RAM 2007 and Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park, Kirkcudbright

This year, one of the major social events in ours lives was brought to our doorstep, with the Rock Art Meeting 2007 being held in Galloway.

There were had 17 people, gathering at the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park in Kirkcudbright. A small group of us met up the previous night in Brighouse Bay Park... it really is surprising how much there is to say about rock art! The meeting brought together artists, scientists, writers, historians, photographers and more, from places as far apart as Devon & Dundee, the Netherlands and Northumberland.

Rock Art hunting is becoming a popular pursuit; for those of us infected with the passion, we can't help looking at every boulder on a path, whether in a field or garden, instinctively searching for the next New Find.

Everyone at the meeting brought different perspectives. For some it was their first opportunity to see something they had only heard or read about. For others it was a chance to spend time with old friends, both human and megalithic!

After coffee at the Wildlife Park, we pooled cars and head off first to Highbanks. The weather was glorious and we quickly realised that perhaps wellies wouldn't be needed after all! The young bullocks who had recently been running amock in this field were watching us from a nearby wall as we paid minute attention to every cupmark and fissure in the wonderful carved panel.

Next was Grange house, where we had kind permission from the owners to show off their sheltered rockart panel hidden in the garden. This place has a very special atmosphere but of course would have originally been on high ground overlooking the Dee estuary and the sea beyond.

Afterwards we set off for Blackhill and Townhead. Most people chose this place to have lunch which enjoying the views from Blackhill or the long grass meadow at Townhead.

The meeting was one of the longest ever, with lots to see and say, and the glorious weather to enjoy. But as we parted company back at the Wildlife Park, with closing time been and gone, some of us accepted the owners' kind invitation to have a quick scoot about the park. We even got to meet some of the inhabitants!

Until the next time!

(or the time inbetween, for folk who couldn't be here today)

Photos below - sorry none of the rock art itself but there is plenty of that elsewhere if you follow the links in the text above.

With thanks to Mr & Mrs Henry and the lovely Denerley family,

and big hello to Gus ! We missed you !


Highbanks:

Blackhill:

Townhead:

These are from the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park: