Visited 23.7.15
Directions:
Alongside the minor road which leads to the Lochbuie sites. Approx 2 miles south of turn off from the A849. On the east side of road, where the road kinks.
Couldn’t see a thing. Chest high ferns cover the whole area. I did see a peacock though.
Canmore states:
This cairn is about 6m in diameter and 1.2m in height. It is a heather covered stony mound with some surviving kerb stones on the NW and S sides. 1973.
These two cairns are in the field opposite the stone circle. Assuming what I saw were the cairns they are both grass covered stone mounds. One is approximately 1.3m high and the other 1m high.
Both are visible from the road.
Visited 2.7.15
Directions:
Signposted off the A841 (Historic Scotland site.
5 minute walk up track from parking area.
In keeping with the rest of the day it was raining. But as the site is quite exposed I also had the strong wind to contend with. However, there are good coastal views to be had although the mainland was shrouded in mist and cloud.
The site is well maintained and has the customary information board. What does strike you about this site are the different types of stones which presumably was deliberate? The information board states the site has never been excavated.
This is an easy site to visit if you are on Arran and well worth it. Who knows, it may not even be raining when you come! :)
This cairn has a nice setting, high up on a valley side. Access is easy as the road which runs immediately south of the cairn has a handy metal gate. The field was frequented on my visit by friendly sheep. The cairn is now a low mound covered in ferns and is easy to spot from the road.
Canmore states:
A turf and bracken covered cairn on a level shelf of a steep hillside. It is 12.8m E-W by 10.7m, up to 1.2m in height. It has been mutilated on the southern side. Near the centre are four slab-like stones. Three are up to 0.8m high, the other is almost buried. 1977.
Visited 26.7.15
Directions:
A short distance north along the B842 from the Glenlussa Lodge standing stone.
I viewed the site from the road, which is a field of long grass. I could see no sign of this chambered cairn. It has either now been reduced to nothing or so little remains it is hidden by the long grass. I was too wet and tired to go trapsing about in the long wet grass to go looking for any remains – lightweight that I am!
Canmore states that in 1960 it was about 24.5m in length and 1.5m in height. It is certainly not that big now.
Visited 26.7.15
As Postie says, you can’t miss this big ‘fella.
If you need any help it is near a telegraph pole.
In saying that, if you can’t see the stone the chances are you won’t see the telegraph pole either!
It is side-on to the road and approximately 2m high. There are good coastal views from the stone. Looks rough out at sea today. Glad I am a land lubber!
Signposted off the A841 (Historic Scotland site)
Although the rain continued to pour I was determined to fit one more site in before calling it a day. My boots and feet were sodden from the earlier sites I had visited and I was relived that this one actually had a proper path to it.
As the Vicster points out the path is pretty and on this occasion offered some respite from the rain. I could put up with the odd muddy patch or three!
Although there is not a huge amount to see it was interesting and different to see the four compartments of the burial chamber set out in front of you. As others have said, this is far from being the best site to visit on Arran but it is worth it nonetheless. AND it has a proper path!
If you are looking for somewhere ‘out of the way’, this is the place for you. Located at the far end of a finger of land jutting out from Kintyre it takes a long drive down a narrow (but pretty) road to reach the Chapel (Historic Scotland site)
The chapel is famous for its early christian cross slabs and the spectacular MacMillan’s Cross.
Outside the entrance to the church (on the left) I noticed what I believe to be a bullaun stone. I am far from being any kind of expert but I have seen a few over the years and to my (untrained) eyes this is one. If it’s not, it certainly looks like one. I can find no mention of the stone on the Historic Scotland website etc but I reckon that’s what it is.
Perhaps someone who knows more about these stones can have a look if they ever happen to be in this very ‘out of the way’ place and report back?
About 500 metres northeast of the cairn
canmore.org.uk/site/295414/corriecrevie
By some distance the most impressive round cairn to grace Kintyre (I reckon the next in line is that at Kildonan Point), the great stone pile at Correchrevie nevertheless duly serves up a double-whammy by occupying a quite stunning coastal location. Yeah, the sweeping seascape looking across the Sound of Gigha to the Isle of Gigha and its diminutive companion Cara Island is, more-or-less, the same celebrated outlook to be found at the wondrous Ballochroy alignment a little up the road.
