drewbhoy

From the small village of Auchbreck head south on the B9008 taking the first minor road east signposted Tombae. Keep going until the road ends until the Auchdregnie track. This is beautiful countryside and it seems apt that the Gaelic name means ‘Field Of Thistles’.

About 300 meters short of the farm the stones can be spotted in a field a short distance to the south. The two stones are very small both less than a half meter in height, almost fragile but proud all the same. An interesting conversation with the farmer then followed about a possible third stone as reported by the previous owner but once again the powers that be seem to have missed this info. He was also keen on football and supported Aberdeen. (so obviously his knowledge on that subject was limited compared to that of a Celtic fan) On the subject of the fence, hopefully that will be restored to make the place look tidier.

Still, a nice place in a nice setting. With that it was up Auchdregnie Hill to look for more small standing stones. Unfortunately the farmer hadn’t heard or seen them but I had a look anyway.

Visited 6/8/2012.

Laggan was the final stop of a very long but rewarding day. At the northern junction of the A938 on the A95 there is a track which leads to Easter Laggan. From here its over the gate and a beautiful walk uphill to the masts. Luckily I was joined by a very fit girl (and her dog) and male honour was kept as I managed to keep up with her all the way to the top. From here it’s head east, I thought the cairn was on the next hill. I was wrong but headed in a south easterly direction until the cairn came into view.

The views are exceptional south to the Spey and Cairngorms, east to Grantown, west over to Carrbridge and north to Tom A Chastiel (and another cairn). Sitting at almost 11 meters wide and 1.5 meters tall a near perfect cist resides in the cairn. Dense bracken as suggested by Canmore has vanished. I took advantage of this to have a seat, phone Strathie and decided enough was enough. I was done in and to go further would have been stupid in extreme, the other cairn can wait another day and another route.

With that it was back down the hill as shades of night came down adding to the atmosphere of the scenery. Eventually I made it back to the car, very tired but no injuries. Still, it had been a brilliant day and I’d met a lot of nice people on the way.

Also thank you to Tiompan, SC and Strathie for keeping me going as I’d quite literally ran out of steam. Still there are a lot more sites in this area, looks like I’ll have to do it all over again preferably with the same weather.

Visited 26/7/2012.

From Auchendean Hotel’s owner I received directions to a second and ‘new to me’ cairn. He gave various directions which I’ve forgotten, but make for the top of the hill and you won’t go far wrong.

This cairn must be almost 15 meters wide and at least 2 meters tall. It was also has a cist and possibly another underneath the main cairn. It is in a very beautiful location with tremendous views north, and in it’s day probably wonderful views down south to the Cairngorms.

Now it must be said that this cairn is in fantastic condition. The cist is clean, the main cairn practically spotless and marker sticks indicate the outside cairn perimeter. A very modest hotel owner explained how he cared for and cleaned the cairn for several years, now he’d started on the cairn close to the hotel. He also explained about some nearby cists whose contents were taken to Edinburgh.

On the way back down I became completely lost and ended up at a quarry some distance to the south west of the hotel. Luckily it was also near the A95. As I arrived the hotel owner enquired how I’d managed to get on.

A lot of people could learn from this man, I certainly did. It was a privilege to have met him.

Visited 26/7/2012.

Auchendean Hotel is situated on A95 just south west of the Dulnain Bridge, A938, junction. I asked permission to park and visit the cairn only to be told there was two, 1 behind the hotel and another at the top of hill.

This cairn is some 14 meters wide and at it’s highest is 2 meters. The centre of the cairn is slightly empty due to the 1866 excavation. Still all is not lost and the cairn seems to be in reasonable condition. Most of the trees and gorse have been removed, most of the cairn material at the southern end can now be seen and at least the original outline is visible. Remarkable work but nothing compared to the top of the hill, my next site.

At the hotel, go thru the gate at the back, past the beehives and walk a further 100 meters. The cairn is slightly to the west of the track.

Visited 26/7/2012.

Just along the road east from Easter Gallovie going south is the track to Clury Farm. In the field immediately to the east this interestingly shaped Wessex type cairn stands.

The actual cairn being 14 meters wide and 2 meters tall siting on a platform that is almost 20 meters wide. It is grass covered with cairn material poking thru. A dry stane dyke surrounds and has unfortunately caused some damage. Being in a fairly flat area enables good all round views. Also causing interest (at least to me) is the presence of 4 large recumbent boulders 3 complete with chokes. These must probably be field clearance or Strathie and his cousin have came down to pinch Aberdeenshire’s recumbents. Maybe Strathie will provide an answer :-)

Still another lovely site, close to the road so therefore a short walk.

Visited 26/7/2012.