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The top of the predominant projecting sandstone outcrop often misidentified as the Piper's Chair has a large number of deep basins and channels of all shapes on its horizontal surface, particularly near its southern edge, a phenomenon of natural erosion often seen on Northumberland's Fell Sandstone outcrops. I have never seen this natural process properly explained and the erosion basins are often assumed to be man-made, even prehistoric cup-marks. One of the deeper basins on the surface here is perfectly round, and has been artificially enhanced although at a much later time NZ0581 : The Punch Bowl Rock above Shaftoe Crags

The punchbowl is so called because what was probably a natural feature was enlarged so that it could be filled with wine or other liquor to celebrate the wedding in 1725 of Sir William Blackett, of Wallington, to Lady Barbara Villiers, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Jersey. The capacity of the punchbowl ran to several gallons.

Contemporary newspaper reports say 'that Shaftoe Vaughan Esq., a gentleman of the neighbourhood, ordered that Shaftoe Crags be illuminated by bonfires placed upon the most eminent parts of the crag'.

A 'drink-maddened crowd' danced to the music of the pipes and guns were fired. The piper may have sat in Piper's Chair NZ0581 : Piper's Chair above Shaftoe Crags

More than 1,000 pairs of kid gloves, then a traditional gift to wedding guests, were handed out.

The enlarging of the punchbowl is said to have been carried out by stone carver, Thomas Whittell, who is reported to have ridden on the back of a ram into the village of Cambo.

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