Winter's Grip

Fencepost of the Week #203

 

Knocking Stones

Over the years, looking out for cup-and-ring marked rocks in Argyll, I've found a number of these deep, bowl shaped depressions in boulders or bed-rock. All are next to long-standing farmsteads, and I have just recently found out what they are: Knocking Stones.

Knocking stone, Balnakailly, Bute.

Basically it's a large mortar used for crushing grains. The accompanying pestle would be a heavy wooden stick called a mell. I haven't found much information on how knocking stones relate to querns - what were their relative merits? Would a household with a functioning quern ever find a use for a knocking stone?

Most knocking stones would have been large - but movable - rocks with bowls ground out of them, and these would have been disposed of when newer, easier methods of processing grain came in. It is only those few that were opportunistically shaped out of conveniently at-hand boulders and bedrock that have remained in situ.

A 'portable' knocking stone that has been re-purposed as a flower pot.

Forest Edge II

Tree-fetish Tuesday #37

Sunset Lizzie

Power

Scenic Sundays #24

Hares 'o Bute

Wildlife Wednesdays #20

I have lived for quite a few years in Cowal, and have seen hares there on only three occasions - always mountain hares Lepus timidus. But every single time I visit Bute I see hares - brown hares, Lepus europaeus - in great abundance.

However the photograph below is a misleading fiction as it is a composite of 8 photographs of just 4 individuals as they run about the field. (there are 18 hares in the image.)

Bute Wires

Scenic Sundays #16

Just back from an overnight trip to Bute - beautiful weather. The main objective was to find glow worms on the southern tip of the island - I could find none, but could hardly call the expedition a failure - too many other wonderful experiences.

I used a modern bivy bag as a fair-weather alternative to a tent - sleeping out under the stars with the seals singing just off shore. On a warm July night with no midges, nothing could be finer.

Loch Riddon

Scenic Sundays #15

Trying to make dramatic landscape photos on a dull day - always hard work. The southern end of Glendaruel is one of my favourite landscapes, but I rarely get to visit when the light is conducive to photography. One day....