On Wednesday 17th October, a number of Pentir residents joined in a short walk, exploring local footpaths.
The weather was fine, but cold and windy, as four of us (plus two dogs) set off from Hen Gapel and took Lon Llannerch up the hill, coming out near Ty Newydd, where we investigated the remains of a circular hut, built in the Iron Age some 2,500 years ago. We considered whether this could be the subject of a project/archaeological dig, and agreed that we should contact the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust for their views.
Striding upwards across the field, and foraging on the way for rose hips and fungi, we reached the row of holiday cottages and passed by the “astronomer’s cottage” in the fields on our left – where an Astronomer Royal from the nineteenth century, who had been born and raised in Bangor, had established a base for observing the western sky.
We then joined the bridleway traversing Moel y Ci, admiring the tall, vertical dry stone walls, allegedly built by Italian POWs based in Rhiwlas during WWII. After a few hundred yards we struck off to the right across the moorland towards Carreg y Gath and were able to look down on the location of Plas Pentir, though there is scant evidence of its presence.
Then turning sharp right we headed back towards the cottages above Ty Newydd and down to Lon Tan y Grisiau. Then down the hill and back to Rhyd y Groes.
We all agreed that the invigorating walk had been well worth while and very interesting.
If anyone has any information or comments relevant to this walk please contact: iwan.thomas@hotmail.co.uk.
