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Basin Stone, Thornylee, Walkerburn. |
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Description
This large stone slab measures less than 1.00m square, is
about 0.30m thick and can be found at the top of Thornylee
Forest, an area of woodland managed by Forest Enterprise. The
stone has a distinct hollow or basin in the centre and appears
to have been deliberately propped underneath by smaller stones.
The name "Basin Stone" has been suggested by the author.
Directions
Thornylee Forest is well signposted off the A72 between Walkerburn
and Clovenfords. Leaving the vehicle at the parking area, follow
the woodland trail until the highest spot is reached, overlooking
the open fields to the north. The stone is obvious and sites on
the south or forest side of the dry stone wall.
Parking
Off road parking and picnic area at Thornylee Forest.
Folklore
There is no specific folklore associated with this stone but
there is an old Scottish remedy for warts where the afflicted
wash the warts in water that has collected in natural stone
basins. After washing the warts would disappear. Must try it
next time I visit the area!
Fieldnotes
This stone immediately stood out when myself and my wife,
Cathryn, were out for a walk in Thornylee Forest. The weather
had been quite wet recently and the accumulated rainwater in the
basin of the stone was what drew our attention to it. Whether
the stone has found itself in this position by chance or
deliberate action is unknown and no reference to this stone has
been found. Co-incidentally, my parents also visited the area
some time later and they also noticed the "Basin
Stone".
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