Register here - as a registered user you get more features and fewer ads.
I am very surprised that this place is not known by many people, for example: walkers, historians, spiritualists, druids, even locals. I am from south Co: Durham and first heard and visited the place back in 1997, not visiting again until 2011. Between those times I had traveled extensively around the World yet this place always stayed with me and my brief visit had impressed me more than other places that are on the so called tourist's "must see's" on the planet. In a way this makes me happy as I would hate to think that it would be covered with day trippers and sightseers, it is a well kept secret for those who have the fortune to come across it. However, I have been there only two times since 1997 since my return to the UK and always alone (well, with my dog too!) The second time I appreciated it's history as by then I had done some research but the third time was very strange. I want to add a link to another website, a very experienced walker (one of the few mentions in any depth of the place on the internet) : http://northernpies.blogspot.co.uk/2012_12_01_archive.html
I want to stress and clarify something though, before I make my next statement. I am NOT superstitious, I hold on to no religion and am very much an advocate for reason and logic......and yet on my third visit, I felt as though I was going against my natural instinct (very difficult to explain) and went into the stone circle, although very much with the strong feeling that I shouldn't.....within walking a couple of meters I came across a circle of small stones with what was certainly a burnt out fire, in this fire were burnt twigs/heather/flowers/herbs (I still have no idea what it was) and also bones. I know instantly from picking up the skull of one of them that it was a rats skull. Anyway, as I am not superstitious and believing this to be some group of teenagers doing (overdosing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer!) I made my way to the actual cairn in the middle - the supposed burial site in the middle of the copse of trees. Just as the writer of the above website link I posted above, I too did not feel safe or secure within those trees. I left very quickly and took only a few pictures, all of which also did not come out very well (lighting, shade maybe?) I realise I am the first to post here, I never usually post or comment on anything online but for this place - Kirkcarrion - I felt I had to state my experience of the place. I honestly can't say exactly how I feel, except, for anyone who chooses to make the effort to visit I would say keep an open mind and do not stay too long.....please respect this place, I would even go so far as to say don't go within it's walls, enjoy the surrounding beauty, the ascent and descent from the place and the beautiful wildlife, show your respects to an ancient Prince....and as an old American Indian poem has said:
When I am dead
Cry for me a little
Think of me sometimes
But not too much.
Think of me now and again
As I was in life
At some moments it's pleasant to recall
But not for long.
Leave me in peace
And I shall leave you in peace
And while you live
Let your thoughts be with the living.
Many thanks
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road