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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Torhouse Stone Circle, near Wigtown in the Machars of Galloway. A surprisingly well preserved circle at the heart of an ancient ceremonial landscape. #Scotland #AncientHistory #StandingStoneSunday #blackandwhitephotography #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of a large rounded standing stone. Other stones of the circle and central setting lay behind it, with a dark moody sky overhead.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Hidden by overgrowth on the shores of the White Loch is the burial ground at Inch Old Kirk, near Castle Kennedy. There has been a church here since the medieval period, until it was abandoned in 1861. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Galloway #SouthernScotland

Black and white photo of an old cemetery, overgrown with trees. Light breaks through the tree cover illuminating the gravestones.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The cave is still often confused with Sawney Bean's cave, although I think a more substantial path has been built down the hillside now.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Snib's Cave (Bennane Cave), on the Ayrshire coast, near Lendalfoot. It was the home of Henry Ewing Torbet, aka Snib Scott (after an earlier inhabitant in the 1920s) for 30 years, until a severe storm in 1983 left him with pneumonia. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #History

Black and white photo depicting the entrance ti a cave in a rocky hillside. A pth leads through grass to a stone built wall across the mouth of the cave, with a door leading inside.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

No, these places tend to get rebuilt again and again, with old materials being incorporated or reused. Also being a burial ground, the ground is much disturbed, so no original architecture is obviously visible.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Old St Nicholas Church in Prestwick. Thought to date from the 12th century, with later modifications, the church was built on an early medieval monastic site, of the 8th century or earlier. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #History

Atmospheric black and white photo of a ruined, roofless church, surrounded by old gravestones under a dark, overcast sky.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Covenanter's Grave at Crossmichael Church. Here lyes William Graham who makeing his escape from his mothers house was pursued taken and instantly shot dead by a party of Claverhouse’s troop for his adherence to Scotlands Reformation Covenants National and Solemn League 1682. #Scotland #History

Atmospheric black and white image of an old gravestone, showing a break line, which has been fixed abd is now held with an iron band around the stone. Behind is a tall cross on a pillar and a white painted church, with a round tower.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Great how they both have the same traditions attached. Galloway is of course no stranger to Irish influence.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I remember those days too. I used to use bromide paper.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The Hole Stone (or Crow Stone) in Galloway. Local tradition says that it was used during marriage ceremomies, by joining hands through the hole. It stands close to the White Cairn and another stone reputedly once accompanied it. #Scotland #History #StandingStoneSunday

Moody black and white photo of a standing stone in a grassy field. The stone is pierced by a hole, about one third of the way from the top. The sky is cloudy but light is breaking to the right.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The Kennedy Aisle in Ballantrae, built c.1602-04 and once attached to tbe old Parish Church. It's 1819 replacement stands behind it. It was built for Gilbert Kennedy, Earl of Bargany, killed by his rival John Kennedy, 5th Earl of Carssillis, in 1601. #Scotland #Ayrshire #History

Atmospheric black and white photo of an early 17th century mausoleum in a bural ground surrounded by tomb stones. The later, replacement Parish Church with ornate bellcote, stands behind.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The 16th C. remains of Parton Old Kirk, the burial place of Scottish physicist and mathematician James Clerk Maxwell. The community are trying to raise the funds to preserve the current church as a museum for Maxwell. Please help if you can: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding... #Scotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of a roofless old church, with bellcote. The the foreground is a decirated tombstone in the 18th century fashion of displaying winged spiritis and momento mori.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Marcus Stewart was a class player, one of the best we've had. Regretfully, I just missed that great Town team including Trevor Cherry (I remember him at Leeds), Frank Worthington etc. I just about remember Terry Dolan. I was taken to my first game in 1975 and by then, the rot had firmly taken hold.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I remember the 1999-2000 season when we almost went up. They'd stupidly sacked Jacko and brougt in Steve Bruce the season before. We sold Marcus Stewart to Ipswich, who we played three weeks later and of course, he scored against us. Ipswich went up, we didn't. The next season, we went down.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Duncan Shearer - there's a name I've not seen for a long time! I remember Town's 10-1 thrashing at Maine Road in 1987. I was so traumatic, when I saw the Rolling Stones there a few years later, all I could think about was that terrible day.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Portencross Castle, Ayrshire. A tower house developed from a mid-13th century hall house, by the Boyd family. A local legend tells that the bodies of Scottish Kings were brought to Portencross on their way to Iona for burial. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #History #Medieval

Black and white photo of a stone built tower house castle overlooking the sea. The sky is overcast and gloomy.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

But seriously, well done getting the legend that is Jacko to do the intro. I don't suppose you will remember the West Riding Cup (not sure when it finished), but the greatest night of my life was seeing Town beat Leeds 3-1. That would be about 1980/81-ish.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Bradford or Leeds indeed! 🙄 Huddersfield is the obvious choice! 😁

