Bernie Bell (small bear) and Mike go on a road trip

Cup and ring carvings – through time

 Tuesday 2^nd May – Still summer.  Out for a walk down Kilmichael Glen, starting with rock carvings in Kilmichael Glassary.

photo B Bell

(BB – this is a strange situation – ancient rock carvings, in an enclosure behind the school, right in among the houses of a housing estate. Reminds me of the kind of place Kenny Brophy likes to write of in his ‘Urban Pre-historian’ blog.)

Photo B Bell

After the rock carvings, we crossed the road to the churchyard, and found a cup and ring carved on the back of a  19^th century head-stone there!  In fact, two – one is clearer than the other.  Both for the McCallum Millar family.

(BB -“Let’s do the time-warp again”)

Then we walked down the Glen, crossing a fine old bridge.  Fine standing stone in the field, but couldn’t find the rock carvings mentioned in the guide book.  Torbhlaren Hill is a ‘twin’ for Dunaad.

Torbhlaren Hill (Photo B Bell)

Picnic lunch at Dunaad car park – couple from Pennsylvania – Bernie promotes Orkney and ‘The Orkney News’ as a source of info. about  places to go in Orkney.  Short walk by Moine Mhor.  Shopping in Loughgilphead Co-op.  Rest, then dinner at Kilamartin Hotel – food good again.

Wednesday 3^rd May – Hot sunshine.  Day of rest before departure tomorrow.  Pour water into cup in Kilmartin Stone and watch the little fishes in the out-flow.  Excellent lunch in Museum café.  Rest and packing.

Bernie and Mike continue their road trip.  Follow the Orkney News to keep apace with them …….