Kilmartin Glen, south of Oban in Argyll

Kilmartin Glen - a great day out, just 25 miles south of Oban. All sites are free entry & open all year.

Kilmartin Glen is one of the most important sites in Europe, having seen human occupation since the earliest times, when hunter gatherers first began to cultivate the soil. It is possible to follow the progress of the inhabitants of Kilmartin Glen through history, from Mesolithic 6,000 to 4,000B.C (Middle Stone Age), to Neolithic 4,000 to 2,000B.C (New Stone Age) and the Bronze Age 2,000 to 500B.C. From chambered and round cairns, stone circles and rock carvings, Iron age forts, the site of the arrival of the Scots from Ireland in AD 300, duns and crannogs, early Christian sculptured stones, to features of the Industrial Revolution in the Crinan Canal.

1. Kilmartin Churchyard contains a glass covered building (mausoleum) where a whole range of grave slabs have been arranged chronologically, from 1300 to late 1700. Most are the work of a group of sculptors working around Loch Awe in the late 14th - 15th centuries, depicting men with spears, swords, and several claymores. In Kilmartin village churchyard.

2. Kilmartin Crosses have been re-sited inside the church and may be viewed April - Sept. 9.30 am - 7.00 pm (except during times of services). Inside Kilmartin village church.

3. Poltalloch Stones. Stones with exceptional carvings from the Poltalloch Estate are located in the graveyard. Kilmartin churchyard in Kilmartin village.

4. Glebe Cairn measures a massive 33.5m in diameter and about 4m in height. Originally excavated in 1864. Information plaque. Access from the northern end of Kilmartin village.

5. Nether Largie North Cairn contains one of the most intriguing, carved slabs in Western Scotland with at least ten carved axes and some forty cup-markings. Enter this cairn from the top of the cairn via a Modern hatch to view the cist (Neolithic stone coffin) and stone. Sign posted off A816, as "Nether Largie Cairns", south of Kilmartin village. 6. Nether Largie Mid-Cairn is about 30m in diameter with two cists (Neolithic stone coffins). There is a cup-marking and possible axe carving. Information plaque gives a full description. Sign posted off A816, as "Nether Largie Cairns", south of Kilmartin village.

7. Temple Wood Circle is one of the finest groups of cairns and standing stones in Scotland. There are two circles: the northern circle was built before 3000BC. The outer circle was used for ceremonial purposes between 1500 and 2000 years ago. Sign posted off A816 as "Templewood", south of Kilmartin village.

8. Nether Largie South Cairn contains a chambered tomb approx. 7m long by 1.75m deep and 1.5m wide, probably dating back to before 3000BC. The style of the tomb is of a type found mostly in Argyll and Arran. Sign posted off A816, as "Nether Largie Cairns", south of Kilmartin village.

9. Ri Cruin Cairn. This is a Bronze Age burial cairn, constructed circa 2,000 years BC. A large flat slab has been moved to reveal a cist (Neolithic stone coffin) with 8 axeheads carved on the stone at its westerly end. Explanation plaque. Situated 250m walk from the road.

10. Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve. One of the last wild, raised bogs left in Britain today. The "Great Moss" began to form over 5000 years ago and once covered a vast area. Moine Mhor has a living surface of peatland teeming with a variety of plants and animals all adapted to its waterlogged and acid state.
Picnic site, circular walk and 80metre platform out to the bog, situated on B8025 between Bellanoch and Kilmartin.

11. Dunchraigaig. Site of the earliest inhabitants of this area, between 6000 and 4000 years ago. There are two burial cairns (4000 years old), a group of standing stones, a "henge" or ceremonial enclosure which was later used for burial and a decorated rock surface. Plaques give descriptions at each site. Sign posted on A816, south of Kilmartin village.The foot print & bowl carved in the rock at the summit of Dunadd are believed to have been used in the inauguration ceremony of the early Scottish Kings.

12. Dunadd is an outstanding example of a Dark Age fortification and one of the most famous historic sites in Scotland. By tradition, it was the capital of the early Scottish kingdom of Dalriada, founded by Fergus Mhor in about A.D. 500. Also by tradition, it was the site of the inauguration of the earliest Scottish Kings. Information plaques. 360 degree panoramic view of the area from the top. Steep climb on rough and stony paths. Sign posted off A816.

Dunadd. Capital of the Scottish Kingdom in 500 AD. The Scots arrived from Ireland establishing their colony here under Fergus Mor (see 12).

13. Achnabreck. A remarkable series of cup and ring marked rocks from about 5000 years ago, cut out of the rock using stone hammers. There are three rock surfaces, which together form one of the most extensive early rock carvings known in Britain. Off A816, south of Kilmartin village. 1.5ml down forestry road to car park and picnic tables.

 

Visitor attractions / In Oban / North of Oban / Easdale & south Oban / Kilmartin Glen

A superb day out is a visit south of Oban is to Kilmartin Glen