markj99

Directions: Travel E along the A75 for c. 3 miles from the roundabout at Newton Stewart. to reach the Kirroughtree /Palnure junction. Continue E for c. 0.4 mile to an unsigned left turn. Follow this narrow lane for c. 0.4 mile to reach Cairnsmore Estate. Bear left for c. 0.2 miles to a right turn into Graddoch Bridge Parking Lane. Walk to the end of the lane, turn right and follow the signs for Cairnmore of Fleet. The walk is a 10 mile ascent and descent of Cairnsmore of Fleet taking in three cairns. My route is viewable on Cairnsmore of Fleet Cairns.

Directions: Travel E along the A75 for c. 3 miles from the roundabout at Newton Stewart. to reach the Kirroughtree /Palnure junction. Continue E for c. 0.4 mile to an unsigned left turn. Follow this narrow lane for c. 0.4 mile to reach Cairnsmore Estate. Bear left for c. 0.2 miles to a right turn into Graddoch Bridge Parking Lane. Walk to the end of the lane, turn right and follow the signs for Cairnmore of Fleet. The walk is a 10 mile ascent and descent of Cairnsmore of Fleet taking in three cairns. My route is viewable on Cairnsmore of Fleet Cairns.

Directions to Airyolland W Cairn: Take the Elrig turn off the A747. Follow the road through Elrig for c. 1.9 miles to reach a left turn onto a dead-end lane signed for Barhobble Church Site. Travel c. 140 yards down the lane to a concrete lay-by on the left. Walk c. 400 yards NW to a gateway on the left. A green lane heading W starts here. Follow the green lane for c. 400 yards to reach a gate. Continue on the lane for c. 130 yards to a double gateway on the left. Go through the SW gate. Follow the stone wall S for c. 370 yards to reach Airyolland E Cairn, 15 yards W of the wall. Airyolland W Cairn is c. 50 yards SW of Airyolland E Cairn. My walking route is viewable on Airyolland Cairns.

Directions to Airyolland W Cairn: Take the Elrig turn off the A747. Follow the road through Elrig for c. 1.9 miles to reach a left turn onto a dead-end lane signed for Barhobble Church Site. Travel c. 140 yards down the lane to a concrete lay-by on the left. Walk c. 400 yards NW to a gateway on the left. A green lane heading W starts here. Follow the green lane for c. 400 yards to reach a gate. Continue on the lane for c. 130 yards to a double gateway on the left. Go through the SW gate. Follow the stone wall S for c. 370 yards to reach Airyolland E Cairn, 15 yards W of the wall. Airyolland W Cairn is c. 50 yards SW of Airyolland E Cairn. My walking route is viewable on Airyolland Cairns.

Directions to Balmalloch Chambered Cairn: Take the dead-end Forest Road at Blair Farm off the A714 c. 0.5 mile SE of Barrhill. Follow this narrow lane for c. 2.7 miles to Darnaconnar Farm at NX 27654 83371. There are three options from here. If you have a 4x4 you can follow the track running N from here or go by off-road bike or walk if necessary. The track is little used and overgrown in the centre. Follow the track for c. 0.8 miles to Balmalloch ruin at the end of the road. Walk NW along a path between trees for c. 120 yards to reach a forest clearing. Balmalloch Cairnfield is located c. 100 yard W from here. The area is planted with small pine trees. Balmalloch Chambered Cairn is c. 350 yards NW of this point across ditches and small trees. Make your best way towards NX 26393 84533 to reach Balmalloch Chambered Cairn.

Directions to Laggan Cairn (Barrhill): Take the dead-end Forest Road at Blair Farm off the A714 c. 0.5 mile SE of Barrhill. Follow this narrow lane for c. 1 mile to a ruined house on the left of the road at NX 25692 82407. Park up and follow an overgrown track NW for c. 600 yards to a corner at NX 25263 82699. Walk N towards a gate in a deer fence. Walk W through rough boggy ground for c. 150 yards to the deer fence. Follow the deer fence N through similar terrain for c. 300 yards to Laggan Cairn (Barrhill) at NX 25354 82970.

