I was able to spot 3 barrows when driving along the minor road to the east. They appeared as rough grass covered mounds.
Access to the barrows can be made via a farm track leading from the road.
C
CARL
‘Drive by’ 13.10.14
Driving along the B3081 I could spot two of the barrows showing on the O/S map.
Both are rough grass covered mounds.
One is right next to the road and the other is further into a field.
Parking would be difficult on this busy road.
‘Drive by’ 13.10.14
Several of the barrows making up this cemetery can be seen when driving along the very busy A354.
Parking would be a problem if opting for a closer look.
Directions:
North of Newton Barrow on the western side of the A360.
‘Drive by’ 13.10.14
Despite these being nowhere to park the barrow can be easily seen when driving past.
It is approximately 1 metre high x 10 metres across.
‘Drive by’ 13.10.14
After visiting the new visitor centre at Stonehenge I kept an eye out for this longbarrow on our way south. I have known about this site for a long time but had never actually seen it. I am pleased to say that it is very easy to spot when driving past. There is no chance of parking near the longbarrow. I am not sure where the closest parking would be – the visitor centre main car park perhaps?
Visited 13.10.14
Since the closing of the road / opening of the new visitor’s centre I had been keen to re-visit Stonehenge. Not to look at the stones but the new exhibition centre.
The visitor’s centre is very easy to access and looked quite impressive on the approach to the large car park. Despite the foul weather the car park had several coaches and many cars already parked up. Several groups of school children excitedly waited with their teachers for their turn to board one of the land trains.
Karen went for a much needed coffee whilst I headed for the ticket booth. The lady looked a little surprised when I said I only wanted a ticket for the exhibition centre and not to see the stones themselves but a ticket was duly issued. It is nearly £20.00 per adult to see the stones and exhibition – I have no idea how much it would be to just see the exhibition. Fortunately I have a CADW card so admission was free for me.
As you enter the building you first come to a 360 degree surround visual display of what it is like to be in the centre of the stones at the mid-summer / mid-winter solstice. The film is run on a loop and I thought it was well done although it only lasts a few minutes (ship ‘em in – ship ‘em out) came to mind.
From here you enter the main exhibition room which has another large visual presentation along the far wall and several displays along the other walls. There are (I think) 8 free standing glass display cabinets in the centre of the room which were really interesting. I particularly liked the pretty ‘ceremonial’ mace head. The ‘reconstructed’ head of the controversial skeleton on display is excellent and very life-like. I spent quite a long time moving slowly from cabinet to cabinet.
There is a lot to see – pottery, bone tools, stone tools, flint arrow heads, flint scrapers etc.
I then went out the back door to have a look around the reconstructed round houses. The rain continued to pour and as such there were few people about. The replica (fiberglass) megalith on the wooden sledge was impressive and gives a good idea of the scale involved in moving these massive stones. You can even test your strength in trying to move it!
There was a private event going on in one of the huts and a flint knapping demonstration in another. I spent a bit of time chatting to an E.H. chap in the other round house who explained to me how they built the hut and showed me the clever way they made the door. A small mouse scuttled past – not a bad place to live!
I then headed for the café to meet up with Karen and we finished our visit with a look around the shop. The shop is much bigger than the old one and you can buy just about anything with a Stonehenge theme – a Stonehenge snow globe anyone? Some of the prices were eye watering and clearly aimed at the overseas market – an engraved glass vase £500.00, a limited edition teddy bear for £110.00………. I decided not to bother!
All in all I was very impressed with the new visitor centre and it is certainly much better than the old one. However, I did come away with a few negatives.
Firstly, with the exception of the chap I was speaking to in the round house, all the staff I encountered seemed quite miserable? There was little interaction with visitors and very few smiles to be seen. Everything seemed a bit much trouble. I know not everyone is happy in the job all the time but it is a lot of money to visit Stonehenge so a smile and a friendly face wouldn’t go amiss!
Also, when we were sat in the café we looked outside to see children trying to keep out of the rain (and keep warm) whilst eating their sandwiches. Why hasn’t E.H. provided a ‘school room’ where children can eat their sandwiches in the warm and dry on days like today? I am sure Stonehenge generates enough income to pay for one. Most large ‘attractions’ (which is what Stonehenge is) have these facilities. Perhaps I am doing a disservice and they do have one but I didn’t see it?
