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Dinas Powis (Hillfort) — Images (click to view fullsize)

<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Dinas Powis</b>Posted by thesweetcheat thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
18th March 2024ce

Danesborough Camp (Enclosure) — News

Buckinghamshire ancient hill fort 'under attack' by cyclists


Cyclists are damaging an ancient hill fort, a councillor has claimed.

More info :

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68576664
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
18th March 2024ce

Dinas Powis (Hillfort) — Miscellaneous

Coflein description:
This is a small promontory fort crowning the highest northern spur of an isolated hill. It rests above steep slopes except on the south, where it faces the relatively level hilltop. The site was extensively excavated in 1954-9 when much early medieval material was recovered. The excavator considered this to be an early medieval fort occupying the site of an open Iron Age settlement, all overlain by a massively enclosed earthwork castle. The many caveats attending this interpretation make it problematic.
The fort is a roughly oval 0.08ha enclosure mostly defined by a broad ditched rampart with a palisade on the north. The entrance was at the north-west extremity and would have been approached along the rocky spine of the steep slopes below. There are three additional lines of ramparts on the south, one of which may have continued around the west side. The inner rampart was revetted in stone and appears to have had a timber-framed breastwork. The second rampart, also ditched, is relatively insubstantial. The two outer ramparts are again massive and appear to have been conceived as a pair, the inner again stone revetted. Traces of two rectangular buildings up to 7.5m wide were recorded in the interior.
The finds were mostly early medieval, but also included Roman material and fragments of a twelfth century pot. The ramparts overlay deposits containing Iron Age pottery. The fort does not resemble a medieval castle, but rather a later Prehistoric style hillfort and may have been established as late as the Roman period. It was clearly occupied into the early medieval period and the internal buildings could relate to this or else to an ambiguous phase signalled by the twelfth century pottery.
A bank and ditch (Bank V) running south from the fort is an old field boundary shown on the 1st edition OS County series (Glamorgan. XLVII.5 1880) and may have been connected with the enigmatic 'causeway'.
There is a second defended enclosure 130m away on the southern edge of the hilltop (NPRN 307785).

Sources: Alcock 'Dinas Powys' (1963), University of Wales Press
RCAHMW Glamorgan Inventory III.1a The Earlier Castles (1991), 95-100

John Wiles 14.02.08


Southern earthwork:
This is a rectilinear earthwork enclosure set on the southern edge of a hilltop. The site was trenched in 1958.
The earthworks consist of the north-west and north-east sides of a sharp angled enclosure at least 60m north-east to south-west by 50m, resteing elsewhere above natural slopes. It was enclosed by a stone revetted bank fronted by a ditch with a second rampart and ditch on the north-west side, with an entrance at its north-east end.
This appears to be a later Prehistoric style settlement enclosure, an interpretation confirmed by the presence of Iron Age pottery in the rampart material. A more powerfully enclosed hillfort occupies the tip of the hilltop 130m to the north (NPRN 301314).

Sources: Alcock 'Dinas Powys' (1963), 5-6, 19-22
RCAHMW Glamorgan Inventory III.1a The Earlier Castles (1991), 98

John Wiles 14.02.08
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
17th March 2024ce

Lundin Links (Standing Stones) — Folklore

At a little distance westward from Largo, in the middle of a park on the north side of the road, is the celebrated curiosity called 'The Standing Stanes O' Lundie.' Three tall straight sharp stones, resembling whales jaws more than any thing else, rear themselves at the distance of a few yards from each other, and, though several yards high, are supposed to pierce the ground to same depth. According to the common people, they are monuments to the memory of three Danish generals slain here in battle; but it is more probable they are of Roman origin, it being the site of a Roman town.


Robert Chambers, 1827
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
15th March 2024ce

Murthly Castle (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Folklore

Near Murthly, north of Perth, there is a standing stone of which the tradition is that a man brave enough to move it would find a chest with a black dog sitting on it, guarding it. it is said that the schoolmaster's sons once shifted the stone with gunpowder but were terrified by the dog so put the stone back again. Katherine Briggs gives this

'on the authority of the Rev. Routledge Bell, who had it from one of his parishioners.'

The stone to which the tradition refers is probably Murthly Castle Standing Stone, Little Dunkeld. It is unusual to find a dog among supernatural treasure-guardians which are far more often birds, including eagles, and black cocks or hens, although the fairytale The Tinderbox features three guardian dogs, each progressively larger until the third has

'eyes as big as mill-wheels'

The colour black is generally the sign of a diabolic presence, but in England phantom Black Dogs could sometimes perform a protective function to travellers on lonely roads.

