Cadha Riach

Also known as:
Garafad
Nearest town:
Uig (11km WSW)
OS reference:
NG495675
OS sheet:
23
Latitude:
57° 37' 39.92 N
Longitude:
6° 11' 47.38 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Cadha Riach (Chambered Cairn) by drewbhoy

The islands of Staffin and Eilean Flodigarry (behind).

Image credit: drew/A/B
drewbhoy
drewbhoy Aug 3, 2019
Image of Cadha Riach (Chambered Cairn) by GLADMAN

Big momma cow ain’t moving for nobody. Moo’d better believe it.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 16, 2012
Image of Cadha Riach (Chambered Cairn) by GLADMAN

Big momma cow was taking no bullocks from me, I can tell you.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 16, 2012
Image of Cadha Riach (Chambered Cairn) by GLADMAN

Meall na Suiramach and The Quiraing form the skyline.... a skyline featuring arguably some of the most interesting rock scenery in the UK.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 16, 2012
Image of Cadha Riach (Chambered Cairn) by GLADMAN

Cadha Riach is where the cool cows hang out. Remember, you heard that here first.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 16, 2012

Articles

Cadha Riach

drewbhoy
drewbhoy Aug 7, 2019

We found this site to be almost ‘cute’ amongst beautiful scenery. The Quiraing, which I’ve climbed a few times before will not attempted today as there is a ferry to catch, dominates with the island of Staffin and the Old Man of Storr holding their own.

The what is it Carn Ban can be seen to north and still looks like a cairn after all of these years.

From the village follow Gladman’s directions, we parked near the tiny astro turf football pitch. Once on the flat look for a green mound, this contains the chamber which still has five stones in place. Some kerbs remain on the edge of the site.

Not much left, but worth it for the views, we loved it.

Visited 20/7/2019.

Cadha Riach

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jul 3, 2012

Guess this is best described as the ‘fragmentary’ remains of a chambered cairn? It’s certainly not going to overawe a visitor in the manner of the overwhelming monuments to be found at Kensaleyre or Liveras. Oh no. Why, its Neolithic constructors even saw fit – as I should have expected, in retrospect – to deny the visitor the benefit of the fine coastal views anticipated from such a cliff-top site upon the eastern flank of Trotternish. Not that the family of cows which call Cadha Riach ‘home’ seem to mind? Big bovine momma eyes me suspiciously for a microsecond before clearly deciding I’m no threat to her offspring. Yeah, I can live with that. Although it might have been a different story if it had have been big daddy bull.

Having said the above, the landward vista, looking toward the Trotternish Ridge and... in particular... the wondrous rock formations (and hillforts!) of The Quiraing, is pretty special. Once the morning cloud cover magically begins to peel away, that is. In fact the vibe ‘speaks’ so loudly I realise I now have no choice but to abandon my afternoon ‘schedule’ and climb the latter natural wonder next. Jeez. Surely there are less tiring hobbies?

Cadha Riach is perhaps best reached by parking near ‘The Community & International Leadership Centre’ (ahem) in Staffin. A path leads to the latter’s right, uphill toward the coast, crossing a drystone wall by way of a very impressive ‘stile’. The denuded chambered cairn, albeit still possessing chamber orthostats, sits a little way back from the cliff edge. As usual I found it a little difficult to spot at first, but eventually did so by orientating myself upon the line of the slipway below and following that back. Ta dah! Note also the large round cairn of Carn Ban overlooking the southern flank of Staffin Bay to the approx north-west [Update... apparently Carn Ban represents the remains of a broch. Sorry about that]. However I’ve made my choice. Quiraing, my lord?

Sites within 20km of Cadha Riach

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