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012 Cairn, Green Knowe, Peebles. |
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Description
The remains of this excavated burial
cairn stand a few metres from the south east edge of the old
coach road between Edinburgh and Moffat. A number of earth-fast
stones around the 19.00m perimeter are all
that remain of the original kerb and a cist-like
structure can be seen in the south east quadrant of the cairn.
Almost in the centre of the cairn, a conspicuous large boulder
measuring 1.20 x 1.20 x 0.60m can be seen, although its purpose
within the structure is not clear.
Directions
From Peebles take the A72 Glasgow road. After 4 miles turn right
onto minor road for Eddleston. After approx. 4 miles stop in
parking area at entrance to Nether Stewarton forest. Walk back
along road, turn right and follow tarmac drive for Harehope farm.
Turn next left along old coach road. Cairn is on left at crest of
hill.
Parking
By road side or entrance to Nether Stewarton forest.
Folklore
None to date. However, the cairn is located within a few
yards of the ancient drove road running between Lyne and
Edinburgh, and would have been easily seen by travellers, as
would other cairns along the same route. Perhaps there may
have been some folklore association, alas long forgotten.
Fieldnotes
Being situated almost on my doorstep and also in one of my
favourite areas for walking, I've seen this cairn in all manner
of weather conditions, from bright sunny days, cold misty dawns
and even at night under a clear sky and a full moon. Always it
never ceased to bring a sense of wonder. What was it originally
constructed for? Who were the people to gave up their time to
build it? The whole area is rich in prehistoric sites with
around 20 or so cairns, forts, settlements and so on within a
few square miles. It has been suggested that the large boulder
is not part of the cairn but I prefer to think otherwise. You
don't have stone like this within ancient burial cairn without
good reason!
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