Directions to Barnshangan Cairns: Take the W turn to Glenluce off the A75. Turn left for New Luce after 0.2 mile. Stay on this road for c. 5 miles to reach New Luce. Park on Main Street. Walk straight on at the top of Main Street for c. 300 yards to reach Barnshangan Farm track. Follow the farm track for c. 0.6 mile to a gate on the right at NX 18156 65377. Head S into the field for 75 yards then SE towards a gate into an adjacent field. Barnshangan W Cairn is c. 75 yards NE from here. Return to the farm track then walk c. 400 yards E to NX 18429 65423. Barnshangan E Cairn is c. 50 yards to the right, next to a dry stane dyke.

Visited 25.10.23

Laggan Cairn (Barrhill) is located in a recently planted forest c. 1.3 miles ENE of Barrhill, a village in South Ayrshire. Laggan is a ruin on Forest Road off the A714. The sub-circular cairn is on a slope with a grassy perimeter running from NW to SE up to 1 yard high. The central hollow retains several stones surrounded by ferns. I estimated the diameter of the cairn to be 18 yards. This corresponds to the 16 yards quoted in Canmore 62530.

Visited 25.10.23

Balmalloch Chambered Cairn is located in a pine forest clearing c. 2.5 miles NE of Barrhill, a village in South Ayrshire. The stony mound measures c. 20 yards in diameter and 2.5 yards high. Excavation pits are visible on the S and W arcs of the cairn. Two chambers have been exposed by the removal of stones: one in the SE quadrant, the other in the NW quadrant. The larger NW chamber is covered by a split capstone measuring c. 6 x 6 feet. There is no visible passage. The smaller SE chamber has a capstone measuring 4.5 x 3 feet. There may have been a passage ENE of the SE chamber.

Given its rural location, it is not surprising that Balmalloch Chambered Cairn has survived relatively well. There are details of the cairn on Canmore ID 62520.

Balmalloch Cairnfield is c. 200 yards SE of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn.

Visited 25.10.23

Balmalloch Cairnfield is located in a pine forest clearing c. 2.5 miles NE of Barrhill, a village in South Ayrshire. The extensive site is centred on NX 2648 8439. According to Canmore ID 62526 there were around 23 small cairns. The largest measured c. 6m in diameter and 0.8m high.

Unfortunately, Balmalloch Cairnfield has been furrowed and planted with pine trees. This has effectively destroyed the site. I couldn’t see any remaining mounds on my visit on 25.10.23. When the trees are harvested in due course there will be further damage to Balmalloch Cairnfield.

Balmalloch Chambered Cairn is c. 200 yards NW of Balmalloch Cairnfield.

Visited 25.10.23

Barnshangan W Cairn is located c. 700 yards W of Barnshangan Farm, c. 0.65 miles NE of New Luce in Dumfries and Galloway. Until recently, the small field in which it is located was used to enclose Beef Cattle. As a result the ground was churned to mud. The cattle have been moved and the field has grassed over. The low mound is almost invisible in the pasture. Viewed from W, there is a ridge c. 1 foot high. Otherwise the cairn has been reduced to ground level. A 1986 visit listed in Canmore ID 61370 estimated the diameter of Barnshangan W Cairn to be 20m but this is difficult to confirm in its current state. Field clearance stones, previously dumped on the cairn, have been removed (as noted in a comment in Canmore ID 61370). There are no visible stones on the grassy surface of the low mound.

Barnshangan W Cairn has a companion cairn, Barnshangan E Cairn, located c. 165 yards E. The E cairn is better preserved with scattered stones on its surface.

Visited 06.10.23

St Mirren’s Well is located c. 1 mile N of Kilsyth, in North Lanarkshire. The natural spring has been enclosed in a water tank distributing the water to Colzium according to Canmore ID 45896. A stone slab with 1687 deeply inscribed on the top is exposed on the W corner of the water tank. There is a piped outflow SE of the tank leading down a series of stone steps to a small pool of water. This pool feeds a boggy area around it. This is the new location for St Mirren Well, c. 20 yards SE of the water tank.

