Martin
The country around Cairnpapple isn’t only a UFO hot-spot, there has also been sightings of a strange being called ‘The Silver Runner’. Here’s the story taken from ‘Haunted Scotland’ by Norman Adams (1998, 5);
‘Cairnpapple is steeped in ancient mystery and magic. Its bleak, rounded summit, three miles north of the Lothian town of Bathgate, was sacred to early man, and on clear day you can see why. The view from the hilltop is spectacular, extending from Goatfell on Arran in the west to the Firth of Forth in the east. On the summit Stone Age people erected a ring of upright stones, later used by Bronze and Iron Age man to construct tombs for the cremated bodies and funeral pottery. No wonder it has been described as one of Scotlands most important prehistoric sites. But the Bathgate Hills conceal a baffling modern mystery- ‘The Strange Case of the Silver Man’. This being, entity or elemental, call it what you will, was encountered in the summer of 1988 on a forest road to the south-east of Cairnpapple by a family out for a let-night drive. At the wheel of the Fiesta was David Colman, father of three, and at the time a 33 year-old mature student. His front seat passenger was his wife Kathleen, while their two sons and a daughter, aged between six and 14, were in the back. The strange encounter took place on a starry night on a road running parallel to Ravencraig Wood, popularly known as the Knock Forest, less than a mile from their home in Bathgate. The jaunt was unplanned, the youngsters having persuaded their father to take them for a ride in the new car. As he headed for a small but steep incline topped with a dangerous right-hand bend, Davids attention was instantly drawn to his right side. In a split second he saw a glowing figure, in classical running posture, moving extremely fast, possibly between 50 and 70 miles an hour! The figure was bulky and well over six feet tall. ‘As it ran in the opposite direction from the car it had its head turned back towards us and appeared to be scowling’ David told me. Silence gripped the occupants of the car. Then Kathleen asked her husband: ‘You did see that, didn’t you?’ David replied: ‘See what?’ The children shouted in unison: ‘You saw the silver man, daddy!’ Although the youngsters had unwittingly christened the bizarre creature, David said: ‘The figure was white, not silver, but I suppose it appeared that way to the children. When I questioned them more closely they said the figure was crouched at the side of the road. As we approached, it took off through the forest.’ Kathleen supported Davids account. ‘There was complete silence until I asked David if he had seen the figure,’ she said. ‘The expression on his face told it all.’ Kathleen, who saw the figure disappear into the forest, went on: ‘It was a human shape, and I thought it was a male. I had a feeling it was not happy. It was not silver, more like a negative image. I remember the children were very excited.‘
So- when visiting Cairnpapple in the evening, be sure not only to keep an eye on the skies above, but also watch out for beings on the roads.
21/11/01-a reversed colour and edge enhanced image to try and show a bit more detail. Not that much more, but methinks it looks cool ;)
A huge wealth of archeological info covering Scottish sites with map refs etc.
From the RCAHMS (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland) web database;
On the cup marks, ‘On exposed rock on the summit of Dalmahoy Hill by the triangulation point (at NT13536692) are at least 5 cups; outcrops on the W side have natural ovaloid pit marks.‘
On the hill fort, ‘The remains of this fort occupy the twin eminence to that upon which the Kaimes Hill Fort stands. They represent two structural periods, the earlier of which is very difficult to interpret. Briefly, the craggy and uneven hill was enclosed by a system of stone walls which defended and area measuring 1200ft in length by a maximum of about 400 ft in width, bordered on the NW by the precipitous face of the hill. The second phase structure is an oval enclosure on the very summit of the hill, which measures 140ft by 85ft. This enclosure must occupy the same ground as did the central feature of the fort.
While there is no reason to suppose that the earlier works are not of pre-Roman Iron Age date, the period at which the later enclosure was built has not yet been established. There is reason to believe that it may be of post-Roman date as it belongs to a class of monuments which are almost always found to overlie pre-Roman forts and which have, in some cases, produced relics of early medieval (Dark Age) date.
A gold stud cap 1/5 inch in diameter was picked up in the Dalmahoy secondary enclosure, as were several fragments of moulds, all of which can be assigned to that late period. Only the excavation could answer the problem satisfactorily.
