Now I don’t normally show much interest in solitary standing stones – fallen or not. But this one surely possesses the finest location in all Wales, bar none? If someone out there disagrees, please share...
The monolith viewed from the south-western cairn.
What a position for a (formerly) standing stone!
Now lying a short distance to the South-west of Gorllwyn’s South-western cairn, this substantial formerly standing stone – as evidenced by packing stones still in situ – must have formed one of the most mind-blowing monuments of its type in all Wales. Incredible position.
As can be seen here, the north-eastern carn (SN92165948) is a substantial distance from the summit of Gorllwyn. Incidentally, the little stone pillars are boundary markers...
Gorllwyn possesses – in my long experience – THE finest panorama of South Wales’ Old Red Sandstone Escarpment.... seen here from the summit cairn. Utterly exquisite.
East(ish) across the North-eastern cairn towards Y Gamriw and, oh, all sorts of things going on in the vicinity of Drum Ddu
Looking approx west towards Drygarn Fawr from the Southwestern cairn...
The South-western cairn has been seriously mucked about with – nevertheless it remains an evocative monument.
The (main) north-eastern cairn at SN92165948. CPAT cites other examples here, but things do get confusing. The great Drygarn Fawr with its twin beehive cairns can be seen background left
Summit cairn... despite the standard vandalism, this is a very substantial monument in a brutally uncompromising location.
To the approx south-east(?) of the ‘circle lies this...
In classic Welsh upland circle mode, a number of the stones barely break the (existing) surface... But hey, it’s the demarcation of space that counts, end of.
The stones seemed to have the right idea: take it easy and relax in the sun. So I took their heed.
Such is the wild, inhospitable hilltop location chosen for this site I could only discern 8 remaining circle stones still in situ, the earth having reclaimed the rest. Nevertheless, the vibe here knocked that at almost every other ‘circle I’ve yet seen away. Cerrig knows what I’m talking about....
Worth a visit for the expansive views alone, to be fair.
Not the best weather... but then that’s why I was there.
Highlighting what looked like internal ‘kerbing’ structure still in situ?
Looking across the cist to the high tops of Y Carneddau
The monument possesses a fabulous panorama looking across The Menai Strait to Anglesey.
Looking across what I took to be a rather obvious cist.
One of two(?) additional cairns to the immediate approx north-east...
The monument is far more substantial than I had anticipated.