Nature & Landscape · Peebles
Escape to the Past: Finding Hidden Monoliths in the Scottish Borders
Hidden in the hills near Peebles, a mysterious monolith emerges from the landscape — its origins unknown, its presence powerful. The search then turns to the nearby heights, in pursuit of the ancient people who may have raised it.
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Hidden in the hills near Peebles, a mysterious monolith emerges from the landscape — its origins unknown, its presence powerful. The search then turns to the nearby heights, in pursuit of the ancient people who may have raised it. Load the film below, then press play to watch it here in the archive.
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Privacy & cookiesTo escape the madness of this world today..
RUN to the hills,
DISAPPEAR into the forest,
TRAVEL back in time!
(Near your house)
(If you are viewing this in the future this was filmed during the Covid-19 lockdown with eased restrictions, also in America there was mass protests and riots from the fall out of George Floyd’s murder by a police officer)
In the midst of the turmoil of modern life, there is a simple remedy for the soul—escaping to the hills. In the Scottish Borders, there are still places where time seems to stand still. Places that whisper of ancient peoples, their stories written in stones and earth.
Join me as I set out on an adventure to find a hidden monolith near Peebles, discover its secrets, and explore the ancient hillforts where its creators once lived.
The Mysterious Monolith of Cadrona
My journey began in Cadrona, a small area nestled in the stunning landscape of the Scottish Borders, near the town of Peebles. Surrounded by peaceful hills and dense forests, Cadrona is not just home to quiet beauty but also to an ancient standing stone—a relic from a time long past.
This particular monolith, part of the fascinating Cadrona Forest, stands alone, an imposing monument to the people who lived here thousands of years ago. Its purpose? It’s difficult to say for sure, but standing stones like these are often linked to ceremonial sites, marking territory, and aligning with celestial events, especially the solstices.
Searching for the Builders: Where Did They Live?
Once, I stood before the Cadrona Standing Stone, gazing at its weathered surface. But my curiosity didn’t stop there. Who built it? Where did they live?
The stone was more than a solitary marker—it was a signpost to a forgotten community. I set out to find where the builders of the Cadrona Standing Stone might have lived, exploring the nearby hills, forests, and earthworks. As I ventured deeper into the Cadrona Forest, I came across an ancient hillfort—a defensive settlement perched high above the valley. Could this be the site of the people who erected the standing stone?
The Hillfort: A Glimpse Into the Past
Hillforts were not just places of defence; they were centres of life, where ancient tribes lived, worked, and worshipped. The Cadrona hillfort is strategically positioned, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area—perfect for spotting enemies or watching the changing seasons.
As I walked around the site, it became clear that this wasn’t just a place to shelter from the elements; it was a place where ceremonial practices may have taken place, possibly linked to the monolith in the forest below. Could the builders of this hillfort have used the stone for rituals? Or was it simply a marker of territory, or a guide to the heavens?
An Ancient Community: The People Behind the Monoliths
The discovery of hillforts and standing stones in the Scottish Borders is more than just an archaeological treasure hunt—it’s a connection to the people who once lived here. These Celtic ancestors didn’t just build structures; they carved their beliefs and their lives into the landscape. From ancient burial sites to the shapes of their homes, the stone and earth still hold the stories.
Though the landscape has changed dramatically over the centuries, there’s something powerful about standing in these spots, touching the stones, and imagining the lives that once unfolded here. Who were these people? What did they believe in?
Looking Back in Time
Standing at the foot of the Cadrona Standing Stone, looking at the hillfort in the distance, I felt a powerful connection to the past. Despite the modern world pressing in, this place had remained largely untouched, holding its mysteries like a well-kept secret. For centuries, people have walked these same paths, lived in these same hills, and maybe even worshipped the very stones that still stand.
This is what we are really searching for in these wild landscapes of the Scottish Borders—connections to our ancestors, to the ways they lived, believed, and shaped the world around them.
Conclusion: Discovering the Past, One Stone at a Time
In the end, the Cadrona Standing Stone and the nearby hillfort offer more than just a glimpse into the past; they offer a portal to another time. A time when people were closely connected to the land and its rhythms, and when the stones that dotted the landscape were more than just markers—they were symbols of life, belief, and community.
The next time you’re walking through the Scottish Borders, remember to look up at the hills, into the forests, and at the stones around you. You never know—there may be a hidden monolith or ancient fort waiting for you to discover it.
Keep exploring
More from the archive.
Follow another thread through the places, people and periods of the Borderlands.
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