The Carlin Stone of Dunlop Traditional Cache
The Carlin Stone of Dunlop
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Community Woodland. Short grass path. Not too muddy / wet. Parking is a bit tricky, although the top entrance has what may be a car park (no signs saying private). Great for dogs. The Carlin / Hag stone has been securely fenced off, but it can be seen as a long flat stone. Approach this cache from off the road that runs passed Dunlop House - you will see the gatehouse. Not far from the bench. The trees are really growing and the cache is off the path.
On top of the Common Craigs or crags overlooking Dunlop and the Glazert is a large procumbent boulder known as the ‘Carlin's or Hag's Stone or Stane’. A Carl is a commoner, a husband or in a derogatory sense, a churl or male of low birth. More commonly the name Carlin was used as a derogatory term for a woman meaning an 'old hag'. It is also said to be a corruption of the Gaelic word “Cailleach”, meaning a witch or the 'old Hag', the Goddess of Winter. Therefore the Witch’s or Hag's Stone, one of several in Scotland with this name.
Near 'Kirkhill' outside Stewarton are several Kilbrides. Bride, Brigit or St Brigid was originally a Celtic Goddess linked with the festival of Imbolc or Spring, the eve of the first of February. She was the goddess of Spring and was associated with healing and sacred wells, therefore the antithesis of the Carlin.
Follow the line of old Hawthorns in the tumble down wall. Replace and camouflage carefully. The trees are growing quickly and the grass is long, however a network of mown paths exists.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n pnivgl orarngu n ynetr fgbar naq gjb gburef, orybj n Yrlynaq plcerff urqtr naq srapr. Gur ragenapr vf pbirerq jvgu gjb fgbarf. N ynetr Nfu gerr vf arneol ba gur bgure fvqr bs gur srapr.
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