The Captain

Visited this site yesterday (19/12/04). Though small the location of this five stone circle is incredible. We got there at around 9am as the Sun was rising in a clear blue sky behind Simon’s Seat. Weather was cold, frost on the ground and snow on the hill tops.

The circle appears to be based around one natural boulder. At the particular time of day the shadow cast by this stone bisected the circle and pointed in the direction of the snow covered Whernhside away in the distance.

As other people have correctly stated the hillside is strewn with large stones. There does appear to be some evidence for an outer circle. One large flat 7 foot high stone with a flat base now lays on the ground directly in line with the largest stone in the circle. Other largish stones are also found if you pace the same circumfrence, the weathered striations down the sides suggested that they once stood upright.

Further down the hill, on the way back to the Grimdale Reservoir entrance we found a solitary standing stone, lined up with a boulder.

A great site, well worth a visit.

A recent visit to this Stone caused some confusion possibly as a result of mis-reading OS references. Getting off the Harrogate bus at the Walton Head Lane stop allows you to walk the route of Walton Head Lane to Kirkby Overblow. I’m pretty sure the OS ref on this original post locates a wide and low stone that is sitting in a small paddock behind a bungalow. This was the only stone I could see at the OS ref quoted. Is this stone of any relevance. I didn’t enter the field but it was only a few yards from the road and it was easy to see that the symetrical rocks of Almscliffe crag were in direct view of the stone. However, I am new to all this and maybe mistaken about it’s relevance.

Further on up the Lane I eventually found the Stone that Paulus mentions which has the incription on it. I wasn’t sure whether it wasn’t just a boundary stone but again it does line up with Almscliffe Crag on the NW horizon. Its located with a 360 degree view of Wharfedale, Harewood, and Vale of York. Very beautiful spot to stop and contemplate.

Incidentally the Lane climbs up what appears to be called Spofforth Haggs, interesting name when you consider Julian’s discussion of the goddess landscape. Haggs Road runs nearby and here is a Cup and Ring marked stone on there somewhere too. Just to add some more mystery the Grey stone at Harewood also looks out to Almscliffe Crag. All this concentration of Hares and Haggs made me look at things in a different way.