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The Ythan valley provides a lot of Aberdeenshires ancient sites and this is another fine example. Although robbed of most of the stones it still stands amongst the trees on the south slopes of Laverock Hill at East Kinharrachie farm near Ellon overlooking the River Ythan. Leave Ellon heading west on the B9005, the cairn is in the first clump of trees to the north.
This must have a beautiful place with significant views all round including Bennachie. Nowadays it is grass covered and stands at almost 13 meters wide, 1.2 meters high with the centre robbed. Like Den Of Howie there is something that says, in my head, that this place is very, very old. In this valley anything is possible.
Visited 17/10/2010.
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Wearie Well
In a saft summer gloamin,
In yon dowie dell,
It was there we twa first met,
By Wearie's cauld well,
We sat on the brume bench,
And look'd in the burn,
But sidelang we look'd on,
Ilk ither in turn.
The corn craik was chirmimg,
His sad eerie cry,
And the wee stars were dreaming,
Their path through the sky,
The burn babbled freely,
Its love to ilk flower,
But we heard and saw nought,
In that blessed hour.
We heard and we saw nought,
Above or around,
We felt that oor love lived,
And loathed idle sound,
I gazed on your sweet face,
Tull tears filled my e'e,
And they drapped on your wee loof -
A warlds wealth to me.
Now the winter's snaw is fa'ing,
On bare holim and lea,
And the cauld wind is drippin,
Ilk leaf aff the tree,
But the snaw fa's not faister,
Nor leaf disna part,
Sae sune frae the bough, as
Faith fades in your heart.
Ye've waled oot another,
Your bridegroom to be;
But can his heart love sae,
As mine luvit thee?
Ye'll get biggings and maulings,
And monie braw claes;
But they a' winna buy back,
The peace o' past days.
Fareweel and for ever,
My first luve and laist,
May the joys be to come -
Mine lies in the past,
In sorrow and sadness,
This hears fa's once;
But light, as thy live, may
It fleet over thee.
Motherwell
Whistle - Binkie
The Piper Of The Party.
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There are four kerb cairns at the Den Of Howe in various states of existence. Leave the A952 north of Mintlaw taking the road east to Fetterangus. Go thru the village and follow the signpost to Den o' Howie at the crossroads. Go past the farm and stop amongst the trees at the first track heading north. From here, walk, the site is a 1/2 mile, the second clearing to the east/left. The minor road ends at Cairnorchie farm so a bit of a double back. Follow the track, after the minor road, leads to the car parks for the White Cow Cairn and Louden Wood RSC.
Kerb 1.
This is a magnificent kerb of 7 continuous stones. As with all the cairns a fair amount of moss had to be moved before the remains became visible.
Kerb 2.
Is a few meters to the east of kerb 1 and has three stones remaining. Two stones are underneath a young fir tree whilst the third lies out in the open.
Kerb 3.
Further to south east is the third cairn. 5 stones rest side by side. In the middle there seems to be a pit with a stone sat in the middle. then again it might just be glacerial. I had to move the most amount of moss/heather at this cairn.
Kerb 4.
Slightly to the south of Kerb 3, this cairn only has two stones remaining.
This place is like a small Forvie. It feels old and I got the feeling that more cairns kerb or otherwise might be found in this ancient and lovely part of the world. However the density of the trees make it hard to look. I only hope that the Forestry people take extreme care when taking down trees and are careful not to destroy any sites.
These woods also contain the Louden Wood RSC some distance in an easterly direction. There is a better chance to find the circle as there are no signposts here to direct you to the wrong place!
Visited 16/3/2010.
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Situated at the Oyne side of Bennachie an ancient settlement within a hillfort. Plus the weather is getting better.
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After heading south from the Corrie Cairn we stopped at the Glenkindie garage for some sustenance. We're fast becoming known in this area, as this is the only shop/petrol station for miles, the locals enquired what we were looking for. I responded with the High Cairn at at Ardler Wood. An old chap promptly responded, in a language I'd understand, that there was two cairns. Dancer thinks me!
