After making an unusual discovery at Urquhart Castle, the medieval ruins perched along Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands, Charlotte Page played along and followed the instructions.

"I found this lovely rock whilst on holiday in Inverness at Urquhart Castle," she wrote on the 860 Rocks! Facebook page last November. "I've brought it back with me to Whaddon in Buckinghamshire, England! I followed the instructions on the back and found this group and thought I'd let you all know."

The artist behind that rock was Lisa Vance Roberts of Putnam, one of more than 17,000 members of the Connecticut-based rock-painting and rock-hunting page.

Created last spring by Meghan Miller, a 35-year-old mother of two boys, the group's membership has exploded as colorful pieces of New England, many including messages of kindness, are found after being left on window sills, leaning against palm trees and hidden in gardens and parks around the globe.

"I saw another group on Facebook in Indiana and it just looked really cool to me," said Miller, of Danielson. "I started painting rocks with my kids and putting them around town. I added my friends to the group. They added their friends and it just took off."

Miller said creative painters and hiders have inspired treasure hunts with monthly challenges, games, rock sets and groups of characters. Finders are directed to the Facebook group, where they post photos before placing them in new hiding spots.

"I'm more into it than my kids are now," Miller admitted. "I think in today's world it's just crazy and hectic. Everyone says this is calming and fun, and kids love to go out and find them. It's another activity to get outside and do things with family and friends."

Roberts, who's been painting only since last summer but has wowed the group with stunning landscapes, lighthouses and animals, said the activity "brings families and the community together. My son spent the summer painting with me and didn't turn on a video game all summer long."

Many area residents find rocks at Mohegan Park, Harkness Memorial State Park and any number of trails, buildings and sidewalks.

Roberts' rocks have turned up in countless states and several overseas locations, including at least two in Scotland and one in the Bahamas.

"It's fun seeing them travel but it's more fun seeing the smiling faces," Roberts said.

Natasha Marrie of Thompson joined as an administrator of the group last year, saying her two kids love the thrill of a good find.

"The excitement on their faces when they find a rock is really priceless," she said. "I think a lot of the painted rocks have special meanings to the finders that the person who's painting the rock has no idea about. It's a great way to make someone smile."

While some parks and recreation officials have sponsored rock-painting and hunting parties, rock-hiding has caught some flak from conservationists and park enthusiasts, who argue the rock art amounts to needless litter and graffiti.

Earlier this month, the National Parks and Conservation Association detailed a rocky social media ruckus between the popular Facebook groups and critics.

Chris Collibee, spokesman for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said Connecticut state parks encourage visitors "to only leave footprints and take only memories, and to follow other 'Leave no trace' principles."

"While we discourage anyone from leaving any item in our state parks and forests, this is not a significant issue at this time," he added.

Miller said the Connecticut group hasn't faced too much criticism on the issue.

But she cautioned future members to be respectful of their surroundings: Don't hide in areas where a lawnmower's sure to come by, don't hide in dangerous spots and don't leave rocks on store shelves.

"If you put something in your pocket off the shelf at Walmart, workers can't distinguish between their inventory and the rocks," she said.

b.kail@theday.com