Visited 20.09.23

I was suffering from Stone-Fatigue after a week in and around Carnac. I opted to drive for 3 hours to Cairn de Barnenez as a relaxing change. The monument was well sign-posted. The entry fee was a reasonable 6 euros. The epic scale of Cairn de Barnenez was intimidating at first. There are 11 parallel dolmens in the cairn running SE-NW, however all but one of the passages are closed to the public. It took me 45 minutes to fully capture the essence of the monument. Cairn de Barnenez is a recommended visit.

Visited 19.09.23

Like Jane, I struggle with the concept of rectangular “Stone Circles”. I am conditioned to expect rectangular structures to be modern and stone circles to be ancient. I had the same problem with Quadlatiere du Manio. I left Cromlech de Crucuno with more questions than answers.

Visited 19.09.23

Dolmen de Crucuno is very easy to visit. It is situated adjacent to a house in the centre of Crucuno, a hamlet between Plouharnel and Erdeven. You can park 10m away from the monument. These facts don’t make Dolmen de Crucuno any less impressive when you are standing beside it. A giant capstone measuring c. 7.5m long and weighing an estimated 40 tons is supported by 9 large orthostats.

Take the Crucuno turn off the D781 at the Toul Siac’h roundabout. After c. 0.8km turn right into a car park in the centre of the village opposite the dolmen.

Visited 19.09.23

If you are near Carnac, Dolmens de Rondossec are a must-visit. There are three dolmens buried in a circular mound, measuring 20m in diameter, in the centre of Plouharnel. The dolmens run in parallel on a NNW-SSE axis.

The eastern dolmen is c. 13m in length with a northern chamber measuring c. 3m x 4m. The chamber is partially covered by a massive capstone. There is a small lateral chamber, west of the main chamber measuring c. 1m x 2m.

The central dolmen measures c. 11m in length. The covered passage measures c. 6m and the large chamber measures c. 5m long. It is covered by two massive capstones.

The western dolmen is much less impressive than the others. It is c. 8m long with a c. 5m covered passage and an inaccessible chamber measuring c. 3m x 2m.

Directions: From Carnac take the D781 towards Erdeven. Follow the D781 through two roundabouts in Plouharnel then turn left onto Rue Hoche to find the tumulus.

Visited 19.09.23

Dolmen de Kergazec is located c. 100m SE of Kergazec, a small village in Morbihan. The exposed dolmen is in reasonable condition, consisting of a large capstone on four supporting orthostats and dry walling. It retains a passage measuring c. 2m long. There is a small capstone on the SE end of the passage.

The best way to find Dolmen de Kergazec is to visit Dolmen de Kernevé then walk c. 150m SW along the C106 to the edge of an open field beside a house. Follow a dirt track heading NNW along the margin of the field for c. 300m to reach Dolmen de Kergazec.

Visited 19.09.23



Dolmen de Kernevé is located c. 10m down a path from Kernevé to Crucuno that starts c. 450m along the C106 from St Antoine roundabout on the D781. A large capstone and several orthostats have been incorporated into a garden wall. There is a convenient lay-by 20m NE of the path.

Dolmen de Kergazac can be found by walking c. 140m SW along the C106 to an open field. The dolmen is visible c. 300m NW from a track starting at the field edge.

Travel c. 1.8km along the C106 to reach Dolmen du Cosquer.

Visited 19.09.23

Dolmen du Cosquer was a relaxed start to the day. The small dolmen is by the roadside in Cosquer, a  hamlet c. 2km N of Plouharnel in Morbihan.

Follow the D781 for c. 2.2km from Plouharnel to the St Antoine roundabout. Take the first exit for C106 Kernevez. After c. 2.3km on this road you will reach Dolmen du Cosquer.

Visited 18.09.23

Allée couverte de Mané Roullarde is located in a private residential area off Rue de Kerisper in Trinité-sur-Mer in Morbihan. It is still an impressive monument despite its ruinous state. The site has been fenced off to protect the site and discourage visitors. The c. 20m long passage retains four capstones and some inaccessible carved stones. The elevated position of Allée couverte de Mané Roullarde on a promontory would have yielded extensive sea views.

