drewbhoy

An update on the new excavations. The north east sector of the cairn has been excavated to reveal more kerbs revealing a central area some three metres in width.

One unusual thing to report about the area as a whole, some of the dykes nearby are massive. There must have been plenty stones all over the place, nearby cairns haven’t been disturbed to much.

Hopefully I’ll get the site report and post it as a link.

There is also an Open Day on Saturday 1/9/2012 viewing this cairn and the nearby hut circle.

Re-visited 28/8/2012.

Have a good walk round the castle and the defences can be seen, ramparts north, west and south. Nature has taken care of the eastern defences which are a severe drop into the River Fiddich. (hence the whisky) The farm near the castle is called, apt for me, Parkhead! Another fort at Conval can be seen to the west.

Park on the A941 and follow the track east. If taking a car, the track wouldn’t be advisable.

Visited 16/8/2012.

This long cairn has seen some harsh treatment throughout the years. It stands at over 46 meters in length, the middle section has been almost been flattened, field clearence has been dumped on it and several smaller cairns have been added as well. To the north it has probably been clipped by the minor road and looks, to me, that this cairn will eventually be ploughed out. Another cairn survives in a nearby wood but it will have to wait for another day.

Leave the A90 at the Temple Of Fiddes road heading north, this then heads west to a meeting place of 5 roads. The long cairn is in the field to the south of the road opposite. I parked near the road going south to Drumlithie. Another case of what once was I’m afraid.

Visited 9/8/2012.

Canmore says that this stone is well known in the area. So when I asked some people about it I was surprised to learn that nobody had heard of it. To be fair I was given directions to The Cloch (RSC) and to a cairn at Shiels (I’d been there earlier). Probably the fact that this stone is within the grounds of Lathallan School and behind a wall probably explains it loneliness.

Eventually I asked at the lodge to the school and was given directions. Enter Johnshaven from the A92 and stop at the first crossroads. To the north is the entrance to Lathallan School. Thru the gates and head south on the edge of the playing field to the bottom south west corner. In amongst the nettles is the well shaped but pebble dashed stone standing at an angle. It would have stood at 1.2 meters at it’s full height.

After taking a few pics I left the stone alone. I wonder how long it will be till it’s next visitor. It might be a long time.

Visited 9/8/2012.

This must have been a massive cairn at some point and has wonderful views out to the North Sea and of the coast line. The grass covered cairn stands at over 21 meters wide and is over 3 meters in height. Cairn material pokes thru but any trace of a kerb has long since gone.

From the Tower Of Johnston walk directly south as I did. This includes a couple of climbs, jumping over fences (barbed and electric), burns and a nice stroll thru some boggy bits. If going by road leave the A92 between St Cyrus and Johnshaven heading north. Take the minor road south west at the first crossroads. Look north and the cairn is clearly visible on the ridge to the north after the South Bradieston track.

Visited 9/8/2012.