Even if you have been before the new visitor centre / exhibition room makes Stonehenge a place to re-visit. Just make sure you take plenty of money with you.
‘Drive by’ 13.10.14
Directions:
Just south of Knowlton Henge, on the east side of the B3078
The barrow is easily seen from the road as a tree and bush covered mound.
The barrow is approximately 2 metres high x 25 metres across.
Directions:
Mid way between Llandefalle and Llanfilo – just north of the A438.
After visiting the lovely old church of St Matthew in Lladefalle (complete with fragments of mediaeval wall painting) I attempted to visit this nearby enclosure.
Unfortunately I hadn’t allowed for the very narrow roads with little to no passing or parking places. It was dodgy enough parking at the church, certainly not a place to leave your car for too long.
There is no public right of way to the site and a visit to Tre Durn would involve a long walk from wherever you were able to park. Something I didn’t have time for as I was keen to visit the not too distant Hills Camp Hillfort.
‘Drive by’
Visible from the A99 as a low mound in the middle of a field.
So, is this a broch or a cairn?
CANMORE state:
A grassy mound with a flattish top sloping down towards the E. The mound, 1.9m in maximum height on the SW side, now measures 36m NNW-SSE by 45m transversely, but it was proabably originally circular and about 36m in diameter, the E end having been spread by ploughing. On the W side of the mound are traces of a ditch 13m in width, with a counterscarp 1.0m maximum height. On top of the mound is a small modern cairn. No traces of broch structure were seen.
Revised at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (W D J) 21 April 1963.
The remains of a broch, as described by the previous authorities. The slight rise of the centre of the mound may distinguish the actual broch structure from the assumed encircling secondary structures.
Visited by OS (J B) 1 September 1982.
‘Drive by’ 24.7.14
Can be seen from the A99 as a large rough grassed over mound – on the edge of Clashmore Wood.
CANMORE state:
(NH 7634 9000) Evelix: Round cairn, Orkney-Cromarty type, possibly with polygonal chamber. The cairn has been almost entirely removed and the E edge has been curtailed by ploughing. Only a slight ridge on the NE edge indicates its probable extent implying a diameter of c. 70ft. The chamber has been built with massive irregular boulders, a number of which remain in situ.
The entrance has been from the ESE. On this side is a pair of stones set 3’ 3” apart. Six feet to the W is a pair of side slabs set 4’ 4” apart, and beyond this has been a pair of transverse slbas of which only the W stone remains. Beyond these stones there has been a compartment about 7’ wide, with N and S stones. Eight feet further west is a group of four lower stones which are difficult to interpret, though they may appear to be arranged in relation to the main axis of the chamber.
If they represent the inner end of the chamber then it has been at the very least 26’ long. The W pair of these stones, which have the appearance of being portal or divisional slabs are set at an oblique angle to the main axis of the chamber. The top of the long stone to the SE of them is flush with the turf and may represent a side stone, while the higher eastermost slab, again set an an angle to the axis, suggests the S partner of yet another pair of divisional slabs.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; A S Henshall 1963.
NH 7634 8999 An Orkney-Cromarty chambered cairn as described and planned by Henshall.
Surveyed at 1/2500
Visited by OS (A A) 25 March 1971.
We were staying the night in a B+B on Broadhaven Road and I was looking forward to having a quick look of what remains of this broch.
Unfortunately when we awoke in the morning it was a real ‘pea souper’ due to sea mist and you could only see about 5 yards in any direction. I was hoping that by the time we left it would clear a bit but it wasn’t to be.
I asked the landlord about the site and he said that it was little more than a patch of rough ground with a fence around it. Access to the field is via a metal gate on Broadhaven Road.
Apparently the broch can be seen from his bedroom window – although not today!
I was tempted to go grouping in the fog to look for it but I knew we had a long drive ahead of us and there were many other sites I had on my itinerary today. The B+B was pretty good so perhaps I will get chance to visit when I am next in the area?
Time to visit the Castle of Old Wick (H.S. site) – if I can find it in the fog!
