List of Stone Projects 2010/2011 PJ Martin - Aussie Strength

List of Stone Projects 2010/2011 PJ Martin
STONE
A’Clach Thogalach
Cold Well Shore
Island of Colonsay
INFORMATION
This stone is referenced as a
Manhood Stone in “Notes on
antiquities of Colonsay and
Oransay” Stevenson 1881. The
stone is reputed to be not
heavy but its shape makes
lifting awkward. Local source
information states that the
stone is situated near the 18 th
green of Colonsay Golf Course.
The stone was last lifted circa
1800’s although there is the
possibility that during WWII
soldiers posted to a nearby
bunker may have tried to lift it
and may have altered its
shape. The stone is semi
buried in the sand and is
partially concealed by long
grass. There are many sites of
archaeological significance
nearby and confirmation of no
interest is being sought from
the Senior Curator at Kilmartin
prior to proceeding.
Also require permission from
Community Council and the
Laird who owns the Golf
Course – pending.

The Smiddy Stane
Airth near Falkirk
Central Scotland
This stone is similar to the
large Stone of Dee. It has a
single iron handle and was
situated outside the local
blacksmith as a means of
tethering horses in the 19 th
century. It was known that
local men tested their strength
with the stone and it caught
the attention of a certain
Donald Dinnie who lifted and
walked with it a distance of 10
yards. The stone has recently
been used at the Airth
Highland Games and a bottle
of Whiskey is the prize for
emulating the feat of Donald
Dinnie. I have contacted the
games organisers for
information on the stone’s
weight and whether it would
be available out with the
games.
Still waiting on reply to email

The Puterach
Balquhidder
Stirlingshire
This stone is referenced in
“Notes on Balquhidder” James
MacIntosh Gow 1886. Further
referenced by “McIans
Higlanders at Home” Robert
McIan before 1856. The
Puterach was reported as
being a stone of 2 to 3 cwt in
weight and was lifted as a
manhhod stone onto a rock
plinth of 4ft in height known
as the Pudreag standing stone.
The Puterach is lost having
been thrown into the river or
is part of the Old Manse wall.
The Pudreag plinth standing
stone is still there and stands
in an area conserved by the
Woodlands Trust (Scotland).
The entire area however is
governed as part of the Loch
Lomond and Trossachs
National Park and this part of
the park is within the Stirling
Council area. Furthermore a
local group known as the
Balquhidder Regeneration
Trust also have a say on
matters. The area is rich with
the history of Rob Roy
McGreggor who would no
doubt have stood at the
Pudreag and tested his mettle.
Local business support is good
and they are only too willing
to have a substitute stone put
in place at the site. A number
of stone lifters have enquired
about the possibility of having
3 stones and I have suggested
the dry river bed of the River
Garry as a possible source.
Although a distance away
there are opportunities for
selecting good water worn
stones. A proposition for a
replacement stone was made
to a local councillor and
chairman of the Regeneration
Trust who will reply Dec 2010.

The Sadlin Mare
The Sma Glen
Near Crieff
Perthshire
The stone of Donull Dubh Laidir (Strong Black Donald)
Loch Aweside
Loch Awe
Argyllshire
This stone is sourced from the
book “ Preacher,Pastor, Poet”
by the Rev Thomas Hardy of
Wester Fowlis 1910. The
location from the text is
somewhere between the
“Giants Grave” and “The Stone
of Ossian” both of which are
well known and indicated on
an OS map. Hardy mentions
the stone on a trip circa 1880
when he observed men trying
to lift a stone onto a high
sloping plinth known as the
Mare. The Mare is described
as “a tall Druid like boulder”.
There is no indication of the
weight of the stone however
the difficulty would appear to
be trying to place it on the
plinth which may be high. This
stone would appear to be a
trial stone and could establish
itself as a unique curio
amongst stone lifters. A visit
will be required to establish
the exact site and details of
the lift. (No photo). The stone
probably has links to the
Caterens. Probably more
chance in finding the Mare
(plinth) than the stone.
This stone is sourced from the
book “Games and Diversions
in Argyllshire” Robert Craig
MacLagan 1901. Not too much
to work on with this stone as it
only makes mention of Strong
BlacK Donald practicing with a
Clach Cuid Fir everyday and
citing Donald’s strength as
such that he was capable of
ripping the leg from a cow of
less than 4 years. A similar
activity as practiced by the
Bunnachian perhaps stating
his status within the clan. I
have contacted Loch Awe
Community Council who by

The Stone of Heroes
Newtonmore
Invernesshire
Monachyle Stone
Monachyle
Stirlingshire
their reply are keen to find the
stone. They in turn have
passed the enquiry onto the
Dalmally History Association
who are better placed to find
the stone. Still waiting an
update as to their progress
however further information
has made reference to a well
known strong blacksmith who
resided in nearby Glen Orchy.
(No photo)
Still no update – Mention
made of interest in the Loch
Awe website but no one
would appear to have any
info.
This stone has no historical
reference however it was
frequently used as a testing
stone at the Newtonmore
Highland Games. The stone is
described as being a larger
version of the Dalwhinnie
Stone. It was allegedly buried
or semi buried in a field by a
local farmer for no apparent
reason. David Webster has a
local source who may shed
some information on details of
the farmer. Intend to make an
approach when this
information comes to hand.
Received info Dec2010. Email
to be sent.
Situated between Loch Voil
and Loch Doine Monachyle is
little more than a hamlet. The
stone is referenced again from
“Notes on Balquhidder “ Gow
1886 where the chief mention
is of the Puterach and states
only that a similar stone
existed at this site. There is a
nearby Monachyle Glen,
heavily wooded but with
summer shielings higher up. A
stone known as Bruce’s stone
is situated here at the lochside

