Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Images
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
I've visited the environs of Kilmartin a number of times over the years... but never stopped off at any rock art before. Worth the wait. Needless to say I'm no macro photographer.....
Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Visited June 2011
Image credit: Uwe Häberle 06/2011
Visited June 2011
Image credit: Uwe Häberle 06/2011
Visited June 2011
Image credit: Uwe Häberle 06/2011
Visited June 2011
Image credit: Uwe Häberle 06/2011
Visited June 2011
Image credit: Uwe Häberle 06/2011
Image credit: tjj
Image credit: tjj
Image credit: tjj
Image credit: tjj
One of the many fine interpretation boards at Achnabreck.
Image credit: tjj
7 May 2013
Image credit: Tomatoman
Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image credit: Chris Bickerton
Image credit: Chris Bickerton
17-4-2008
Image credit: Brian Kerr 2008
17-4-2008
Image credit: Brian Kerr 2008
17-4-2008
Image credit: Brian Kerr 2008
17-4-2008
Image credit: Brian Kerr 2008
17-4-2008
Image credit: Brian Kerr 2008
17-4-2008
Image credit: Brian Kerr 2008
The mound looking SW towards Loch Gilp. Yes, this was taken within the perimeter fence, but we took great care to only walk on the thick grassy carpet and not the naked rock! Tea time. 5/4/7
Image credit: hybrid
From
Archaic Sculpturings of Cups, Circles, &c. upon Stones and Rocks in Scotland, England & other Countries
by
Sir J.Y. Simpson, Bart, MD, DCL
Published by
Edmonston & Douglas
Edinburgh 1867
From
Archaic Sculpturings of Cups, Circles, &c. upon Stones and Rocks in Scotland, England & other Countries
by
Sir J.Y. Simpson, Bart, MD, DCL
Published by
Edmonston & Douglas
Edinburgh 1867
As seen in 'Inscribed Rocks...' 1865.
Image credit: J Collingwood Bruce
From the engraving 'Incised Markings on rocks near Lochgilp-Head, Argyllshire' By HD Graham Esq. 1863
Image credit: HD Graham
August 06
Image credit: IH
August 06
They do simple motifs here too, not just fancy ones.
Image credit: IH
August 06
Image credit: IH
August 06.
Image credit: IH
Based on Beckensall's illustration of the carvings of an undetermined number of unknown prehistoric folk.
Image credit: Some prehistoric dude((ette)s))
With kind permission of Mr B.
Image credit: Stan Beckensall
Image credit: IH
Image credit: IH
Image credit: IH
Cup and multiple rings.
Image credit: Andy H
Rock art panel at Achnabreck.
Image credit: Andy H
Achnabreck Upper (Top) – N end. (In the PSAS 103 link: Area A looking SW showing most of the carvings in Fig 5 in which the foreground spiral is e4)
Achnabreck Upper (Top) – central area. (In the PSAS 103 link: Area B looking SW showing most of the carvings in Fig 6 with the bottom right being c12)
Achnabreck Upper (Top) – SW end. (In the PSAS 103 link: Area C around b25 on Fig 7)
Achnabreck Middle. An area with some large cup-and-ring markings including the largest in Scotland – towards the top of the photo (in more detail on the next image). Another large carving at the bottom of the picture has a 50p coin beside it for scale. (In the PSAS 103 link: Area D looking SW. Includes most of the images in Fig 8 with the foreground one being e3)
Achnabreck Middle. The largest cup-and-ring mark in Scotland with a diameter of 0.97m over seven rings. There is a 50p coin for scale beside it. (On the PSAS 103 link: Area D. e8 on Fig 8)
Achnabreck Low upper W end. (On the PSAS 103 link: Area G looking SE. The overlapping carvings on the right are f4 in Fig 10)
Achnabreck Low. (On the PSAS 103 link: Area F – the three carvings centred on j9 in Fig 11)
Achnabreck Low. (On the PSAS 103 link: Area H looking W. The foreground carving is p18 in Fig 13)
Achnabreck Low. (On PSAS103 link: mainly Area K looking SW towards the four large cupmarks near the fence. The carving in the "triangle" is j18 in Fig 14)
Achnabreck Wood. (On PSAS 103 link: Area M, the foreground carving is d10 in Fig 16)
Achnabreck Wood. (On PSAS 103 link: Area L. Around c5 on Fig 15).
