drewbhoy

From the wonderful Tordarroch circle keep heading west on the minor road then take the road south west. Go past Loch a’ Chlachain and the beautiful Loch Duntelchaig taking the track south westish after Midtown.

West Town, the farm, is at the end of the bumpy track, the chamber cairn being thru several gates on a track just to the north of the farm. Plenty of gates and plenty of chickens, ducks and other farm type things.

The cairn (possibly clava type) remains at over 20 meters in width and stands at almost 2 meters in height. Four stones remain standing whilst several kerbs remain in place. Sadly field clearence and a ‘sink’ have also been dumped here.

Still the cairn had fantastic views over Loch Duntelchaig and the surrounding mountains. Spring was becoming evident and the sun shone.

Visited 3/4/2013.

Just up the road from the Mains Of Gask this standing stone, as HG and I discovered, takes quite a lengthy walk. Having asked directions at a nearby farm we were directed to forestry walks about a mile north of the famous cairn. From the car park it is a wonderful walk thru the woods heading in a south easterly direction. Follow the track until it becomes a path until it eventually becomes a natural ‘meeting place’. Ancient clans met here, the stone acting like a type of pulpit or lectern. More recently the clans met here before the disaster at Culloden, which made me wonder how many brave clansmen made it back after the battle. The trees also give the place an atmosphere, making it feel very old but friendly and welcoming.

Funnily enough a short walk leads to the edge of the forest and view of the farm at which we asked directions, it was less than 500 yards away. Even more oddly we asked a chap, walking his dog, for directions to the stone. He replied, Callanish (I love walking but this was as daft an answer as I’ve ever heard) was the only circle he’d heard about and then said he’d lived in the area for over 30 years.

Visited 3/4/2013.

This was the final site stop of the day, well the last stop was Parkhead, and what a wonderful stone. Situated on the south east outskirts of Kirriemuir. Leave the B957 taking the last minor road north before Kirriemuir, West Hill Road.

There is a handy car park and path which leads straight to the stone which stands at 2.7 meters tall with fantastic all round views.

With that it was time for Glasgow and the best place on earth.

Visited 12/02/2013.

Battledykes must have been a huge cairn as the 40 meter mound suggests. Unfortunately not much else remains except scattered cairn material. The old Druid’s temple has long gone and various urns have vanished into the mists of time. Still it’s an impressive place, to my eyes, and has a wonderful setting.

From the village of Tannadice head west on the B957 taking the first minor road south at the Justinhaugh Bridge, which crosses the River South Esk. Take the second minor road west and go to Battledykes farm. Camps left by a touring Italian side are also in the area, strange as I was on my way to watch an Italian side later on. At the farm head south on the track, look north and the large cairn is in the middle of the field.

Visited 12/02/2013.