(Map Credit: Garner, A., 1960 (1989 edition), The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. William Collins / Lions. London. p6-7.)
In The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, Colin, Susan, Fenodyree, Durathror and Gowther were forced to flee Highmost Redmanhey after the children recovered Firefrost from Selina Place and Grimnir at St Mary’s Clyffe (Weirdstone, Chapter 9, St Mary’s Clyffe). They were faced with the threat of the mara who, unlike the morthbrood, could not be dissuaded from crossing a threshold uninvited due to magical custom. Consequently, the fugitives ventured out on the promise of meeting Cadellin on the summit of Shuttlingslow (Weirdstone, Chapter 15, A Stromkarl Sings).
The journey took three days and two nights during which the travellers were beset by the morthbrood, mara and svart-alfar; eventually arriving at Shuttlingslow at dawn one snow-clad Friday morning.
Day One: Highmost Redmanhey to Redesmere
The first day saw them leave Highmost Redmanhey, along Hocker Lane. Afterwards, they travelled through the Wood of Radnor, Dumville’s Plantation and then followed the Bagbrook to Capesthorne Game Covert. They were then saved from the mara by Angharad Goldenhand and slept on her floating isle at Redesmere during the first night (Weirdstone, Chapter 16, The Wood of Radnor; Chapter 17, Mara and Chapter 18, Angharad Goldenhand).
Day Two: Redesmere to Macclesfield Forest
During the second day the fugitives waded upstream, from Redesmere, through the Fanshawe Brook and then skirted Thornycroft Hall. Here they encountered Gaberlunzie at Pyethorne Wood. They rode with him across Danes Moss and overnighted in the Macclesfield Forest (Weirdstone, Chapter 19, Gaberlunzie).
Day Three: Macclesfield Forest to Clulow Cross
On the final morning the travellers climbed Shuttlingslow to find the summit empty (Weirdstone, Chapter 20, Shuttlingslow). Cadellin had been delayed. Besieged by their enemies they made one last, desperate, dash across Piggford Moor to the Bullstones. Here the mara was slain. The tale then reached its shattering conclusion at Clulow Cross (Weirdstone, Chapter 21, The Headless Cross).
After launching this site, another fan of Alan Garner – Chris Shore – emailed to relay his own tale of completing the journey. This chimes very closely with my own experiences, although I followed the route over two days whereas Chris took it on in one day.
Chris’ account describes following the journey as closely as possible, using whatever public footpaths and roads were available, as much of the route would have involved intensive trespass even in 1960! Chris has been kind enough to offer a short account of his journey for use here….
Many, many, many thanks to Chris Shore for providing this wonderful personal account.