Achnabreck carvings
Image credit: Andy H
Achnabreck in the pouring rain 4/5/2003.
Image credit: wee malky
Achnabreck in the pouring rain 4/5/2003.
Image credit: wee malky
Achnabreck in the pouring rain 4/5/2003.
Image credit: wee malky
Achnabreck; upper panel in the late afternoon sun. May 2002.
Achnabreck; cup-and-ring motifs with 'runner' cups. May 2002.
Achnabreck; horned motif in low sunlight. May 2002.
Main panel at Achnabreck in the low afternoon sun, May 2002
A view to Lochgilphead.
Image credit: Norie.
Image credit: Norie.
August 98
August 98
August 98-unusual double spiral
August 98
August 98
August 98-close up of great spiral
August 98
August 98
Articles
Just found a report from this weekend regarding new carvings found at Achnabreck after a recent storm.
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2 Comments
Visited 21/5/17: We passed the sign for Achnabreck on our way to the accommodation we were going to be staying in at Cairnbaan so it was with no difficulty we drove back there the next day. We could have walked but that morning it was raining ... heavily. We were undeterred and, after a bumpy drive up the forest track, found the designated parking area.
The information/interpretation boards are abundant and full of useful information. We followed the clearly marked trails up to Acknabreck 1. In no way did the rain spoil the enjoyment of seeing my first Kilmartin rock art panels although my photos didn't do them justice. On then to Achnabreck 2. A smaller though as equally impressive panel. We understood there was third panel further on and did walk on a bit to find it, unsuccessfully. Very much wanted to walk back up there from Cairnbaan – as there is a narrow short-cut road just past Cairnbaan Hotel which comes out opposite the sign for Achnabreck – in better weather but one week just wasn't long enough.
Achnabreck – also known as Achnabreac in Gaelic which might contain elements that mean 'speckled'.
I didn't find this place easy to find at all.
After the depot on the forests edge I turned right instead of going straight on. Accordingly I ended up south of the fort Dun na Maraig on a track that takes you to Achnabeck farm house and standing stone(fallen).
We saw a sign for the rock art pointing into the trees, so it seemed all would be well. But somehow we ended up on what looked like a BMX track which took us to who knew where. But with map and compass and the high fort to get our bearings from we soon found our selves back on the right track. It took us straight to the rock art, Yaay.
I've been to Kilmartin several times now and seen the sign on the road pointing the way here but always I've gone off to see the stones instead. But not this time, it is high on the must see list.
To say that the rock art panels are extensive is to say that the kilmartin glen has some stones in it.
I wasn't expecting it to go on so far, the first panel is quite massive, inclined at 45 degrees, perhaps. It has many interesting forms upon it. But round the corner and you can see just how much further it goes. I'm afraid to say it was at this point that the fence jumper in me got the better of me. Over we go, no one saw us, i think we got away with it. Needless to say we didn't trample on the carvings, we always trod on grass.
One of the spirals is a meter across, huge, comparatively, it's the overgrown mutant of the rock art spiral world.
Plus, there's the view down into and across the valley, it's a nice place, a very nice place indeed.
But just then the swarm came, the real monster of the highlands, those god damn midges. Eric earlier in the day had pointed out some midge hat net thingies, but I said we could cope without them. We couldn't, they fair chased us away, there was more midges than there was vacant air, run for the hills, damn were already there.
The way back was more straight forward than coming.
I got absolutely drenched visiting this site (days before I had my waterproofs!) but it was well worth it as the rock art is amazing and the rock face is so large. I doubt a place like this would have survived this long if it was easier to get to! In saying that, the path from the car park is obvious. Just keep walking and it takes you right there.
August 2006
Summertime again, but this time low overcast, terrible light for viewing rock art. Headed home before it got properly dark, precluding fancy photos.
