Showing 1-20 of 564 fieldnotes. Most recent first | Next 20 
Cairn Mude has escaped my attentions in past due to the weather, running out of time or like yesterday (3/4/2012) gale force winds, blizzards and flying buckets. This was the fourth attempt and today it was much calmer and with supplies from the Alford baker I headed east from Lumphanan on the A980 taking the first minor road south to Kincardine O'Neil. I pulled in after Colliestown.
Head along a track, north west for about a 1/2 mile then head into the woods, south, for a further mile (approx) until a crossroads in tree breaks. Head east and the much ruined cairn is found in a clearence. Still it stands at 13 meters wide and a couple of meters high. Sadly wide trenches have been cut through it, even more sadly I'd left both my phone and camera in the car instead of in the rucksack. So I'll have to go back, no problem as I now know a shorter route.
During my first attempt the farmer at Newton, home to ring cairns, told me that dead soldiers from Macbeth's army were burned on the cairn. On that occasion I was beaten back by thick vegetation and ended up getting lost.
This time I decided to climb to the top of Stot Hill and managed to get lost on the way back down. Somehow I almost ended up in Lumphanan, but found my way back via the public stream, more commonly known as a footpath.
Visited 4/1/2012.
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Clashholm is situated in a glen on the eastern side of the B9119, from the A980 head east at Crossroads (a pub) and stop at Cloak Wood. Walking past this wood reminded me of a tip whisky bottles, old bikes and some gas cylinders littered the wood. Just beyond the wood, jump the fence and head towards the bottom of the glen. The two hut circles are enclosed by a wall (rather ruined) and could easily be spotted amongst the snow. It's shame the wall is in such a condition as beasts will probably trample all over this monument. Anyway for the moment they are still here.
Visited 4/1/2012.
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Climbed up from the west side parking at Knockenbog. From there I used the path then climbed the fence and went straight up. For 3/4s of the way it was fairly long tough heather and jabby things but after jumping a ditch the heather becomes fairly short making it much easier to reach the top. At the bottom it was calm. At the top a major gale blew with occasional hail for good company. Still the trig provided cover for a wee sit down and a chance to admire the scenery before clouds and darkness moved in.
The small circle, same as Theolonius, wasn't there the last time I was here but it looks very pretty with it's little outlier. A couple of cairns are at the top, one a climbers cairn and the other a memorial to a youngster from Aberchirder who died tragically young.
Visited 2/1/2012.
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I'd have to say, sadly, anybody wanting to find this cairn would be wasting their time. The cairn has been covered in field clearence and is now covered in turf and weeds. A small mound near the road is all that remains.
Going south from Dufftown on the B9009 taking the minor road east after Aultbeg, after a sharp corner the road heads south. I stopped at Croftburn and walked down a forestry track till a crossroads. The cairn is supposed to be in northern quadrant. Sadly this cairn has been almost consigned to the prehistoric rubbish dump. Almost a pity the flood didn't do a better job :-(
Visited 14/10/2011.
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Buchromb stands on the hill of the same with good all round views. Unfortunately it has taken a battering with an enclosure or something similar being cut into it. Still kerbs remain on the northern side and it still is almost 27 meters in diameter plus 1.5 meters high. Canmore reckon the damage done is deep enough to have reached any internal structures.
However the missing kerbs might not to be to far away as a field clearence pile is 60 meters to the west. It is made up of small stones, slates and bigger stones that look like they belong somewhere else. There are other small piles dotted around.
I met two people on my way to the cairn, one who didn't know it was there (unbelievable) and farmer who went on about getting grants for putting up a fence around it. There is a fence, in worse condition than the cairn, but it is in severe need of restoration. I offered to repair the fence there and then but received a negative response.
From Dufftown head north west towards Craigellachie on the A941 turning east at the second of two entrances to Buchromb. Keep going until the cottages. The cairn is on top of the hill behind, follow the track till it's end then head east at the pile of field clearence.
Visited 14/10/2011.
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This uncompleted fort must have been a massive place as it measures 600ft by almost 500 ft. Two lines of stone ramparts surround the top of the hill except on the northern side where ditches seem to take over. It seems that stone defences were never finished. The views to Dufftown are stunning, Tap O Noth can be seen to the east, Durn Hill in the far north with Ben Rinnes to the south and to the west, The Highlands. So massive was the fort that some agricultural uses have been recorded.
