange calmness inside the 19 meter structure, even the leakages seemed to add to the age of the place. SC will be pleased to know the butteries were eaten after climbing back out of the narrow entrance.

On reaching the bottom of the hill I met up with John Easson and he informed me about a cup marked rock and several querns that had been ploughed up. His father was also there, he had souterrains and standing stones sprouting everywhere. He was right, of course, and let me know about another fantastic souterrain plus several sites I hadn’t heard about.

Visited 22/12/2014.