Still enjoyed it though. Made the acquiaintance of a couple of supremely weird looking Germanic fellas, who had visited not to see the rock carvings per se, but because they had been told that from this spot, the whirlpool of Coryvreckan could be seen. This ties in with thoughts of spiral motifs both here and at Templewood. For apparently Coryvreckan is a formidable natural feature, maybe worthy of note back in the days of rock carving and circle building.
August 2005
Summertime, clear sky, late evening, just before the sun hits the horizon, midge central, but the light hits at the perfect angle, and no-one else there. Lovely.
If you ain't into climbing over the railings, the camera-onna-stick method of monopod assisted photography can get some nice closeups. I was interested in some motifs which looked like they'd been 'had at' in ancient times. As if their meaning or creator had become unwanted, resulting in the deliberate and public desecration (if that's an applicable word?) of the carvings.
As far as I'm concerned, Achnabreck lived up to the hype.
(But it still dunt beat Ketley Crag for sheer CnR loveliness!)
Easy to find as are all the Kilmartin sites – just watch your cars suspension on the forest track.
There's a dedicated car park with picnic benches and great views to the west.
Luckily, the main rock is far enough away from the carpark (400m) to give some sense of isolation. The site is fenced off and I don't think it's ok to just jump over it, as a previous poster has suggested – these carvings have survived for millenia because they have not been trampled on by thousands of boot-shod tourists still warm from the interiors of their metallic-painted MPVs.
The top of the outcrop is not visible to someone of normal stature but the first slab encountered is breath-taking in its scale and intricacy. As mentioned, a recent shower of rain can really help you to see the carvings.
Menhir-visiting mutt, Denis, appreciated the treck through the forest and had a good wee up a number of the surrounding fence-posts.
Revisited the Kilmartin area on this year's August Bank Holiday although why I chose this particular day when I could go there on any day remains a mystery to me. The main Kilmartin sites were overrun with visitors making anything from photography to contemplation well nigh impossible. Only at Ri Cruin was there a brief gap in the crowds.
I had planned to leave Achnabreck to the last to get any low sun that might be around. A good strategy as it turned out since all remaining clouds disappeared (along with the visitors) and I had over an hour to become aquainted with the carvings before another group arrived just as I was packing up.
I've cross-referenced the posted images with the drawings and location plans in the PSAS 103 article.
References to Achnabreck Wood are to the panel further up the path from the main panels (NR857906) – named, of course, before the Forestry Commission cleared away the surrounding trees.
The photos submitted above are from my second visit to Achnabreck. There had been some discussion previously as to what the artwork would look like in the rain and I got to find out this time as it was chucking it down. I can report that the surface of the rock takes on a sheen that does reveal the patterns to a slightly greater degree than on a dry day. The only problem was that the gradual soggy feeling I had was interfering with my contemplation of this amazing place. I don't think though that you can come here (even in the rain) and fail to be impressed.
We visited this place in Feb. 2000.
I dont know what this is.
And I dont have theories that set me on fire.
But one thing is for sure – this is a very amazing place and I'm glad we came here.
I camped beside Achnabreck with my friend Ant in 96. There's a convenient tent-sized break in the tree stumps next to the higher of the two stone outcrops. Kilmartin Valley is an amazing place. You can spend a week inwhat is a relatively small area and still not have enough time to take it all in. The landscape changes with the light and the weather and the whole vicinity is capable of sucking you in and making you feel an existence that is somehow detached from modern living. We spent many nights just watching the sea mist gradually encroaching on the valley plain below, leaving just the twinkling lights of Lochgilphead as a reminder that it was the twentieth century we were escaping from.
The carvings themselves exert a powerful pull and you would find yourself wandering back to inspect them on your own, whenever the chance arose. Taking a spray bottle filled with water is highly reccomended as this makes them stand out from the rock face itself. The only way to really see them is to climb into the fenced off areas and sit above them. It's one of the most evocative places I've ever spent any time in, and one that I was afraid to revisit for two or three years in case the magic had dissipated. I needn't have worried. It's a very special site and all the more unspoiled for not being overrun with visitors. If you do get the chance to go there, be silent and enjoy one of the most magical sacred places in our ancient isle.
