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Burn Moor Complex
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Sites in this group:
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14 posts
Boat Howe Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork |
32 posts
Brat's Hill Stone Circle |
20 posts
Low Longrigg Stone Circle |
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55 posts
White Moss Stone Circle |
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| Once more the weather Gods smile on me; looking at the forecast a few days earlier it was so grim I toyed with the notion of postponing my visit planned a couple of months beforehand. I'm so glad I didn't; to echo previous comments, and allowing for Julian's need to limit the number of sites featured in TMA, I still can't quite understand why this amazing complex didn't make the cut. To employ a term I'm sure he'd approve of, it's a veritable megalithic mindfuck of a place, the moorland scattered with cairns and circles in various states of ruination/preservation. On this wondrously sunny afternoon I can't think of anywhere better to be, Scafell Pike looming majestically over the wide sweep of the landscape within which these monuments sit. With my customary inability to read a map correctly I not only take the wrong (and very steep) left-hand route up the hillside (instead of the gentler path to the right of the gate out of Boot) but also go left instead of right at the top, certain that the circles lie in that direction. When fruitless encounters with bits of rock sticking randomly out of the moorland scrub fail to produce any sighting of the object(s) of my quest, I take heed of the advice given to me by the proprietor of The Boot Inn to 'get up on one of the lumps and bumps' and spot what just HAS to be a stone circle way off in the distance to the east. The nearer I get, the more it reveals itself as White Moss, a beautiful little circle, much-better preserved than I'd hoped and the perfect introduction to this wonderful complex. It reminds me very much of Machrie Moor albeit without the big showstopping monoliths that lend that site its aura; here, that's provided by the stupendous views, the setting of the circles operating as a focal point for the aforementioned Scafell Pike and other surrounding hills (cf Castlerigg). To my eyes it looks very much as if the line of sight through White Moss and its more ruined companion is designed to draw your eyes towards the gap through which the sea is visible far away to the west. Brat's Hill is big circumference-wise even though its many stones are smallish and might be less visible later in the summer when the scrub's grown a bit more. The two Low Longrigg circles are a bit more battered and not immediately easy to spot but do provide a wonderful vantage point for views back towards the others. I end up spending a couple of hours wandering backwards and forwards between all the circles, the only person in this vast landscape, thrilled to bits and marvelling at my good fortune in being able to enjoy it in such perfect conditions. I leave with huge reluctance and a fervent desire to communicate the majesty of this site to the world at large. If you've thought about going but haven't got round to it yet, start making plans now, you won't regret it. It's not the most accessible of sites but the effort required isn't that great when set against the pleasure to be gained. |
Posted by ironstone21st May 2016ce Edited 21st May 2016ce |
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A return visit - this time with Si and Ursula. For me this site is really under-represented! Looking at the first circle of the White Moss pair, we all commented on the fact that we'd not really heard much mention of the place and couldn't understand why. This circle in particular is in really good condition, considering it's location, and taken into consideration with the other four circles. The only reason I can think of for why more people haven't visited is it's remote location, but it's not that difficult to get to. We took a more direct approach this time, venturing over Hard Knott pass and, despite difficult driving conditions, decided it's a much quicker route than the one we had taken previously (the coastal route) and offers some spectacular scenery (and a Roman fort). Burn Moor exudes a real magic. For me the best spot is within the first of the two Low Longrigg circles. From here the view down to White Moss and Brat's Hill is very clear, and quite overwhelming. I've yet to see these sites in sunny conditions, and I must admit, these overcast doomy skies do kind of add to the place, but next time I will definitely try to visit on a cloudless summer's day, just to see how much this affects the sites. I'd go as far as saying it's pretty perfect up here, and would urge anyone with an interest in the stones, who can, to pay a visit because it really is a very special place. The walk from Boot is steep, but well worth the effort. Fantastic. |
Posted by IronMan20th May 2003ce Edited 20th May 2003ce |
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The Megaliths Heedless, unheeded of the years they stand; The rain drips off their chins and lichens spread A moist green skin along each stony hand That gropes among the bones of the grey dead. They did not see the forests flow and fall - Junipers blue wave by the fellside shore - Nor barley batten by the coddling wall, Nor purple ploughland swipe across the moor. They hold death in them. Skulls have moulded ears That deaf remain to curlew, crow and dove. The human winds blow past them; each one fears The hoarded ache of malignant love. Norman Nicholson Selected Poems Faber & Faber 1966 |
Posted by fitzcoraldo24th September 2008ce Edited 24th September 2008ce |
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Megalithic WalksImages and details of this fantastic complex of sites. |
Posted by IronMan 12th December 2002ce |
Latest posts for Burn Moor Complex |
Showing 1-10 of 116 posts. Most recent first | Next 10 
Low Longrigg (Stone Circle) — Images (click to view fullsize) |
       
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Posted by postman28th September 2017ce |
White Moss (Stone Circle) — Images |
 
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Posted by postman 28th September 2017ce |
Showing 1-10 of 116 posts. Most recent first | Next 10
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