The Gowk Stane

Posted by Paul Cook (Glasgow, United Kingdom) on 29 May 2008 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.

Or not, as the case may be!

On Dumbrock Muir, above Strathblane, there is a large boulder that was deposited there in the last ice age that is known as the 'Gowk Stane'.

Unfortunately, i am not entirely sure if this is it (lack of evidence on maps, photographs to confirm identity, etc). However, there are not many large boulders on the Muir, and this one had an 'offering' of dried flowers at its base, so i'm inclined to believe that it may be the one.

Now, i would love to go on and tell you the history and folk-lore of the stone, but again, i have not been able to find out much about it. 'Gowk' is a Scottish word for a fool or a Cuckoo (there are plenty of both around here), while 'Stane' is Scots for stone. It is said that you are not a true hiker or rambler untill you have crossed the Gowk Stane backwards - maybe finding the bloody thing would be a good start!

Anyway, either way, i thought it would be a good subject to capture!

More of Paul Cook Photography's portfolio can be seen at http://flickr.com/photos/paulcookphotography/