GLADMAN

Toward Cnoc Chaornaidh itself.

On the summit...…...

Lots of stone at the base which actually appeared embedded fabric. Or not.

Kerb stone? Or if not, what?

I found myself completely seduced by this cairn.... like thelonious I assumed it was a (relatively) small cairn perched upon a rocky knoll. But looking a little closer I’m not so sure owing to some stones much further down toward the base looking very much like elements of a former kerb. Hmm. Intriguing

Great vibe at this one.... far enough down a forestry track to seem like the back of beyond.

This was the best image I could manage in very ‘inconvenient’ circumstances and 30 second exposure. Magical.

Those prepared to get on their stomachs and sliver inside are in for a surprise....

Light and Magic....

The rucksack gives an indication of scale... this is an impressively large chambered cairn.

Loads of internal detail....

Finally reached this late in the day more or less dead on my feet.... as thelonious rightly points out, visiting the locality’s chambered cairns may look pretty easy on the map.... but the landscape makes it a tough undertaking.

Presumably the capstone?

Remains of the chamber... the River Oykel lies beyond.

The monument can be see centre left. Ben More Assynt towers beyond... hence the lodge.

The excellent back drop

Toward Cnoc Chaornaidh. For the return leg I followed the tree line up to the trig and then cut back down into the trees.

Remains of chamber......

Must admit I thought the ditch looked far from natural? But there you are.

The OS map still depicts the monument within forestry; the moss covering exposed stonework would appear to confirm this was the case until fairly recently times.

Heather holds sway here.... the Benmore Lodge access road (seen in the background) is driveable... however I wanted to visit two other chambered cairns in the locality so stupidly followed the Allt Eileag and River Oykel from Eileag Bridge on the A837 (where I also kipped). Very, very tough going indeed!

The superb landscape context seen from Cnoc Chaornaidh to the south....

View from Creag a’Bhlair…. the substantial remains of the broch can be seen rising above and beyond the hill fort. Oh for more time... and energy.

Overview...