Balbirnie

Incredible day today.

Headed out to the wee town of Balbirnie, Fife. There is a small stone circle there, which was moved from its original position during the excavation of the site between 1970-85. It was used for burials between 4000-1500 BC.

You can read all about it on The Northern Antiquarian. 

It's part of a much larger complex, including a henge. En route to find it, we came across wooden markers in a park, outlining what they think may have been an enclosure, which stands atop another small henge.

The incredible thing about the Balbirnie henge is that it has survived the progress of time. It sits slap bang in the middle of a housing estate called, you guessed it:

A rough panoramic of the site:

There are only two stones left standing at the far end.

But the rest has been marked out with posts, like the enclosure. It is honestly a credit to Historic Scotland that anything remains of it at all. Apparently it was flanked by two further circles, rather like Avebury. It's a site you couldn't use today due to, as Paul put it: "A supreme lack of privacy," but it is fantastic to know it's out there and that it's been absorbed into the psyche of the local estate. Even the roundabout into town pays homage.

This was also my first cup and ring stone. I've looked at pictures of them for years, but don't recall ever having seen one, and certainly not one so unmistakably well preserved.

Also found a very cool mushroom forest.

That polypore, bottom left, when dried, can be used to sharpen knives.

Also saw a lovely tree with beautiful roots.

Took the opportunity of a deserted back road to deliver a first driving lesson. Kitty dealt with the assault on her clutch admirably - and the assault on her paintwork.

Let's just say I will never make a driving instructor. But we did make some new friends along the way.

The two friendliest horses in all the world.

We also received a gift. Lying right in the middle of the road. Thought it was a piece of wood at first, but turned out to be a deer skull.

Any ideas what species? I was going to say Muntjac, but the antlers are too long, and it's a little large. Doesn't look like any of the others on the British Deer Society website. A young Roe, perhaps? Times like this I wish my mate Tas were here, she does some incredible artwork with animal skulls.

As it is, it's now propped up in the shower, to try to wash off some of the grime. Will look nice once it's cleaned up. Couple of antlers from Glen Lochay in the kitchen that will compliment it.

 

Strange it was right in the very middle of the road, as though waiting for us.

Started to rain as we headed back to the car - the long way. Drove home through a torrential downpour. Snuggled into dry clothes and rustled up some comfort food (just to prove I can do 'domestic' once in a while):

Probably our last outing. Sad to say I'll be leaving for Edinburgh on Wednesday, but happy to say that's because Martine is back in the country. Can't believe how fast the time has gone. Both the five years since I last saw Paul, and the fortnight I've been here. I will be very sorry to leave, but happy to know that he is well and happy, and no doubt soon to return.

Alter ipse amicus

Dusty Tomes

Had a brilliant, impromptu night out last night. Headed to Stirling (of silver fame) to buy a hoover, then swung back via Paul's daughter. Had pizza, went out for a quiet drink with her and her husband at the Settle Inn. Ended in town, via two other bars, at around 1am.

Much fun had by all. A great night made even more surreal by the appearance of Bookstore Greg dressed as a Pokémon.

To explain...

Before we bought the hoover, we did a bookstore recce. My library wouldn't even fill one shelf of Paul's. Below is a corner of the living room. Every other corner is similar, and there's an entire room, floor-to-ceiling, of occult works out back. Grof, Devereux, Michell - if you can name it, you'll probably find it. Everything from the Celts and ancient etymology, through to transpersonal psychology and psychedelics.

Most of these come from scouring charity and second-hand shops. Paul introduced me to Stirling Books. It was love at first sight. If you're ever in Scotland, go. They also sell a lot on the web, and they're guaranteed to find most titles if you drop them a line.

I ended up on my hands and knees, scouring the poetry section. Left with the following:

Canterbury Poets Collection dating from 1884/5, including: Blake, Byron, Campbell, Chatterton, Coleridge, Hogg, Keats, Marlow, Meredith, Poe, Shelley, Spencer and Wordsworth.

I just couldn't resist. I bought for resale, but it's very difficult to let go of something like that once you have it. Well, it is for me. There are two copies of Byron, so perhaps I'll keep one. I'll certainly read them all first. Maybe by then I'll have changed my mind.

