drewbhoy

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.