Ungraspably large, the first carved outcrop you come across here is one to boggle at. Yes, there's fences, but see my entry on Cairnbaan for why I think they've done things quite well here. There's no steps to go over the fence as there are at Cairnbaan, but I think the general idea is that you can hop over to be close – just take the fence as a reminder to be careful.
Walking back down to the car park, the present path gave the distinct impression of heading towards the hill at Cairnbaan (which can be seen from the upper groupings of carvings at Achnabreck). I got a strong sense that these two sites relate to each other, possibly as part of a system of tracks, and possibly as kind of 'gateway points' into the ritual landscape proper in the Kilmartin Glen to the north.
August 1998, Achnabreck Cup-and-Ring Marked Rocks, Argyll.
About 15 years ago I started becoming interested in stone circles, monoliths, cairns etc. and one of the first books I bought was a small paperback (which still goes everywhere with me!) called "Scotland Before History" by Stuart Piggot. I was only really familiar with the ancient monuments around Perthshire's country and often read about and gazed at many of the photos of other sites. I tried to imagine positions of the monuments in the land in which they are found- Achnabreck is described as a "spectacular area of cup and ring markings on the edge of a forest".
Now its August 1998 and I find myself in the magickal country of Argyll. We're battling through clouds of flying ants (believe it or not) up a well trod path next to some fine forest. We made it through the insects and now the country around starts to open up and we are greeted with beautiful views down to the Crinan Canal and the fields and forests around us. Ahead of us I can see them- the area is made just a bit obvious due to the massive stone outcrop being surrounded by the Hisoric Scotland-grey fence and wooden walkways. At first all the designs are half-hidden in the late summer sun, but once I move along the path the shadows start to pick out the circles in the stone and then its as if a great veil is lifted and the whole great stone slab resonates with circles and cup-marks. Before I know it I'm over the fence and crouching beside the rock. I know I should really not be on this side but these places belong to us as much as they are cared for by Historic Scotland. Of course I'm extremely careful not to tread or kneel on the rock face but I manage to stretch across the rock from my crouched perch on the grass. I need to feel the rough stone with my own hands and to trace a circle with my fingers.....
Also known as "Leachd-nan-sleagher" – the rock of the spears, variously translated as really meaning "Leach-nan-sluagh" – the rock of the hosts or gatherings, and "Leachd-nan-slochd" – the rock of the pits or impressions.
Sir James Y Simpson (the first surgeon to use chloroform) was apparently also interested in rock art. In the 1864/66 volume of the Proc. Soc. Antiquaries of Scotland Simpson wrote an article about cups and rings on stones in Scotland.
This extract is from that article, but quoted indirectly from
geocities.com/newtonwinchell/scot.pdf
which is an article by Kevin L Callahan on ethnographic analogy and the folklore of cup and ring rock art.
(on the naming of Achnabreck)
..The rock upon which the first and largest collection of concentric rings and cups at Auchnabreach is placed has a Gaelic name, which, according to John Kerr, an old shepherd brought up on the farm, is 'leachd-nan-sleagher' – the rock of the spears. Mr Henry D Graham, to whom I am much indebted for drawings of the Auchnabreach sculptures and others, believes the word to be 'leach-nan-sluagh' – the rock of the hosts or gatherings. The rev. Mr M'Bride has perhaps more happily suggested it to be 'leachd-nan-slochd' – rock of the pits or impressions. The rock itself, let me add, is in a position which commands a charming view of the waters of Loch Gilp and Loch Fyne, with the distant and magnificent hills of Arran as a gigantic background...
er. hope that clears that up then.
Achnabreck has the largest cup-and-ring mark in Scotland measuring 0.97m diameter over its seven rings. It is in the middle panel and is pictured here. In England, a similarly-sized carving is said to exist at Chatton – presumably this one and a larger one at around 1m (but nearer 1.2m prior to weathering) is at Gled Law (which I've not visited yet but it could be this one).
(Information from the PSAS 103 link below.)
Achnabreck (East) on BRAC. There are 5 additional pages on Achnabreck in Argyll and Bute on BRAC.
