drewbhoy
Kinererach – The oldest monolith in Gigha today is probably that which stands forgotten near the farmhouse of Kinererach to the north of the island. It rises on the edge of the original road, where it is almost invisible in the field in which the farmhouse stands. Little remains but a stump. It has been reduced to a height of five feet, with a width of three feet and is somewhat oval in section; but the stump itself is broken, so that the shape is now rather that of a low seat with a back.
Its like the brambles are holding the stone captive, pretty sure they tried to catch me as well :-)
Image credit: drew/AMJ
Like a few stones in Gigha, situated right next to the road.
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Look closely you see the end stone. In the murk, a fish farm.
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The cist cover is held up by the north east stone, another stone lies beneath.
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The stone on the deck is probably one of the stone coffin end stones.
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If taking the path to Carn Ban, this is to north of it and in the mound pictured. The cist re-found and a now an accurate grid ref :-)
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Looked for a way up on all sides, when brambles are more than head high and the legs have taken a battering......................The dun is in the middle, you can just about see a wee clearing of stone work.
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The remnants of what must have been an impressive site/sight.
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To the east natural rock, to the west bits of chambers.
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It might have been a long cairn, over the hill Bodach and Cailleach might have provided an answer, but they weren’t saying much on my visit.
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Much robbed but much to see, somewhere to the south is Ireland.
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Looking north east, the cairn had a few chambers imo.
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Fairly decent pic looking towards Gigha’s south, south side of the cairn as well.
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Cnoc Nan Gobhar, hill of the goat, no goats but a kerb cairn. The west side looking east to the mainland.
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To the north west, over the sea to Jura.
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The edge with the possible Ogham markings.
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Looking south, comparing the stone to the height of a fence post.
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Looking south west, the natural causeway behind.
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Beware the Trove co-ordinates place the stone on the other side of the road, and a wee bit up the next door hill.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
On a good day for a very long walk I headed back down Cruach A’ Bharra and then headed north back to the tarred road at Carsaig before heading past Carsaig House on a forestry road. Keep going, north, until you see the house at Ardnackaig (peninsula of the little bay), the first house you’ll see, then head north, then south west and uphill. All of this before reaching the house.
A bit of a bash through trees and long grass but worth the view in the end. The views west are of Jura and its famous landmarks. The view nearer to hand is the remnants of the dun. It is very similar to Cruach A’ Bharra except that it is oval shaped 16m by 14m. Trove says no entrance, I thought there might be a possible entrance on the north east.
Defences on three sides consist of walls, only on the east is there any real climb. On that steep slope I found a path down back to the road, then proceeded to head north.
Visited 07/04/2025.
Tayvallich to Carsaig is a short walk with superb views. At Carsaig’s picnic area head towards the Kilmory Knapp Cemetery and then go past the caravan site. Head south west and climb Cnoc an t-Samhlaidh (Summer Hill). This isn’t a hard climb and the grass is reasonably short. Follow the hill until, south west, it becomes a lot lower and then head west crossing the small valley.
A small easy climb is in front then head north east. This will lead straight to the site and it’s front door, there is possibly another entrance on the north-east. At this point steep slopes protect the dun on the east, west and north east. The walls are now turf covered protecting an area about 22m in diameter. At the far south west of this ridge there is a natural harbour along with great views of Jura.
Third time lucky, my previous efforts failing to find a safe route down from Cnoc an t-Samhlaidh. This time, no mistake.
Visited 07/04/2025.
Standing on top of the west wall looking north.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The west wall, beware you have batter thru some brambles to get here.
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Ardminish to the north, possible entrance to the dun on the left of the photo.
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Defence on the west, bits of wall survive under the ferns.
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A replica of a 2,400-year-old cauldron has been forged to help archaeologists shed light on how people lived during the Iron Age.
Remnants of wall on the north part of the dun.
Image credit: drew/AMJ
The sun creates some drama with the clouds, Gallochoille, worth a visit.
Image credit: drew/AMJ