Trusty’s Hill and Rutherford’s Monument

This composite image of my walk was automatically generated by Google. I think it’s grasped the sweep of this landscape quite well.

A sortie to find some carved Pictish stones on what might once have been a royal fort, followed by a climb to visit a local landmark, the obelisk to the Reverend Samuel Rutherford seemed like a plan for a late afternoon last week.  It was only a three and a half mile walk after all.

What I hadn’t taken into account was that this is rough, undulating landscape, and entirely beautiful.  It demands we take the time to stand and stare.  So I did.

Trusty’s Hill proved to be a chance for a first viewing of the Rutherford Monument, as well as an opportunity to peer at Pictish carvings.  This site was the site of an ancient fire so fierce that the stone there vitrified.  The hill might, round about 600 AD, have been a citadel. It was certainly a fine vantage point from which to view  what could once have been the lost Scottish kingdom of Rheged.

The view from Trusty’s Hill
Pictish symbols…
… and more, clearly visible at the top of the hill.

Onwards to the Rutherford Monument, built by grateful parishioners to honour the memory of a priest who, though an academic, a thinker and a teacher, cared for his flock in practical as well as spiritual ways and who was constantly at odds with the establishment to the extent that he was awaiting being tried for treason at his death.  These days, there’s a Millennium Cairn, detailing all the ministers of Anwoth and Girthon since 1560 , and a trig point on two adjacent hills.  All three provide splendid views to the Fleet estuary far below and the hills beyond.

This composite image of my walk was automatically generated by Google. I think it’s grasped the sweep of this landscape quite well.
Looking towards the hills…
Looking towards the Fleet Firth…
The clouds became quite dramatic.
Another view of the Firth
Looking down from the Monument.
… and up to the Monument.
Another view from the Cairn.
And a view from the Trig point.
Looking down from the Trig point.

Then it was down, down through a wooded trail to reach Anwoth Church, now roofless and ruined, before coming back to Gatehouse of Fleet along a quiet county track.

The walk continues.
Anwoth Church.

 

Jo’s Monday Walk

2020 Photo Challenge #39

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and living in North Yorkshire, where I walk as often as I can, write, volunteer, and travel as often as I can.

45 thoughts on “Trusty’s Hill and Rutherford’s Monument”

  1. I’m looking down with you and breathing that fine, clear air, Margaret 🙂 🙂 Such beautiful landscape shots. I love them and am happy to share, but I don’t know when I’ll be walk hosting again. Thank you! 🙂

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    1. I use Google photos, and it just appeared without my say-so. They’re in the habit of delivering annoying slide shows, but just sometimes, they hit the spot. The only thing I sometimes create myself are collages to send as virtual postcards.

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  5. What a fabulous walk. Lots of looking up and down without having to move out of my chair! I shall have to visit my Google photos and see how you made that composite.

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      1. Mmm.. I have just had a look and can’t see any way. Collages and animations. I used to have a program way back which allowed you to stitch photos together. And I think both my camera and phone have panoramic settings, but I rarely think to use them! 😂

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      3. Maybe next year the challenge to myself will be to publish one photo taken from one setting on my camera/phone each week. I have just been playing with some sketch/coloured pencil/crayon filters on the phone and quite like the results.

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  6. Amazing clouds. Prehistoric/early markings are so interesting and such a pity I can’t ask someone what they mean!

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      1. ooh yes Wigtown came up to in the search – haven’t spotted anything in Gatehouse of Fleet though yet. The current debate is distance from my Mum – MrB more worried than me.

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