1874’s Graffiti: Dogs, a Fox, or a Pig on Broughton Bank

Today, I stumbled upon some Victorian graffiti – or should I say graffito? It depicts a duo of dogs, or perhaps a dog hot on the heels of a fox, or maybe even a pig in pursuit of a dog. The artistic merit of the second canine is up for debate.

Dated with 1874, this ‘artwork’ graces a sizable boulder nestled beneath the Wainstones, now exposed to the sunlight due to the recent clearing of the plantation on Broughton Bank.

This boulder, sporting a natural cavity beneath, has been transformed into a makeshift shelter with some rudimentary stone walling, offering a modest refuge from the elements. While I considered reclining within, my diminished flexibility dissuaded me from risking the possibility of getting stuck. There exists a Gaelic term for such a shelter – “Fraon,” yet as far as I’m aware, English lacks a comparable word¹Guardian staff reporter. 2015. ‘Uncommon Ground: A Word-Lover’s Guide to the British Landscape’, The Guardian (The Guardian) <https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/09/uncommon-ground-a-world-lovers-guide-to-the-british-landscape> [accessed 10 December 2023].

The boulder, seemingly earthfast and buttressed by the walling, prompted me to ponder whether it might be the same Logan Stone or Rocking Stone discussed in a previous post.

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  Guardian staff reporter. 2015. ‘Uncommon Ground: A Word-Lover’s Guide to the British Landscape’, The Guardian (The Guardian) <https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/09/uncommon-ground-a-world-lovers-guide-to-the-british-landscape> [accessed 10 December 2023]