Wednesday 10 March 2021

A visit to Barmekin Hill Fort



Over the years, I fear I've been remiss in not introducing you to some of the many interesting archaeological sites in NE Scotland. 

In particular our area abounds in remains of Bronze and Iron Age hill forts.
 
So it's time to rectify my negligence and today I'm showing you Barmekin Hill Fort, where Gail took me for a walk last Saturday.

OK, so when I say 'interesting' sites, I have to admit it's a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and if your eye level is only about 40 cm above your paw level, these ancient monuments could so easily be mistaken for some random pile of stones.

To give you a better idea of the layout of this particular hilltop site, I've stolen an aerial photograph from the Aberdeenshire Historical Environment records.

A more modern concrete structure, a trig point (triangulation station) is located near the centre of the concentric ramparts.

Shortly after I had done my 'pose nicely Bertie' act beside the trig point, another small party arrived on the hill and I was upstaged by Enzo the Whippet (with the help of his human companions).

One sensed that Enzo was a somewhat reluctant participant in this performance. 

He didn't stay up there long. 

19 comments:

  1. wow that is the place to be... the mama would soak up all da spirits of da past... and we would try to sit on that big rock like Enzo ;O)

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  2. That's a very interesting place Bertie, and I know what you mean about a pile of rocks! I can't help thinking that even at our human's height they still look just like a pile of old rocks! You need some imagination to see them as they once were.

    Love,
    Inca xx

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  3. Enzo doesn't look very thrilled to be up there. I'd rather have my 4 feet on the ground like you do, Bertie, and what an incredible view you have!

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  4. I have always enjoyed old forts and this one has a lot more age than the ones i visited so many times in Savannah.. I bet that whippet was cold with those short furs.. i am glad you showed us the arial view and i am now imagingn the view from your sweet eyes. the header shot of you is AMAZING. I am loving it...

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  5. Hari OM
    Thank you, Bertie and Gail, for introducing us to this site... to be fair, in current condition it most definitely is just a pile of stones. But an organised pile, nevertheless! Hope you are staying warm and dry over there - it has been bluster and blatter over this side. So nothing new! hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  6. Bertie FIRST what a wonderful x 87 header.WOW.
    I enjoyed this wonderful post and via your WFT mind's eye. I have a fascination with stones and rocks. When I walk on the NC beach I love finding sea glass and probably shells that are ancient and worn smooth by the ebbs and tides
    Mr. Enzo Whippet rose to the challenge. BOL
    Hugs Cecilia

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  7. We are glad you showed us that aerial view - what a very interesting site indeed! Poor Enzo - what WAS his human thinking???

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  8. We love your new header. It totally fits your "bouncy" self. That sure is a cool place to visit. We don't have any of those sorts of things around where we live.

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  9. Those are some amazing sights! It's interesting to learn about the history of the place.

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  10. Wow, what incredible photos and the aerial view was just perfect to see the full area. Enzo was just showing off, we know you can do that too. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day.
    World of Animals Rittenhouse

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  11. I love those awesome historical places like that, and your historical places are really historical.

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  12. We do feel sorry for Enzo. Glad Gail didn't have any such thoughts! We've had no Internet for a week, so we've been catching up on your other adventures. Whoever came up with static Zoom meetings. Humans....just crazy.

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  13. Oh Bertie, you look most handsome posing there at the fort. I, too, am glads that Gail didn't try and do an "Enzo" with you! Though, I gots to say, that fella's got some balance! BOL!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  14. maybe i should have said Beau is a boulder, you are a rock and mercedes a pebble. you look bigger in your photos. I did not know your size. i wanted a dog the size of you, one I could pick up if needed. you see what we got.. I said no big dogs.. I love all dogs no matter their breed or size...

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  15. Bertie,
    Bryan reads your blog at night. He wanted me to tell you how very much he loves you new header.
    Run Bertie Run
    Hugs Cecilia and Bryan

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  16. What a lovely, historical walk! I would love to check it out one day ♥️ Sincerely, Scarlett

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  17. Bertie - What is the world coming too ? A walk round an Iron Age Hill Fort interrupted by a whippet called Enzo.

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  18. Thanks for sharing that VERY interesting walk with us...you get to go to some really cool places Bertie!

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