Callander Stone and
Strathyre Stone
Bodach Chraig Dianaidh
Glen Lyon
Perthshire
but this is massive. The history
of the Stewart family make
mention of a Clach Ghlas. They
translate as The Grey Stone
however I suspect The Green
Stone . On this site the Clach
Ghlas is not a habitation but
would appear to be a stone. A
copy of an 1880 map confirms
same. Further information and
visit required.
Again mentioned in Gow’s
work however there is little
chance of these stones being
found.
This stone has various written
references making it along
with the existing “Testing
stone of the Fianna” perhaps
the oldest examples of testing
stones in Scotalnd. The
references are:-
“ A Picturesque Tourist of
Scotland “ Black 1859 –
mentions a roundish stone
near the Free Church Manse
which is placed on a 10 inch
plinth. Called the Bodach.
“The Lairds of Glen Lyon”
Duncan Campbell 1886 –
mentions three testing stones
in Glen Lyon all referred to as
Bodachs and specifically the
Bodach Chraig Dianaidh which
is described as a roundish
stone placed on a high plinth
as a manhhod stone.
“A Highland Parish” Stewart
1928 – mentions the Bodach
Chraig Dianaidh as being a
round stone with a hole in its
base now in a briarbush with a
location close to the Testing
Stone of the Fiana.
Roger Davies found a further
reference at

Bodach
Cashlie
Glen Lyon
Perthshire
The Dialhouse Stone
Fortingall
Glen Lyon
Perthshire
http://www.philipcoppens.co
m/glenlyon.html - Glen Lyon
Valley of the Sun God. Much
work to be done but it appears
that the Bodach Chraig
Dianaidh is capable of being
found. It may be on land
owned by Sandy Walker to
add to his woes - a second
stone.
Intend to visit and search for
this stone and gain the
goodwill of Sandy Walker.
Visited Nov 2010 – found the
stone with the hole in its base
however it is 150 yards from
the Moot Hill at Chraigh
Diannaidh – revisit required –
need to speak to Sandy
Walker.
Again this stone is referenced
from “The Lairds of Glen Lyon”
Duncan Campbell 1886 where
mention is made of a third
Bodach at this location The
above website makes
reference to a roundish testing
stone with a plinth situated at
one of the sites of the two
ancient forts at Cashlie.
Fortunately they would appear
to be near the roadside.
Further investigation and visit
required.
Visited Nov 2010 – 4 ancient
Pictish Forts. Local Shepherd
knows nothing about a testing
stone in this area. Will need
days of investigation although
I was drawn to the stone in
the middle of the
amphitheatre as shown.
Reference taken from the
website found by Roger Davies
makes mention of “an
adapted” testing stone at this
location just west of the
village of Fortingall. Will visit

McCommie Mor Putting Stone
Glen Prosen
Perthshire
Monks Stones
Isla
and research at earliest
opportunity.
Glen Lyon itself has to viewed
as an entirety as there is a
definite link with all 3 historic
stones. Further research with
the Testing Stone of the
Fianna reveals perhaps it was
named “Am Bodach Odhar” –
The old grey Man or grey
Goblin which is quite apt for
the shape and appearance of
the stone. The testing stone
plinth may too have a its own
name but the whole area has
to be scutinised to account for
its history.
Dial House stone is a
sculpture. Need to visit Garth
area of Glen Lyon for possible
stone.
.
John McComie (Iain
Mor).generally known as
"McComie Mor." . In defense
of a poor widow, he single
handedly put to flight some
tax collectors, he killed the
Earl of Atholl's champion
swordsman, he slew a man
that had insulted his wife, he
fought his son in disguise to
test his courage, he overcame
a ferocious bull with his bare
hands.A large stone at the
head of Glen Prosen is known
as McComie Mor's Putting
Stone. The stone was thrown
about by Gregor Edmunds a
number of years ago. To find
and photograph.
A pile of stones – some very
large situated at Columba Bay
on Isla – Monks lifted stones
as a form of penance with size
of stone attributable to the
degree of sin. Curious religious
custom perhaps derived from

Island of Rhum
Kinloch Stone
local culture – still to visit
Written reference to a Clach
cuid fir in Kinloch Glen.
No further Info available,
Auchnagart Stone AKA the stone of Duncan
Macrae. Lifted by Duncan and
stands in a farm called
Auchnagart, Sutherland.
Ardvorlich Stone
Clach a Ghobhainn Morr
Glen Urquhart
Clachahbisgaen
Strone, Argyll
Isle of Lewis –
Clach Aonghas Greumach
To be further researched.
Curious why this stone written
about in OSAS receives no
attention. Heavier than the
Inver. Need to revisit and
speak to Laird or Factor to
ascertain whether the stone
has any history.
Lost the written reference to
this stone – need to find.
Mentioned in A Highland Fling
by Bill Anderson at the same
time he mentioned the
Puterach. Suggests that this
could be a lifting stone but
Clach a bhoisgein in Cowal
Gaelic is a Putting Stone.
Good idea where it is
situated – to be visited.
Well known stone of strength
which was rolled by Angus
Graham – still to visit.