| Ysgyryd Fawr | |
|---|---|
Ysgyryd Fawr from the north |
|
| Elevation | 486 m (1,594 ft) |
| Prominence | 344 m (1,129 ft) |
| Parent peak | Sugar Loaf |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Translation | Great shattered [hill] (Welsh) |
| Pronunciation | Welsh: [ɐsˈɡɐɾɪd ˈvæuɾ] |
| Location | |
| Location | Monmouthshire, Wales |
| Range | Black Mountains |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 161 |
| OS grid | SO331182 |
Ysgyryd Fawr is the most easterly of the Black Mountains in Wales, part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The name is often anglicised to The Skirrid or Skirrid Fawr, and the mountain is also known as Holy Mountain or Sacred Hill. The spelling Skyrrid is also encountered in older literature. The lower hill of Ysgyryd Fach or 'Little Skirrid' (270m) lies about 4.5 km / 2.5 mi to the south.
It is 486 m high and lies just outside Abergavenny [1], Monmouthshire, about 10 miles from the English border. The Beacons Way passes along the ridge .[1]
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Its distinctive shape comprises a long ridge oriented nearly north–south, with a jagged western side resulting from ice age landslips .[2] The upper slopes of the hill are composed of Devonian age sandstones assigned to the Brownstones Formation. These overlie weaker mudstones of the St Maughans Formation - a situation which has contributed to the instability of the hill's steep flanks.[3]
Ysgyryd is a word describing the hill's shape, signifying that which has shivered or been shattered [2]. There is a rich mythology attached to the mountain ,[4][5] including a distinctive stone known as the Devil's Table. According to legend, part of the mountain is said to have been broken off at the moment of the crucifixion of Jesus. There was a local tradition that earth from the Skirrid was holy and especially fertile, and it was taken away to be scattered on fields elsewhere, on coffins, and in the foundations of churches.[6] Pilgrimages were made, especially on Michaelmas Eve, to the summit.
The ruins of an iron–age hill fort and a mediæval Roman Catholic church, dedicated to St. Michael, lie at the summit. Rudolf Hess used to walk here when he was held prisoner at nearby Maindiff Court during the early 1940s. [4] This mountain site "..a stark barren monolith.." is also mentioned in the recent book by Pete "Snapper" Winner, Soldier 'I' - The Story of an SAS Hero[7] as part of Sickener 2, his Selection for the SAS.
Ysgyryd Fawr has belonged to the National Trust since 1939. The summit [3] offers views [4] is easily accessed on foot from the car park beside the B4521 Ross Road shown on the Ordnance Survey maps. The ascent is steep initially but gradual thereafter; allow two hours for the completion and return. A rough path follows the perimeter of the hill at a lower level.