South west part, slightly more stonework visible than the previous visit.
Image credit: drew/A/B
drewbhoy
A bit more stonework this time, Bay of Islands and in the distance Knapdale Peninsula.
Image credit: drew/A/B
Carragh a’ Ghlinne, Stone Row, is in the woods to the south, left side of pic.
Image credit: drew/A/B
Far better photos here.
The last stop of the day, mainly chamber cairns, finished at Carn Na Fiann. After getting permission to park at Glaick Farm, the owner of which certainly knew about the cairns and described the part-time residents at Ardross Castle as ‘peelie wallies’.
I headed straight east from the farm and jumped the fence heading for track marked on the OS map. The track was unusable for vehicle or humans as Storm Arwen’s results were lying about everywhere. Luckily a lot of trees still stood, so I headed south and finally found sunlight shining on a stone in a clearing.
The clearing marks what once was an 18m wide site, sadly now reduced to a footprint. However, one stone still stands, 2 stones on the east edge (1 down and the other leaning) and another stone in the south probably mark the edge of the cairn.
Even if there wasn’t to much to see I found this a very lovely, atmospheric place. The light helps, the snow helps and just the idea of this stone still standing despite all types of storm helps.
I also climbed to the top of the hill looking for a rumoured fort. If there had been a site it has been obliterated by the amount of fallen trees, almost every tree is down.
Still, plenty to see in the area, many more visits planned.
Visited 03/01/2023.
This area has become very famous because of the TV series filmed at Ardross Castle- The Traitors. From Baldoon I headed west on the minor road and followed it to Ardross Church, now an arts venue with a superb acoustic. The small houses behind are called the Mains of Dublin, men from the Ireland who built the nearby castle lived in these. Just to the north west of these houses the chamber cairn sits in a field.
As usual in these parts it’s of the Orkney Cromarty type, most of the chamber stones are here, sadly they have been joined by some rubble. Most of the nearby dykes have probably been made with stones from the site.
Still it is situated in a glorious location and has many near neighbours of similar type. Don’t worry you won’t see any of the nearby TV people – it’s to cold and muddy for them.
Visited 03/01/2023.
Looking south west. Even the rucksack needed a rest from the battering it took getting here.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
East side of the dun, the wee dam is very handy. Near Barnashaig Standing Stone.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Looking north east, probably more defence under the small trees / bushes.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Along the edge of the bare rock is the probable entrance.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Looking east over the best preserved part of defence.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Approaching from the east near Barnashaig Standing Stone.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
If the trees weren’t there, most of the Kilmartin sites would be seen.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
In the trees in front, Dunchraigaig Cairn.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Barrow, kerb cairn, 4 stones, 2 stone.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
On the other side of the dyke – the local speed track.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
You’d think these stones must have been used for something else.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
And near the houses there is a barrow complete with the usual stone dumping.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Wherever you look there is something, a barrow near the houses.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
