Craig Las Cairn

Also known as:
Tyrrau Mawr (Lower)
Nearest town:
Dolgellau (6km NE)
OS reference:
SH68121392
OS sheet:
124
Latitude:
52° 42' 23.46 N
Longitude:
3° 57' 7.92 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Craig Las Cairn (Cairn) by GLADMAN

Well, waddya know? So just WHO was supposed to be able to view this cairn back in the day, then?

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 10, 2026
Image of Craig Las Cairn (Cairn) by GLADMAN

I spy... with my little eyes... possibly the most obscure cairn I’ve ever had the privilege to see. Perched high up on the north-eastern shoulder of Tyrrau Mawr (Craig Las), Cadair Idris.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 10, 2026

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Miscellaneous

Craig Las Cairn
Cairn(s)
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Jun 10, 2026

Overcome once again by the beyond-scenic splendour of Cadair Idris’s Tyrrau Mawr – or Craig Las, if you prefer – The Citizen Cairn happened to spy a curious cairn-like structure far below, nestled upon the peak’s spendid northeastern shoulder.... hitherto unknown to me. Sure enough, Coflein records:

“Cairn, 5m diameter around a massive boulder, on a high shoulder at 455m on Tyriau Mawr. The monument comprises the remains of a round cairn, probably dating to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 bc -800 bc) and situated within rough grazing on the NE-facing flank of Craig-las. The stone-built cairn is circular on plan and measures 6m in diameter and up to 1.2m in height. There is a fine exposed cist in the centre of the cairn, measuring 0.8m in length by 0.45m transversely and 0 6m in depth. The cairn has been constructed around a large angular boulder, against which the cist has been built. An unusual cairn built around a large angular boulder that has been utilised to form a cist along one side with thick upright slabs and a thin fallen slab – probably a cover slab. The cairn material is subangular and scattered around, probably because it was removed during robbing. The cist is 0.80 x 0.45 x 0.60m deep. The cairn lies in a small hollow on a shelf high up on the side of Tyrrau Mawr, remote and inaccessible and would not have been visible except from the top of Tyrrau Mawr ridge. (Smith, 2001)”

Hmmm. So, here we have a funerary cairn placed where only those on high could see it – whether in the physical, or metaphysical realm? Intriguing.

I admit that I briefly considered a visit. However, that would’ve meant road-bashing all the way back to Hafotty-fach. Now, as much as I am in thrall to my prehistory, the sheer wonder of the uplands still takes precedent every time. I shall endeavour to return next year and approach from below. But don’t hold me to that.

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