| 054 Refuge
Stone, Westfield, Torphichen. |
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Description
Another of the so-called "Refuge Stones" of Torphichen
Preceptory the stone at West field measures 1.10m high x 0.53m
thick x 0.40m wide and is located in a small hillock above the
River Avon, near Westfield. The stone is an undressed sandstone
boulder and a Maltese cross was believed to have been formerly
engraved on it. This stone was actually missing for a number of
years and was believed to have fallen into one of the Home Guard
trenches dug there during the Second World War. However,
excavation and survey work in 1998 revealed the stone and it was
later re-erected in its original location. The stone may have
originally been part of a larger stone-built possibly
prehistoric structure.
Directions
From Westfield village, head east along the B8047 towards the
A801. Leave your vehicle at the fish feed factory, enjoying the
pleasant air and walk back down the road towards
Westfield. Cross the road and enter the field at the gate.
Follow the field boundary to the wood to the west and the stone
will be seen a few metres into the wood. Note that the area may
be under dense vegetation depending on the time of year.
Parking
With permission at the fish feed factory or in Westfield village.
Fieldnotes
Even with the GPS I had some difficulty initially finding this
stone but eventually located it in dense vegetation just inside
the wooded area along the River Avon. Actually the stone was
barely visible and only after some light gardening work was I
able to see the stone clearly.
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