Images

Image of Lochside, Loch Hope (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

To be fair I reckon this is of too regular construction to be clearance, albeit of prehistoric origin.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Lochside, Loch Hope (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Ancient clearance.... slab-lined storage pit... or funerary? Or does it really matter, with a view such as that, Ben Hope towering beyond?

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Lochside, Loch Hope (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

The ‘water’s edge’ cairn rises beyond the other within the ‘field system’.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Lochside, Loch Hope (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking across a possible prehistoric field system with what I’m assuming to be the OS logged cairn (NC47265772) seen to left. The obvious cairn to the right is cited as – if I’m reading Canmore records correctly – either clearance (seemed too regular) or a ‘slab lined pit’ associated with hut circles. The other alternative, of course, is it is what it looks like. A funerary cairn?

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
Image of Lochside, Loch Hope (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

The OS map shows a cairn at NC47265772 – more or less on the bank of Loch Hope – with traces of a cist. Nature has taken over, however and it was difficult to be sure. Much larger, much more obvious... and interesting, however, is the cairn a little further inland at approx. NC473 577.

The main reason to stop here – to be fair – is Loch Hope itself, looking toward Ben Hope.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone

Sites within 20km of Lochside, Loch Hope