In the area centred NT13436673 are the remains of a hut circle, with an internal diameter of 19ft. There is an inner facing of stones set on edge. The entrance has been from the east.‘
From the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) web database;
On the cup and ring markings, ‘Situated 120m E of the hilltop, 3m S of the N edge of the ridge, but now all removed in road-making, were the tops of many basalt columns. On some of these interspersed by turf and sloping where carved 0-10 degrees were carved at least 16 cup and rings, 3 with two rings, the rest probably with one, all rings probably un-gapped, and some with a groove leading outwards from the cup or ring. Two small blocks were cut off before the site was destroyed and moved to the Scottish Development Department in Edinburgh and two more in the masons store in the Linlithgow Palace. One of the former bears 2 cups and two rings which are tangential, and one of the latter has a cup only. Greatest diameter is 25cm (6in) and carvings depths up to 3cm (1 in). Casts of parts are in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS Accession nos 50-56).‘
On the cairn, ‘(NT1313665) Excavation work was carried out on the summit of Kaimes Hill in advance of quarrying. A portion of low round cairn with massive revetment was examined. No small finds were made and the central area had been disturbed by a war time field work.‘
On the fort,’The fort on Kaimes Hill is being destroyed by quarrying which will ultimately remove the whole of the hill. It was first planned by Coles (1896) and later by the RCAHMS before quarrying started. The first excavations were carried out by Childe (1941) in 1940, and further excavations have taken place from 1964-72. In 1967, only the ramparts on the S and W sides of the hill were still preserved. Here, ground surveys and aerial photographs have revealed lines of ramparts, numbered 1-7 from those on the summit to the outermost.
The excavations revealed three main structural phases, starting with a univallate, timber-laced fort represented by rampart 1. The outer face of this rampart survived to a height of 5ft, but the inner face was marked only by a number of massive slabs, not set contiguously; the thickness was approximately 12ft; the core of the rampart was composed of a number of stones, some vitrified, and occupation debris including slag and animal bones. Traces of carbonised timbers were also noted at its base.
In phase 2, rampart 1 was replaced by a rubble-cored, stone faced rampart (no. 2) which in some areas overlay rampart 1 and in other areas lay immediately in front of it; the entrance through rampart 1 was remodelled. Ramparts 3 and 4, which survive in a fragmentary state, are similar in plan and are probably contemporary. A radio-carbon date of 365±90 BC was obtained from some twigs from the core of rampart 2. The final phase consist of the rubble and turf rampart 7 as its major structures and the gaps in the E end of ramparts 1-4 which continue the line of the entrances through 5-7 may also have been constructed at this time. The main object of these additional ramparts appears to have been to enclose the platform on the NE side of the hill on which at least 15 hut circles are visible, marked by stone footings and turf-covered banks.
South of rampart 7 and east of the entrance a series of stone slabs- chevaux de fries- projects from the turf and can be traced down the slope fro some 100ft. Among the huts excavated, one overlay rampart 1; an anomalous radio-carbon date of 1191±90 BC was obtained from a piece of carbonised wood found in its wall filling.
Many artefacts, now in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (NMAS) have come from this site, either as stray finds or from the excavations. Among them are; microliths, cup and ring marked stones, various jet, flint and stone artefacts, Iron Age pottery, Roman pottery (of 3rd Century AD date) and a denarius of Severus.‘
NB- whole site quarried away by 1986.
21/11/01- through the trees to Edinburgh and Arthurs Seat- d’ya see how I thought it could be a ‘viewfinder’??!!
21/11/01-the main cup and rings rock-gorgeous ain’t it ;)
The HS site that has phone number etc for opening times
Cairnpapple
Wednesday 21/11/01
The Mother Henge. She watches over all- and what a view. I climb down inside the chamber and sit down, whilst outside, the wind howls and the sun sets. I plug in and listen to ‘Odin’ and for the first time all day I feel warm throughout sitting on the edge of the north grave. I emerge back into the wind and a beautiful sky with a half moon hanging over the Pentland Hills to the south. I walk round and round the grass covered dome looking at the sunset, the moon, the Pentlands, Edinburgh, Fife- it’s all just a bit overwhelming. I liked the piece in the guide book which says that it’s no coincidence that the radio mast is sited here because of the reception area it serves- the same reception area that Carinpapple has been serving for 5500 years. I go back to the small Historic Scotland hut and chat for ages to the manny (whose name I did not catch)- we talk about theories re henges, cup and ring marks, souterrains, landscapes, the Modern Antiquarian, Ancient Lothian. But, alas, it’s 4:30 pm and time to close for the night. The sun has set, the moon is high above me and I leave Cairnpapple totally enchanted.