There must be an easier route than my one as there is a path of sorts at the top which seemed to go north towards Dufftown. I stopped at the second farm track heading west south of Dufftown on the B9009. From here walk the track thru nice woodland, past a quarry, some ruined farmsteads until the tracks end at the 7th hole of the local golf course. Seeing golfers prepare to drive up the hill, I waited, only to see balls come over my head from behind me. Obviously the 7th is uphill. Over the back of the green into the woods and head straight up jumping over a couple of burns. This is very steep in parts and if an easier route can be found use it. Still the views are astonishing, I've never been here before and to see Tap O Noth just appearing over the hills in the east is magical. Ben Rinnes, which I've climbed several times, looked majestic, and very shapely. As is usual going back downhill is easier, and this time I was ready for the 7th hole.
Visited 14/10/2011,
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They say this is a very small stone circle and they are correct. They also say it might be a RSC, if it is it is the smallest recumbent I've ever seen. Two slab like flankers are at both sides of a small slab which is the possible recumbent. Several stones presumably from the circle lay at the sides. What looks like a possible cist also sits amongst the stones.
The 'flankers' are about 3 feet tall and recumbent 1 foot tall. The widths are in centimetres no more than 20 of them. Still the debate about this place will go on, Adam Welfare mentions it in his book as well.
Situated almost in the Glenlivet valley the views of the mountains are superb. This place has an atmosphere tho, it feels old, really old.
Follow the signpost at Glenlivet to Tomintoul, the B9136 taking the second minor road south just after Glenlivet Health Centre. Head south and take the first farm track to the west signposted Nethertown. Park at the farmhouse, I asked permission, and was also given direction by the farmer. Walk up past the barns, over the gate, past a dung midden then its the circle. Today it didn't smell to bad and the cows posed quite happily for foties.
Visited 14/10/2011.
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This is a splendid cairn with several kerbs surviving on the western side. On the negative side the area has been reforested with the cairn being left in a clearing. So how easy a place to find in the future is guess work.
The cairn, which sits in the glorious Spey side valley, is some 10.5 meters wide and over 1 meter in height. I don't know if kerbs have outliers but one stone certainly looks like one. Some cairn material pokes thru the turf.
From the A95, take the B9138 west and be careful at the bridge crossing the River Spey. Take the B9102 north and pull in near the Mains Of Kirdells. The cairn is to west of road. Climb a gate, jump a burn and walk to the brow of the hill.
Visited 14/10/2011.
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The fence here is in far better condition than it's near neighbour as Auchorachan.Take the B9136 turning south near the primary school. As the road heads directly south stop at the first gate on the east. The stone is about 50 meters from the road. This beautifully sited monument has wonderful all round views. About 200 meters down the road is the famous distillery at Glenlivet. Lovely place!!!
Visited 14/10/2011.
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Go south from Dufftown on the B9009 until Auchbreck. From Auchbreck head south on the B9008, going past Auchorachan farm pull into the east side of the road at the first gate after the farm. The stone, standing on the brow of the hill at 1.7 meters in height, has lovely views south, north and west. Packing stones can be seen at the base of the stone.
The lovely sight of Glenlivet distillery is on the other side of the valley. Sadly the fence has seen better days on the plus side no cows dropped dead during the visit!
Visited 14/10/2011.
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Canmore quite rightly hedge their bets and say this might possibly be a kerb cairn then again it might be a ruined stone circle set on the eastern slopes. There are certainly stones that look like they once stood and there are certainly some kerbs plus loads of cairn material. Sadly it has also received some harsh treatment. However its position keeps alive some of the former glories. Views east and west are of the Don valley, to the south Culquoich and to the north the modern cairn on the summit of Dalrossach. There are some cracking rocks for cup marks etc, I couldn't find any unfortunately.
I parked at Dalrossach west of Glenkidie on the A97. Opposite the farm entrance is a track that winds up the hill. Fairly steep all the way to the cairn but worth it for the views. Looking for the other cairn I accidentally climbed the hill to the north. Looking all round I discovered that I'd climbed every hill in the area and still there is much to find in what is my favourite hill walking area.
Visited 13/10/2011.
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This should be one of the best kerb cairns in Aberdeenshire, probably Scotland but it left me in a pretty bad temper. Culquoich is rich in history with 3 cairns all nearby, this was the third attempt to find this one.
