Sir,—I am no archaeologist, but, having read Mr. C. L. Davis’s letter on “Prehistoric Trackways” with great interest, I, too, have had recourse to my Local Ordnance Map to see whether it would support his theories in the Upper Don, near Alford, Aberdeenshire, as well as at St. Albans. The results of my examination are certainly curious and significant. For example, I find that a line from Towie Castle to Terpersie Castle touches the following points (going from S.W. to N.E.): A fortress called Peel of Fichlie; a farm Ley; the site of Brux (Bruce) Castle (near); a ford over the Don (near). It is remarkable that Kildrummy Castle (built by Alexander II. of Scotland on the site of an old “broch” in the thirteenth century, and reputed to be the largest building north of the Forth at that time) and Terpersie Castle (a country seat for hunting belonging to the Bishops of Aberdeen) are on the same straight line.
Also I found that a line from the site of an old church (a castle near by) at Baltinny (north of Kildrummy), southward to Tarland, passes through Craig Castle (also with an old church near); Honeybarrel; St. Bride’s Chapel; a well; a parish boundary, which it follows for about a mile and a-half; a stone circle; a rifle range; a church (United Free Church of Scotland).
The names
italicisedNot italicized in the cutting,
viz., “Fichlie” and “Ley,” are significant; also, I suggest,
“Honeybarrel.”—Yours, &c.,
Huntley.
Source info: Journal named in cutting; MS note by AW “May 5”.