In the centre of Trinité-sur-Mer take the D781 Locmariaquer exit off the Alain Barriere Roundabout. After c. 50m bear left onto Rue de Kerisper. Follow this road for c. 150m to reach a private residential lane on the left. Park up as close as possible. Walk c. 150m up the lane to Allée couverte de Mané Roullarde on the right.

Visited 18.09.23

Dolmen de Kermarquer is located c. 100m NW of Kermarquer, a small village in Morbihan. The circular mound, which measures c. 25m in diameter and 1.5m high, contains a dolmen with an unusual double chamber. A passage running ESE for c. 3m has two large capstones. It leads to a main chamber, open to the sky, measuring c. 2.5m square. A lateral chamber, separated by two portal stones, is located S of the main chamber. This subsidiary chamber, measuring c. 1.3m square, retains one capstone.

Take the turn for Kerdeneven off the D186 in Kermarquer. Bear right at a fork after 110m. Continue on this narrow lane for c. 70m to reach a wooden sign for a path to Dolmen de Kermarquer on the right. It is possible to park on the grass verge close to the path. Follow the path NE through the woods for 100m to reach Dolmen de Kermarquer in a clearing.

Visited 18.10.23

Dolmen de Kervilor Mané-Bras is located c. 250m N of Kermarquer, a small village in Morbihan. It consists of a sub-circular mound, measuring c. 30m in diameter, with three dolmens therein. There are two central dolmens with partially covered passages. Dolmen North-Central has a c. 5m passage running from ESE towards a square chamber measuring c. 3m. There is one capstone on the W end of the chamber. The South-Central dolmen has a c. 6m passage running ESE towards a sub-circular chamber measuring c. 3.5m in diameter. There is a large capstone on the junction of the chamber with the passage. Viewed from the E, these dolmen give the mound a pleasing symmetry. It is for that reason that I considered the dolmen on the S edge to be a later addition. Also, it is a simpler construction than the central Dolmens. Dolmen South has a c. 3m passage running SE towards an irregular quadrilateral chamber measuring c. 2m x 1.5m. There are no cover stones on Dolmen South.

I found Dolmen de Kervilor Mané-Bras by accident while looking for Dolmen de Kermarquer. I saw a wooden sign at 47.597594, -3.036248 on the roadside and followed the path through a wood for c. 200m to reach a large mound in a clearing.

Visited 18.09.23

Le Petit Ménec Alignments is a full stop E of the Carnac Alignments. The stone rows wind through a small wood. There is a more intimate atmosphere in this less frequented site than in the popular massive alignments.

At the E end of the D196 after visiting the Kerlescan Alignments turn left along the D186 towards Auray. After c. 300m take the 1st right for Keriolet. Stay on this road for c. 300m to reach a lay-by on the left. The path to Alignements de Petit-Ménec is on the right-hand side of the road.

Visited 18.09.23

The Quadrilataire de Manio is one of Carnac’s more enigmatic monuments. It is difficult to imagine how this stone rectangle would have fitted into the Carnac Complex. The proximity of the Geant du Manio merely adds to the air of mystery.

Visited 17.09.23

Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S is located on a path in woods c. 300m W of Saint-Philibert in Morbihan. The ruined dolmen consists of a capstone c. 1.8m wide at ground level resting on one recumbent stone. There is a shallow hollow below the capstone.

There is a lay-by on the D781 at N47.590813, W3.010069. Walk 25m NE along the roadside to reach a track running S. After c. 110m walk straight into the trees avoiding private property. Continue along this path for another c. 200m to reach a junction. The ruined Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye N is located c. 10m E in a small clearing. After visiting this site return to the junction of paths, take the right path heading S. Follow this vague path for c. 130m to reach Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S.

Visited 17.09.23

Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S is located on a path in woods c. 300m W of Saint-Philibert in Morbihan. The dolmen, which measures c. 1.5m high, is preserved in a fenced-off enclosure in a small clearing. The remains consist of a chamber with a large capstone measuring c. 2m wide. The chamber has a large flooring slab. An uncovered passage projects c. 1.5m ENE from the chamber.