CANMORE state:
A badly mutilated mound of earth and stones some 18m in diameter and 1.3m in height standing on rising ground in the corner of a cultivated field, is all that remains of this broch. The hollowed centre of the mound measures about 13m in diameter. A portion of the outer face of the broch wall, some 0.1m high, can be seen on the NE side.
Various fragments of stone, shells and animal bone found in or near this broch are in Wick Museum, with several photographs of the excavations. Revised at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (W D J) 21 April 1962.
Badly overgrown but part of the outer wall is visible.
C E Batey 1981.
No change to the previous field report.
Visited by OS (J B) 18 August 1982.
‘Drive by’ 30.7.14
Didn’t stop as the field in which the standing stone resides was in crop.
The stone is tall and easy to spot from the adjacent A198.
Post-harvest visit required for a proper look.
‘Drive by’ 23.7.14
Directions:
On the southern shore of Loch Ebriboll.
Visible from the road.
A low gorse/fern covered mound.
Time constraints prevented a closer look.
CANMORE state:
‘On low-lying ground at the S end of Loch Eriboll, there is a small cairn 9.5m in diameter by 0.7m in height; there are a few stones protruding through the turf and also lying loose on the surface’.
Drive by 23.7.14
The ruined broch mound can be seen from the A838 on the western side of the River Dionard.
CANMORE states:
Probable brochin Durness, Suther-land, sited on a spur above the west bank of the River Dionard. It consists of a large mound of earth and stones about 34min diameter on top of which are fragmentary remains of walling which suggest a round building about 18.6-19.0min diameter.
Source: 1. NMRS site no. NC36SE 6.
E W MacKie 2007
View from afar 24.7.14
Due to time constraints I was unable to have a proper look but the remains of the broch are easy enough to see from the main road A9.
If you do plan a visit there is a parking area on the A9 and access to the broch is via open moorland and over a fence.
‘Drive by’ 22.7.14
Directions:
Approximately 1 mile north of Beauly, either side of the A862.
After visiting the ruined Beauly Priory (H.S. site) it was getting late and we needed to get to the hotel for the evening. I didn’t get chance for a proper visit but the stone to the west of the A862 can be seen from the road, over a stone wall. It is not too far into the field.
I couldn’t see the stone to the east of the A862.
‘Drive By’ 2.8.14
Easily seen from the A697.
Approximately 2m high with the top covered in green lichen.
The field was in crop so I didn’t bother to stop to get a closer look.
Re-used prehistoric standing stone?
Just to say that you cannot see the barrow from the ever busy A4 to the south.
I doubt if it can be seen from the minor road to the east.
There is no public access to the barrow
There is nowhere to park on the A4 for a ‘sneak’ visit. Perhaps there is from the minor road?
‘Drive by’ 7.6.14
Directions:
From Pembroke take the B4320 west. Shortly after passing through Hundleton, where the road takes a sharp turn to the right, you will see the barrows.
I had planned to stop and have a proper look at the barrows but my request was declined as Karen exclaimed ‘I can’t, I have a car up my arse!’
Now, I am sure this is uncomfortable so I had to settle for a ‘drive by’.
The barrow most obvious is the one closest to the road.
It is seen as a large grass covered mound.
One for next time, when Karen is sitting more comfortably……
Just to say that (due to the fencing along the motorway) you cannot see over Warren Hill from the M4. Perhaps you can get a view from the A48 immediately to the north?
Either way, not sure how you would access this site?
A view from a lay-by 19.3.14
Directions:
Just north of the A40 – to the west of the B4298.
There is a convenient lay-by immediately to the east of the Hillfort although there does not appear to be any access to the field from here. There is no public right of way to the Hillfort.
I therefore chose to view from afar.
From the lay-by you could easily see the contours of the Hillfort on the grass covered hill.
COFLEIN states:
‘Castell-Y-Gaer is a sub-rectangular enclosure, measuring 108m by 74m, having a NE facing entrance, overlies an oval hilltop enclosure, 240m by 130m, resting on its circuit on the NW & W, both circuits being defined by counter scarps’.
‘Drive by’ 12.3.14
Directions:
North of Narbeth, where the A40 disects the B4313.
