Cairns at Foxfire Mountain

A Scots-Irish Tradition

When walking around Foxfire Mountain and Prosperity Mountain you may see rocks piled on top of each other at various places. These artistically balanced stones are called “Cairns” and they too have a history dating back to those same Scots-Irish who settled these mountains.

The stacked stone custom originated in Scotland where it is traditional to carry a stone from the bottom of a hill to place on the cairn at the top of the hill or at the base of a spectacular waterfall.

There is an old Gaelic blessing that goes:

‘Cuiridh miclach air do chàrn’
‘I’ll put a stone on your cairn’

This was a way of wishing someone health, wealth and prosperity.

At the end of America’s Bridge to Prosperity there are many stones perfect for building cairns. You may build one at the base of Prosperity Mountain or you may pick a stone to carry to the cairn at the base of Lost Mine Falls (about a half mile hike).

Burke
April 2, 2017

The Hensley Family
(David, Leslie, Devin, Addison)
March 25, 2017

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