An example from Troutbeck of stonefall
from a small cliff causing a build up
of stones at the base

Another example: this is Rainsbarrow Crag
in Kentmere

Here's the Coniston working on a
'gone to ground'fox at Brock Crag, Scandale
- days before the end of legal hunting

Pinch Crags in Scandale: as a youth I
spent many hours watching cubs here

Borran(s) is a Lakeland word. I don't know of the origin but perhaps it came with the Vikings, who invaded and settled after the Romans had left. It basically means 'stone pile'.

For thousands of years the crags (cliffs) of Lakeland left behind by the retreating ice have been exposed to the wind and weather. Rain trickled down the cracks and fissures, froze, thawed and froze again. This cycle went on until that particular piece of rock lost contact with the supporting cliff and fell to the base. Over the eons surprisingly large piles of rock accumulated beneath some crags. This perhaps may be a simplistic explanation but it should suffice

These piles of rock are honeycombed with tunnels, and drops, chambers and ledges, an ideal sanctuary for a fox and a potential death trap for a terrier or terriers sent in to get them.

Borrans are dangerous places, beside the ever present danger of stone fall from above, they are unstable and you are advised to keep away and observe from a distance.

Some of the more 'notable' borrans have evidence of 'blocking' where over the years likely entrances have been sealed with stones and rubble. In writing this website I visited several borrans - none of the blocking I saw is of recent origin.

Dove Crag

Broad Howe

An Explanation

Badger & Butcher

Quarry Tips & Spoilheaps

Will It Bolt?

Ista Garn t Watch Cubs?

Braithwaite Black