Take the first minor road from the A97 after Glenkindie to the north, then the second road east take the sharp corner up the hill and stop at Rinavoan cottage. The OS map indicates a road, there is and its under many feet of snow at the moment. But undeterred we held on, what should have been a walk of a mile became a trial of strength and endurance. After climbing the first segment to the tree line we'd thought the worst was past. Indeed walking thru the gap in trees was easy. On to the other side and it proved to be the nature versus two idiots contest. We made it to the next tree line and walked past both cairns by at least a 1/4 mile. Realising our mistake we doubled back flukily spying the 'old chaps' cairn. The snow was getting deeper and my energy levels lower.
He was right. There it stood undeneath a tree standing some 7 meters wide and a meter tall. 5 kerbs remained in place forming a stepping stone type path. Beautiful, the scenery breath taking. Sadly we couldn't see the second cairn as it was underneath a massive drift. Up here the snow was reaching depths of over four feet and it was becoming softer, walking became harder. At last common sense kicked in and we made our way back down. Nature had won but spring is coming and like earlier in the day at Smallburn we can always return.
Visited 8/03/2010.
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Keep going south on the A97 at Mossat, past Kildrummy Castle until the minor road heading west. Turn up this for a 1/2 mile and stop at the the first track. We parked and walked up the steep hill taking the sharp corner north for a further 3/4 of a mile. Fortunately the forestry track was clear of snow and a pleasant walk was had to the cairn. The sun was out with heat seeping into the frozen landscape. Spring is on its way but it has its work cut out the snow in the fields is mostly all over 2 feet in depth. Much deeper in some parts as we later found out.
However this track has caused a bit of damage to the eastern side of the cairn. It now stands at 14 meters wide and is less than a meter tall. A dry stane dyke runs over it and a boundary marker stone also stands here. Once again a very beautiful place.
Canmore says 150 meters from the Morlich steading and the OS indicates a road to it. Once upon a time there was but not now as the steading has been, sadly, empty for years.
Visited 8/03/2010.
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With the snow gradually melting I decided to leave early and head down to Strathdon, at the moment my favourite area. On the way two cairns at Smallburn would meet our feet. Only one was visited as the snow became very deep and there is another day.
At 8 meters in width and less than a 1/2 meter high this cairn has been badly robbed. However there is a possible kerb on the cairns east side. Also the cairn has been hollowed out but today it nature made it whole. The snow filled it in and all was at peace.
Tap O Noth looked magnificent across the valley. Easy to see the placement of the cairn.
Also a special thanks to Paul Butler, who lives nearby quite literally at the end of the road, for his help. I should warn him that I'll be back for the other cairn.
Visited 8/3/2010.
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On top of Lumphart Hill is a very ruined cairn which has been badly robbed because of its use as a quarry in days gone by. Possibly one kerb remains but the rest have gone. The cairn stood up 14 meters in width with east/west edges standing at almost 1 meter. Magnificent views of Bennachie and Garioch are all around. Nearby is a cup marked rock found by Tiompan at Cuttlecraigs.
I left the B9001 heading north from Inverurie towards Rothienorman at the Oldmeldrum junction heading east. Take the first minor road north, towards Daviot, and park at the Cuttlecraigs entance. Plenty of room at the disused quarry. Climb over the hill, then over the next till the summit of next hill, Lumphart. A walk of a 1/2 mile.
Unfortunately as one of the foties show the hollowed out cairn has other uses. Various sleepers and farm waste have been burnt here. Tragic considering the beauty of the place!
Visited 6/3/2010.
(Thanks to Patrick for the tip.)
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Iron Age Hopes For Moray Field
Experts say survey of Site at Burghead has proved 'very promising'.
by Donna MacAllister. Published 6/3/2010.
Yesterday the National Museums of Scotland curator Dr. Fraser Hunter said investigations at a field a Burghead have possibly revealed a "high status site".
More info:
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1634292
There certainly seems to be something happening in Moray. This is the third site to be announced. All the more to look at!
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Went up again in rather different conditions than the last time. Obviously there is a lot of snow, it started snowing again during this visit.
On the cross incised stone there is also the initials C.M., probably a previous farmer or the guy who carved the cross. I like this place and the snow seemed to amplify it's beauty.
Re-visited 4/3/2010.
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