Photograph from,
The Mystery of Scotland's Earliest Sculptures
Ronald W B Morris 1975
With links to separate collections of the Lower-, Middle-, Upper and East panels.
Jenny's page shows two long shots which really give you an idea of the expanse of rock some of the carvings cover.
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Sites within 20km of Achnabreck
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Achnabreck New 1
photo 8 forum 1 description 1 link 1 -
Dun Na Maraig
photo 10 -
Achnabreck
photo 1 description 2 -
Stane Alane
photo 4 description 2 -
Auchoish
photo 18 description 2 -
Carn Bàn
photo 11 description 2 -
Badden Farm
link 2 -
Cairnbaan
photo 48 forum 1 description 4 link 2 -
Dunamuck
photo 3 forum 1 description 1 -
Dunamuck S
photo 9 description 1 -
Oakfield
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Dunamuck N
photo 5 description 1 -
Kilmichael Glassary
photo 28 description 7 link 2 -
Dunadd II
photo 2 description 1 -
Dunadd Stone
photo 2 description 1 -
Dunadd
photo 50 forum 4 description 14 link 6 -
Blairbuie 2
photo 5 description 1 link 2 -
Torbhlaren
photo 24 forum 1 description 2 link 2 -
Ardrishaig, Robber’s Den
photo 8 description 2 -
Rhudil cairn
photo 7 description 1 link 1 -
Baroile
photo 13 description 2 -
Anaskeog
link 1 -
Anaskeog
link 2 -
Leckuary
photo 8 description 2 -
Kilbride
link 2 -
Crinan Moss
photo 5 description 1 link 1 -
Crinan Moss
photo 4 description 1 -
Ballymeanoch Henge
photo 11 description 3 -
Ballymeanoch Barrow
photo 5 description 1 -
Ballymeanoch
photo 75 description 10 link 4 -
Ballymeanoch Cairn
photo 18 description 3 -
Rowanfield
photo 7 description 1 -
Barnluasgan Cairn
photo 6 description 1 -
Rowanfield
photo 7 description 1 -
Dunchraigaig Cairn
photo 36 description 9 link 3 -
Barsloisnoch Lodge
photo 4 description 1 -
Baluachraig
photo 33 description 4 link 2 -
Gartnagreanoch
photo 11 description 1 -
Barnluasgan
photo 9 description 1 -
Pointhouse
description 1 -
Crubageen
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Poltalloch
photo 20 description 3 link 2 -
Ri Cruin
photo 24 forum 1 description 6 link 2 -
Poltalloch Cairn
photo 4 description 1 -
Poltalloch Cist 3
photo 7 description 1 -
Poltalloch Cist
photo 4 description 1 -
Brouch An Drummin
photo 4 description 1 -
Bruach na Cuirte
photo 5 description 1 -
Druim An Duin
photo 16 description 1 link 1 -
Poltalloch Cist 2
photo 4 description 1 -
The Great X of Kilmartin
photo 83 description 9 link 2 -
Nether Largie
photo 9 description 2 link 1 -
Kilchoan of Poltalloch
photo 32 description 5 -
Upper Rhudil
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Templewood
photo 81 description 9 link 3 -
Nether Largie South
photo 62 description 6 link 3 -
Gariob
photo 6 description 1 link 1 -
Achnamara
photo 3 description 1 -
Slockavullin
photo 5 description 1 -
Nether Largie Central
photo 25 description 5 link 1 -
Nether Largie
photo 1 -
Ballygowan
photo 16 description 3 link 1 -
Nether Largie North
photo 28 forum 1 description 3 link 1 -
Bàrr a’Chuirn
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Kilmartin
link 3 -
The Glebe Cairn
photo 15 description 4 link 1 -
Upper Largie Cists
photo 1 description 1 link 1 -
Ardifuir
photo 12 description 3 link 1 -
Loch Michean
link 1 -
Glenmoine
photo 5 description 2 link 2 -
Carnasserie
link 1 -
Pier House
description 1 -
Carnassarie
photo 8 description 1 -
Evanachan Farm
photo 11 description 2 link 2 -
Carnasserie Castle
photo 2 description 1 -
Carnasserie Cottage
photo 8 description 1 -