In a field to the east of the junction on the northern side
Time (yet again) was against us so I had to settle for a ‘drive by’.
A Barrow could be seen in the field as the usual grass covered ‘bump’.
I don’t suppose I missed much compared with a ‘proper’ visit?
COFLEIN states:
‘One of two barrows, 34m in diameter & 1.1m high, a second barrow lying immediately to the E’.
Directions:
See directions for Lydeard Hill Barrows.
The Barrow is on Cothelstone Hill is about 1km north of the hamlet of Cothelstone en route to Lydeard Hill.
I fully intended to stop and have a look for the Barrow(s) but the road is both very narrow and very steep. There is only one obvious place to park but this pull-in was no more than a quagmire due to the incessant rain we have been having. The mud was at least 1ft deep and I suspected that if we did drive into it we would have become stuck. I didn’t have time to look further afield for somewhere else to park.
Access to the top of the hill looked straightforward enough with a bridleway leading from the road, up the hill through the trees and onto the hilltop where there is at least one Barrow.
One for next time – when the weather is a bit drier!
E.H. state:
‘Bowl Barrow on Cothelstone Hill, 885m NNE of St Agnes’ Well. The mound is slightly ovoid, measuring 12.5m by 15m. It stands to a height of 1.2m. It is disturbed by a pathway on its northern side and its top shows evidence of possible antiquarian investigation in the form of a hollow 1.5m x 1m. It was first noticed by Grinsell in 1957’.
P.S.
St Agnes Holy Well at the bottom of the hill in Colthelstone is well worth a look. When I visited the little wooden door of the well-house was padlocked but hopefully will be open when you visit.
non-visit 11.10.13
I had written a review of how I couldn’t see anything due to the high gorse and brambles.
Then looking at the photos I discovered I was looking in the wrong place. I was on the headland/cliff tops and clearly I should have been more inland. Doh!
Shows I don’t know the don’t know the difference between a promontory fort and a cliff fort!
Visited 6.10.13
Just to confirm what TSC has stated, the Long Barrow is not visible from the lane to the south due to a combination of high hedge, stone walls and buildings.
The best bet for a way of access would be to ask permission from one of the houses. How you would work out which house to ask at I don’t know?
Not something I had the time or inclination to do on this trip.
30.9.13
I walked down past the Coastguard building and was afforded great views of Worm’s Head. Although I had seen Worm’s Head many times in the past it had always been from further away and now up (relatively) close I had a better appreciation of its size.
It’s a lot bigger than it looks from further afield.
The information board states that Worm’s head is accessible 2 hours either side of low tide. However, when I looked the causeway was till underwater so perhaps a ‘low’ low tide is required? Or perhaps today was a particularly ‘high’ low tide – if that makes sense?
Either way, a view from the mainland was the closest I was going to get to it.
30.9.13
Directions:
Follow the directions for Red Chamber Cave. When walking from Red Chamber Cave back to the coastal path there are two small ‘caves’ to be seen on the side of the opposite headland – I have no idea which one is the Red Fescue Hole?
I didn’t bother actually ‘visiting’ the ‘caves’ as they are really no more than shallow rock shelters in the side of the cliff. Access would be over grass along a steep slope.
2.8.13
There is a passing place you can pull into on the A849 which affords great views of the Crannog. The hills were shrouded in mist and the rain fell. Waterfalls cascaded in the distance, in a way they only see to do in Scotland.
Boat required for a better closer view of the Crannog!
Well worth a look if you ever find yourself travelling along the A849.
Directions:
On the southern side of the B8073, at the head of Ballygown Bay.
The Broch can be easily seen from the roadside.
It is a large pudding-shaped mound of stones.
Access would be by climbing over a wooden fence.
Looks well worth a proper look. One for next time.
‘Drive By’ 7.9.13
ST5244055251
Directions:
Near the junction of the B3134 / B3371
Visible as a grass covered mound when driving along the B3134.
E.H. state:
‘A bowl barrow located on level ground 450m SW of Fernhill Farm. Visible as a mound 23m in diameter and 1.25m high. The barrow mound has been spread by past cultivation. The barrow was partly excavated by H Taylor in 1926. Finds include early to middle Bronze Age pottery and the tips of two antler picks’.