Sadly the three trees mentioned by Canmore have been sawn down and left to rot on the cairn. Obliterating some kerbs in the process. Up to 18 kerbs I counted with the inner cairn reaching 0.7 meters in height. I know these places are high up and out of sight to most folk but that surely doesn't mean they should be treated in this way. Being incensed I phoned Aberdeen Archaeology who have asked for these photographs as evidence, something I've gladly passed on. Why oh why could didn't they cut the trees down and make them fall another way, out of the cairn. Probably it would have been better just to leave them. One of the reasons I probably missed the cairn previously was because I was looking for three trees surrounded by stones. So annoying, I must have walked right past this place looking for something I'd never find.
Still on the plus side the views would be tremendous if it wasn't for the trees. However Culag is a short distance southish, the views south from there are wonderful with my friend Morven dominating the skyline.
From Culquoich 1 head south east towards the deer gate. The deer today were very friendly allowing me to pat them on the head, obviously getting messages from their pal in the south to be good to this visitor. Once over the gate head straight east and a clearing amongst the trees is reached. What should be a superb site marred by people who should really know better.
Visited 13/10/2011.
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Leave the A944 (Alford road) at Milnbank and head south on the B993. Take the first minor road west marked Baudygaun. Just after Baudygaun (a farm) take the first farm road north, signposted Denwell then head north west at the fork. Just after Denwell a bridge has to be crossed, keep going until the end of the road. At this point there is a small steading. Follow the track on foot and as it veers west head thru the park, the remains of the circle are straight in front.
Although only two stones remain, a standing stone and the possible recumbent it would be a safe bet to say that some stones are in the nearby walls. Location is everything, so they say, and this circle had tremendous views south to the prehistory central of Deeside, saying that whole area is prehistory central.
This isn't a very hard walk compared to the other two today, very simple. For the views alone very rewarding and at last I've visited here here, its been a long time coming.
Visited 13/10/2011.
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In yet another attempt to find the second Culquoich cairn ending in failure I noticed my map had the fancy writing for cairn on a hill to the west. Sure enough a small cairn exists being almost 8 meters in width and 0.7 meters high. Two stones, possibly kerbs, are earthfast. Strangely a ram's skull is under the biggest stone, so maybe sometimes this place is still used.
From Culquoich Cairn I walked to the trees in the east heading in a southish direction, climb over the gate, thru the bog, jump over the burn and head towards the Culag Hill. The cairn is en route, on dry land, to the summit. As for Culquoich 2, something that is 26 meters can't be that hard to find. Seems impossible to me but another attempt coming shortly then the pleasures of Dalrossach.
Thanks to Bruce Mann at Aberdeen Archaeology for the grid ref.
Visited 10/10/2011.
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Sometimes when you ask to park somewhere people say okay and go on about their business. Today at Glentone I asked the same question and then was given a few bits of local myth as well as useful directions.
One thing I didn't know was that whilst arguing Mr and Mrs Devil had somehow woken Jock O Bennachie from his slumber. Unlike previous aims at Tap O Noth, this throw was more accurate and warring couple were silenced. Later Mr Devil, clearly not amused by proceedings, lobbed the rock at his wife leaving a mark on the rock. Fortunately for me there were no fighting devils and I know Jock wouldn't throw a rock at his 'lankie' pal.
Head east on the B993 from the A944 and park at Glentone. I asked permission to park here but access to the rock can be gained from the Tomscairn Wood. After splashing across the Ton Burn, then another boggy burn head about 300 meters in a south westerly direction thru the trees until a clearing is reached. The stone, and it is massive, resides were the warring couple left it.
With Autumn fast approaching the colours of the wood make a lovely sight. Plus it didn't rain, for a change.
Visited 22/09/2011.
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Once again another cairn that survives despite the ravages of time and agriculture. Thankfully the site is now protected but in reality there is very little to see. However it's location is special, it is almost exactly in the middle between two of Aberdeenshire's most famous RSCs, Louden Wood and Aikey Brae. Throw in Dens, Cairndale and Auchmachar as well.
On what was to prove a very good day I parked at the entrance to Mains Of Bruxie, just west of Deer Abbey. The cairn is sited on top of the hill near the sadly uninhabited farm of Stockbridge looking down onto the South Ugie Water, being some 16 meters wide, at it's highest it might be close to a meter. A scattering of cairn material remains as well of evidence of robbing. Still on the good news front it is protected by a fence from the friendly bulls who made sure I left safely.
