Roughting
Linn
Rock Art
NT 984 367
Just after Lowick heading south towards Wooler on the B6525 take the turning on the right at a crossroads just after the right turn to Ford. Drive for about 2 miles until you come to some trees by a junction where a sign says Roughting Linn Farm. Park on the verge and walk back along the line of the trees the way you drove. Don’t go down the track to the farm – this goes to the Goatstones another site. On the left you should make out the rock mound among the trees. Near the end of the trees is a gap in the fence and a path that takes you there. Considering it is the main site of rock art in northern England it is curious it is not signed at all. Perhaps this helps preserve the monument.
Roughting Linn is named after the nearby waterfall. Linn means “pool” and Roughting means “a bellowing noise”. It is actually a surprisingly peaceful place. We were very lucky to have sunlight in February and it was at a low angle that emphasised the detail and enhanced the numerous deeply carved designs.
View of the front of the outcrop showing quarried on the right
This is the largest decorated rock in northern England and is a natural elongated domed ridge of sandstone about 20m long by 12m wide. The western edge was quarried away before 1850 and there is a wedge missing that cuts right through a large cup with multiple rings. Most of the motifs are based on deep cup and ring forms but there is a lot of variety in them.
To the far left is a cup with three horseshoe forms around it and a groove from the centre, what is unusual are the feint radial lines on the left side. Also in front of this on the edge of the stone are several multiple concentric arcs.
Near the centre are unusual cups with long stem like grooves leading down the stone. Many of the motifs are quite complex as they interconnect with grooves, curved forms and even small cups. Most are deeply carved and easy to see.
Northumberland sites -