‘Drive by’ 7.9.13
Directions:
The Barrows are either side of the A39 immediately north of Chewton Mendip.
The Barrows closest to the road (either side) can both be easily seen as large grass covered mounds when driving past. If you want a closer look you would need to park in the village and walk up the road. A public right of way goes past the Barrow on the southern side of the road but not the two on the northern side. (As shown on my O/S map) Looks like there is quite a lot going on here?
E.H. state:
Northern Barrows
‘3 bowl barrows and 1 long barrow located in improved grassland 90m NE of Barrow House Farm. A bowl barrow (ST60075334) is visible as a barrow mound 18m in diameter and 1m at its highest point. The long barrow (ST60095334) is orientated east to west visible as a mound 34m long, 18m wide and 3.75m high. A bowl barrow (ST60135331) visible as a mound 22m in diameter and 2.5m high. A bowl barrow (ST60115329) visible as a mound 24m in diameter and 2m at its highest point.
Southern Barrow
‘A bowl barrow (ST6011953250) located on a eastern scarp edge 70m east of Barrow House Farm. It is visible as a barrow mound 20m in diameter and 4m high’.
29.8.13
Respect to Postie for having reached this Hillfort.
I parked up on the narrow lane to the south of the site and was faced with not only the usual barbed wire fence but also head height ferns! The hill is also very steep from this direction (hence the reason for the Hillfort being sited here) and I decided to leave this for another day. Going by the size/amount of the ferns I would suggest a summer visit is not a good idea!
Visited 28.8.13
Directions:
On the northern side of a minor road, off the B4518, a little north of St Harmon.
A short distance east of the Domen Round Barrow.
I was unable to see this Barrow as the hedgerow is very high and due to the time of year could not be seen through. I could find no obvious was through the hedge.
Coflein states:
‘A Barrow, 25.3m in diameter and 1.2m high, possible ‘Bedd Garmon’’.
When I visited Llansteffan Castle (CADW site) several years ago it was pouring down with rain and I approached from the north via Church Road.
If memory serves me right it was a steep walk up to the castle along the footpath but the coastal views to be had when you reached the castle made the effort well worthwhile.
I must admit that I didn’t know anything about the site being of prehistoric origin but given its location it is hardly surprising.
Visited 21.8.13
Directions:
See directions for Mynydd Aberdare. Once you have parked up follow the edge of the trees south (along a rough track) and the Cairn is a just before you reach the electricity pylons.
Assuming you can spot it of course!
In a nutshell I couldn’t find it!
The ground here is undulating and covered in long, rough grass.
Good luck if you come looking. Even Coflein says it is ‘barely visible’.
Coflein states:
‘This 14m diameter ring cairn is surrounded by a 0.2m high circular turf-covered stone bank with a gap in S side. The cairn is barely visible. Sited on S moorland slopes under rough grass’
‘Drive by‘
Easily seen from road as a large grass covered mound. Situated right next to the loch.
Canmore states:
‘Dun Flashader is a very dilapidated broch built on the summit of a flat-topped rocky eminence surrounded by crags about 25’ in height. The inner wall of the broch shows an average height of from 3’ – 5’, but it is almost hidden by tumbled stones. The outer ring of the wall is traceable only on the N where the foundation stones remain in situ. The internal diameter is 34’9”, and the wall at the foundation is 12’3” thick. Of the entrance passage on the W, only the N wall is traceable. In the thickness of the wall on the left hand side of the entrance there is a ruined guard-chamber or gallery 3’5” in width, while to the NE there are indications of another cell oor gallery in the wall. There is the suggestion of the right wall of the entrance to this chamber still in position’.
I viewed the Hillfort from the Cairn a short distance to the south.
There was nothing obvious to see other than the Fort occupying a high/tall rock outcrop.
It would take a fair bit of effort to get up there!
‘Drive by’ 26.7.13
Easily seen from the road as a large ‘pudding shaped’ rock outcrop at the end of Loch Duich.
Graet location for a Dun/Fort.
