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Ship Stone, Posso, Manor Valley. |
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Description
The Ship Stone as noted on Ordnance Survey maps, also known
locally as the Boat Stone, is the name given to a large rock
that has fallen from Posso Craig in the Manor Valley and is said
to be the shape of a ship. The stone is 2.60m high x 6.10m long
x 2.10m wide.
Directions
Take the A72 west from Peebles and turn left for Kirkton Manor.
Continue following the minor road up Manor valley. Once across the
cattle grid, the stone is on the hillside below Posso Craig.
Parking
By roadside, on verge.
Fieldnotes
When the Ship Stone fell from Posso Craig is not recorded but
carvings on the stone show dates going back to 1801, which if true,
would indicate at least 200 years. If the stone was there during
ancient times it is possible that such a stone would have held
some significance to the tribes in the area. In fact, the hill
fort known as Macbeth's Castle, on Wood Hill, opposite Posso has
been associated with the Druids. Obviously this is pure
conjecture but when you visit the area and see how rich the
location is in ancient remains, you might just wonder yourself!
A return visit the following year to measure the stone also
brought another nearby stone to my attention. A large slab measuring 1.20 x 1.20 x 0.60m high can be
seen some 6.00m south of the Ship Stone. It has been suggested
that this stone may be associated and is, in fact, an altar
stone, used when pagan rituals took place here. Probably pure
fantasy but who can really know for sure?
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