There is a lay-by on the D781 at N47.590813, W3.010069. Walk 25m NE along the roadside to reach a track running S. After c. 110m walk straight into the trees avoiding private property. Continue along this path for another c. 200m to reach a junction. The ruined Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye N is located c. 10m E in a small clearing. After visiting this site return to the junction of paths, take the right path heading S. Follow this vague path for c. 130m to reach Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S.

Visited 17.09.23

There is a standing stone c. 150m WSW of the Le Chat Noir roundabout on the D781. A cul-de sac signed to Kerganoff is 75m W of the roundabout. There is a small lay-by on the left of the junction. Follow a path starting opposite the lay-by, heading W into low shrubs for c. 50m to reach a clearing with Menhir de Kerangoff in the centre. The menhir is c. 1.8m high. The most notable feature of the stone is the concave South-East face.

Visited 17.09.23

There is a ruined dolmen in a stand of pine trees on the end of the Pointe Er Hourél. It is only c. 40m from Quiberon Bay. The Dolmen de Pointe Er Hourél consists of 3 orthostats measuring c. 1.3m high and a recumbent capstone measuring c. 2m wide. The rare combination of the trees and the sea give this ancient monument a magical atmosphere.

The site is well frequented. Indeed, I had to wait 30 minutes for a French family to finish their picnic in the shade of the stones to get my photos.

Visited 17.09.23

Dolmen de St Pierre Loperec is in a grass field on the edge of the coast. It is located on a mound in the centre of the field. The ruined dolmen still retains some gravitas.

Take the Pointe er Ville turn off the Route de Saint-Pierre just after passing through Kerguérec. Park up after c. 300m. The road is restricted to authorised vehicles after this point. Walk S for c. 200m. Take a path heading S for c. 100m. Dolmen de St Pierre Loperec is c. 120m SE in the centre of a grassy field.

Visited 17.09.23

There is a hidden dolmen c. 450m SW of the Le Chat Noir roundabout on the D781. A cul-de sac signed to Kerganoff is 300m SW of the roundabout. Follow the narrow lane for c. 200m to a dead-end. Dolmen de Kermané is on the left in a private garden. I was limited to taking pictures from outside the fence.

Visited 17.09.23

Dolmen de Kercadoret is a neglected site in a shrubby wood N of the D781 on the NE edge of Kercadoret. There is a path off the D781 into a field on the NE edge of Kercadoret. Follow round the edge of the wood for c. 80m then follow the wood N for c. 20m to reach a vague path into the wood. Head NW for c. 20 yards through shrubbery to find the hidden dolmen. It is located at 47.58981 -2.9781 if you have a GPS app.

Visited 16.09.23

The only alignments open to walk through on my visit were Menec and Kerlescan. Alignements de Kerlescan was the more impressive of the two with taller stones in the rows.

Visited 16.09.23

Géant du Manio is a high and handsome standing stone in Manio Forest. The massive menhir reaches up to 6.5m. It is well sign-posted on a forest path c. 40m ESE of Quadratiere du Manio.

Visited 16.09.23

Dolmen de Kermario is located in the SW corner of Alignement de Kermario, c. 40m SW from the nearest stone. It has the appearance of an Allee Couverte.

Visited 16.09.23

The Alignements de Kermario were the most impressive of the Carnac Alignments due to the length of the stone rows and the impressive height of the megaliths forming the rows. Unfortunately I had to be content with external views of the stones as access was restricted. The best views were to be had from the Old Windmill platform.

Visited 16.09.23

A one-way road is now in place adjacent to the Alignements de Ménec. It is possible to walk E from the Maison des Megalithes along the Alignements de Ménec but you must drive W along the road following the stone rows. It is a c. 4 km walk E along the Carnac alignments. After visiting Alignements de Ménec and Toulchignon I elected to return to the Maison des Megalithes. I drove the loop to Alignements de Kermario Car Parking to continue my tour.

