drewbhoy

Sadly this cairn or barrow isn’t in the same league as some of its near neighbours in the Kilmartin area. Luckily, I spotted the site, to the east, when clambering down the hill from the Poltalloch Cists, Standing Stone etc.

At 21m wide and almost 1m tall it is probably more likely to be a barrow than cairn, just like its little mentioned friend at Ballymeanoch. (stone rows, henge and kerb / chamber cairns are the neighbours)

However some stone content does poke through, at least one stone is on edge, others are on the way to being covered in turf.

At least you can get to the site without standing in the bog and it’s easily spotted.

The track back to car at Poltalloch Lodge had become flooded, so it was back via the cists, standing stone I’d visited on the way.

Visited 12/04/2024.

Keep heading south from fallen or put there standing stone until a tree that looks like a monster attacking a stone. To add to its problems it looks like turf is beginning to grow all over.

Still there is plenty left to see, 4 slabs and a capstone remain. When excavated finds included a cremated bone, a flint knife and a jet necklace. Knife and necklace are now in the Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh).

Visited 12/04/2024.

A 200m walk south from Poltalloch 2 cist will lead you straight to the moved and fallen stone. (more likely left lying there).

It had originally stood at NR8203 9721 but was some reason moved to its present position.

It would have been in an impressive position, looking down onto Kilmartin glen.

A pity.

Visited 12/04/2024.

With another drenching on the way I left the car at the North Lodge of Poltalloch House and splashed along the road / track, badly flooded in some areas. As soon as another track is met, head uphill and west. Look for a mound covered in all sorts vegetation, weirdly almost all on its own.

Sadly the capstone had vanished or was covered in turf, the rest of the cist was gradually being covered in moss. The 4 slabs that make up the cist are sort of in place.

Not much to see, but a strip back of turf would reveal all sorts of secrets, probably loads of rock art.

Visited 12/04/2024.

Following Postie’s route with one addition, it started to pour down.

I thought there was three different sections in these weird and wonderful remains of a chamber cairn. The words gentle restoration comes to mind but somehow I think they’re fine as they are.

With Highland Cattle keeping me company or shoving me away, I splashed my way back to the gate.

Visited 11/04/2024.

From Rowanfield Standing Stone head north to next small clump of trees, a short easy walk.

The capstone is over 2.3m long by 1.3m wide, it has been moved to reveal the north end slab is missing.

More cists to come on the same day.

Visited 12/04/2024.

We sailed to Corr Eilean, visiting St. Cormac’s Chapel, Cross and Cave. Luckily this island has a small jetty and we managed to get ashore safely.

Nearby to the east is the smaller island of Corr Eilean, home to a prehistoric cairn, over 8m tall and 1m wide. We tried to land on the north east. Sadly for Captain Allen and Vice-Admiral Drew there is no landing pier on this island. To make matters worse, the wind had changed direction, making anchoring and rowing to the island impossible, we’ll try again next year.

The Vice Admiral took charge of controls, for the return journey, and sailed the boat successfully back to Tayvallich. Good views of all the forts and duns en route.

Attempted visit 11/04/2024.

We’ve all seen cairns, waded across to cairns, climbed up to cairns, walked miles to cairns – sometimes with lots to see, sometimes with very little to see.

This cairn is a bit of everything except you can hardly see it as most of is in a small loch beneath the water. However what you can see is the top of a slab and when the wind calms down you can just about make out the side slabs of a chamber or cist.

In Aberdeenshire we have had a lot of rain this year, it appears to be same over in the west – will have to take a snorkel next time.

If heading across the B8025 – Crinan Moss road, there is a crossroads, head west. The road has a little kink, stop there, plenty room to not obstruct any traffic. A cairn covered in water sits to the north.

Worth a visit, probably in drought conditions.

Visited 10/04/2024.

A short distance south from the standing stones and over a wee hill stands a once massive cairn. Sadly the cairn has seen a fair amount of houking and probably has had its stones recycled in nearby walls and castles.

It still sits at 21m wide and is 1m tall, some trenching can be seen. Despite the damage this is an impressive place, on a clear day it looks straight down onto Kilmartin.

Visited 09/04/2024

The standing stones at Carnasserie still stand although the most southern stone stands at a reasonably jaunty angle.

From the castle head west, I was heading towards the cairn, next year I’ll head towards Ormaig and as well as visit the rock art, try to find a couple of lesser known cairns.

Visited 09/04/2024.

Just to the west of the castle there is a stone with seven cup marks. This has probably been moved from somewhere nearby and been given a clean.

Easily found lying near to a tree.

Visited 09/04/2024.

Carnasserie Castle and its nearby prehistoric sites are well known not so well known is the dun located on a small hill immediately north of the castle.

I only climbed up as I was nosey and to get a better look at the castle.

Only the outer wall of the dun remains, on the east there are a few stones poking their heads above the turf, the north has more natural defence, one or two stones on the west and the south – has the best remains, the rubble wall and a few earthfast stones.

Carn Ban can be seen to the north.

A surprise start to the afternoon.

Visited 09/04/2024.

Up and early to head for the stunning galleried dun at Dun Rostan. Just to the north of the farm, of the same name, I was allowed to park at the small boatyard. It’s owner also gave directions to the site.

From the yard cross the road, east, heading uphill until until a track is reached. Follow, heading south, until it meets a gate. Don’t follow the track, follow the fence and dry stane dyke heading east. Keep looking up as the spectacular site is right above. Also, keep heading east until just beyond the dun. (easier access from the east, the west being densely populated with trees) The terrrain here is boggy and there is a stream to jump before heading south and uphill. As the trees clear a path can be seen heading back west, it also leads straight to impressive eastern walls.

The site is roughly circular and looks over Loch Sween, it has plenty other duns for company. To north cliffs provide ample defence. Best sections of galleried dun can be seen near the entrance on the north east and near the west. Sadly fallen stone covers some of the detail detail.

Outer walls can be found to east and west. Some natural rocks have been incorporated into these features.

This site can be seen for miles around. It is stunning site amongst many stunning sites.

Visited 09/04/2024.