drewbhoy
Like Clettraval in North Uist and its near neighbours at Taigh Talamhanta and Aird Veenish on Barra, Balnacraig appears to have been a multi purpose site that originated with its chamber cairn.
All sorts of things have happened here with later peoples recycling the stones meaning not much remains of the original cairn apart from the upright slabs.
The Ts had the sunny weather, we had the fog and cloud, a completely different atmosphere which appeared to add to the age of the site. All was very quiet except for the fly past of a sea eagle.
We parked at the end of the Craigston / Baile Na Creige road, just to the north of Borve, then headed east along the track until it’s end, the Hebridean Way heads towards Dun Bharpa but we headed east through a boggy area towards Balnacraig, which can be seen from the tracks end.
Visited 11/07/2022.
In the middle this carnyx or Loch Ness monster impersonator. I like it :-)
Image credit: drew/AMJ
At low tide it would be easy enough, knee deep for me. By the time I’d finished looking around it was much lower.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Possible evidence of porridge-making in the Western Isles 4,000 years ago has been found on pottery recovered from the bottom of lochs.
More info :
Looking north west, on a clear day St Kilda can be seen.
Image credit: drew/A/B
Graveyards seem to hold numerous prehistoric monuments, the wall that surrounds it is probably made from stones from the invisible cairn at nearby Bearnasdale, slightly east, and the dun/broch that once stood here.
The site is situated in the south east part of cemetery, with all the crosses and headstones it resembles an Empire Of The Sun video. Nothing much remains except a low mound and some large base boulders that surround it. The entrance perhaps being in the east.
From the standing stone at Borve I headed west towards the Atlantic, jump the gate, head south following the eastern wall which will lead straight to the remains of the site.
One thing can’t be disputed, the view east is stunning, I’d get a closer view very soon.
Visited 10/07/2022.
Certainly wide enough to be a broch, this on the north east.
Image credit: drew/A/B
There are several sections of decently built wall remaining.
Image credit: drew/A/B
Could be part of the defences, then again it might not. the North East section of the small promontory.
Image credit: drew/A/B
Somewhere up there I’ll find A, B and looking over the bay J and M, a standing stone of a different type.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Looking east, two cairns behind, its near neighbour and Dun Bharpa in the distance.
Image credit: drew/A/B