It is possible to take the Petit Train or several other Carnac alignment tours located on the approach to the Maison des Megalithes. Parking at the Maison des Megalithes is free.

Visited 16.09.23

Tumulus de St Michel is located on the NE edge of Carnac. Hotel du Tumulus is conveniently located adjacent to the giant mound. A small chapel is perched on the summit of the mound. There are two modern entrances, on the S and W sides, into the two chambers and passages buried within the tumulus. However, these are only accessible on guided tours. Despite the encroachment of modernity, Tumulus de St Michel manages to retain its gravitas.

Visited 15.09.23

Dolmen de Lannek-er-Men is located in Port Brillac, a small village c. 4 km NW of Sarzeau in Morbihan. The chamber of this dolmen measures c. 3m x 2m x 0.6m. Two medium-sized capstones are supported by several orthostats on the NE and SW sides. There is a large floor slab in the NW half of the chamber.

The dolmen is wedged into a corner against a hedge in a grassy area, used as a car park on my visit. In fact, a BMW bumper was almost touching the dolmen. My picture options were restricted to lateral views.

Visited 15.09.23

Menhir de Kermaillard is a massive standing stone, sub-rectangular in cross section, measuring c. 1.7m long and 1.2m wide. This dressed pillar rises to a point at c. 4m. There is a square measuring c. 0.6m and a crescent carved in bas-relief on the base of the WSW face. A small axe carved on the left of the square is no longer visible. Proposed carvings on the ENE face are not visible in bright light.

Visited 15.09.23

Allee Couverte de Grah-Niol is located on a narrow lane on the Northern edge of Arzon. There is convenient parking 50m N of the site. There is a low fence round the allee-couverte denying any internal access. This is unfortunate as there are carved stones inside the passage of the monument. A standing stone is erected on the E end of Allee Couverte de Grah-Niol, on the roadside.

Visited 15.09.23

It is only 6 euros to access the Cairn de Petit Mont. Given the size of the site that is good value. It includes a group tour in French of the Cairn & Dolmen 3b, which is off limits without a tour guide. I requested some English commentary and the guide was obliging enough to give me a short lecture in English. I was also able to take photos in Chamber 3b.

Visited 15.09.23

Cairn de Petit Mont is a large pentagonal cairn perched on a headland South-West of Arzon in Morbihan. The elevated position has extensive sea views and enables the cairn to be seen from afar. The unusual shape of the cairn, which currently measures 55m long by 55m wide, may be a result of its multi-phase construction. According to the tour booklet, a mound covering a closed chamber (Chamber 1) was constructed in c. 4600 BC. The mound measured 50m x 19m x 1.6m. A stone cairn, measuring 22m long and 12m wide was erected over the mound c. 100 years later. 700 years later a chambered cairn with one accessible chamber (Chamber 2) was built over the original cairn. After another 1100 years a fourth phase of building occurred in 2700 BC. The cairn was modified and extended. Chamber 2 was blocked off and Chamber 3a and 3b were built, accessed by passages from the East side of the new cairn.

Unfortunately, this was not the final modification of Cairn de Petit Mont. Due to its strategic position on the coast Hitler order the construction of a concrete bunker within the cairn in 1943. The bunker was built in the S side of the cairn. This modification completely destroyed Chamber 3b and partially destroyed the passages of Chamber 2 and Chamber 3a. The cairn was neglected until 1979 when archaeological excavations resulted in the final phase of modifications, completed in 1989. As a result Chamber 3a and its passage were restored. We also have access to Chamber 2 via the Bunker. The facades of the cairn were modified into a series of 3 steps with a flat roof.

Visited 15.09.23

I stumbled across Tumulus de Tumiac while waiting for the Petit Mont Cairn to open; Mad dogs and Scotsmen go out in the midday sun. I saw the mound on the horizon and experienced the usual gravitational attraction. A path to Tumulus de Tumiac is conveniently located in a lay-by on the E edge of Arzon in a long straight on the D780. The site is closed to the public, a relatively common state of affairs in my experience, so I contented myself with a distant view. The grassy mound measures 86m in diameter and 20m high according to the information board. A central tomb, measuring 4.4m x 2.4m x 1.75m, is covered by successive layers of clay. The mound has been dated to 4790 BC.
The mound is known locally as Butte de Cesar (Caesar’s Mound). He is reputed to have witnessed a naval battle from the summit of Tumulus de Tumiac in 56 BC.