As indicated above this is a substantial monument. But no need to take my word for it since the RCAHMS visited, albeit way back in 1961, determining that the cairn measured “27.5m in diameter and 5.0m in height”, which is pretty hefty, it has to be said. Furthermore, despite a number of ‘excavations’ being apparent within the structure, such is the volume of stone still remaining in situ that I’d agree with the observation that the damage wrought by stone seekers of yesteryear appears to be “...superficial, and the main body of cairn material and any internal features are probably undisturbed.” Yeah, here we have another sleeping behemoth.
My mid-morning visit coincides with, and needless to say greatly benefits from, a somewhat boisterous weather front propelling vast slabs of cloud across a brilliant cobalt-blue canvas, this mass of grey-white vapour towering above my stony perch and occupying a vertical plane of a scale quite beyond this human’s comprehension. Hey, what are the works of humankind, relatively speaking, when considered within the context of the biggest of all pictures?
Despite Correchrevie’s impressive bulk travellers approaching along the coastal road to the north – as no doubt many do – may be forgiven not even clocking its existence, such is the nature of the topography. However stop for a while a little way past Ronachan Bay (at the second lay-by, the one with emergency ‘phone) and wander down to water’s edge to taste the salt air at the limit of the crashing breakers... where, upon turning to face inland once more the superb positioning of the monument is instantly apparent.
Access, it would seem, is either via a stony track beside (currently) unemployed farm buildings or directly up the hill through woodland. A barbed-wire fence encloses the relevant field upon the crest; however I found I was able to step over this without damaging either it or my nether regions... or else would’ve ventured a little further north toward a gate.
From Innisidgen lower it is but a two minute walk to this bigger better burial chamber. I’m no linguist but I’ve decided that an Innisidgen is a stunningly beautiful place with an ancient site that you wouldn’t mind spending eternity at, it should be entered into the next edition of the dictionary. It’s almost my idea of absolute perfection, what it really needs is some big mountains across the water and I would literally never go home.
The burial chamber is kind of hunched high on one side as you look at the front, inside is graveled and dry, I could easily sleep in there for a night, in fact, you could bum around the island for several days sleeping in a different chamber each night, though some might frown upon this, you know what people are like.
The big tree nearest to the chamber has a long rope hanging from it, a tarzy i’m informed, it keeps the kids occupied whilst I lose myself in this paradise.
The chamber is sited on a slight ridge that allows good views east, north and west, I’m not very beach oriented, but the way the light shines on the sea is, well it’s lovely. But even the way the light strikes the grass, the ferns, the rocks, it’s really too much for this Cheshire plains based soul to take.
All too soon it’s time to vacate the premises, the kids almost have to drag me down off the rocks next door to the chamber.
I will certainly be back.
A perfectly blissful place.
It all got a touch confusing trying to find this place, I couldn’t work out which turning to take off the main road, in the end a passing walker asked if we needed any help, to which I jumped at. He directed us down Pungies lane, then turn right onto McFarlands down, after about a hundred yards of rough cobbley track you come to a sign Left to Bants Carn and right to Innisidgen. We took the bikes with us as far as we could then left them and walked on down the footpath along past the beach, passing a rather redundant Innisidgen sign, a single path, with no turn offs, and half way along it is this daft sign pointing the only way you can go anyway. It should have been back along the track where it would have been informative and helpful.
And we’re there, we sit on the dry mossy grass next to the chamber, have an eat and drink, and wonder at our surroundings, I have to keep pinching myself and reminding myself that were still in England, in England, but this definitely isn’t Crewe Toto.
The whole mound and chamber are built upon a slope just above the sea line, the chamber is open at both ends, and only two capstones remain. Some big white kerb stones are showing.
It’s a great little tomb, but overshadowed somewhat by the wondrous surroundings, I’ve not got much connection with the coast or beaches, but this place is lovely, but not quite as lovely as Upper, up there, but it’s not visible from here because of the verdant growth of ferns, but I can see the rocks that overlook it.
