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Auchtavan 3: The Corn Kiln Traditional Cache

Hidden : 6/30/2016
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

A cache which reveals a much overlooked part of Scotland's past - the history of its rural communities. 

It is a micro but taken as part of the hike to Auchtavan, it's a stunner.


This is a microcache (plastic sample bottle) with a log book, placed in remains of a kiln barn, part of a corn kiln that belonged to an abandoned farming community - Loin. The corn kiln was an essential part of remote rural life. It was the place where the harvest, such as is would have been at this height, would have been dried.  The cache is tucked up in what would have been one of the cosiest places in the community.

The kiln which has a lovely fireplace and the bowl above it which the corn drying surface would lie. The kiln bowl would have had a wigwam-type roof made of thatch. The fire was lit beneath the bowl and the warmth rose up through the drying surface. The fire had to be tended all the time and the barn was frequently the cosiest place to be. People would gather to chat, sing, drink and play tunes as the fire was tended. An untended fire could lead to terrible blazes and the loss of the harvest. Once you have found the cache you can explore the whole community; its houses and its HUGE lime kiln.

The views from the cache are amazing and this makes a lovely place for a packed lunch.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Bccbfvgr gur sver cynpr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)