North-East Scotland Stonehunt 2006

On our NE Scotland adventure, we planned to take in some Recumbent Stone Circles, a feature particular to this area. When we set off on Thursday, it was still reasonably early enough to get a few sites bagged, but the weather was not on our side. When we arrived in Crieff (and after visiting the crystal coffee shop), we stuck to visiting the Ferntower stones on the golfcourse rather than venture further off the road (this one's a "normal" SC).



We just went straight to Dundee instead, and after checking into the town centre Travelodge, we ventured out for a curry but didn't make it as far as the cinema. The rain was extremely buckety when we got back to our room.

Next morning we were out bright and early and first stop was Tealing Dovecot and Earth-house, just north of Dundee. Oddly, the gates were shut, but we found out why when some young bullocks came storming up the lane!


The Dovecot was cute, and so was the Earth-house, complete with two pieces of nice rock art. On the way out, we got chatting to the farmer and he showed us a carved face on one of the farm buildings- he said it was "ice-age" but I think he maybe had his wires crossed, reminded me more of some of the faces I've seen carved onto 18th Century gravestones.



Our first RSC within Aberdeenshire was Mulloch, set inside a wooded area near Banchory. I'm not sure if it was the weather or what, but I found this place a bit lifeless. Some nice toadstools, though.


Luckily just around the corner was Esslie the Greater - we didn't know its name until we looked it up but it suited it - lots going on here, it feels quite undisturbed.

Next was Sunhoney - a place I've wanted to visit ever since I heard the name (shallow, I know). We parked at the farmhouse where a small B&W cat came to greet us...the path to the stones is well-marked and the route along the fields has recently been fenced off to protect the crops. The circle is set in a small area of trees, and as it was very cloudy today I was struggling to see this overgrown place in its original spendour. Just before we left, the sun came out briefly and the pink colour of the upright granite stones shone out. There were some lovely pointy ones which looked just like canine teeth.


Midmar Kirk was an odd place - a church has been built alongside the circle and when we were there it was busy with visitors to the graves nearby, and a stonemason working on one of the headstones.

The gravestones were all quite modern so I didn't see any interesting old epitaphs, however there was one that stood out - a rough-hewn granite block with a brass, copper and glass fronticepiece. A name was picked out in the design, and names (of children?) where engraved into the glass leaves, and it had a spider, a lizard, a fish and a mouse climbing on it. Very nice.

I've just discovered that it is mentioned here.

In the trees next to the parking area for Midmar is this stone, I don't think I've seen one more phallic for a long time!!


We then went to Cullerlie - the last time I visited it I had this to say. It hadn't changed much, although this time we were entertained by a visiting Border Collie, who performed some "fetches" for us. I presume he belongs to the farm (or.... does he?)



Time for one more site, Blacktop rock art. There was a new house which wasn't on the map, but the bloke called from the window and directed us into a rocky area opposite which housed five very friendly horses. They helped us clean up the stone ready for photographing!



Then into Aberdeen and considering it was rush hour on a Friday night, it was easy to make our way into town and we found the Holiday Inn Express easily. Later, we had tapas & paella, and an early night.

Then up bright and early the next morning; and by 10am we had been up to Tyrebagger and back down! The weather was still very murky, and the airport view came and went depending on the depth of murk. Got some very atmospheric photos though.




Then, on to one of my favourite places, East Aquhorthies, which must have about five different names / spellings...



B hadn't been before and due to the dull weather unfortunately didn't see it at its best. The main character of this site for me is the high quality of the rock used, especially the main recumbent, the grey one to the side, and a lovely pink quartz stone. But, this pic of Sammy just about sums up our visit:



Balquhain circle has a large white-quartz outlier, which is nice. This site had a depressing feel to it though, as the weeds appeared to have just been burnt away with a blow-torch or similar, and it felt a bit bleurgh. I think in a few weeks' time it would be better.



I found a stone nearby which looked a bit like a stone axe but now I think is maybe not hard enough.

Loanhead of Daviot was OK, but by now we were getting a wee bit outcircled. We made this our last RSC and headed south.

Castleton rock art is about 5 miles from my workplace but I'd never managed to organise a trip before. When we arrived at the farmhouse we were greeted by the second performing collie of the day, with bonus labrador. It was getting dark and hadn't been very bright all day, however after a bit of fighting with the gorsebushes we found one good panel and will go back another time to see if we can find some others.



Some rather nice fungi nearby


Then a quick sandwich and home!