This is one of those places that is, at one of, the ends of the world, ancient man had a thing for at the ends of the world, The Isle of Lewis and Orkney are two other good ones. Like them it takes a lot to get here, firstly is the big drive down, it’s a big drive from everywhere outside of Cornwall, then there’s the two and a half hour puke fest on board HMS Nausea. Next you have to decide what to see, with little more than four hours to spend here the choice is a difficult one.
We rented a trio of bikes to get around on, with two much messy abouty kids with me, speed was going to be key today. The plan, such as it was, was to get to all three of the sites in the TMA big orange book, first on the list, because it’s closer is the Great tomb on Porth Hellick down.
Scilly isn’t just extremely out of the way, it is extreme in many ways, there are up to seven other chambered cairn in the near vicinity, none have been restored like the Great tomb. The next hill over also has a tonne of tombs too, Do you like oddly shaped weathered big stones, they’ve got loads all over the place. Loads of exotic plants and extremely none English weather, hardly any cars ( except that one) and they’re not, and this should be strongly emphasised speaking French.
Extremely good !
Scillonian tombs aren’t great big massive affairs, like in Brittany, these tombs are low, get on your knees, melting into nature tombs. So with goosebumps and
a flutter in my chest I get on my knees and sidle past the blocking stone at the entrance and enter the crypt.
Chamber, but crypt went in better, there’s possibly too much cement visible inside, reminding you too much that this is a restoration job, never a bad thing is restoration, but some go better than others, at least there’s no modern bricks showing.
The unroofed passage was my favorite part, the old bright stones bursting with little flowering plants, even if some of it was gorse, my new worst enemy.
Walking round the tomb the kerbing stands pround of all flowers and grass, the tomb has a deflated look to it, like a cushion used by Brian Blessed for a while.
Monkey boy suggests a photo from the tree house in that tree over there would look quite good, I couldn’t help but agree so we climbed up for a look about, and concluded that this was an extremely good place to be, not up the tree, I hate heights, but the down, put us on a marvelous up.
It’s taken a really long time to get here, I’ve until now only seen it from the A386 Tavistock to Okehampton road, from where it looks very much like a Dartmoor Glastonbury, a Dunnideer, a Beeston, a lone hill with a medieval building on it. I liked the look of it from the A386, so I decided that one day I’d have a look, and with my usual get up and go-ness it’s taken well over ten years.
Parking is at the Brentor church car park, parking is free. Then across the road through the gate and there’s the Tor with the church perched on top.
If you keep left on the path, your taken through what I hope is the original entrance to the fort, a long bank curves from here around the base of the hill.
But most people, myself included would most likely head straight to the top, to the best view, to the most obvious point of interest, the church.
But on the way I noted a load of other earthworks, including another inner entrance.
Soon enough the wind is blowing, Crows are keeping an eye on all who get to the top, and i’m getting that mountain top feeling.
Really, I didn’t even know this was a hill fort until I decided to make this my stop off point. It’s just a bonus really, the main thing about this extremely extinct volcano is that you can sit on top and marvel at the world before you, and if you’ve got any questions God is just over your shoulder.
“God, what are coincidences made of?”
“You wouldn’t understand”
“Aah”
Take the south coastal road, not taking the Ness Road, go as far as the Frustigarth Road and take that. The stone is in the second field after Cot on the Hill, don’t be tempted by the first field as it is rather boggy. I went to have a look at the wartime building on the other side and found what could have been an outlier. Didn’t measure it but say a metre square with another stone underneath
Visited 1.8.15
As Fitzcoraldo says the barrow has a very flat top – like it has recently been ironed!
E.H. state:
This earth and stone barrow is 1.5m high x 17m in diameter. In the centre of the barrow is a slight hollow caused be excavations in the past.
On the opposite side of the road is another barrow. This one I could see no trace of.
E.H. state:
This earth and stone barrow is 0.7m high x 9m in diameter. Past excavations have left a hollow in the centre and the mound has been almost levelled on the west side. This barrow was originally one of eight spread across the north side of Newton Mulgrave Moor and lies in an area rich in prehistoric monuments.
