7-5-03
I had a worky visit nearby when my accomplice suggested taking a slight detour on the return journey to some stones he knew of at a Ladies Golf Course… I was sceptical because he isn’t a believer (!) and I thought yeah, golf course, stones, hmmm… but then I saw them, wow! Well impressed with these, they are enormously tall. Made up for the gigantic weight of guilt for taking a 20-minute skive to see them!!
It was a gorgeous day for it, had to push past a couple of Old Dears on the first tee (“you off to see the stones, then?”) – the stones are on the second tee. On the way back we visited the little golf hut and the bloke gave us a printed handout, details posted separately. Not surprisingly, the handout says the stones are called “Lundin Ladies Standing Stones”.
Originally they would have been able to see down towards the Forth below. One stone appears to have cups, but it is probably just weathering.
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I was a lovely clear day brought about by extremely strong winds, which came apparent when I walked up the golf course to the site! The clouds were racing so a dull spell soon turned into a spotlight for the rockart on the top of the hill.
Very clear views in all directions: from various parts of the Moor you can see: north to Broomridge and Goatscrag close to Routin Linn; the hillforts of Humbleton and Yeavering; the Cheviot itself; Weetwood Moor ; Kettley Crags and Chatton; and over to the sea. Fantastic.
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Most of the marks here are cup-marks.
The major slab of flat rock to the west end of this site feels like it should have markings, but the sandsone is quite soft and it is very exposed : I couldn't see any definate marks apar from ones which looked natural and are 2 feet across.
The site is pinpointed from afar by a pair of windswept trees... I can see these trees from my back door :-)
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Just east of the triangulation pillar, it's hard to make out the enclosure while you are in situ.
The rock art is found at the centre of a small cairn. The markings are really faint, didn't come out on my first picture so had to resort to marking the main points with water.
Extremely windy up there but it provided a clear view to the sea one way and the Cheviots on the other. Lovely open skies.
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It's hard work this one - struggled through knee-deep heather to get here, felt like I'd waded through a mile of thick treacle.
Hard to find too: and I was a bit disappoined to find that the beautifully clear stone I'd seen pictured in a book had turned into a monster of a lichen colony!!
One for the determined.
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The outcrop of Buttony is now covered by trees, inhabited by deer (I heard one but couldn't see it).
To find it from the southerly part of Gled Law look to the east, you can see a Pill Box on a hill. The Wooded area behind it contains the Rock Art. My OS map shows it as open countryside but the trees are quite mature.
To the southern edge of the wood is a gate, the rock art is up towards the north-west of the area.
The largest slab is open to the sky so is "spotlit" on a bright day; the two intertwined carvings are towards the top end of the outcrop.
Well worth stooping through the trees :-)
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23-4-03. I had just been up to Kettley crag and decided to investigate the Kettley Stone marked on the OS map; this rock is the only feature in the immediate vecinity so I presume this is it.
It's in a very sheltered little valley, with a fort, settlements and rockart nearby. Only the rabbits here now.
Does anyone know anything about it please ?
Can't find it in my book.
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Visited 21-3-02 - Just found these pictures, some of the first I took with my digital camera, and before I changed my name to Pebblethief...
Wonderful to visit this site - one of my first.
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I love this sheltered snug. Visited at 9am on this sunny spring morning. Can't escape the perpetual motorway noise, but no-one else was around except for a skiving postie in the car park.
Some evidence of swings on the trees, small bonfires and seats made of stones. Anyone remember Murun Buchstansinger?
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Just had time to pop here on my way back from the Megs. Also failed to find any rockart... I think Stan makes it up sometimes :-)
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This stone is on private land - you can just about see the top of it from the nearest public path. I had come all this way... wasn't gonna give up...not a soul to ask... it called my name...honest guv
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If you park near Swinburne Castle the first bank is directly in front of you: walk down the public path the rest are easy to find.
Not easy to tell if these banks were built or natural, and the terraces carved in.
Didn't see a soul here, the only noises were dogs, presumably kennelled near the manor house - quite eerie.
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Back again today, finally found the horse-shoe rock, and it was SO obvious now I know where to look! Just follow the line of wall west, from the main rock.
Found a secret mission taking place which I would tell you all about, but would then have to kill you ;-)
UPDATE
The research has now been published, see link below for details.
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23-3-03. Walked up using the recommended route in the Tourist Info leaflet :-) Passed some wild mountain goats & kids (aw!!) and plenty of grouse, none of them famous. Got to the top and met 20 ramblers from Newcastle, which was nice.
