 Previous 20 | Showing 21-28 of 28 fieldnotes. Most recent first
We visited the site on 16.09.10. It was certainly at the coordinates given by Greywether and we followed the path on the OS map though there are several others within yards. Still it's hard to square our pics with his and Pigmyshrews. Several intervening years, a different season and some wanton destruction may explain this.
Several large stones around the edge, that from the weathering evident on their tops had once stood for centuries, had been fired and split - possibly only a few weeks before our visit as the smell of burning was still faintly noticeable. A very sad sight indeed so only a few pics of the damage are shown here.
|
|
A lone standing stone (approx 4' tall) outside Moffat - 3.5 miles along the B7076 (street name: the Old Carlisle Road). Stone is close to the road in field opposite Poldean farm.
|
|
As you can see from the pics these are right beside the road (A701) between the M74 junction and the village. They are marked on the OS map. You can legitimately park by the fence at the entrance of the small road 175 yards before and on the opposite side of the road from the stones. From there you can walk along the pavement and across to the stones. In summer long grass can partially obscure the stones - see pics.
|
On our visit in July 2009 as well as the fence to keep animals out a circle of grass had recently been cut around the inside to emphasise the circle dimensions. A close inspection round the turf of the cut area revealed several large half- buried stones that may have been part of the original circle - see the pics in the 'extreme stonefeelers' link below. The recumbant was piled around with large stones. So the original stones may still be on the site plus additions from field clearance.
Despite the visible evidence that someone attempts to look after this monument it had also been poorly used by others. Lots of old agricultural fencing and plastic sheeting had been thrown over the recumbant and elsewhere. Shame on the culprit.
|
We parked in the carpark at Cairn Holy then crossed several fields skirting the sheep and over a couple of dykes keeping to the west side of the burn. We then followed the path along the side of Cairn Holy hill until the burn almost disappeared. Then crossed the last dyke and up to the circle. We then went on to Cauldside Burn cairn and ruined circle. It all took a full afternoon in fine weather. Would not have fancied it in anything less. On our return there was a warning note from the police on the car about not leaving vehicles unattended.
By far the easiest way of course would be to drive along the lane to Claughreid farm and ask to park then follow the track to the circle.
|
|
Head west on 'the old military road' from Cargenbridge to Lochfoot. Stop just before Easthill farm and park on the right hand verge as tight to the wall as poss to allow wide vehicles to get past. Go into field keeping to edges to avoid any animals or crops and head up steep hill. Keep to the outside edge of the wood at top of field. Cross dyke at the top corner. Head uphill again to circle. Come back to road very same way. Other ways in or out are dead ends.
|
|
No need to negotiate barbed wire and dykes anymore. There is now a sign 'to the standing stones' on the left at the big sheds as you drive up the road. Keep a good look out for it. Park there and it's an easy walk up the side of the golf course to the stones. Unfortunately we didn't spot the sign until we were driving back!
|
|
The 'Long Cairn' is no longer in the forest. As per Greywether's directions, follow the track from the cottages to the second fence then look east with binocs to spot the cairns amongst the old tree stumps. Ground beyond boundary fence is very tricky indeed.
|
Previous 20 | Showing 21-28 of 28 fieldnotes. Most recent first |
|
|
Log in |
Register
Top of page