‘Galabraes in June‘
In a green meadow
not far from a smoky coal-town
stand ancient stones
that do not assume,
but cast their peace
to the earth below in a rain of yellow pansies
and call us to them with their inevitability,
Saying
‘Friend, those who put us here
Knew you would come.‘
Shelia McLean
Galabraes Standing Stones
Wednesday 21/11/01
An evocative pair of stones situated on a ridge in the shadow of Cairnpapple. The westernmost stone is now a stump just over a foot high- destroyed in 1921 apparently. The remaining monolith has the most distinct difference in worked and rough faces I think I’ve ever seen, and one of the sharpest on angles running the length of the stone. The smooth surface of course faces up the hill towards Cairnpapple, whilst the sharp edge points in an easterly direction. At last, after a day of relentless wind and rain, the huge sky is finally clearing, prompting me to go to Cairnpapple to watch the sun set.
Directions
From Edinburgh take the M8 west heading for Glasgow. Come off at junction 3 at Livingston. Head right on the A899 towards Dechmont. A89 towards Bathgate and head off right towards Bangour. Follow this road passing the sign for Cairpapple. Just after the car park for the wildlife reserve is a farm track on the right- go here and ask permission. Back along the road and turn up towards Cairnpapple, the stones are in the field to the left.
Kaimes Hill Cairn, Fort and site of Cup and Ring Marked Rocks
Wednesday 21/11/01
With weather so atrocious, I had to write these notes back in the car. The rain was horizontal up there thanks to the howling gale. I struggled up a very muddy path on the back of Kaimes Hill. The powers that be quarried most of this monument and have now filled it. The huge fencing around what used to be the quarry has been ripped down and now there are ominous pipes and huge valves dotted all over the hill. These valves emit a stench so intense that I was actually gagging and swallowing back vomit on the way back down. Jeez- why are there no warning signs about this? On the old fence is a sign about contractors not being responsible and about parents warning kids about this place! I made it almost up to the site of the cup and ring marked rocks, but was met by a fence and an impenetrable jungle of vegetation. It’s difficult to say how much of the fort remains and I guess most of the cairn has been destroyed. My advice- stay away from this horrible place and just visit the neighbouring Dalmahoy Hill.
Dalmahoy Hill Fort and Cup Marked Rock
Wednesday 21/11/01
(see also Kaimes Hill notes)
I crossed the horrendous place that is now Kaimes Hill to make it here. I headed for the trig point on the summit and the wind almost blew me off my feet. I found the cup marked rock fairly easily, just north of the trig. There are 5 cups, all quite deep. The view was cool, but the weather was just so bad that I didn’t hang about long enough to appreciate it!
Tormain Hill Cup and Ring Marked Rocks
Wednesday 21/11/01
In a howling gale. On the way up here I stopped to check out some of the massive boulders and stones and slowly turned round to have a look at the most amazing view of Edinburgh- I laughed! In a perfect row stood Corstorphine Hill, Berwick Law, Arthurs Seat, Traprain Law and the Braids Hills. What an amazing ancient skyline! What a place- 360 degree views all around the Lothians, Fife and beyond. Away from the industrialisation, the motorways and the airport to this site. The rock markings are dotted on the outcrops of this wooded hill- I’ve never seen rock markings like these- the main cup and ring rock is a complete mind-fuck. Y’know, the first thing that came into my mind when I looked down upon it, then looked up at the skyline was ‘viewfinder’. Is this a landscape interpreter? A magickal symbol encompassing all the surrounding sacred sites? I’ve had to move down off the hill into the slightly more sheltered tress as it’s pissing down now and the flask of coffee is out as I’m so bloody cold! I think about the symbols above me with the wind roaring through the trees towering above me- I’ll have to check out my dates etc. The other main cup marked rock (and I could find 6 in total) has cups joined by channels and grooves- a cross with the grooves running off down the hill. one of the other smaller rocks has been brutalized by the OS many years ago- nice one. I leave this place with shivers running down my back and, no, it’s not because I’m cold.