Visited 15.09.23

I travelled to the Cairn de Gavrinis via a pre-booked trip from Port-Navalo with Le Passeur des Iles on a 20 person boat. The journey to the island took around 20 minutes. There was an organised lecture on the Cairn de Gavrinis in French for around 30 minutes before we were allowed to enter the passage in small groups. We were allowed free access to the passage and chamber, which are lit by subdued lighting, for 5 minutes. There were no restrictions on photography allowing me to take some good pictures of the carved stones in the passage and the chamber. The boat was waiting at the end of the tour. I would recommend this trip though I could have done without the extended lecture in French.

Visited 14.09.23

Access to this monument has been restricted by a low fence round the perimeter. There is an official sign denying permission to enter the dolmen. I respected this request reluctantly because I would have liked to see the carved stones in the monument.

Visited 14.09.23

Mané-er-Hroëck tumulus is easily visited via a signed footpath off Rue de Kerpenhir. The chamber entrance is obviously modern but that doesn’t detract from the atmosphere in the plain chamber in the centre of the tumulus.

Visited 14.09.23

Menhir de Kerpenhir is a massive irregular standing stone on the coast c. 200m N of Société Nautique de Locmariaquer (Locmariaquer Sailing Club). The menhir is c. 3.5m high by 2.5m wide. It is orientated ENE-WSW on its broad faces.

Menhir de Kerpenhir is featured on page 160 of Le guide des mégalithes du Morbihan by Gabriel Le Cam. This book is an indispensible photographic record of 338 monuments in the Morbihan area.

There is a large car park off Route de Kerpenhir on Pointe de Kerpenhir, c. 2km SSE of Locmariaquer. Walk c. 40m N from the Car Park to reach a closed gate on the right. Follow a track W round the coast. After c. 350m turn left along a path. Follow this path W for c. 100m to reach Menhir de Kerpenhir.

Visited 14.09.23

Grand Menhir Brise is one of Locmariaquer’s big three sites. It is only accessible via the Site des Megalithes Visitor Centre for 6 euros. To be fair, there are three impressive monuments, unrestricted visiting time and free parking so what’s not to like?

Grand Menhir Brise consists of four massive recumbent stones which are though to have been parts of one of the largest ever menhirs, measuring c. 20 metres long. There is speculation as to whether the Grand Menhir Brise either broke on erection or as a result of an earthquake or was deliberately toppled. There is archaeological evidence of 19 socket holes forming a giant stone row, with Grand Menhir Brise as an end stone. Whatever the reality, there is no doubt that the Grand Menhir Brise is an impressive antiquity.

Visited 14.09.23

Table des Merchants is one of Locmariaquer’s big three sites. It is only accessible via the Site des Megalithes Visitor Centre for 6 euros. To be fair, there are three impressive monuments, unrestricted visiting time and free parking so what’s not to like?

La Table des Merchants is a cairn constructed in 1993 around the surviving naked dolmen for the preservation of the antiquity. It was interesting to see the carved rear stone and ceiling in the chamber. However, the new cairn reminds me of the reconstructed cairn at Newgrange. I prefer my ancient monuments unadulterated.

Visited 14.09.23

Er-Grah Tumulus is one of Locmariaquer’s big three sites. It is only accessible via the Site des Megalithes Visitor Centre for 6 euros. To be fair, there are three impressive monuments, unrestricted visiting time and free parking so what’s not to like?

Er-Grah Tumulus has gravitas but it’s long thin footprint make it difficult to capture a definitive image. The undoubted focus is the central tomb with its massive capstone, the cherry on the cake. I decided to walk slowly round Er-Grah Tumulus absorbing its antiquity as I strolled.