NUMBER 898

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Edinburgh, Scotland, from Michael Byrne is on a small stone valve house, at Bonaly Reservoir, which once formed part of Edinburgh's water supply, but no longer does so.

Below: The 'mark on a valve house, at Bonaly Reservoir.

 

 Above: A valve house at Bonaly Reservoir with the 'mark at the bottom left hand side of the front face.

NUMBER 871

BENCHMARKS continued

Michael Byrne's “final one from this Edinburgh trip, perhaps somewhat fitting it graces the facade of a building, currently housing in part Finnegan's Irish Pub on Victoria Street. As it was closed, the only thing served up was the Benchmark, which was accepted with relish.”

Below: A 'mark on Finnegan's Irish Pub on Victoria Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Facade view of Finnegan's Irish Pub, without a street view as it had to be snapped through a railings. The 'mark is at bottom left, between the downpipe and the building's corner.

NUMBER 870

BENCHMARKS continued

While in Edinburgh, Michael Byrne spotted (in passing) this one on the facade of Frankenstein, a well known watering hole and eatery on George IV Bridge.

Below: A 'mark on Frankenstein, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: A view of the hostelry know as Frankenstein with the 'mark to be seen between the downpipe and the ashtray pillar at bottom left.

 

NUMBER 868

BENCHMARKS continued

Another first for Michael Byrne in Edinburgh, a Rivet Benchmark, which he found on the west side of Dalhousie Terrace. It differs slightly from the Pivot style 'mark in that in has a rivet inserted, as the name suggests.

Below: A 'mark on Dalhousie Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Looking north along Dalhousie Terrace, Edinburgh, with the 'mark at centre left.

 

NUMBER 867

BENCHMARKS continued

Michael Byrne spotted another one further up Whitehouse Terrace, on a gate pillar which bears an address plaque "139 Woodlands".

Below: A 'mark on Whitehouse Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Looking east back along Whitehouse Terrace, Edinburgh. The 'mark is at bottom right.

NUMBER 866

BENCHMARKS continued

Continuing with Michael Byrne's trove of 'marks from Edinburgh, this one is on a pillar opposite the entrance gates to Astley Ainslie Hospital, on Whitehouse Terrace.

Below: A 'mark on Whitehouse Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Looking west on Whitehouse Terrace, Edinburgh. The 'mark is at bottom right.

NUMBER 865

BENCHMARKS continued

Tell me more! Michael Byrne's spotted this one in Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, on the face of the Stamp Office (the workings of which are apparently a mystery to all).

Below: A 'mark on the Stamp Office in Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Looking west along the face of the Stamp Office in Waterloo Place, towards Princes Street, Edinburgh, with the 'mark at left.

NUMBER 864

BENCHMARKS continued

Michael Byrne's spotted this one on leaving Calton Hill in Edinburgh. Michael writes “Leaving Calton Hill by these steps, I was rewarded when having one quick look back, with this final Pivot Benchmark from the hill. Judging by how much the stone steps have worn down over the years, the 'mark was destined to survive being tucked away at this step's edge, and thus avoiding the worst of the onslaught of continuous footfall.”

Below: A 'mark on the steps leading from Regent Street to Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Looking east on the steps leading from Regent Street to Calton Hill. The 'mark is on the right hand edge of the first step. 

 

NUMBER 863

BENCHMARKS continued

Another one from Michael Byrne that is also on Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

Below: A 'mark on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: On Calton Hill in Edinburgh and looking west towards the beginning of the section of pathway leading to the Douglas Stewart Monument, which can be seen in the centre background. The 'mark is on the face of the stone at bottom left.

NUMBER 862

BENCHMARKS continued

Michael Byrne points out that while the Flush Bracket Benchmark on the Triangulation Point pillar atop Calton Hill, is undoubtedly a 'mark, that the actual Trig Pillar itself can also be classed as a 'mark, because (as the photo shows) the surveyors fixed their equipment into the mechanics on top of the pillar.