After they'd gone, had the place to myself, tried to imagine a community up here. Felt a bit freaked out so instead tried to make out the outlines of the huts which had been here. The ground is so uneven with heather and tuffets of grass they are hard to see now. But it's easy to see why they chose this place to live.
The local geology is evident: pink granite against black peat soil. No point trying to carve Rock Art here; better going to Doddington / Weetwood / Old Bewick / Routin Linn...all within walking distance of here and made of much softer sandstone...
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Kit required for this site includes:
Stilts, waders, a hardhat and good sense of balance!
No really, this is a very awkward place to get to! Not recommended in wet weather.
Come off the main road where it says "Morwick Hall Only"
Park in the little village on the corner of the farm track to the rear entrance of the hall (not the passing place)
Walk down north towards the river. When the road starts to go steeper downhill, there is a bank following along the right side with a wooden fence atop. When this fence turns away east, climb onto the bank and in the fence you'll find a place where you can climb over into the field.
Cross the edge of the field keeping the fence to your left: the rock outcrop is behind it, above the river. Go east right to the corner of the field and carefully climb down the very steep bank to the river bed.
Cling to the river bank like your dryness depends on it: the river looks quite deep here but thankfully I didn't find out.
The carvings are approx knee-height, and some way above your head right on the edge of the face.
Hope this helps future scramblers.
Oh and if you see a small white piece of tooth thereabouts, it's mine.
Banana chips. Ow!
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If you're about 20 feet tall you can see my house from here :-)
Lovely warm day, spring has sprung, the larks are singing...the ants nest was too near... eugh!
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Found myself in Aberdeen today, quick visit to the stones for lunch.
On a beautiful clear day, lots of other people had the same idea, some walking, some jogging. None driving... except me. One woman said she had a fourwheel drive and she wouldn't have brought it up this track...
NOTE for future drivers DO NOT DRIVE UP!!!!
I did - and felt like my tyres had been well and truly bagged.
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I had an hour before it got dark, and I thought I know I'll go to Duddo!
Parked south of the stones, from where you can't actually see them but I'd sneaked a peak from up the road.
It's a quick brisk walk up but the field immediately around the stones had just been churned so the going was a bit rough; but the soil was a nice reddy brown.
The other day I was in the local tourist info place and they had an interesting poster of Duddo with the fattest moon pasted above it. Didn't buy it.
I kept the stones company for a bit, waiting for the sun to go down.
And whadayaknow, the moon was just coming up.
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Chatton Hill has become a DEFRA conservation area, so if you park at the black shed there is a new small information board and directions.
I recommend sticking to the path where possible – the surrounding area has been quarried and the going is a bit extreme on the ankles, and there’s a few deep holes so don’t walk and look at the map at the same time :-)
The first panel is on your left as you go up, with the “TV” panel not far away. Another large outcrop is situated right inside the “settlement” earthworks, and more to the east (which I missed this time, gives me an excuse to go back!)
Keep going over the hill & down to the right to find Kettley Crag, you won’t regret it.
Back at the car I spoke to some visitors checking out the new board – probably due to a mention in the local rag.
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Walked down from Chatton Hill, and after the inevitable scrabble to find it (It’s about 2/3rds the way down the slope towards the east) this was a breathtaking find. I think this may be my favourite (until the next one!). It’s the most gorgeous fleshy design and with the overhang to protect it, hopefully won’t get too much weathering. It’s as if every inch of the slab has been carved.
I thought I’d sit until the light was right across the whole panel but after a little while, as it faces roughly north, decided I’d be waiting a long time! I suppose it might happen in the summer. Take care as you try to get that perfect shot – one step back too many and you’ll be down the cliff.
Also beware of fupping great holes – I thought they were the largest rabbit holes I’d ever seen but apparently it’s badgers! Check out the picture showing human and badger paw prints… who’s was the zigzag sole there before me? Step forward RockArtUK :-)
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Previously known as Pebblethief...
Based currently in north Northumberland but soon to be returned to Cumbria.
Area covered by travels includes Scotland and north of England.
Often to be seen wandering aimlessly staring at the ground dragging a large rucksack (contents usually assorted cameras, GPS, batteries, bananas, plastic bags, pebbles).
Favoured habitats are places with plenty of sky and powerful scenery.
http://www.pebblesfromheaven.blogspot.com
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