Directions
From Sighthill in the west of Edinburgh, take the A71 west heading out past Heriot Watt University. At Linburn take a right (Bonnington Road) on the B7030. At Bonnington Mains farm take the road right. Just before Ratho look out for a line of trees on the right with a footpath sign. The rocks are just past a sign that says ‘footpath ends’ near the top of the hill.
Huly Hill (AKA Newbridge) and Lochend Stone (outlier)
Wednesday 21/11/01
The signpost at the entrance to here has all but worn away- if you stand at the correct angle you can still read some of it, but mostly it just says “Dode” in bright red spray paint. The path to the site is littered with pornography, McDonalds shit and an amazing amount of broken glass. This site has everything for the Urban Pagan- aircraft taking off almost overhead, stones aligning with the golden arches of McDonalds, building sites and beautiful industrial estates. And, amidst this all, the monument of Huly Hill. That this monument remains is an amazing testimony to the builders- how it laughs in the face of it all. Long after the McDonalds has crumbled to dust, when, no longer planes fly in the sky above here, Huly Hill will remain. The mound is about 30 m in diameter and three monoliths watch over it. The two westernmost stones have deliberately been aligned so their broadest sides point the antiquarians gaze eastwards- ‘look’, they say, ‘this is where we fit into this ancient landscape’. They point towards Arthurs Seat and Corstorphine Hill, the latter of which (only last week) I found out has cup markings on a rock outcrop which just blew my mind. The smallest monolith appears aligned with Arthurs Seat when viewed from the top of the mound and its streamlined shape points eastwards. Just over the massive motorway intersection is the Lochend Stone, a possible outlier to here, but now can’t be seen as it’s hidden in the ‘Bodycote Materials Testing’ building. And that’s where my travels take me next...
...and this place isn’t much better! Right next to the A8 with a couple of bird tables for company. All round is the ‘Bodycote’ building with its nice big windows so that all the folk inside can look out and think ‘what’s that idiot up to?!’ This is a massive monolith, far far bigger than the three around Huly Hill, but if it’s an outlier I guess size matters! Its broadest face points approximately E/W, moving my gaze again up to Corstorphine Hill.
The Stone Pages entry
BBC news report of chariot found near here..
Cammo Stone
Wednesday 14/11/01
It’s strange isn’t it? You spend years living in the same city and there are hidden gems you just never find unless something like an antiquarian quest leads you! Cammo Park is one of those gems. The road here branches off one of the main dual carriageways of west Edinburgh and immediately you could be in the country on the single track road. On the way here you pass a fantastic tower that wouldn’t look out of place in a faerie tale. I have very vague recollections of being at the tower years ago, but it could have been a dream- this is a very dream like landscape of darkened paths through woods, old walled gardens etc. I didn’t even know this standing stone existed until I bought the new Explorer map. It’s not mentioned in the ‘Standing Stones of the Lothians’ or other books I’ve read. It’s possible that it’s connected to the Newbridge complex and may be associated with the nearby Cat Stane which is now inaccessible as it stands just metres form the main runway at Edinburgh Airport. The small wood that this stone is in is very peaceful, the trees acting to block out most of the traffic noise. It fell warm here too and there’s sunlight filtering through the leaves just now. The stone is a biggy! It’s about 5 foot tall and about 4 foot wide. It’s fairly rounded unlike the Gogar Stone. On the west side is a dirty big rusty iron crook which, according to the guidebook, was probably put there in the 1800’s. Such a peaceful setting it’s easy to think I’m in the middle of nowhere. I went down to look at the small visitor centre and picked up a leaflet for the nearby Corstorphine Hill (which is visible from the Cammo Stone)- and in it there’s pics of cup marked rocks which were only rediscovered recently. One thing leads on to another, the journey continuesÉ
Directions;
Heading west out of Edinburgh towards the airport, take the A902 Maybury Road from either the A90 or A8. Take Craigs Road heading west and then immediately turn right onto Cammo Walk. Pass the Tower until reaching a small car park. The stone is up near the remains of the large estate house. There’s a small visitor centre which sells guidebooks etc.
