Bro Machno

Community in Merionethshire

Wales

Bro Machno

Ruins at old slate workings below Manod Mawr, Blaenau Ffestiniog Credit: Colin Park

Bro Machno is a community located in the county of Merionethshire, Wales. It is situated in the Snowdonia National Park, surrounded by stunning natural landscapes and picturesque views. The community covers an area of approximately 14 square miles.

Bro Machno is primarily a rural community, with a small population scattered across several villages and hamlets. The largest settlement within the community is the village of Penmachno, which serves as its administrative center. Other notable settlements include Cwm Penmachno, Dolwyddelan, and Capel Curig.

The area is renowned for its outdoor recreational opportunities, attracting visitors from all over. The nearby Snowdonia National Park offers a multitude of activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. The community is also bisected by the River Machno, which provides opportunities for fishing and kayaking.

Historically, Bro Machno was known for its slate industry, which thrived during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The remnants of this industry can still be seen in the form of abandoned quarries and industrial buildings scattered throughout the area.

In terms of amenities, Bro Machno offers a range of services to its residents and visitors. These include a primary school, a post office, a village hall, and a few local shops and cafes. However, for more extensive facilities and services, residents often travel to nearby towns such as Betws-y-Coed or Llanrwst.

Overall, Bro Machno is a charming and picturesque community nestled within the stunning natural beauty of Snowdonia National Park, offering a tranquil and idyllic lifestyle for its residents and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Bro Machno Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.001489/-3.892441 or Grid Reference SH7346. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ruins at old slate workings below Manod Mawr, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Colin Park

Manod Mawr North summit cairn

Even though Manod Mawr North summit is relatively close to Manod Mawr South summit as the crow flies, the Graig Ddu Slate Quarry which is active with no access means a lenghty and difficult walk around the western slopes with much height loss.

Colin Park

Old tramway beside Llyn Bowydd - view WNW

Colin Park

Old tram causeway at Llyn Bowydd

Colin Park

Moorland between Moel Penamnen and Foel-fras

On the high bwlch between the two hills.

Richard Law

Approaching Foel-fras from the west

The summit of the hill is pretty indistinct; it lies somewhere in front, near to or just beyond the fenceline.

Richard Law

Foel-fras summit... probably

It's rather unclear exactly where the highest point of the hill actually is; it may vary from year to year depending which tussock of grass grows best. But the rucksack on the grass is pretty near the top.

Richard Law

Old wall and a sheepfold

On the south side of Foel-fras, this dilapidated wall runs downhill from a small crag, and then develops into a sheepfold, described at Link

as having some orthostats in its construction. One of these upright stones is just about visible in this photo, forming the left side of the entranceway.

Richard Law

Disused sheepfold on the south side of Foel-fras

This is the sheepfold described briefly at Link

and seen from above in SH7247 : Old wall and a sheepfold. Its appearance suggests 18th or 19th century, but it's no longer in use as all the walls have pretty much collapsed into loose boulder piles.

Richard Law

A pond

Well, the map marks it as a pond. I'd describe it more as a very wet bit of marsh, and it's certainly been fenced off, presumably to try and prevent too many of the sheep from getting stuck and drowning in it. The hills in the background are the southern slopes of Foel-fras.

Richard Law

Rocky outcrop in the bog

The grass and rock outcrop in the foreground is a small rib of rock protruding above the extensive surrounding bog here to the south of Moel Penamnen. It made for a brief section of much easier walking than the peat all around, before plunging back into the marsh (literally, in fact, as I went thigh-deep into the water shortly before this point)

Richard Law

Large sheepfold in the cwm

Built into the southern flank of SH7247 : Rocky outcrop in the bog, this large triple-chambered sheepfold was surveyed and recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust in 1999 or 2000, at Link

The third chamber is out of sight around the corner.

Richard Law

Peaty bog overlooked by Moel Penamnen

Part of the extensive peaty bog and marsh in the flat cwm to the south of Moel Penamnen. It's tough country to walk through, and you're very likely to get wet feet (or more) on account of the frequent deep pools.

Richard Law

Manod Mawr

The twin peaks (L to R) Manod Bach (511m) and Manod Mawr (661m), above Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd. Philbhu image ref: P8040340ag.

Phil Brandon Hunter

Carreg y FrÃ¢n

The rounded peak Manod Mawr (661m) and the rocky ridge outcrop Craig y Garreg-lwyd, with in the distance in between (Centre) the rocky ridge outcrops of Carreg y Frân. Located to the north-west of Llan Ffestiniog, Gwynedd. In the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park). Philbhu image ref: P8040335ag.

Phil Brandon Hunter