Western wall, before getting lost on the way down.
Image credit: drew/sweetcheat
drewbhoy
Archaeologists have discovered a historic site of national significance beneath the sandy soil of rural Perthshire.
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This cairn has taken a battering and not much remains of the once massive structure which stood at 25 meters in width. All that remains is a basic circular bump of cairn material. A few clearence cairns and field systems are also in the area.
I parked at the Altnaglander car park on the B9136 south of Glenlivet (what a lovely name and place). Go thru the gate, follow the stream then head up thru the trees. At the moment this is very boggy area made worse that holes have been ‘houked’ for the planting of trees but once among the heather the underfoot conditions improve. Eventually a deer fence is reached, find the gate and the cairn is a few yards to the west. Glorious scenery on a sunny day but for me the rain was turning to snow so best not to hang around for to long.
Visited 8/4/2012.
This must have been a massive cairn when built but now it is reduced to it’s foundations. Still it is placed in a wonderful location, tho not today as it poured with rain, and overlooks the Braeval Distillery, Chapeltown and it’s famous chapel. Field clearence has been dumped into the cairns interior as are some larger rocks which might be kerbs,
The farmer at East Auchavaich, as is common up here, used the cairns real name and tries to look after it as best he can despite the confusing information he receives from Historic Scotland. (he put up a fence, it fell down, he was told not to put it back up type of thing) Within the collapsed fence the cairn is still some 20 meters wide and almost a meter high.
Going north east from Tomintoul, on the B9008, take the first minor road heading east. Keep going until Chapeltown and take the farm track east at the chapel to East Auchavaich. I parked at the farm walked up the till jumping the gate into the field to the west. The cairn is easily spotted. Beware the electric fence or you might jump higher than intended.
Visited 8/4/2012.
Some field clearence and possibly a kerb or two dumped in the middle of the cairn.
Image credit: drew/amj
Looking towards Braeval Distillery and the nearby chapel.
Image credit: drew/amj
Looking south west, note the distillery, and by this time drenched!
Image credit: drew/amj
Travel south on the B9136 and take the first minor road heading south east after St Michael’s church and cross. Keep going until the the minor road going north east indicated Glenconglass. I stopped at the info sign at the road’s end.
From here I walked west towards, then turned north crossing the Chabet Water, wild with snow from earlier in the week, towards Ellick farm. After crossing the bridge head east past the first hillock until the next hillock can be seen. The cairn is situated between the two telegraph poles. Canmore says it is probably Bronze Age and was used as a ‘hidey hole’ for the infamous James Grant. It stands at 8 meters wide and is almost 1 meter tall. cairn material pokes thru the grass. Once again a tremendous setting. Hard to think that only 6 days ago 8” of snow covered this area.
Visited 8/4/2012.
Local tradition associates this hill with the infamous ‘James Of The Hill’. This was the name given to James Grant, a member of the local gentry who committed murder in Elgin in the 18th century. He became a bandit renowned for his cunning and intelligence, as well as his ferocity. Eventually he was captured and imprisoned at Edinburgh Castle, from where, with the help of his wife, he made a daring escape. After further adventure in Ireland, James was given a Royal pardon for his many crimes.
Canmore.
Three standing stones mark the spot of a cist which overlooked the River Avon and it’s glen. The farmer has done well here and the site is protected by a fence. (non barbed on one side so no damage to body or clothes).
Follow the directions for Bhodiach except stop at the first corner south of Craigroy farm. Head east across a field, then head south on a track, jump a gate and head north east. The barrow should be easily located.
Smashing setting, smashing place with an atmosphere all of it’s own.
Visited 8/4/2012.
Last October I tried to visit this cairn after visiting several others in the area. Unfortunately a speeding van driver decided to use my car as a brake on the single track road resulting with van being practically halved, my car badly damaged and myself covered in bruises and a very sore head but no real damage except to my confidence. After that lucky escape I decided to try my luck again and this time no heart stopping moments.
From the A95, take the road south indicated Shenval and Chapelton. Inbetween the two Lagmore chamber cairns would also be a very accurate location. Follow the road until it’s end at Chapelton and look east, the massive cairn is in the middle of a field overlooking the Avon glen.
Sadly two more cairns stood here but they have been removed. Still Bhodiach is a massive reminder set in spectacular scenery, tho very wet and cloudy today. Complete with trees it stands at 21 meters wide and over 3 meters tall. Some ‘houking’ (great word) has happened in attempt to make shelters. Ploughing has also made the outer edges more steep. The bottom half being covered in turf, the top half with bare rocks.
Still, it looks splendid in its beautiful location with superb views of the River Avon, The Bodiach and Deskie hills and Drumin Castle (and to the east Drumin Chamber cairn on the other side of the Avon). Plenty to visit in this area, take care on the single track roads.
Visited 8/4/2012.