The Lore Of Scotland - A Guide To Scottish Legends

Westwood & Kingshill
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
15th March 2024ce

Macduff's Cross (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Folklore

Near Newburgh once stood Macduff's Cross, a 'rude upright stone'. The common legend, recorded by Robert Chambers in 1827, was that Malcolm Canmore endowed Macduff, Thane Of Fife, with three privileges, in recognition of his help in deposing Macbeth. First, he and his heirs should have the honour of placing the crown on the king's head at any coronation; secondly, whenever the royal standard was displayed in battle they should lead the vanguard of the army;

'and, lastly, that any person related to him within the ninth degree of kindred, having committed homicide without premeditation, should, upon flying to this obelisk and paying a certain fine, obtain remission of his crime'.

The cross was said to retain its sacred character almost until the Reformation, when it was demolished as a relic of popery; anyone who is interested, says Chambers,

'may still see the block of stone in which it was fixed, together with many tumuli, or mounds, said to contain the bodies of such refugees as, having failed to prove their consanguinity to Macduff, were sacrificed on the spot by their enraged pursuers'.

The block or pedestal can still be seen, in the field between the roads leading to Easter Lumbennie and Auchternuchty.

The privilege was invoked successfully at least once, if we believe the horror story of John Melville's death at Glenbervie, Aberdeenshire, when the laird of Arbuthnott claimed immunity on this account.

Robert Chambers
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
15th March 2024ce

Burrow Head (Promontory Fort) — Folklore

The sun was setting on a fine summer's evening and the peasantry were returning from labour, when, on the side of a green hill, appeared a procession of thousands of apparently little boys, habited in mantles of green, freckled with light. One, taller than the rest, ran before them, and seemed to enter the hill, and again appeared at its summit. This was repeated three times, and all vanished. The peasantry, who beheld it, called, 'The Fareweel o' the Fairies to the Burrow Hill'.

Remains Of Nithsdale and Galloway Song (1810) by R. H. Cromek
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
14th March 2024ce

Over Durdie (Hillfort) — Links

Canmore


Superb aerial photography.
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
14th March 2024ce

Over Durdie (Hillfort) — Fieldnotes

Not much remains of the fort at Over Durdie but what a place it must have been if aerial photography is anything to go by.

After the misfortunes of hunting for cairns in the lower regions of Pole Hill, I headed over to Over Durdie where I was given permission to park by the owners.

From the farm I headed east, downhill then uphill via jumping a couple of fences. Not much of the ramparts remain, a broken circular rampart barely exists (bits have been ploughed out), a small patch of erosion shows some stonework, on the south the remains of a wall can be seen. The forts interior is featureless, however there are a load of sites on the other side of the River Tay that can be seen.

After the battering of gorse, furze, anything that has jabby stuff it was good to get some proper walking done.

Worth a look.

Visited 05/01/2024.
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
14th March 2024ce

Law Hill (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Fieldnotes

NO1722126230

The best preserved of the hut circles. Follow the route to Law Hill Hillfort and this will be the first hut circle seen. Walls are at least 2m wide and stand at an average height of 0.4m, many stones still sit in place, with the entrance in the north west.

NO1708326185

On the slopes leading to the fort, sadly has field clearance or the remains of other hut circles dumped inside. It still stands at 11m wide with walls at almost 4m wide, 0.5m tall. The probable entrance is on the east.

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The furthest north of the hut circles that I visited before darkness descended. It is almost 13m wide and has a well defined wall. What I thought might be an entrance on the west is probably recent damage.

There are a few more hut circles in the area, however by the time I reached the car it was getting dark. A good time to be heading home.

Visited 29/12/2023.
drewbhoy Posted by drewbhoy
14th March 2024ce

Moel Faban Settlement (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) — Links

Moel Faban Settlement


So much going on here, to be fair.
GLADMAN Posted by GLADMAN
13th March 2024ce

King's Wood (Round Barrow(s)) — Links

King's Wood 'Mound'...


A quick look at the 'Mound' at TR034502 in passing...
GLADMAN Posted by GLADMAN
13th March 2024ce

Mynydd Machen (Round Cairn) — Images

<b>Mynydd Machen</b>Posted by thesweetcheat thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
3rd March 2024ce

Mynydd y Lan (Round Cairn) — Images

<b>Mynydd y Lan</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Mynydd y Lan</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Mynydd y Lan</b>Posted by thesweetcheat<b>Mynydd y Lan</b>Posted by thesweetcheat thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
3rd March 2024ce

Mynydd y Lan (Round Cairn) — Fieldnotes

Visited 4 March 2023.

