tiompan
Found yesterday , 3 metres from the site of one of the new Beauly to Denny pylons so some notifications in hand . It has to be said that the all the previously recorded sites on the route that I’m aware have been well signed and the route avoids . This one is different ,although you may have imagined a watching brief would have taken place at such a sensitive spot . Although having said that the markings are not that clear to an unpracticed eye .
A couple of new finds , ctually from about a month ago but light was poor so had to go back a couple of weeks later to get better pics . The possible standing stone was noted about six years ago but despite the packing I didn’t feel like suggesting as a possible as they are so common but a recent visitcoupled with burnt heather led to the discovery of a sub circular enclosure that is not a hut circle ,too small and entrance is in the north and a cairn within 60 metres si I decided to consider it as a possible ,plus there is nothing upstanding like this for a couple of miles .
Turrerich has proved to be a happy hunting ground over the past few years with 10 “new ” finds to add to the single site (not pictured ) first noted in the 1960’s . These are the most photogenic .The grid ref is a pretty central for most .
Conglomerate rocks can often be confused for engravings and are generally avoided by engravers but this is a genuine example of some or all of the natural markings being enhanced .
The possible cup mark(s) on the standing stone to the south of the four poster are natural .
When the Stronach Ridge was clear of the present forestry the rock art site provided a fine view of some of the hills from Beinn Nuis to Goatfell , what had gone unnoticed was that the from the panels the sun would set over the summit of Beinn Nuis at the Summer solstice ,not in itself that noteworthy but there would also have been an eleven minute “Sun roll “ down to the bealach between Beinn Nuis and Beinn Tarsuinn . Unlike other sites where sun rolls can be seen from rock art panels the Stronach Ridge markings have quite a few radials which , if in the correct orientation , could provide an argument for evidence of intentionality and a possible recognition of the phenomena by the engravers , sadly the radials were grouped around 250 -280 with one at 290 degrees when 304 was what was required . This is in itself typical of radials in that they usually follow the slope the rock .
I had always thought that the rock art site of Carr Brae near Glen Shiel took a bit of beating for a “ view “ but it certainly has some competition here . At the foot of the hill on the coast is one of Hutton’s unconformities .
The grid ref is as noted , 140 metres south of the Canmore one . The four “possible “ cup marks are almost certainly actual .
canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/293550/details/isle+of+arran+lochranza+creag+ghlas/
