The Trysting Stone

Today I went in search of a new blipping area and found Doune Ponds, just few miles away.

It is sometime since I have done this popular woodland walk, before I started with Blipfoto, so I was not aware then of its photographic potential.

This Trysting Stone stands at the entrance to the ponds.

Known also as The Deil’s Heid, The Fairy Stone, and The Goldstone.

During the 18th century large cattle markets or “Trysts” were held just outside Doune on Michaelmas and at Martinmas.

During these Fairs this stone was used as a counter where gold was paid for the ‘black cattle’.

Some of these animals would have been grown locally, but others were raised in the Highlands and brought down by drovers.

The origin of the stone goes back to 5000 to 3500 years ago during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.

Two Bronze Age cist burials containing food vessels were unearthed close by suggesting it may have been the focus for ritual activity.