Looking from slightly higher ground to the approx immediate south... I wouldn’t recommend a winter visit for the average TMA’er since I’d assume the very steep minor road is not gritted? Hopefully this image may help those seeking the site in high summer. To be fair the stones are quite substantial.
Don’t believe Greywether was fair to the remains of this chambered cairn...
The remaining façade stone still reach for the sky.....
Note the remains of facade to the left... chamber to right.
Remains of the facade. The evening light was not the best... and I was exhausted and looking for a wild camp site.... however the chambered cairn is near the road so a good way to end the day.
Nice substantial stones .... looking down Achnanbrand Glen.
Contrary to Greywether’s notes I actually rather like this site...
Looking W.
The remains of the chamber and, beyond it, part of the facade
Part of the facade looking N.
Arriving at the summit of the very minor road ascending Achnabrand Glen (from the B842 to approx north-east) following an afternoon of – it has to be said – sensory overload at Greenland I readily admit to being more than pleasantly surprised at the substantial nature of the chambered cairn located here, a little south of this very steep section of tarmacadam. Just the thing to round off an excellent day upon Kintyre, an opportunity to watch the last rays of the sun sink below the coniferous tree line embraced by the calming presence of this most ancient stone pile, prior to parking up for the night.
OK, Greywether didn’t rate the remains of this Clyde-type chambered long cairn... but then, with cairn material still rising to approx (my) head height, together with several large façade orthostats and a couple of chamber slabs still remaining in situ... I beg to differ. Quite understandably, having searched for many a vague, grassy undulation in southern England, my megalithic standards are somewhat less exacting.
Even during my late May visit the monument is very overgrown with ubiquitous fern obscuring much of the body of the long cairn; nevertheless the remaining southern half of the west-facing façade stands proud of the vegetation according the site a memorable profile... particularly when looking eastwards across the monument down the glen. Ditto the remains of the axial chamber, which, I would assume, was entered from the west through the façade. I’m afraid I could find no trace of the anticipated lateral chamber. Whether this inability was due to the obvious past disruption, the overgrown nature of the monument... or simply the fact that it doesn’t exist... is I guess a moot point.
Having subsequently read Carl’s notes I would say that, bearing in mind the minor nature of the road, a winter visit is probably not recommended unless you have a 4x4... and know how to use it. I could be wrong, but assumption is this route will not be gritted? Hence if, upon struggling up the road, no long cairn is forthcoming, I suggest visitors look for a small rise to the left (south), climb that and the site will (surely?) be seen to be located exactly where it should be.
Furthermore, if time permits, a visit to the excellent companion chambered cairn at Lochorodale 1 is highly recommended.
Visited 26.7.15
Directions:
From the B842 take the minor road signposted Dalsmeran. Drive up the steep and narrow road, past Homeston Farm, until you reach a kink in the road at the top of the hill. The cain is (somewhere) next to the road on the left (when looking uphill).
We were staying in the lovely (and posh!) Oatfield House B+B and this site was only a short distance drive to the south. How could I not visit?
Unfortunately the site was totally overgrown with chest high ferns. I trampled about in the wet vegetation but there wasn’t a hope of finding the remains of this chambered cairn.
This is definitely a site which requires a winter visit.
On the plus side there are fine views to be had as you drive back down the hill over the surrounding countryside.
There are a number of good chambered cairns on Kintrye worth seeking out – but this isn’t one of them. It’s near the road but that’s the best that can be said for it.
Very ruined and in deep bracken in the summer, it has half a facade and about one eighth of a chamber which, unusually, faces W.
Lochorodale 1 is in the forest at NR659162 and was not visited.
Visited 25 September 2004