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The Carlin Stone, near Elrig in the Machars of Galloway (Carlin = old woman/crone/Cailleach (Gaelic)/winter goddess/witch). It may be the only surviving stone of a circle. #Scotland #AncientHistory #StandingStoneSunday #blackandwhitephotography #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of a lone standing stone, in a grassy field, under a cloudy sky at sunrise. A small herd of bullocks are in the middle distance.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Crossmichael Parish Church - the main body dates from around 1750, but the distinctive tower is possibly early 1600s. It sits on a small knoll and has probably been a site of worship since ancient times. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Galloway #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of a graveyard on a small hill, topped by a white church, with a round tower and conicle shaped roof.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Parton Church, built in 1832-34 is the burial place of Scottish physicist and mathematician James Clerk Maxwell. It is now for sale and the community are trying to raise the funds to preserve it as a museum for Maxwell. Please help if you can: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Atmospheric black and whire image of a gateway leading to a gothic revival church tower, flanked by trees.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The old Stoneykirk Parish Church in the Rhins of Galloway. This building dates from 1827, but there has been a church on this spot since before 1274. Closed in 1988, this early example of Gothic Revival architecture has lain empty since. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of of a gothic style church with a tower, surrounded by gravestones, with clouds overhead.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Coffin Stone lies beside an abandoned stretch of the A75, just ouside Glen Luce in Galloway. Its name may derive from being a stopping point for funeral processions en route to Old Luce Parish Church a mile away. #Scotland #History #StandingStoneSunday

Atmospheric black and white photo of a 'coffin shaped' rock in rough grass and bracken, under a dark, moody sky.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Please help if you can... Save Parton Kirk fb.watch/v/3R_UJsGl2/ via @FacebookWatch

fb.watch

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Dunure Castle, Ayrshire. An early home of the Kennedy Earls of Cassillis. The 4th Earl tortured Allan Stewart here in 1570, by roasting him and they say his screams can still be heard. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Ayrshire #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of castle ruins on a cliff overlooking the sea, with clouds overhead.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Monreith House in the Machars of Galloway. Built in 1791 by William Maxwell, clearing Myrton village and using stone taken from Myrton Castle. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #Galloway #SouthernScotland

Black and white photo of a Georgian manor house, surrounded by long grass.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This fantastic mausoleum is the 'Kennedy Aisle', built c.1602 and once attached to the old parish kirk at Ballantrae. It holds a place in the tale of internecine rivalry and retribution among branches of the Kennedy family, to rival any plot in Game of Thrones. #Scotland #History

Atmospheric black and white photo of an early 17th century mausoleum in a bural ground surrounded by tomb stones. The bulding has an arched doorway and an apex roof with crow steps.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Yes, I've read it 😊 . Another brilliant book too. Have you read Kathleen Jamie's trilogy of prose books, 'Findings' , 'Sightlines' and 'Surfacing'? They are much recommended too.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

They cover broadly the same subject matter, but each in very different ways. When I used to go mooching off over moorland as a teenager, looking for ancient stuff, I thought it was just me. Now I know I wasn't alone! All three have been a joy to read.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

It has been wonderful to see the recent surge in writing about our relationship to our ancient past. Three I have enjoyed recently are Upon A White Horse by Peter Ross, Stone Lands by Fiona Robertson and Stories of the Stones by Paul Robichaud. 1/2 #StandingStoneSunday

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Boreland Cairn, in Knockman Woods near Newton Stewart. A Clyde type Neolithic chambered cairn with horned courtyard. It's western side retains many of its kerb stones. #Scotland #AncientHistory #StandingStoneSunday #blackandwhitephotography #SouthernScotland

Black and white photo of an ancient cairn, with two standing portal stones at the front. There is a line of trees beyond and dark clouds above.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Have you found the two carved bowls, a little way back from the outcrop, in the heather?

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

There is a very similar necklace, made of jet, in Stranraer Museum. Found during the excavation at Dunragit of Neolithic timber avenues.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Alloway Auld Kirk, made famour by Robert Burns in his poem 'Tam O'Shanter'. The church building is dated to 1516, but some parts of the church and the location are thought to be far older. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #History #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of a ruined church and graveyard. Light breaks through the trees.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

A windy, tempestuous night, as the moon shines over St Medana's Well, Kirkmaiden in the Machars of Galloway. A place stoked with legends and history. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #History #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of the sea lapping over rocks. A headland is on the horizon and the moon shines though clouds overhead.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The Girdle Stanes, Eskdalemuir. Possibly connected to the nearby Loupin Stanes by an avenue. #Scotland #AncientHistory #StandingStoneSunday #blackandwhitephotography #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of a standing stone in long grass, with dark clouds above.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Atmospheric black and white photo of a tombstone in the shape of a cross, upon a high plinth, with the rear hulk of an early gothic revival church behind.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Please support the people of Creetown and Carsluith in Dumfries and Galloway to oppose the impending industrial woodland proposal around Barholm. This land was quietly purchased by a London and EU based venture capitalist investment business. c.org/B2j9BTnWY4

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

When, glimmering thro’ the groaning trees, Kirk-Alloway seem’d in a bleeze; Thro’ ilka bore the beams were glancing; And loud resounded mirth and dancing. Alloway Auld Kirk, the setting for the witches' gathering in Burns' famous poem 'Tam O' Shanter' #Scotland #History

Black and white photo of the gable end of a ruined church, containing pointed lancet windows, surrounded by gravestones and trees.

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Dark Galloway @darkgalloway.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The dark ruins of Torthorwald Castle. A 14th century tower house, on the site of a 12th century motte and bailey predecessor. #blackandwhitephotography #Scotland #History #SouthernScotland

Atmospheric black and white photo of a ruined castle under a dark sky.

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