Carnasserie
photo 23 description 4 -
Glennan
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Glennan Cairn 2
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Glennan Cairn 1
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Glennan Cairn
photo 4 description 1 -
Glennan
photo 7 description 2 link 2 -
Carron
photo 2 description 1 link 1 -
Creagantairbh
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Allt Bealaich Ruaidh
link 1 -
Creagantairbh
photo 11 description 3 -
Creagantairbh Beag
photo 2 description 2 -
Tigh a’Charnain Cairn I
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Meall a’Braithain
photo 1 link 3 -
Carn Ban
photo 19 description 1 -
Tigh a’Charnain Cairn II
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Glasvaar
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Glasvaar
photo 17 link 2 -
Tigh a’Charnain Cairn III
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Dun A’ Chogaidh
photo 15 description 1 -
Creag a’ Chapuill
photo 10 description 1 -
Auchnaha
photo 18 description 3 -
Loch Ederline
photo 2 description 1 -
Dun A’ Bhealaich
photo 11 description 1 -
Trafalgar Wood
photo 1 -
Ormaig
photo 34 forum 2 description 5 link 4 -
Ford
photo 6 description 2 -
Brainport Bay Solar Alignment
photo 40 description 4 link 1 -
Dun Chonallaich
photo 14 description 1 -
Kilfinan
photo 6 description 1 -
Lephinmore
photo 2 description 1 -
Salachary Stones
photo 10 description 2 link 1 -
Barnashaig (Tayvallich)
photo 11 description 3 -
Dun Bhronaig
photo 8 description 1 -
Kilneuair Church
description 1 -
Lochan Druim an Rathaid
link 1 -
Upper Fernoch (Tayvallich)
photo 9 description 3 -
Dun Dubh
photo 3 description 1 -
Dalmu’ Neasiag
photo 2 description 1 -
Torran
photo 2 description 2 -
Learg Mhor
photo 5 description 1 link 1 -
Dun Toiseach
photo 10 description 2 -
Torran
photo 2 description 1 -
Crarae Garden
photo 16 description 4 link 2 -
Fincharn
photo 2 link 2 -
Achanarnich
photo 1 link 2 -
Kintraw
photo 42 description 8 link 1 -
Drimnagall Wood
photo 6 description 1 -
Clach an t-Sagairt
photo 17 description 5 link 1 -
Dun Mhuirich
photo 19 description 2 link 1 -
Achahoish
photo 7 -
Dun Beag (Knapdale)
photo 10 description 1 -
Dun Mor
photo 11 description 1 -
Ardachearanbeg
photo 3 description 1 -
Dun Rostan
photo 20 description 1 -
Clachan of Glendarvel
description 1 -
An Fuaran
photo 4 description 1 -
Barrackan cairns
photo 3 description 1 -
Ardachearanbeg
photo 2 description 1 -
Barbreck
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Barbreck
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Lephinkill
photo 3 description 1 -
Rubh’ an Truisealaich
photo 3 description 1 -
Barnhill
photo 6 description 1 -
Inveryne
photo 4 description 1 link 2 -
Dunan Aula
photo 4 description 2 -
Cosandrochaid
photo 8 description 1 -
Inveryne
photo 4 description 1 -
Cnoc Nan Darag
photo 9 description 1 -
Sluggan
photo 3 forum 1 description 3 link 1 -
Carn Mor
photo 11 description 1 -
Kinuachdrachd
photo 10 description 1 -
Auchnagarran
photo 3 description 1 -
Old Ulva
photo 7 description 1 -
Cnoc A’ Chuirn Mhoir
photo 13 description 1 -
Castle Sween
photo 7 description 1 -
An Carn
photo 10 description 1 link 1 -
Auchalick Wood
photo 8 description 1 link 2 -
Caisteal Nan Coin Dubh
description 1 -
Dun Beag (Castle Sween)
photo 10 description 1 -
Droineach
photo 10 description 1 -
Drum A’ Chladha
photo 8 description 1 -
Ardmarnock
photo 22 description 4 -
Dun A’ Chaisteil
photo 10 description 1 -
Turnalt Farm
description 1 link 1