drewbhoy
The Battle Of Barra
The battle was fought on May 23rd, 1308. The army of King Robert The Bruce routed that of John Comyn, Earl Of Buchan. Bruce’s victory marked the turning point in his bid to become king.
The battle is believed to have taken place on the lower slopes (Oldmeldrum side) of Barra Hill.
This chair shaped stone had previously lay higher up Barra Hill. Legend has it that Bruce, who was ill at the time, watched the battle from it.
Meldrum and Bourtie Society.
This stone was originally on the Hill Of Barra but was moved to a position near the B9170 on the Inverurie side of Oldmeldrum. Shaped like a seat Robert The Bruce, handily feeling ill at the time, is supposed to have sat on it whilst his troops battled against the Earl Of Buchan. Today it is still a busy place as Oldmeldrum and Inverurie have grown in size making sure this road is incredibly busy.
Visited 10/12/2010.
Speaking to one of my clients, from Edzell, about a trumpet when the conversation changed to this. Crikey!, he’s right. Some good aerial foties as well. A visit needed on the way down to the football.
After a suitable lunch at the nearby Bognie Arms I walked back along the A97 to Yonder Bognie farm, jumped a couple of fences and made it to the circle. Abeit I was waist deep in snow. I’ve been here many times before but today it was extra quiet, extra beautiful and much more atmospheric. It was almost if the circle was at peace with itself almost enjoying the silence. All due to the weather and the A97 being devoid of traffic.
Visited 4/12/2010.
Some 5 miles west from Turriff on the B9025 Aberchirder road is the north road to Crannabogs. Today it was blocked so I decided to brave the elements. It was well worthwhile the views towards Turriff, north to Banff, south to Bennachie and west to the Highlands being covered in a stunning blanket of white. From the junction I walked/waded to Crannabogs Farm. Look north and the mound can be spotted on the crest of Gallows Hill, the boundary between Marnoch and Forglen. Normally the mound is over ten meters wide, 1 meter high and has a ditch dug out on one side. Today it looked complete and sparkling in its important position. Whoever Tam was I don’t know but a nearby wood, near Burreldales four poster, is also named after him.
However the weather had the final say, all of a sudden it started to blizzard and the wind picked up causing more depth and drifts. Eventually I made it back to car thankful for snow sticks, waterproofs and Tjj’s advice, the Long Johns indeed kept me warm!
Visited 4/12/2010.
Situated high above Gallows Farm the mound has great all round views.
Image credit: drew/amj
From Crannabogs, east of the mound, next to black patch in middle.
Image credit: drew/amj
Looking north from the Colpy road. Cairn is bang centre.
Image credit: drew/amj
From the Fisherford side, the cairn is just the other side of the tree.
Image credit: drew/amj
A windfarm planned for a hillside near Huntly could bring £1.6 million into the local community over it’s 25 years.
More info :
pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2029739
There are also two cairns on top of this hill, as well as the nearby cairns on the neighbouring hills of Backtack, Glenshee and Both as well as the cup and ring marked stone at Cairnborrow Lodge. I wonder if these sites were brought up at the meeting?
If you stay up here and/or are interested in changing the situation please contact the numbers contained within the report.
After some light refreshment in Gairlogie I decided to go for a wee stroll down to Cullerlie with a couple of mates. By the time we arrived we had been drenched but the atmosphere in the gloomy dark made up for the difficulties. Maybe this place should viewed like this as many have said that it’s ‘show status’ detracts but tonight it was eerie even scary at the same time welcoming, the stones looking like old friends having a natter. Westhills and Aberdeen glowed in the distance like faraway bonfires, maybe long ago similar scenes would have been seen. With that we walked back somehow avoiding being knocked down by boy/girl racers using this as an alternative route as the main road into Peterculter was closed.
Visited 21/11/2010.
It hasn’t been decided if this is natural or man made. One thing is that the locals believe that fairies and elves meet up here. Strange lights have been reported in the area. On my visit no strange goings on happened. It is 18 meters wide and 1.5 meters tall.
From the village of Glenkindie take the minor road east and follow the signs to Muir Of Fowlis. Elphhillock is on the northern side of the road, down the hill near the banks of the Loanend Burn opposite the steading with the same name.
Visited 14/10/2010.