PHOTO: East Beach Rocks, Hopeman, Scotland

 

This is a photo of the rock formations on the East beach at Hopeman in Moray, Scotland.
 
The erosion and weathering patterns are interesting in that they form multiple blocks on a stepped terrace. This came from thousands of years of glacial activity and sea-level change.

One of the things we noticed was weathered markings or carvings in the rocks – they looked to me like Druidic or Celtic symbols representing circles and spirals. I have no idea how old those carvings were but, if they were authentic Druid carvings, they could date to between 4 BCE and 2 CE!

It was not until many years after my visit that I looked into why such symbols occurred there. It would seem that the site was probably sacred and connected to the Summer solstice. In fact, the sun does align between two “pillar” like rocks rising from the sea when the tide is in, and accessible to pedestrians when the tide is out (out of frame off to the left in this photo).

While we were at this place, my family and I lay on the flat rocks (seen in the foreground of this picture) in the late summer sun and just relaxed. I remember feeling the gentle warmth of the rocks under my back, and looking up at the vast expanse of the blue sky above us. Everything seemed right in that moment – there were no feelings of stress or anxiety; no need to rush anywhere – everything just felt balanced. 

I also thought I could feel the earth moving, like it was rotating. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I like to think for that brief moment I was actually connected with the universe in such a way that I could feel its life – the universe and I were one.

  
Image: Rock Formations, Hopeman, Moray, Scotland. Copyright - Michael Beaton

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