Fowlis Wester Cairn

Also known as:
New Fowlis
Nearest town:
Crieff (7km WSW)
OS reference:
NN927233
OS sheets:
52, 58
Latitude:
56° 23' 23.28 N
Longitude:
3° 44' 17.68 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by thesweetcheat

Small “standing stone” on the cairn.

Image credit: A. Brookes (6.10.2016)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Oct 28, 2016
Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by thesweetcheat

Large upright slab on the cairn. It might be clearance, but it could be part of the cairn.

Image credit: A. Brookes (6.10.2016)
thesweetcheat
thesweetcheat Oct 28, 2016
Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by postman

Big stones abound, probably field clearance, but all of it ?

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jul 22, 2013
Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by postman

Some cairn material showing through the grass

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jul 22, 2013
Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by postman

The big erect stone tells of something more than just “cairn”

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jul 22, 2013
Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by postman

From across the A85, stood on a salting box near the bus stop.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jul 22, 2013
Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by postman

Shooting into the sun, from up the road to Fowlis Wester.

Image credit: Chris Bickerton
postman
postman Jul 22, 2013
Image of Fowlis Wester Cairn (Cairn) by ActionMan

The only Standing stone on the cairn. This stone is on the east side next to the small road up to the village.Please be careful when parking.

ActionMan
ActionMan Feb 13, 2004

Articles

Fowlis Wester Cairn

postman
postman Jul 22, 2013

This is a big cairn, found in the corner of a field just a few meters from the road, you cant miss it as you head up hill for the Fowlis wester stones.

I parked near the bus stop on the A85.

There are places where you can still see the cairn material used in its construction, but mostly its all grassed over and covered in nettles and fallen branches. Around it is much field clearance.
But one stone looks to be intentionally stood upright, just over three feet high it is a mini menhir, were there more ?

A good cairn

Fowlis Wester Cairn

nickbrand
nickbrand Aug 3, 2006

As BigSweetie has said, there’s a lot going on here. Many of the stones are field clearance, but the cist covers and several recumbent stones (along with the single upright remaining) show that there was a veritable hive of neolithic activity here at one time.

According to a local lady I spoke to, the land belongs to the Abercairney Estate and was at one time used as a burial ground. The estate has been held by the Moray family since the end of the 13th century.

Fowlis Wester Cairn

BigSweetie
BigSweetie Feb 29, 2004

From the road, this cairn doesn’t look like anything particularly special. But hop over the fence into the field, and it becomes much more interesting. There is one standing stone at the base of a large cairn, in amongst the trees. Walking around the cairn it becomes clear that it sits on a flattened platform with possibly the remains of a slight ditch around it. Me and Scotty were here the day after some light snow, and the snow appeared to be collecting in the slight depression that is all that remains of the ditch.

When walking around the base of the cairn, keep your eyes peeled for other stones of a similar size to the standing stone. They appear to be at fairly regular intervals around the base, 10 in all (including the standing one). Looking even harder, you’ll see the remains of several cist covers. We counted four the remains of four large slabs, as well as lots of smaller pieces which may also once have been covers. There’s also a cist intact if you look carefully. As far as I know, this site has never been excavated.

Fowlis Wester Cairn

T
talorcan Jun 10, 2003

Whilst you are in the area there are more spectacular stones nearer the village. Park in the square, take the road to the west for about a mile and you will see very large stones on your right.
There are also beautifull carved Pictish stones in the church.
Another stone circle lies on top of the hill behind the village to the left of the road.

Steve du Cane

Fowlis Wester Cairn

hamish
hamish Oct 10, 2002

This is on the corner of the turning to fowlis wester from the A86.There is a distinct hump and a scattering of large stones.I didn’t clamber over the wall,fence and stinging nettles for a closer look.There was also some large evil looking striped black and yellow flying things buzzing about.

Miscellaneous

Fowlis Wester Cairn
Cairn(s)
ActionMan
ActionMan Feb 13, 2004

The poem below is part of an anthology of poetry from Perthshire. The poem gives you a hint at the mystery of a site passed and ignored by so many people on the journey to work every day.Good to know that at least one soul has taken the time to stop and ponder this place that sits within 10 yards of the busy main Crieff – Perth road.

Miscellaneous

Fowlis Wester Cairn
Cairn(s)
ActionMan
ActionMan Feb 13, 2004

The Burial Mound at Fowlis Wester

It’s easy to wait here, the wind blowing through
The branches of the elms still my heart
I came in uninvited although that was not strictly true
My troubles asked me to come here & be with them

They who built this they knew how to honour
The dead but now in life I circle it
Round clockwise a couple of times
Once for the rain and twice for those other hands

I would like to read the stone but they won’t
Show me their language instead I read
The trees & one of them tells me that
In 1896 John Martin carved out his name

I wonder if like me he held his breath
& let the time turn to sunlight
Some startled crows get even more startled
As the traffic rolls but not these thought

Which cluster in this circle & the rabbits who
Burrow here do they understand time
& does it hold them as it does me
A beguiling set of stones traveling to our deepest

Distance the gods of their flight are worried
About strange concessions & I am jealous
Of them & what they have seen because
I am part of a river here in strathearn & I am flowing

From one silence to another & make no mark
I have no stones I just watch the shochards
Bringing in spring I say my farewells
I get my bus & I’m back in the river.

George Dunn

Sites within 20km of Fowlis Wester Cairn

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