GLADMAN
Looking approx SE from the central cairn across the (badly damaged) southern cairn to Horridge Common. There are another round cairn and two ‘tumuli’ near the far trees. Whether the small ‘cairn’ in the foreground is a separate monument or the residue from robbing of the main I wasn’t immediately sure – I reckon the latter on balance.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
From some angles – such as this – the southern cairn (foreground) looks pretty good. But don’t be deceived... it’s been severely treated, as have those upon Horridge Common (the western is almost destroyed). The excellent central cairn – not to mention the tor cairn itself – more than compensate, however.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The central cairn is a substantial monument... sun, too.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Upon the summit tor, highlighting the ‘tor cairn’ fabric still in situ. Haytor Rocks rises beyond.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The tor cairn... looking approx NW towards Top Tor.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
A masterpiece of natural sculpture stands before the summit tor cairn...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking across the excellent central cairn to the enigmatic tor cairn from the badly robbed southern..
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Across the (presumed) cist to Rippon Tor.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The presumed cist. If not, what else is it?
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Exquisite spot to hang out for a while... what I took to be a cist.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approx NW across the heavily robbed interior to the summit of Rippon Tor... and its massive cairns.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking approx SE across the other (apparent) monument – impossible to verify owing to the complete gorse cover for that one. There is a large, if robbed, cairn to the right of the far copse. A nice spot.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Industrial strength gorse covers the remains of these two ‘tumuli’ upon Horridge Common. Haytor Rocks can be seen beyond.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The cairn below the tor cairn (SX68587422) utilises existing outcrops in a similar manner to (the admittedly peerless) Beinn na Caillich (the Broadford version) upon Skye.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking from the cairn at SX68577472 to its near northern neighbour..
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
(SX68587422) Looking toward the summit ‘tor cairn’....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
I understand the cairns upon Corndon Tor received the expert attention of a combination of the Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Dartmoor Preservation Association and English Heritage sometime between 2005 – 2010. This is one of the magnificent northern pair.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Upon SX68677475. The sheer circumference of this monument is exceptional.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Corndon Tor from the summit cairn of Yar Tor... note the twin massive northern cairns (upper centre left) quite a trot away from the wondrous summit monuments.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The ‘tor cairn’.... little wonder the locals thought this place was special back in the day.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Summit cairn across the tor cairn..
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
To be honest, it’s only when one gets up close that it becomes clear this isn’t all-natural....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Upon the tor.... note the tor cairn below. Occasionally the sun doesn’t just shine upon the righteous.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Tor cairn at SX68597414. I don’t have the words to do justice to the enigmatic beauty of what is, after all, merely a ‘rocky outcrop’.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The massive summit cairn looking across the tor cairn... there is a pair of very substantial cairns on the near horizon, some way to the north.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
With three magnificent round cairns here, rather ironic, perhaps, that it is the ‘tor cairn’ which is, arguably, the most enigmatic.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Denise Crosby came to mind.... funnily enough.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
There is just something so hauntingly, well, primaeval about these tors...
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Still quite a fair bit left, despite the damage.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Looking into the sun (the irony was not lost upon the viewer) approx SW towards the prosaic Dartmeet... where east meets west... or two become one, to quote those Spicy master 90’s philosophers.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
The great tor cairn surmounting Yar Tor.... a West Country speciality-variant of the upland monument.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Northern terminal cairn.... marked as ‘Tumulus’ on the map. Looking approx south.
Image credit: Robert Gladstone