Carlin Stone orCarline Stane is the name given to a number of prehistoric standing stones and natural stone or landscape features in Scotland. The significance of the name is unclear, other than its association with oldhags,witches, and the legends of theCailleach.
A 'Carle'[1] inScots is a commoner, a husband or in a derogatory sense, achurl or male of low birth. The name 'Carline', 'Cairlin', Carlin, 'Cyarlin', 'Kerlin' or 'Kerl' was also used in lowland Scots as a derogatory term for an old woman meaning an 'old hag'.[2] It is from Old NorseKerling[3] or a corruption or equivalent in Scots[4] of the Gaelic word “Cailleach”, meaning a witch or the 'old Hag', the Goddess of Winter.[5]
Carlin is used as a surname and has several variations e.g., Carlen, Carlon, Carolan, O'Carlin, O'Carlen, O'Carlon, O'Carolan, Carling, Carlton, etc. It is stated as being ofIrish Gaelic origin and is found somewhat less frequently in Scotland.[6]
This is a rocky islet in the South of Orkney.[7]
Near Sandlaw Farm in the parish of Alvah is the Carlin Cist, thought to have been part of aCromlech at one time.[8]
This stone was part of a recumbent stone circle, around 95 ft (29 m) in diameter. It has several alternative names, such as the Caerlin stone; Cairn Riv; Cairn Rib; or Cairn-Rieve. Its map reference in the parish of Inverkeithny is NJ 6744 4659. Three stones remain in line, the Carlin Stone between two others quite small in comparison. In addition, there are two set stones projecting inward from the Carlin Stone.This boulder is rugged, unshapely, and most unusual in height. Other stones were broken up and removed within relatively recent times; the mounds of stones being carted away for making dikes or drystone walls. In or near the circle were found a small perforated axe-hammer, portions of 3 bronze armlets, flint chips and a jet button.[9][10][11]
This natural stone outcrop is known asCarlin Maggie and has the look of something imported fromEaster Island, but it is natural. It is said to be awitch turned to stone by theDevil after she got on his nerves[4] (carline is an oldScots word for 'witch'). The Devil threw a lightning bolt which had the effect of petrifying her.[12] It is a rock pillar estimated to be 30 feet (9.1 m) high, on the Western slope ofBishop Hill, overlooking Loch Leven. TheOS grid reference is NO 18403 04413.[13]
A "Carlin Stone" is marked on the OS 6 inch series of maps from 1843 to 1882 at this location approximately 5 km NNW of Fintry.
On top of the Common Crags overlooking the village ofDunlop and theGlazert Water is a large procumbent boulder known on theOS map as the ‘Carlin’s Stone or Stane’.[14] It is also known locally as the Hag's Stone.[15]
It is not listed by the RCAHMS[16] and is not as well known locally as the nearbymegalith known as theThurgartstone.55°42′47.9″N4°31′20.6″W / 55.713306°N 4.522389°W /55.713306; -4.522389
Two farms named High Carlincraig and Low Carlincraig' on theOrdnance Survey maps are to be found aboveDarvel in East Ayrshire.
A Carlin Stone is situated on Whitelee Moor near Craigends Farm, below Cameron's Moss near Waterside inEast Ayrshire. A nearby watercourse is known as theCarlin Burn, joining the Hareshawmuir water just below the site of the Carlin stone. The stone has been much visited in the past; indicated by the remains of a footbridge running to it across the Hareshawmuir Water.55°39′34.6″N4°20′59.7″W / 55.659611°N 4.349917°W /55.659611; -4.349917
Carlin knowe is a low hill with a prehistoric cairn on its summit near Knockshinnoch farm.[14]
The OS Maps locate a Carlin Stone or Carlin Crags/Craigs near Bonnyton Golf Club on the outskirts ofEaglesham.Cup marked stones are present at the site. At least two fairly horizontal flat rock faces have cups on them, rings being entirely absent. Two sets of crags are present at the site but only the upper has the petroglyphs.[17]
This is a mountain in the south-west ofCarsphairn parish.[7]
This town was known as Carlinwark until 1792. The title came from nearby Carlinwark loch in the north of the parish of Kelton.[18][19]
A Carlin Stone is to ben found at 'The Derry', near to the head of Elrig Loch nearWigtown.[20] It is thought to have been part of aStone circle and is situated at theOS Map Reference NX326497.[21]
The Carlin's Tooth is the name of a natural rock outcrop in the borders between Knocks Knowe and Carter Fell.[22]
Near Kirkhill outsideStewarton are several farms having the name 'Kilbride' in their title. Bride - an anglicization ofBrìghde, Brìd orSaint Brigid - was originally the Celtic Goddess linked with the festival ofImbolc, the eve of the first of February.[5] She was the goddess of Spring and was associated with healing and sacred wells, therefore the antithesis of the Carlin orCailleach.[5]
Papers in the Scottish National Archive state that the lands of Kilbride Cunninghame near Stewarton were also called the 'Lands of Carlin.'
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)