Visited 21/09/2011.
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Litterty Hill is situated in the valley to the west of the Cummerton Cairn. From where I parked I walked a further 1/4 mile north then took the first tractor track to the west. To call this a track is ambitious but it does lead down to the bottom of the quiet and almost forgotten Glenquithie valley.
Further south is Strath Howe, the hillfort, to the north is the Moray Firth and Pennan, now famous for it's crumbling cliffs as well as Local Hero. However here at Litterty time seems to have stood still empty crofts and farmsteads providing an eerie backdrop even during a nice warm (a shock) September's day.
The cairn itself must have been huge at some stage. Records have it at 24 meters wide and 3.5 meters tall. Nowadays it might still reach 24 meters in width but it has been much robbed leaving it around about a meter tall. It is now also covered in ferns and turf but underfoot cairn material can still be felt. One thing nobody can take away is location and nature. The views north and south are still wonderful. As for nature young red deer played in the sun, red squirrels played in the trees and birds chirped away quite merrily.
Visited 19/09/2011.
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Two things really astonished me about this cairn, 1) how I didn't know about it until recently and 2) how it managed to survive despite the growth of Inverurie.
Go to the town centre in Inverurie and look for Barclay Road making for the streets end. In front is Kellands Park (a place were I terrorised Inverurie's batsmen many a time) turn right and enquire at the first house. Unfortunately the people who live here were out but the kindly next door neighbour allowed to 'loup' her dyke to see the ancient site.
Somehow, miraculously really, the cairn is almost 25 by 20 meters and a further 5 meters tall. It is now covered in turf and trees. Some damage has been done to the eastern end but overall it is in fine condition. In 1902 an urn was discovered during excavations and displayed in Inverurie museum.
Bizarrely the building of houses has protected this cairn from major damage and it seems to be looked after in the appropriate way. Good news for a change and a nice way to end the day.
Visited 8/9/2011.
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From the ruined piano on top of Clachcarr I headed further north downhill until I came to a wee track heading in a south westerly direction. Keep going until the junction of two tracks, one coming from the Don which heads eventually back up Culquoich, and another track which leads to the ruins at Barns farmstead. Don't take the track to Barns, jump the fence and head to the summit of Cairnbeg Hill passing another ruined steading.
Not much remains of this once huge cairn but the rise of the land and a scattering of stone gives an idea of size. Once again the views are superb with Morven to the south west and Clachcarr/Culquoich to the north east/east. Also the A97 is clearly visible, heading south, giving an idea of the distance covered as the road goes past the Deskry, Cairnbeg, Clachcarr and Colquoich hills.
A great place to walk and there must be easier ways than my route. But Donside is beautiful and I love this area, always have and always will which is good news as on my return to the first cairn I marched straight back down the hill only to realise I'd missed a kerb cairn of considerable size plus no injuries. Oh dear I'll have to go back.
8/9/2011.
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Opposite Glenkindie House (home to a magnificent souterrain) on the A97 take the road south over the River Don signposted Culquoich. This road is very short and I parked at it's end.
With all sorts of padding and strapping protecting the dodgy left leg I plodded up the slopes of Clachcurr, basically follow the track up and south until it ends at the deer gates. A short distance on and the cairn can be spotted next to track on the western side.
This cairn was well placed as Morven and Tap O Noth can be seen as well as spectacular views of the River Don and Deskry Water. One thing that astonished me was the distance the A97 heads west before it turns south towards Dinnet. I'd walked over the hill whilst on the road from Glenkindie to Bluemill must be at least 10 miles.
At 24 meters wide this cairn was obviously massive and a few kerbs remain sprinkled around the outer edges. Canmore say 0.6 meters high, I'd have said, with the casual eye, at least 1 meter.Some larger boulders and smaller cairn material can be seen in the cairns interior.
With that it was time to conquer Clachcarr. At the peak there is a walker's cairn, more surprisingly is the remnants of a piano, strange but true. My next stop was Cairnbeg, a tortuous climb down proved the leg was back working properly and an indicator that the padding is indeed a good idea for the ankles.
8/9/2011.
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Still doing the music, following that team, drinking far to much and getting lost in the hills! (Some Simple Minds, Glasvegas, Athlete, Us3 on the headphones, good boots and sticks, away I go!) As well whistling Lostboy tunes soon to be whistling another bhoys tunes. Soon!
(The Delerium Trees)
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