My very last visit was to the Mother Mountain herself, a stupendous granite giant on whose summit was build the most audacious hillfort of them all. As I ascended I put together all of the evidence and impressions I had made during my trip. More of that later. One thing I did notice was how the peaks of Bennachie could have been repeated in the symbolism of the flankers and the "dual crescent" motif of the Picts. Of course, the symbolism would not have been limited to something as limited as a mountain peak, but there is resonance with the peaks of this "Kingdom".

From the high plateau of Bannachie, looking towards the Mither Tap hillfort

Looking up to the 582m trig point from a foreboding fortress gate

'd like to share my conclusions with you. While they may not be earth shaking I do feel there could be mileage in me developing these with some sort of essay / publication, so I'd be grateful if you could "keep mum" regarding sharing these views, for now (and that includes mum). Yours narcissisticly, Matt. PS ROCK ON!!!

This mountain is no more or less sacred than the piece of earth beneath your feet. To decree something sacred is to begin censorship, and nothing is censored.

The hills do however convey meaning, and in the context of the neolithic I suggest this is pre-linguistic meaning, formed when people discovered meaning itself, when two worlds parted. The old world of nature, and the new world of human civilisation.

I have come to understand the symbolism of the recumbent stone circle, through living and breathing these monuments. They were built when mankind was at a fissure between two worlds. With new found confidence in subsistence agriculture as a means of survival, shaping the landscape and growing his kind, man saw the world split apart. He saw that without nature, he was nothing, but without his intellect and resourcefulness he was no more than a hunter. He saw that the natural world and the human world were connected; by fire, earth, water and air. Man could see it coming; too fast; too soon. Man's world was about to overtake the natural world.

A body of thought; or perhaps a growing realisation; coalesced around this epoch defining moment. Perhaps it was conceived first by a philosopher, or equally it could have been felt by communities simultaneously articulating the sense and meaning of standing between these two worlds.

Stone circles were built as monuments to this very moment. The body of thought became a belief system, and with it the spread of practices that articulated meaning.

A circle, connected with itself inexorably, infinitely. Stones, solitary, standing. The recumbent stone - the truth; the universe; the flankers - the two worlds.

Mar 8, 2017

Tyrebagger / Dyce

Extraordinary heavy metal circle near Aberdeen Dyce airport. One of the finest, most complete monuments of its kind. The growing urbanisation surrounding it cannot hold this druidic temple back.

Bennachie / Mither Tap

The high hill ridge of Bennachie is visible from all around Aberdeenshire. Its summit, Mither Tap, has a pronounced profile made all the more outrageous by its forbidding hillfort, which archaeologists believe was the seat of a Pictish King (AD800-1100 roughly). This is an extreme location at the centre of a Kingdom of earthly paradise.

Mar 7, 2017

Kenmay and Kintore

South Ley Lodge, Wester Echt, Nether Corskie, South Fornet and Nether Coullie are a few of the RSCs found between Kenmay, Kintore and Monymusk. I didn't have time to visit each one but have included some photos.

Clune Wood

A beautiful circle at the edge of Clune Wood near Banchory. It retains most of its original settings; is located in managed forestry and has a peaceful air (as all stone circles do; it's in their nature and their design). There is nothing imposing about the location or the circle itself; this was for a small and modest community I imagine.

Mar 6, 2017

Pictish Symbol Stones

Pictish stone carvings (classified according to their period and style) are found throughout Aberdeenshire incised into stone menhirs (standing stones). Many such stones have been moved form their original locations but the majority are still in open air and free to access. Like stone circles, the abstract nature of their symbolism leaves them wide open to interpretation.

Tomnagorn

Peaceful RSC set in an area reminiscent of Middle Earth. Finely shaped standing stones surround the magnificent recumbent and flankers, one of which has broken. Feels very much like a family circle.

Tap O'Noth Hillfort

The second highest hillfort in Scotland, Tap O'Noth is also a prominent landmark which commands exceptional views over the Grampians. Views reach deep into the Cairngorms to the West. The hillfort itself is high, isolated and barren.

Hatton of Ardoyne

RSC on hilltop location near Insch with spectacular views South over the Grampians, Dunnideer and Mither Tap (and Tap O'Noth if you must). The recumbent is in good condition but leaning precariously. It would be judicious to reinforce its base to save it from toppling. Finely worked flanker.

Old Rayne

Fine example of the "lens" family of recumbents, with oversized flankers in reasonable condition overall. With a bit of TLC this monument would stand as an almost perfect example of its kind.

LENSES TO ANOTHER WORLD - THE RECUMBENT STONE CIRCLES OF ABERDEENSHIRE