SLOWING down and really noticing the landscape that's local to us is a great thing. For some, it was lockdown that did that, for others it's retirement or having a family, or just learning to be more mindful. Not many, however, take a look at a familiar landscape and see a large ancient monument that's been hiding in plain sight for thousands of years.
But that's exactly what two Fifers - Anne Smith and Jeremy Eccles - did when out on walks. Now there is a Bronze Age burial mound and a Neolithic standing stone registered with Historic Environment Scotland (HES), all thanks to their efforts.
Kyle Armstrong, HES designations officer, said the team were stunned when they received the applications. He said, "It is really, really unusual. I don't think I have worked on any others like this."
Fife Council archaeologist Douglas Speirs helped both Anne and Jeremy with their finds. He said, "For a variety of reasons both of those had been missed and were unknown to the archaeological world.
"But the real surprise is that there are still nationally important, monumental-scale prehistoric monuments to be found hiding in plain sight in densely populated parts of Scotland."
The Standing Stone
Retired GP Anne Smith and her husband Ron joined a group walk as part of a walking festival in April 2019, which included a stroll along the Burntisland branch of the Old Great North Road, an 18th century turnpike route between Edinburgh and Perth, which is now a footpath.
"Our walk took us past a tall stone that had all the features of a prehistoric standing stone," Anne says. "I knew it wasn't on the maps. I had had a hand injury some years ago and while I was in plaster, and couldn't do so many activities, we drove around Fife and visited all the standing stones I could identify from the OS maps and photographed them. That's why I was surprised to find a 'new' one."
この記事は The Scots Magazine の September 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Scots Magazine の September 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
A Scot Going Places
Ayrshire lad Hugh Allan built a transport and finance empire in his adopted home of Montreal, and survived a political scandal
Into The Woods
Maverick Gary Munday is scaling new heights in conservation
- FROM THE – VAULT
Strange tales from the archives. This month, troubles brew during Perth's seventh lean harvest
Hero In The Making
A fiery process of transformation reveals the true and complex character of Bladnoch's The Dragon Series
Sonic Inspirations
Harpist Esther Swift on the fun and the fury behind creativity
Chapter And Verse
As she launches her second children’s book, author Nadine Aisha Jassat shares her poetry-writing evolution and novel inspirations
Beavers By Moonlight
Once away from the shadow of the hill, Jim's infinite patience is rewarded with the memorable moment he has been waiting for
The Ideal Host
Euro 2024 host Germany promises a feast of football, fun and culture for visiting fans
The World At Her Feet
With no women’s game at home, Rose Reilly helped Italy win the World Cup
Tartan Army On Tour
Scotland’s fans have travelled the world, but for this younger generation, the Euros in Germany is the tournament they've all been waiting for