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July 27, 2025
July 26, 2025
Mind blowing monument in the middle of spectacular scenery. Not an easy climb but well worth the effort
The west side of the dun, easy to see where the name comes from.
From this angle it looks like Beacharr has a smaller twin on Gigha.
Gigha behind, in the distance Islay to the west, straight north Jura.
The Beacharr Standing Stone in Kintyre, Scotland, is associated with a local legend involving a brownie and a Campbell. The story says a brownie, who protects the MacDonalds of Largie and lives on the Isle of Cara, became enraged when a Campbell landed on Cara. The brownie transformed into a giant to chase the Campbell away. During the chase, a sliver of stone from the brownie’s sandal was dislodged and thrown across the water, landing at Beacharr and becoming the standing stone.
Beacharr Standing Stone is the tallest in Kintyre, standing at just over 5 meters tall. It’s located on a steep escarpment overlooking the Sound of Gigha.
The story, as shared by locals, involves a brownie (a helpful, mischievous spirit) associated with the MacDonalds of Largie and their island home, Cara. A Campbell (a rival clan) arrived on Cara, angering the brownie.
The brownie transformed into a giant to drive the Campbell away. During this pursuit, a piece of stone from the brownie’s sandal was dislodged.
The brownie, with the stone fragment stuck in his sandal, pulled it out and hurled it across the water. It landed at Beacharr, becoming the standing stone.
While the “brownie chase” story is a popular one, there are also suggestions that the stone might be related to lunar observations, and some early accounts mention it as a “monument of knowledge” about “mechanic powers”.
Interesting or hocus pocus, I didn’t find any sword to pull out of a rock :-)
mistshadows.blogspot.com/2024/11/arthur-son-of-bicoir-of-kintyre.html
North end of the south wall, note Beacharr’s standing stone further north.
The south section, no doubt the wall going through the middle of the dun is made from the dun’s walls.