Below: The 'mark atop of the Trig Point pillar atop Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

 Above: On Calton Hill, Edinburgh. In the background can be seen the National Monument of Scotland (left) and Nelson's Monument (centre).

 

NUMBER 861

BENCHMARKS continued

And another first for Michael Byrne from his hunt in Edinburgh; a Flush Bracket Benchmark. It is Number S3006 and is fixed into the face of a Triangulation Point pillar, atop Calton Hill.

Below: The Flush Bracket Benchmark atop Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

 Above: Looking North towards the Firth of Forth. The 'mark is inset on the Trig Point pillar. 

 

NUMBER 860

BENCHMARKS continued

A Cut Benchmark with Bolt; another first for Michael Byrne from his hunt in Edinburgh; and it appears, another first for this website, because M.C. and Benchmarker can not recall ever encountering one before. Michael Byrne explains “This is the first one of this style I have found, known apparently as a "Cut Benchmark with Bolt". Consisting of the usual arrow marks, it has two additional flared cuts pointing to a central slotted bolt. As the 'mark was cut into stone with a very gnarled face, the outline is difficult to see in the up close photo. To clarify, I have included a Photoshop version, in which I have outlined each cut. No Benchmarks were harmed in the making of this photo! This mark is cut into the bottom left corner of the foundation wall facing the pathway, on the National Monument of Scotland, which dominates the top of Calton Hill. The incomplete monument, modeled on the Parthenon, was erected as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors who died fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Building began in 1826 (the builder was Messrs William Wallace & Son!) but ceased in 1829 for lack of funds. It stands to this day unfinished, despite various attempts since to complete it, owing to lack of funds and lack of local enthusiasm.

Below: A Cut Benchmark with Bolt on the National Monument of Scotland, Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland. And below that - the Photoshoped version.

 

Above: The National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill. The 'mark, impossible to see in this photo, is at the bottom left hand corner facing the path.

NUMBER 859

BENCHMARKS continued

This is the second one of the two, found by Michael Byrne, on the way up to Calton Hill, Edinburgh. Of the "Pivot" variety, it's nicely cut into the railings plinth, but the pivot hole itself is suffering from erosion.

Below: A 'mark on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

 Above: On Calton Hill and looking west towards the entrance gate, on the road up to Calton Hill with the 'mark obvious at bottom left. 

 

NUMBER 858

BENCHMARKS continued

After the excitement of discovering the FBM it was then back to the good old bread and butter style benchmarks for Michael Byrne as he continued the hunt on his visit to Edinburgh. He writes “While the view of Edinburgh from Calton Hill is the reward offered for the effort, the number and variety of Benchmarks made the stroll even more worthwhile! This is the first of two captured on the way up, with this specimen beginning to fade from the soft sandstone pillar into which it was incised.”

Below: A 'mark on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

 Above: On Calton Hill and looking west towards the entrance gates, with St. Andrews House (Scottish Government) in the background, which up close looks like a redundant prop from Gotham City! The 'mark can be seen at bottom left.

 

NUMBER 857

BENCHMARKS continued

In all their wanderings around this green, fair and pleasant land, M.C. and Benchmarker have never ever set eyes on a Fundamental Benchmark. Perhaps that's because there are none here; at least that is, south of the border. Not so in the U.K. however and Michael Byrne had the very good fortune to find one in Edinburgh recently.

He writes “This one is no ordinary Benchmark (BM), but a Fundamental Benchmark (FBM), and as such, I was in the presence of Royalty as far as 'marks go! All other 'marks are considered "subordinate" to these principal FBMs.

Apparently, there are less than 200 of these in the whole of the UK, so I was privileged to capture this one in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. These 'marks are still in use as part of the Ordnance Survey GPS Network, and are protected structures, and I understand that the greater part of the 'mark is unseen. Always carefully located on bedrock for stability, there is an underground chamber with a granite pillar, pierced by a brass rod. Only the top foot or so is visible above ground. (Please do a bit of research to verify what I'm saying here).”