Visited 1.8.15
Directions:
A short distance south-west of Loose Howe.
On the opposite side of the A171.
There are two barrows showing on the O/S map here. The first one you come to I couldn’t see any trace of. Which perhaps isn’t surprising as E.H. state it is only 0.4m high at the time of their last inspection. Probably ploughed out by now?
The second barrow is much more prominent and easy to spot a little further down the minor road. It is in a field of sheep and has clearly be dug into at some point in the past. It is now a rough grassed mound. Although there is a barbed wire fence around the field access is easy thanks to a helpfully position wooden field gate. There are extensive moorland views to be had from the barrow. Whilst there we watched a bird of prey sat on a wooden fence post before it majestically flew off nto the yonder. E.H state this barrow is 1.6m high x 24m in diameter.
Visited 1.8.15
Directions:
Opposite the camp site on the minor road off the A171 towards Ugthorpe.
Nothing to see.
E.H. state:
A round barrow of earth and stone standing up to 0.5m high and 10m in diameter.
Visited 1.8.15
Directions:
To the north of the village of Lingdale mid point between the A 171 and the A174.
Took a wrong turn and happened to be passing.
The filed (next to the farmhouse) where the O/S map shows the ‘tumulus’ to be is wild and overgrown. I couldn’t make anything out. E.H. have nothing to report.
Visited 1.8.15
Directions:
On the A174. Church and holy well is signposted.
The well is easy enough to find at the back of the church. I wooden handrail assists the pilgrim down the grass slope. The restored well has a stone trough next to it which had a large collection of old rusting coins in it. Judging by the amount of coins in the bottom of the well this place gets a lot of visitors.
The water did look clear but I didn’t risk it.
This is a very peaceful spot with only the sound of a wood pigeon for company. It is nice here.
Unfortunately the church was locked so I couldn’t have a look inside.
Well (excuse the pun) worth a visit if you happen to be visiting the nearby lovely fishing village of Staithes.
Visited 1.8.15
Visible from the road on the right when heading south along this lonely road across the desolate heather-clad moorland. As Chris says access is easy from the obvious track – also an easy place to park.
If you like windswept moorland views, this is the place for you! Can’t comment much about the barrows as they are overgrown with heather.
Visited 1.8.15
Whilst driving south along the minor moorland road between Grosmont and Newton-on-Rawcliffe I counted 6 of these roadside stones. 3 of which had square holes cut into the upper part. The stones are tall and quite impressive. How old? Who knows?
They appear to be markers across this bleak moorland to assist travelers?
Visited 1.8.15
Directions:
A short distance west of the B1249. Opposite Willerby Wold Farmhouse.
Couldn’t see anything due to the field being in crop (wheat). Parking on the grass verge is easy enough.
Visited 1.8.15
Wow! This stone is incredible. As soon as you see the church you see the stone. It hits you between the eyes. It dominates and overpowers the church. It is huge, not just in height but in depth and width. It is even bigger in real life than it looks in pictures.
All of this is true but what is most impressive is the power this stone radiates. If ever a stone was a symbol of power, prestige or greatness – this is it.
There is little more to say than come and visit and see for yourself.
Although it was evening when I arrived at the church I was pleasantly surprised to find it still open. The church is nice inside and well worth a look. I was also able to pick up a couple of postcards of the monolith and an information leaflet.
***
This morning I received news that a lifelong friend of mine suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. This came as a great shock and is one of those moments when you consider your own mortality. I dedicate these notes to my friend Keith (known to us as ‘The Trend’). Thank you for the memories. May you rest in peace.
Visited 24.7.15
Next stop on my mini ‘Grand Tour’ was the famous Templewood complex. It was a lovely summer’s evening and long shadows were begin cast over the stones. I was amazed that I was the only one here. I expected the (unusually) nice weather would have brought the tourists out? Clearly not,
Although Templewood has been tidied up a lot it is still a great place to visit. Access is as easy as it gets and the information boards are very informative. I always find that sites which have trees around them to have that ‘special feeling’. Templewood is no exception, particularly when you are lucky enough to have the place to yourself.
