drewbhoy
Leaving Tomnacross churchyard I followed the minor road down into the village of Kiltarlity and then headed west. The cairn is to the south of the road, being just a jump over the fence.
Fortunately the hollowed out cairn was dry despite the recent flooding so no accidents here. Greywether appeared here in summer and the site was overgrown. Fortunately I appeared in winter and the lack of overgrowth reveals a splendid kerb. With an almost complete kerb and all the standing stones it is yet another impressive site/sight
Visited 3/01/2013.
After finishing at Belladrum I walked back down onto the A833 headed south then took the first minor road west back into Kiltarlity but a funny thing happened on the way to the Bruiach. As I crossed onto the minor road I was met by an elderly gentleman walking his dog, He’d guessed I’d been up at the cairn and promptly said there was an ancient cairn in the local churchyard, Tomnacross.
As he described there is a thing that resembles a two tier cairn which has been used as a court and a gallows in the past. Canmore suggests it might be a motte. I haven’t a clue but the grass covered structure is an impressive sight and is being obviously looked after. Another church and ancient, possibly, combined site. Now on to Bruiach.
It would be interesting to read other people’s thoughts on this site. Whatever it’s age the scenery is spectacular.
Visited 3/01/2013.
On the A833 head south and stop at Kiltarlity, I parked at the restaurant near the road. Cross the road and head in a south easterly direction, the site is just over the crest of the hill.
There are tremendous all round views from, a truly beautiful location. 5 stones still stand with boulders and other field clearence for company. This was the start of the long walk, the other chamber cairn just north of here (same estate) was defeated by the onset of darkness and rain. But with all the other stuff I want to see I’ll surely return. The village has also a decent pub :-)
Visited 3/01/2013.
From the Moniak cairn head further up the track to Reelig cottage and jump the fence into the field/mud bath. From here walk (or swim) diagonally (south westish) to the gate on the far side, past tennis courts. These courts probably haven’t been used since prehistoric times as well going by their condition. In amongst the clump of trees, slightly to the north, The Giant’s Grave can be found. Very few people have been here recently, even the owner of Reelig House hadn’t seen it.
The stones are graded with large stones at the west end and smaller stones at the east end. Canmore says that it is probably a Orkney/Cromarty type cairn. Sadly during the the late 1800’s the covering stones of the cairn were removed to make dykes on the estate. What is left is are the remains of a chamber cairn which has been lengthened to resemble a Viking’s grave. I wouldn’t like to meet this person, he/she must be over 20 ft. tall and with all the muddy conditions it wouldn’t be easy to run away!
It is an idyllic setting with the trees making the place feel very old. I wonder how long it is until the next visitor. Wonderful site.
Visited 3/01/2013.
As seems usual if there is a hard way to find a place I’ll normally find it. However on this occasion the maps were wrong as I approached Moniak from the west leaving the A862 after the B9164 junction. Two roads from the west are now closed thanks to unsafe bridges. So the car was abandoned and the fairly short walk to Moniak accomplished (over the bridge 1st right).
Sadly this cairn has been almost wrecked thanks to continual abuse. Today it is mud thanks to recent floods and animal damage. Dead trees have been left to rot and farm machinery old and new left sitting on and around the site. Canmore have given up altogether which is a pity as the cairn tho bereft of stones still retains it’s shape as a probable Wessex type cairn. At least two kerbs seem earthfast, the rest have taken a battering or have been removed. Others are scattered all over the place.
Still, the tenant farmer has said he will tidy the site up and try to give it some protection. He was also a source of info about local chamber cairns and hillforts but didn’t have any info about the The Giant’s Grave. He did explain that I’d have a sea of mud to wade through. Great fun!
Visited 3/01/2013.
Two other sites are just along the road.
This clava/ring cairn is to be found very close to the A96 just west after the junction with the B9039 and the farm of the same name. It is to be found close to the railway, which has caused damage in the past, and is still impressive in it’s own way. The substantial inner kerb still exists with four of the outer ring still standing.
It is a very short walk from the A96 to the cairn. The only hazard being the floods in recent times. RCAHMS will fill in the details in an area rich with prehistory.
Visited 3/01/2013.