So far, have not been able to verify it, Michael, but a recent correspondent, Ross, may be able to help. Ross has a wealth of information and his blog is well worth a look by anyone interested in this subject. It's here :- http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=56109555&displayclass=black

Ross particularly liked NUMBER 842, located on Monaghan Courthouse and writes “ Very unusual, the top mark dates from c1840 and the OSBM bolt was probably placed there during the late 1950s /early 1960s by OSNI - these are a lot more common in GB and N. Ireland, never seen one used by the OSI before. OSNI did a primary levelling line between Armagh & Newtownbutler that went through Monaghan and Clones; there are, very unusually, a few "flush bracket" bench marks used on this line so you might find one if you look hard enough (tip: try Smithborough Garda Station or Clones Market House).”

Below: A Fundamental Benchmark (FBM) in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Two views of the FBM showing its two side plaques. It's located in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh near a very tall boundary wall. On the far side of the wall is Queens Park Avenue, which has a sharp elbow in the road. The FBM is opposite that elbow within Holyrood Park itself.

NUMBER 856

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Michael Byrne is not the usual style, but many like it can be found within the United Kingdom. It's a "One Inch Brass Bolt", usually driven into bedrock and where no convenient vertical surface exists, giving a recorded height on that exact spot. It's in the grounds of Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

Below: A 'mark in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: In Hollyrood Park looking north towards the Firth of Forth, with the bolt at lower right.

 

NUMBER 855

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Michael Byrne is on Grange Road, Edinburgh, at it's junction with Tantallon Place.

Below: A 'mark on Grange Road in Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Looking west along Grange Road, Edinburgh, with the 'mark at lower right.

 

NUMBER 854

BENCHMARKS continued

This, the tenth in a series of 'marks in Edinburgh in Scotland from Michael Byrne, is on a gable corner on Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh, at it's junction with Greenhill Terrace.

Below: A 'mark on Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

 Above: Looking west down Greenhill Terrace with the 'mark at bottom right.
 

NUMBER 853

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. has a lot of experience of being confronted with odd looks from passers-by, and even members of the Garda, when involved in his benchmark hunting duty. Their impression seems to be that anyone going about studying the base of a wall must be a bit soft in the head. Michael Byrne got a lesson in this particular aspect of benchmark hunting in Edinburgh recently. Michael writes “This 'mark would have escaped capture except that some passing mongrel obligingly highlighted it making it so much easier to spot. There is a very valuable lesson to be learned here too, for all Benchmark Hunters who leave home without their chalk. While hunched down taking the initial photo, I agonised over running after the guy who passed by, to fully explain what I was up to, as I know he thinks he has just seen a completely mental tourist taking photos of a dog pee.

It is located on the corner of Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, at it's junction with Whitehouse Loan Junction. (as well as the usual terms like Road, Park, Avenue etc, they have additional ones like Loan and Wynd to name a few).”

Below: A 'mark on Warrender Park Road in Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

Above: Looking east down Warrender Park Road, at it's junction with Whitehouse Loan. The 'mark is "highlighted" at bottom right.

 

NUMBER 852

BENCHMARKS continued

Number 8, in the haul from Edinburgh provided by Michael Byrne, is located on the left hand roadside corner of the very grandly named "Barclay Viewforth Church of Scotland" on Bruntsfield Place. Edinburgh is awash with old churches and kirks of every denomination, with many of them no longer used for worship, but fully recycled as commercial premises, while maintaining their imposing exteriors. This one is still in the hands of the faithful however.

Below: A 'mark on Barclay Viewforth Church of Scotland, on Bruntsfield Place in Edinburgh, Scotland.

 

 Above: Looking SW on Bruntsfield Place, across the roadside face of the church. The 'mark is at bottom left.