Canmore states:
‘Dunan Diarmid, the remains of a dun occupying the level summit of an isolated rocky knoll. Oval on plan, the dun measures 24.5m E-W by 16.0m N-S within a wall c. 2.5m thick, reduced to a stony scarp with a few stones of the outer face visible intermittently around the W half. A deep hollow at the modern S approach probably denotes the mutilated entrance. In the interior in the NE, is a modern enclosure, 6.0m E-W by 7.0m N-S within a wall 0.8m thick‘
Viewed from the roadside.
From a distance I thought I could make out a single rampart?
Canmore states:
‘Dun Skudiburgh, a partly vitrified fort, overlaid by a dun, is generally as planned by the RCAHMS. There is an additional outwork on the W; it turns E on a change of slope, then S where it is overlaid by a more recent wall. There are remains of extra defence on the E where steep rock faces outside the main outwork have been joined by stretches of walling. There are traces of what may be a similar blocking wall on the W below the main fort wall, but this is confused by more recent walls in the same area. Lumps of vitrifaction were noted in the main wall of the fort in the W arc.
A medial stabilising wall is visible round the W and S sides of the dun, varying from c. 0.7m to c. 1.0m in from the outer wall face. The entrance is not evident, but was probably from the E, where there is a gap in the tumble’.
Visited by OS (R L) 8 September 1971.
29.7.13
Viewed from a distance from Carn Liath.
Canmore (summery) states:
‘A fort with outworks overlaid by a dun, on Dun Cruinn, a rocky hill. The S half of the fort is virtually destroyed but a scarp outside the S of the dun probably represents the course of a wall. The rubble core of the wall is visible around most of the N half, indicating a wall thickness of at least 3m. Along the SW edge of the terrace is a discontinuous line of boulders which are probably the remains of the outer face of a wall protecting the approach.
The dun is turf-covered and survives to a maximum height of 1.5m. Several outer facing stones are visible intermittently around the N half and exposed in the hollowed interior in the N and W is part of the inner face giving a probable wall thickness of 4.5m in the W, increasing to 5.2m in the N. A lowering of the wall in the E may indicate the position of the entrance. Outside the fort in the E are some cultivated terraces which may be contemporary with a depopulated village’.
29.7.13
Clearly visible to the North West (near the edge of the loch) from the Eyre standing stones.
It is a large grass covered mound behind a house.
Canmore states:
‘A few feet above the high water mark of Loch Snizort is a large turf covered cairn. It measures 18m in diameter and 2m high and has been extensively mutilated by the insertion of a house (now ruined) into its equadrant’.
‘Drive by’ 29.7.13
All that can be seen is a low grass covered mound, the other side of a wire fence.
The Cairn is now a lot lower than it was in 1928 judging by the following report.
Canmore states:
‘Some 40 yards east of the road, about 1 mile south of Invertote, on a slight prominence, is a grass-covered circular mound of stone and earth. 36 ft in diameter and 9ft in height. The summit is slightly hollow’ 1928.
29.7.13
Location:
On the eastern edge of Loch Meall, near the Kilt Rock Waterfall.
Plenty of parking available in the viewing point car park.
After stopping off to see the waterfall, which turned out to be a non-event due to the lack of rain, I decided to have a look for the Broch instead. This proved to be much more fruitful.
The Broch can be easily seen from the main road as a grass covered, low rocky mound on a narrow promontory.
Failed visit 19.8.13
Directions:
On the outskirts of the village of Llantrithyd; south of the A48 between Cardiff and Cowbridge.
This was my last target of the evening and I decided to approach the site via the public footpath from Ty-Uchaf Farm. The O/S map also shows another footpath from the west near Llantrithyd House.
Unfortunately I could see no sign of the footpath on the ground, just an uninterrupted very high hedgerow which was pretty impenetrable.
I didn’t have time to re-trace my route and try to access the Camp from the footpath to the west – I think I passed the footpath sign on the way. Another visit required then.
I was able to find this description of the site on-line:
‘A sub-circular enclosure, 80m in diameter, defined by twin banks and ditches, except where overlain by current field boundaries on the E and disturbed by quarrying on the S. A NW facing entrance is suggested. Traces of possible buildings have been observed.
This site is scheduled as a prehistoric enclosure and otherwise described as an Iron Age Hillfort’.
