nickbrand

I was up there yesterday, a bright November day, clear but windy. The views are quite magnificent, and it’s easily seen why they chose this location to build. I’ve appended a few of the photos I took.

St. Madoes is reached from the A90 Perth – Dundee road, at the Glencarse turning. Head down the little main street and turn right at the sign for the school. These stones are now incorporated into a garden feature in the grounds of St. Madoes Primary School, in front of the main entrance. Permission MUST be obtained from the school for viewing – for obvious reasons

This interesting stone stands in the middle of a field approximately 3 kilometres east of Alyth. Take the B952 east from Alyth, to the fork onto the small road marked Airlie. Past Shanzie Farm on your right, less than half a kilometre on the left is the turning in to Bruceton Farm up on the hillside (well posted – Bed and Breakfast sign). Park on the verge, and walk back to the berry field on the other side of the road – an open gateway here takes you into the field. Walk east then follow the stone dyke south towards the River Isla. You will see the stone on your left in the field beyond the dyke, if the field is not in crop. You will have to climb over the dyke to gain access, and permission should be sought at the farm before doing this. It is well worth it, as this Class 1 stone, though eroded somewhat, still bears a distinct horseshoe mark without decorations, plus a Pictish beast (sometimes called an ‘elephant’) below. This carving is quite worn and less distinct. The stone lies on an ESE axis almost exactly equidistant between the Shanzie and Philpie stones.
According to Jervise (1857) a number of stone coffins were dug up around 1840 some 20 metres north-east of the stone.

In the Perthshire village of Dunning, where the Dupplin Cross is housed in the local kirk, this stone stands just down the lane from the church a short distance into a field. There was a very limited area round about it, and several signs of damage in the form of scrapes and traces of orange paint show that the farmer here does not care for this megalith the way we would hope for. No distinguishable features apart from the damage.

This spectacularly dull stone is included only out of completeness. It stands outside the parish kirk of the little fishing town of Crail, which in itself is worth a visit, but I wouldn’t do it just for this stone. Don’t miss visiting Crail just because of the negative review of this particular lump of rock, however. It’s worth a look, and the fish is always fresh.

This large stone stands within the grounds of the Swallow Hotel (formerly the Graystane Hotel) just off the main Dundee-Perth dual carriageway, the A85. A small road to Denhead of Gray leads off the roundabout, and there is ample car parking at the hotel. Ask for permission to view the stone, which is readily granted. It lies behind the Conference Centre to the right of the main hotel. Adjacent to a section of railing, there are no cup marks or similar, though there is evidence of carved initials on the north facing – probably 200-300 years old.

These stones stand beside a farm building, acting like gateposts for a field entrance. No significant markings on either of them. The farm road to Dunmay branches east from the A93 a couple of miles south of Spittal of Glenshee, crossing a small bridge. Cars with dodgy suspensions should avoid this road like the plague, as it’s suitable for tractors or 4X4’s only! The road bends to the right about 200m in, and park here at the wide space to ensure farm vehicles are not impeded. The stones are up on a low mound, above what appears to have been an old kiln. The farmer has no problem with people viewing them.