Dinas Brân viewpoint, near Llangollen

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Dinas Brân viewpoint, near Llangollen

Use the photo below to identify landmarks you can see from this point on the Offa’s Dyke Path.

Atop the nearest hill are the ruins of Castell Dinas Brân. Dinas means fortress or stronghold. Brân = crow.
To hear how to pronounce Castell Dinas Brân, press play: Or, download mp3 (19KB)

The castle was probably built in the early 1260s by the Princes of Powys Fadog on the site of an Iron Age hillfort. The castle boasted a gatehouse, keep, hall, D-shaped tower, large central courtyard and other facilities. It was used for only a short time. In 1277 it was burned by the Welsh to stop it being captured by Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln.

Dinbren Hall, prominent in the valley below, is a manor house built in 1779 on the foundations of an earlier building. Previous guests include the Duke of Wellington, Wordsworth, Byron and Walter Scott.

Dyffryn = valley. Dyfrdwy, the Welsh name for the river Dee, means “water of the goddess”. The deity in question is said to be Aerfen, goddess of war.
To hear how to pronounce Dyfrdwy, press play: Or, download mp3 (13KB)

Pen-y-Garth means “end of the ridge”.

The first word in Moel y Gamelin means “bare hill”. The elements in Gamelin are cam (“twisted”) and elin ( denoting a sudden bend in a road or a river), but probably here refer to the hill’s contours.
To hear how to pronounce Moel y Gamelin, press play: Or, download mp3 (17KB)

Moel Morfydd was originally Moel y Morwydd (“bare hill of the mulberry trees”). Over time morwydd was taken to be Morfydd, a female personal name.
To hear how to pronounce Moel Morfydd, press play: Or, download mp3 (13KB)

With thanks to Professor Hywel Wyn Owen of the Welsh Place-Name Society

Where is this HiPoint?

Image showing views of Castell Dinas Bran

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