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CarnbaanChambered Tomb
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07/06/2018 - Last full day on Bute and we had a tricky decision to make. Where to go? It was a choice between heading north to visit 4 chambered cairns on the coast or heading to Scalpsie Bay and have a walk over a few tops with 1 chambered cairn. Both looked good but we went for Scalpsie Bay, just for the walk really. Early afternoon found us back at the car and in need of a coffee shop. The one at Ettrick Bay was so fine we decided to go again. Parking at the south end of the bay we walked along the lovely beach to get there. It's a great area for a stroll or paddle in the sea. Refreshed I looked at the time, it was just past 3. Still thinking about the cairns to the north we started walking the coast road towards them. To visit all four cairns would have been about 8 miles and than another 1 to get back to the car. I was tired already from the morning visit to Bicker's Houses cairn so I thought the walk to see any was too far. An hour later we were closing in on the first cairn. Bit stupid really as my feet were killing. I did like Glecknabae cairn though. The next cairn wasn't far so on we went again. Up hill now, it's well signposted. The approach to the Carnbaan cairn is lovely through a wood. The sunlight through the leaves and branches was so nice. When first getting to the site the size of it didn't immediately become apparent. Probably like most visitors my attention went straight to the central chamber, it's great. It's only after you start walking about does the size and length of this long cairn reveal itself. It's massive with chambers at both ends as well. The setting in the trees is lovely but the undergrowth hid things a little. Tricky place to photograph too. The cairn is positioned close to a stream where just on the banks is a massive stone. I wondered if this was once part of the cairn just a short distance away. It was getting late now and the car was a long way back. The last two cairns would have to wait for another trip. Always good to have a reason to come back. My feet moaned most of the way back. A long day out and I was sore by the end but well worth it. Tops cairns round here. |
Posted by thelonious17th June 2018ce |
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As promised, I'm back. In the short time since my last visit, new access and a waymarked path have been put in. And it was a better site than my reading had led me to expect. Not really overgrown at all. The length of the cairn is perhaps the most impressive feature of the site but the three chambers still hold interest. Visited 10 May 2004 |
Posted by greywether7th June 2004ce Edited 7th June 2004ce |
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For access, see Glenvoidean. Unfortunately, time and the restricted winter ferry timetable meant this one had to be dropped from my recent trip. Infuriating when you're standing at the bottom of the track and another half hour would have done it. It's a Clyde long cairn (53m long) which, from all accounts, although overgrown, still has three chambers with capstones visible. I'll just have to come back. |
Posted by greywether 8th March 2004ce Edited 7th June 2004ce |
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On the western shore of the isle, near Scarrel Point*, exists a cave designated "The Piper's Cave," which the natives believed to be the opening to a subterranean passage through Eenan Hill to Carnbaan or Achavulig (Ach-a-bhuilg), where its exit was. Supernatural beings inhabited this dark retreat, which no mortal dared enter. A bold piper essayed this forlorn-hope, and was heard by his friends gaily piping underground until his slogan became hushed in the depths of the mountain. As he passed under the hearthstone of Lenihall farmhouse, he was heard lamenting that he had not a sword-hand as well as two for his pipes, and he would have routed the ogres and demons attacking him ("Da lamh air son a Phiob agus lamh air son a chlaideamh."). Then the music ceased - forever.*Is this near Michael's Grave? Quote from 'The Isle of Bute in the olden time" by J K Hewison, 1893. |
Posted by Rhiannon26th August 2009ce Edited 26th August 2009ce |
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