nickbrand

Three stones, aligned approximately NNW-SSE, the most northern of which is now included in the dyke... and used to anchor some wire fencing. These stones are not being treated as well as their kin just up the hill at Cnoc Fada! They lie just a short distance from the new cemetery, on the brow of a ridge.

This stone row sits just inside a wood on the hillside above Dervaig, and is signposted. Originally 5 stones, oriented NNW-SSE, only two are now upright, but it is still quite a stirring sight. Both the upright stones are around 2.5m in height. Looking down the avenue formed by the trees, they are rather evocative.

As can be seen from the photograph, this field was occupied, so I didn’t make an issue of it and took the bull’s photograph along with the stone, which is over 2m in height and very slim.

A magnificent site, though according to Canmore only one stone was upright in 1800, and the others re-erected at a later date. The kerb around them looks fairly ancient but may in fact have been added at the time the stones were re-erected. It does not detract from their setting, however, and this is a site well worth a look. All three stones are over 2m in height, and quite dramatic in effect.

Canmore debates whether this stone is prehistoric, or whether it is merely a way-marker for pilgrims en route to Iona. It certainly looks genuine to me!

Around 2m in height, aligned NNW-SSE, with a slightly sloping top, it has some field clearance boulders at the base and appears to be yet another popular sheep rubbing post.

This stone is in a field just off the Fionnphort road. It is aligned N-S, and has no markings or carvings, and stands just over 2m tall. Magnificent views all around!

The owner of the guest house here has no problem with people viewing the stone – just ask. This stone is over 2m tall, and stippled with quartz.

Park at the Mull Pottery and take the track just north of the buildings which leads west up-hill. The stones are around 400m in, on a raised platform. There are 3 stones here, the centre one being recumbent. The northern stone is the larger, being just over 2.5m in height. The row runs roughly N-S, and the southern stone is well under 2m. The central recumbent stone looks as if it would have been the largest, it’s around 3m long in its current position.

This is a pretty impressive viewpoint, and worth waking up to on a clear day. Unfortunately our view of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the mainland was a bit obscured by smoke from burning moorland, which is clearly visible in one of the photographs.

Ask permission at the farm, parking is easy at the road end as there is plenty of room. Not visible from the road from Craignure, you can only see this heading south from Salen.

Set out on a low mound, with a couple of possible kerb stones still in situ, there is one upright stone (about 1.3m tall) and one recumbent here. The ‘kerb stones’ may in fact be other recumbents – it’s a bit hard to tell. Have a look at the photographs and make your own mind up! The stones are aligned NW/SE. There are no significant markings on any of the stones.

There’s a very small area on the north side of the road where it’s possible to park. This is a pretty large chunk of rock, with no discernible markings on it. No stock in the field today, though there was an extremely large bull in the field next door! The stone is no longer in it’s cage, however!

This tree-covered mound lies just beside a track down to a farm. Access is fairly straightforward, though parking can be awkward – I walked back from where I had parked near the single stone. These two large stones lie almost due E-W, in a sheltered location in amongst the trees. No discernible markings on them, though the eastern stone has several deep grooves in it – probably natural weathering.

Quite clearly marked on the Landranger map, about 200 m in from the cottage, near the fence between the hill field and the one you’re in. Sits on a north-facing spur, quite easy to spot (the biggest stone at the end). About 18 cup-marks on the eastern side of the stone, quite clear and not too badly weathered.