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Standing Stones, Menzion, Tweedsmuir. |
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Description
In 1956, the RCAHMS noted two large standing stones, each
measuring around 0.70m square on plan and reaching over 0.60m
high, situated 1/4 miles north east of Menzion farmhouse. The
more northerly stone, situated 10m west of the roadway and the
other stone 25m south east of the first. The grid ref. for the
location is given as NT 094 238. By 1972 the stones are
described as missing and the area now under forestry. However,
at NT 0938 2388 are two weathered recumbent stones measuring
1.9m x 1.0m x 0.4m and 1.4m x 0.9m x 0.3m which may have
formerly been erect. These two stones obviously differ in size
and shape to the two original and now missing stones described
above.
Directions
From the A701 Penicuik to Moffat road, take the sign posted
junction for Tweedsmuir village. Leaving the car in the gravel
parking area on the south side of the village, walk along the
single track road heading up to Fruid Reservoir. Continue past The
Giant's Stone and two other standing stones. The stones can be
seen near the roadside before the dry stone wall on the right hand
side.
Parking
There is no parking beside the stones and vehicles should be left
at the gravel area beside the monument in Tweedsmuir village.
Folklore
Although no specific folklore has been found for this
area other than that noted for the Giant's Stone, the number
of standing stones in the area does give pause for thought.
First, there is the Giant's Stone with two other standing
stones opposite. Two recumbent stones can be seen only a few
hundred metres further along the road towards Menzion
farmhouse and these may have been erect at one time. There
is also a record of two further standing stones in the same
vicinity, apparently now missing. Obviously our ancestors
held this location in high regard and various settlements,
cairns and enclosed cremation cemeteries in the surrounding
area also reinforce this. This area must have had religious
or ritual significance to the peoples of the time.
Fieldnotes
I was not expecting to find anything when I set out to look for
these stones as the RCAHMS describe this location as under
forestry. However, they were easy to find only a few metres from
the road and once the covering of moss and leaves had been
removed the stones were brought to light. Of the two stones,
both lying recumbent, one measures almost 2.00m in length and
could easily has been erect at one time. The other stone is
about 1/3 the size but shows obvious fractures at both ends,
indicating it was larger at one time, possibly similar to the
other stone. The two stones would have been quite imposing
should they have ever been erect and would have surely been
associated with the other standing stones seen to the north
east. See 007 and 008.
One observation is of interest. The Giant's Stone and it's
two standing stones are in line of sight of these two stones and
just a little to the south west a dry stone wall has a
deliberately constructed gap in the same alignment and a gap
through the trees also exists. This might be sheer coincidence
but does prompt me to speculate about fairy paths and how some
cultures would not block the fairy path. Perhaps this is an
example of such a tradition?
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