Gavin Douglas

Gavin Douglas

Witchy Neuk

I approached Witchy Neuk by road from Rothbury (on mountain bike) Take the unclassified Rd which goes up past the cemetary and golf course. Turn right at the junction opposite Whitton Tower. (Carterside Road) Follow the signs for Newtown and Tosson, continue for about 4 miles through, Newtown, Rye Hill, Little Tosson and Bickerton. When you reach Hepple Whitefield continue a little further, to the edge of the plantaion on your left, and you come to a public footpath, also on the left. From here a short walk takes you around the north facing crags and on to the summit of the hill fort.

Its well worth exploring these crags as they are very wild and beautiful, with ancient Rowan’s and Scotts Pine growing from the rocks.

The ramparts are over 2mtrs high in places and the dry stone walls supporting them can be seen.

It’s also worth having a look at a cairn that is situated outside the hill fort to the SW. It appears to have been excavated, perhaps by Thomas Wake, who discoverd evidence of Roundhouses (Hut Circles) here in 1936

Several other hill forts can be seen from here: Tosson Burgh, to the NE also Harehaugh and the lesser known enclosure called Soldier’s Fold to NW

Well worth a visit!

Image of Witchy Neuk (Hillfort) by Gavin Douglas

Witchy Neuk

Hillfort

The view, from inside the hill fort, looking down the Coquet which meanders like a snake through the valley. The River Coquet is notorious for changing its course and may have appeared differently to the Iron Age inhabitants.

Image credit: Gavin Douglas
Image of Witchy Neuk (Hillfort) by Gavin Douglas

Witchy Neuk

Hillfort

A view of the crags which flank the north side of the hill fort. The Ancient Rowan’s, growing from the rock, invoke a feeling of wildness- perhaps remnants of the the old Wildwood, which once filled the valley.
The steep crags provide a natural defence, and the rampart on this side is a shallow ditch and wall.

Image credit: Gavin Douglas

CD to support the courageous people of the front line at the Hill of Tara,

“...to support the courageous people of the front line at the Hill of Tara, who – regardless of risks for their lives, health or civil rights – have been blocking the bulldozers for months now, which are digging up ancient ground, the ground of an official World Heritage Site, the ground that holds the first High Kings of Ireland...”

More info here:

myspace.com/taravigilcampcd

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“Orthostat, The Mound of Hostages”

Sean Moriarty’s research paper which shows the complexity and signifacance of the Hill of Tara and the orthostat at the Mound of Hostages can be read and downloaded here:

knowth.com/tara-orthostat.htm

The film by Maireid Sullivan (which is on this profile) which is based on Sean Moriarty’s reasearch paper “Orthostat, The Mound of the Hostages”

Tara: Voices from Our Past ~ a recent discovery
a short film by Mairéid Sullivan

“Over the past five years, there has been considerable controversy regarding construction of the M3 Motorway in County Meath, especially in light of the discoveries at Roestown, Lismullin and Soldier Hill. While those finds are extremely significant, they pale in comparison to a more recent discovery at Tara.

A short film by the award winning documentary filmmaker and musician Maireid Sullivan, which is based on the research paper “Orthostat, The Mound of the Hostages” shows that the complexity and importance of The Hill of Tara goes well beyond what we’ve known about the site for the past few millennia.

The Tara complex is a major part of the cultural heritage of the Irish people, yet it’s being destroyed by those in the government who have been entrusted with protecting it. In stark contrast, governments of third world countries are going to great lengths to excavate, restore, preserve and protect their monuments, and prosecute those who injure or deface them.”

Image of Corby’s Crags Rock Shelter by Gavin Douglas

Corby’s Crags Rock Shelter

Cave / Rock Shelter

Close up of the inside of the rock shelter.
Note the carved “arm chair”-a later addition.
Stan Beckensal, who excavated the floor of the shelter in 1975, found a mixture of artifacts dating from about 8,000 years ago (Mesolithic flint flakes) and a cremation urn from 4,000 years ago, which was covered by a triangular, cup marked stone. A similar motif can be seen on the top of the shelter. (Stan Beckensall--“The Power of Place” 2001 Tempus Publishing Ltd)

Image credit: Gwalchmai