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044 Standing Stone, Newhouse, Ratho. |
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Description
This well concealed standing stone stands to 1.75m high and
measures 0.90 x 0.65m on plan. In section the stone has a
"diamond" shape, with a large section missing at the
base on the north side. The stone is well weathered and marked.
Not shown on O.S. Landranger or Explorer Series maps.
Directions
Take the A70 junction off the Edinburgh by-pass. Continue through
Currie and keep right on the A70 at Balerno. Look out for a minor
road turning right opposite Ravelrig. Continue to the T-junction
and turn left. Stop at Newhouse Farm. Easy access to the woodland
where the stone may be found is through the metal gate across the
road. However, do find out first if paintball activity is in
progress. If it is, come back another time. The stone is located
approximately halfway into the wood on the side nearest the golf
course. It should be easy to see when the vegetation is low but
GPS is recommended otherwise.
Parking
Beside road at Newhouse Farm. Please request permission before
parking and do not hinder farm activities.
Fieldnotes
This is quite a location to visit in early September. The
vegetation is 6ft high in places and comprises a mixture of
bramble, nettle and bracken with the odd branch, drainage ditch
and fallen tree thrown in for good measure. All usually placed
to trip the unwary. The woodland is also used for paintball
games and you never know who might be lurking in the
undergrowth. Finding the stone was not easy, even with the GPS.
The trees were preventing a good signal and accuracy was down to
16m. Not a problem in open ground but a real problem in jungle
conditions. However, more by dead-reckoning than my GPS, the
stone was finally located. I suppose if it were always easy, it
would not be half as much fun! Also of interest in the area is a
massive half-barrel shaped stone lying to the west of the
standing stone. It is not easy to find but lies just of the
track running in the direction of the Dalmahoy Hotel. The stone
measures 2.20m wide x 2.10m long and is about 0.85m thick and
has two large fractures. What appears to be a large hole has
been dug at the eastern end of the stone. The stone is probably
just a natural but is still if interest. The GPS reference is NT
1531 6848.
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