Took plenty of photos at Bothwell Castle at the weekend, and despite the overcast, a quick look suggests that they’ve turned out quite well. In particular, there’s a nice green tinge from the moss that didn’t show up in bright sunshine. On the other hand, it may look terrible on the computer screen. I’ve noticed a massive difference between different screens, so it’s difficult to judge sometimes if something is misty and mysterious or just dull.
One particular shot stood out. I was getting a shot of a door leading from the donjon leading to the top of the wall and when I checked it, I noticed the distinctive outline of a hill. Back at the ranch I checked with font of Lanarkshire knowledge (aka Dad) who immediately said “That’s Dechmont”.
I’ll add the photo here when I get the chance, but it was such a distinctive shape that I thought, there must be some kind of archaeology up there, and sure enought there are, or were I should say, the remains of a hillfort. I could feel the first part of a trilogy taking place: Dechmont/ Kirkton/Kylbride. Unfortunately, it remains an amorphous shape.
There are family connections too as my great grampa worked in the colliery at the foot of the hill. I know roughly where it is in relation to Blantyre and East Kilbride and Cambuslang. I know it’s got a MOD/Police rifle range on it. And I know it’s practically invisible to me.
I’ve been thinking about creating a new wishlist: “Place to Go / Things to See”. Dechmont Hill is the first name added to it.