Unfortunately, by that point, I'd rather caught the bug. Picked up another couple:

Top left: 

Rhymes of a Rolling Stone, Robert W. Service. No publishing date, but dedication date of 1931. Looking forward to reading this one.

Bottom Left: collection of Longfellow, again no publication or dedication date. Signed A or Q. W. Besh. Lovely inner cover art. Guessing late 1800s.

Top right: leather bound collection of Milton. Again, no dates but thinking early 20th century.

Bottom right: (moment of madness) Words of Peace, Oxenden. Dedication I can't make out, May 1888.

Wonderful chapter on God's Purpose in Afflicting You [with illness]:

You are convinced, I hope, that God chastens purposely and lovingly. Affliction comes from Him, and He afflicts, not as a stern Judge, but as a Father and a Friend.

This one is definitely for resale.

Finally, blue on top, the smallest but perhaps best return on investment: Scenes from the Andria of Terence, F. W. Cornish M. A. (back in the day when those two letters meant anything - said the disillusioned academic). Made out to M. C. Robb VIA (?), publication date 1924 reprint. Love plays, will have a read through before saying goodbye.

I absolutely adore Stirling Books. It's a proper bookshop. One of those places where you have to roll up your sleeves and go hunting for what you want, and where you will stumble across a hundred other titles you never knew you wanted until you saw them.

Plenty of dusty old tomes with frayed hardcovers, from the days when books were books. Not so much of this pulp fiction paperback trash. It evokes a sense of place and purpose. Leafing through the mildewed mystery of times past.

That's where we met Greg. He served us. Then ended up in the Settle Inn on a mate's birthday bash - theme of Pokémon. With ping pong balls. 

Nice end to a lovely day.

Although, talking of pulp fiction paperback trash, I did indulge in a charity shop a few villages down. 12 paperbacks for £2! Went a bit wild. Now have my reading list sorted for the next couple of months.

Pleasantly colour co-ordinated.

Paul has now been banned from taking me anywhere near book shops ever again.

Castle Campbell & The Witch's Hill

After Clackmannan yesterday, we headed to Castle Campbell.

It is an ancient ruined castle dating from the 1400s, situated in the Glen of Glume (Gloom).

The view from the top is superb.

Even found nesting swallows.

Before we left, we took a walk up the road to The Witch's Hill. Spooky evergreen woods on a steep mound, with some interesting rocks scattered about. Very Blair Witch. Interesting feel to the place.

Seat Stone

Upright Stone

Faces in the Rocks

Dragon Branch

Lone Panther Cap

Very entertaining day out. Came home via the Indian and gorged ourselves whilst watching movies. Introducing Paul to the joys of Ghibli: Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.

Also managed to catnap next door's moggie, who followed us in for a bowl of milk and some take-out.

Cat Verses Keema Naan

Skulduggery

Today, we went in search of the biggest phallus in Scotland.

It's 'The Stone of Mannan', which gives Clackmannanshire its name.

It sits in the village centre, next to the remnants of an ancient cross.

Mr. B demonstrating what the stone
may have represented in ancient times.

We found a church over the road. This one was open to the public. A really lovely lady welcomed us in, provided us with free coffee and biscuits, and told us all about the place.

For the 40th anniversary of the Queen's coronation in 1992, the church commissioned a new window, thought to be the only church to do so. She visited to see it in 1997 and signed the guest book.

Anniversary Window

The Queen's Signature

It was an impressive church with a balcony, which reminded me of one which is housed at The Museum of Welsh Life. It is rare to see churches with upper tiers. 

The church is built on top of an older place of worship dating from around 680 AD. This one is thought to date from around 1815.

There are six impressive stained glass windows on the lower floor.

My favourite is top-middle, for the colours.

I really enjoyed frobbling around the graveyard outside. Some more unusual carvings, like those in my Headstones post.

Jester Skull?

Curlicue

Heart

Lichen has turned the nose and
eyes bright green

After bumbling about Clackmannan, we headed off to Castle Campbell.