View SW of Tigh nam Bodach ('Old Man's House') in a remote glen NW of Loch Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland, UK: a drystone 'shrine' containing river stones
View SW of Tigh nam Bodach ('Old Man's House') in a remote glen NW of Loch Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland, UK: a small (3ft x 4ft) drystone 'shrine' containing a collection of six river-worn stones known as The Family or The Mother and her Children. The stones have been turned between river rocks to form waisted shapes resembling human torsos, or shoulders, neck & head. Use of the stones & in the 'Old Woman's (Hag's) Glen is associated with the ancient pastoral custom of transhumance in which grazing animals & members of the community move into the high summer pastures. The stones, having been sealed inside the house for the winter, would be removed in May & placed on the grass to enjoy the sun and air. The dismantled stone roof would be replaced with a summer thatch of rushes. The well-being of Glen Lyon is believed to depend on the proper treatment and due reverence of the stones. To the rear are the line of the Allt Cailliche river & the hills of Beinn a' Chuirn (far R) & Beinn Mhanach (near L).
Size: 4961px × 3730px
Location: Tigh nam Bodach, Glen Lyon, Perth and Kinross, Tayside, Scotland, UK
Photo credit: © Mick Sharp / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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