** If visiting this site also make time to visit St Illtyd’s Church in Llantrithyd. It is a lovely old church with many interesting features and a fantastic 16thC tomb-chest which is well worth seeing. In the graveyard is a headstone to the 37th child of a man from Neath – no prizes for guessing what he was up to in his spare time! **
Failed visit 28.7.13
Directions:
From Dun Beag car park head west (via gate) across the undulating, heather / fern clad open moorland. It is amongst that lot somewhere!
It was the end of a long and very wet day. The weather had deteriorated and it was not pouring down. There was a car full of tired and fed up people waiting for me.
I have to admit I only made a half-hearted search for this Souterrain amid the very bogy ground with waist high fern and heather. Needless to say I did find it.
One to visit in better weather and when has more time.
Canmore states:
‘On rough, rocky moorland about 400 yards W of the junction where the road to Ullinish Lodge branches off from the Dunvegan and Struanmore Road is a partly destroyed earth-house. The surviving portion consists of a straight narrow passage running roughly NE-SE, the side walls formed of good drystone building and the roof of stone lintels covered by about 1ft of soil. The gallery measures 18ft in length and where entered at the SW end 4ft in height and 2ft 7inches in width, broadening to 3ft about 6ft further in. The walls converge inwards slightly towards the top. There are indications that the souterrain has taken a distinct curve towards the south’.
Visited 28.7.13
Saw this Cairn marked on the O/S map (just south of the Broch) but not sure if I saw it or not?
If I did I wasn’t aware of it! There was nothing obviously ‘cairn like’ but it is hard to tell as there are lots of clumps of spiky grass and lots of stones sticking out of the grass all over the hillside.
Canmore states:
‘A circular setting of stones on edge with an overall diameter of 5.8m. The fairly level interior contains a small quantity of both loose and earth fast stones. This could be a hut circle but the lack of an inner wall face and any sign of an entrance, and its position on a false crest on a W slope suggests it is more likely a robbed cairn’.
I wonder if the stones were robbed to be used in the construction of the Broch?
Visited 28.7.13
Had a quick look for the Cairn (it was raining) whist visiting the nearby Heaven Stone but couldn’t spot anything obvious amid the spiky grass and undulating field.
Canmore states:
‘This flat topped cairn is situated just off the highest point of a low ridge aligned NW to SE to the SSE of Trumpan Church and lies at the junction of two drystone walls. It measures 9.5m in diameter and 0.6m in height’.
Failed visit 26.7.13
Directions:
Driving onto Skye over the bridge on the A87 you come to the junction with the A851. Shortly after this there is a small turning to the right (north) for Waterloo/ Achadh a’Chuim.
The Chambered Cairn is behind some houses on the right.
Unfortunately I couldn’t see any way past the houses to get to the fields where the Cairn is.
No doubt there would be access if you took a long walk skirting the back of the houses from the south or north? Something I didn’t have the opportunity to do. Which was a pity as it sounds a good one.
Canmore states:
‘A large and conspicuous, grass covered round cairn which may be chambered, measuring about 80ft in diameter and 8ft in height.17ft from the NNE edge of the cairn there protrudes a stone 3ft long, exposed to a height of 10 inches. Another stone, 10ft 6 inches to the SSW is slightly N of the centre of the mound. These two upright stones probably indicate the presence of a chamber’ 1972.
‘Drive by’ 26.7.13
Although close to the road (a short distance north of Glean Udalain Dun) I could see no sign of the Cairn as we drove past. There was nowhere close to park and the road is busy. I didn’t have time to park any distance away and walk to the site. The Cairn is situated in an area of undulating ground – which I guess didn’t help?
Canmore states:
‘A structure consisting of a circular bank and an inner ditch, set into the slope to form a level platform. The bank averages 27m in diameter and 0.9m in height. The ditch averages 7m in width and is well defined in the NW quadrant but has virtually disappeared to the SE probably due to the formation of peat. The inner platform is about 13.5m in diameterand centrally placed within it is a low circular mound 6.5m in diameter. It’s position on a relatively steep slope is at first sight difficult to explain but a very close parallel is provided by a disc-barrow at Hall of Ireland, Stenness, and the well known chambered cairn on Wideford Hill, also in Orkney’.