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048 Chapel Stone, Penshiel, Cranshaws. |
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Description
The Chapel Stone is the only erect stone in a setting of four
large stones that may once have formed a stone circle. The
Chapel Stone, it's the name taken from the supposed remains of
Penshiel Chapel and Chapel Cleugh nearby, measures 1.30m high,
0.60 x 0.66m on plan and is a distinct wedge shape. The base is
well packed with smaller stones. Three other recumbent stones
can also be seen with the longest measuring just under 1.00m
long.
Directions
From the B6355 running between Gifford and Cranshaws, leave your
vehicle at the cattle grid to the north west end of Whiteadder
Reservoir. Follow the single track road on foot or by bicycle
towards Penshiel and Priestlaw (also marked as Herring Road). The
Chapel Stone can be seen on the right not long after Penshiel.
Parking
On verge by cattle grid at sign for Whiteadder Reservoir. There is
a sign stating that vehicles are not permitted along the single
track road to Penshiel but you could always ask!
Fieldnotes
Thick mist and drizzle did not make this an enjoyable site to
visit. In fact, the stone, which stands only a few metres from
the track, could have been easily missed in the poor visibility.
However, despite the damp conditions the site is well worth a
visit (at least in good weather!) and the area does seem to
suggest this is more than just a solitary standing stone. The
Stones name, St. Mungo's Well and the nearby Chapel Cleugh
appear to suggest religious connections and this may have been a
pagan site prior to Christianisation. The remains of another
stone circle 049 can be seen not far to the south west and
numerous large boulders can be seen along many of the field
boundaries in the area. Although these are probably the result
of field clearance, one does wonder if other megalithic
structures once stood in the vicinity?
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