A gloomy Sunday, but no rain. I walk up the steep and narrow lane from Wattsville, passing a weird shrine/well complete with life-sized saint (I think, I don't go close enough to inspect it). Views open up as height is gained, and before long I'm looking across the Sirhowy valley towards the long ridge I walked a year earlier, taking in lots of Bronze Age sites between Wyllie and Mynydd Machen.

Today's walk is easy enough, at least as far as the uphill bit goes. I arrive at a crumbling track heading east towards the masts that mark the open access plateau of Mynydd y Lan. There are a couple of dog walkers and some mountain bikers around, more people than I expected to see here.

Rather like last weekend's Foel Fynyddau visit, the area around the masts seems a bit folorn. Unlike Foel Fynyddau though, the round barrow here is much more elusive. I head off the path into the rough ground north of the masts and wander round for ages, poking around in patches of reedy grass but not finding anything. Eventually I head back towards the masts and finally, here it is! It's no great surprise that it's been so hard to find. The circular mound is very low, barely a mound at all, more like a small ring cairn it's so depleted and reduced. It is recognisably a round barrow, with a deep pit dug into the centre, now sprouting thick, reedy grasses.

Not the most impressive of monuments, even the OS surveyors missed it. Still, it's on a prominent hill with decent views, even on this grey day. After some rather unsatisfactory photos of the barrow and a snack stop, I take a narrow, boggy trail south-southeast to the hill's flattish summit, then head down to the crest of the escarpment. There are great views across to Mynydd Machen from here, the much larger barrow on that hill clearly visible.

It's now a very steep drop off the hilltop to the southeast. I obviously haven't learned my lesson from last week, but this is mercifully easier than the awful descent of Foel Fynyddau, at least until I reach the 'cleared' forestry near the foot of the hill, where the going gets tougher. I'm glad to reach a firmer track, from which it's easy to regain the road. A short day, but it's still good to be in the hills.
thesweetcheat Posted by thesweetcheat
3rd March 2024ce

Treverven (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Images

<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond<b>Treverven</b>Posted by Chris Bond Chris Bond Posted by Chris Bond
3rd March 2024ce

Cader Berwyn cairn II (Cairn(s)) — Links

Drone footage of the wondrous Berwyns


I don't own a drone - probably a good thing, since no doubt I'd crash it first attempt. So best leave it to others, such as Scott Davies...
GLADMAN Posted by GLADMAN
2nd March 2024ce

Callanish (Standing Stones) — Links

Drone footage by Scott Davies


Found this while surfing online - as you do. Talented man with very little recognition. Always the way, right?
GLADMAN Posted by GLADMAN
2nd March 2024ce

Cairnholy (Chambered Cairn) — Images

<b>Cairnholy</b>Posted by Dark Galloway<b>Cairnholy</b>Posted by Dark Galloway<b>Cairnholy</b>Posted by Dark Galloway<b>Cairnholy</b>Posted by Dark Galloway<b>Cairnholy</b>Posted by Dark Galloway Posted by Dark Galloway
1st March 2024ce

Turners Hill (Round Barrow(s)) — Links

Turners Hill Triple Bell Barrow


Pretty rare, apparently...
GLADMAN Posted by GLADMAN
27th February 2024ce

Friar's Kirk NW (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes

Directions to Friar's Kirk NW Cairn: Follow the directions to Drumanwherran S Cairn Cemetery. Take a 4x4 track N from the modern shepherd's cairn until you reach NX 11116 72105, where a vague track heads WNW . Head W downhill for c. 175 yards to reach Drumanwherran N Cairn. An extended pathless route NNW leads to Friar's Kirk Cairns. Wellies and GPS navigation are strongly recommended. My route can be seen on Friar's Kirk Cairns via Drumanwherran N Cairn. Posted by markj99
27th February 2024ce

Friar's Kirk SE (Cairn(s)) — Fieldnotes

Directions to Friar's Kirk SE Cairn: Follow the directions to Drumanwherran S Cairn Cemetery. Take a 4x4 track N from the modern shepherd's cairn until you reach NX 11116 72105, where a vague track heads WNW . Head W downhill for c. 175 yards to reach Drumanwherran N Cairn. An extended pathless route NNW leads to Friar's Kirk Cairns. Wellies and GPS navigation are strongly recommended. My route can be seen on Friar's Kirk Cairns via Drumanwherran N Cairn. Posted by markj99
27th February 2024ce
Showing 1-50 of 155,406 posts. Most recent first | Next 50