Gogar Stone (AKA Easter Norton)
Wednesday 14/11/01
Well- here I am standing next to this stone in the middle of a cultivated field which feels a bit odd! I stopped off at Easter Norton farm and spoke to the very cheery and helpful folks there. The woman I spoke to said “aye- the stones just across the field- it’s meant to be in some sort of line with some other places around here”- indeedy- it’s been suggested this is a possible outlier of the Newbridge complex, however, I’m unsure whether this would have been visible from there as this stone lies not on the crest of this field, but down the hill a bit. Anyway- the farmer said it would be fine to walk across the field, but turns out it doesn’t belong to him! Fair enough- I’m here and that’s the main thing. Just to the south of this stone lies the M8, and the main Edinburgh/Glasgow railway, but it’s the Pentland Hills which dominate over all. The stone is quite small, only about 4 foot high. It’s almost square in plan with the sides aligned approximately NE/SW. The south face has a concave curved profile and the top is sloped- a beautiful and purposely shaped stone. My hands are now freezing up- methinks time for gloves, photos and contemplation trying to ignore the nearby farm machinery, motorway, railway and airport!
Directions;
Head west out of Edinburgh along the A8 Glasgow Road. To get a good view of the stone (instead of walking across cultivated fields!) take the second left after the Gyle roundabout towards Ratho (Freelands Road). Pass Gogar Stone house and take the first right. The stone stands in the field to the right about halfway between the junction and the railway bridge.
Hill of Drimmie (AKA Woodside)
October 1992
A bit of a collectors item this one- I had trouble distinguishing this stone circle from the ruined dry stane dyke that runs along the side of the forest, but the stones are just large enough to be separate from the wall. Burl has this place as a possible four poster, but difficult to say now that the wall runs right through the site.
Directions
From Blairgowrie and Rattray take the Drimme hill road at NO179463 north east-ish! Pass the Glenballoch stone circle and continue north, then northwest. The stone circle is in the Forestry Commission forest on the right of the road just about opposite the house on the left of the road before East Drimmie.
Glenballoch
October 1992
This stone circle is a curious one cos on the OS Pathfinder map this site is marked as two standing stones and marked in normal font, not the quaint olde antiquarian way! Burl has this site as well preserved and a four poster, but when I visited I would say it’s not one of the most obvious four posters I’ve been to. Indeed, it looks as if there is a ruined internal cairn and three large blocks of stone, but none of em are very upright. Just to the northeast of the circle there is a great standing stone (at approx NO185483) which is probably an outlier. You can make it out in the background just above the middle stone.
Directions
From Blairgowrie and Rattray take the Drimmie hill road at NO179463 north east-ish! Pass Bonnington farm on the left side of the road and continue til you get to the sawmill just down from Glenballoch cottage. The stone circle is in the field on the right just off the road.
Tuesday 30/10/01-I was going to pay these cup and ring marked rocks a visit after nearby Castleton, but found the farm buildings deserted. I think this site is on the same rock outcrop as Castleton, but a field visit will be needed methinks. I didn’t want to go wandering across fields that had cattle in them as there were still some FMD notices on nearby farms (plus the weather wasn’t great and I didn’t have waterproof trousers!). Next time I’m in the area....
Tuesday 30/10/01-I happened to be in the nearby town of Airth on business when I happened to notice this site (and Darnbogue) on the OS map. Aha- cunning plan to combine work and play and as I finished early, set of in eager anticipation of rock art. However, on getting to the farm I found the place deserted, as were all the other farms in the vicinity! I had a look about and could see the rock outcrops where the magickal markings were, but there were also cattle and as I noticed some FMD signs on the way here thought I had better leave this one for another day... (plus is was pishing down and blowing a gale and freezing cold!)
21/9/01-looking down onto Standingstone farm- Loths stone is in one of those fields too
21/9/01-the view from the top across to Berwick Law and the Bass Rock (you can just about make em out through the mist!)
13/8/96-looking up towards the defensive entrance through the surrounding dwellings
13/8/96-the un-magickal idiot who nearly fell into the magickal well head first ;)