GLADMAN

The Creag a’Bhlair chambered cairn can be seen beyond...

Presumably the former abode of those that used the chambered cairns, there’s quite a bit of archaeology still to be seen here.

The chamber, toward the entrance

Looking down into the chamber, complete with orthostats.

There is a substantial volume of this cairn still in situ..

Yeah, I know views are great.... but sometimes spending time at a monument within a forest clearing is just what Doctor Feelgood ordered.

As thelonious says, it’s pretty clear the people who erected this cairn – if not one and the same – at the very least shared ideas with the architects of nearby Creag An Amalaidh

The cairn exhibits a clear suggestion of former chamber. Unfortunately, my image does not.

Sea mist lingers.... note the excellent round house centre right.

Ben Uarie from the ‘road’ through Glen Loth. Needless to say the cairn can not be seen from here.

Sea mist sweeps in to engulf Clach Mhic Mhios….

Aerial view of what I assumed to be Leadoch broch from Duchary Rock hill fort

Main defences to the north.

Southern defences.

The eastern flank..... excellent site all ‘round, this.

The plateau tapers significantly toward the south ensuring the task of defending that end was much less arduous.

Nature has got the (approx) eastern flank covered.

The fort boasts some pretty special views, here looking down upon Loch Brora

Little was I to know the weather breaking through here was to last for the next 10 days.... nice.

Approaching from the NW via the excellent – nay, superb – Carrol broch.... the northern end of the plateau is defended by a pretty serious dry stone wall.

Entrance passage highlighting the door jambs still in situ...

The massive lintel above the entrance.

The entrance is flanked by what I can only describe as a ‘proto-barbican’.

An attempt to use natural light to highlight the exquisite drystone construction of the cell beside the entrance passage. Not a guard room, in my opinion, since the door draw bar is not accessible from here. But there you are. 30 second exposure.

Looking into the entrance passage.... door jams, draw bar hole... it’s all here.

There are intra-mural passages, steps, doors, entrance cell, lintels... Les has the detail, but basically everything you could want in the remains of a broch.

Fair to say Carrol broch is well sited.....

Yeah, hefty defences, these. In retrospect I’ve no idea what the red anomaly is to right.