Visit Kilmartin Glen

– A Great Day out just 25 miles South of Oban
 

Kilmartin Glen is one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe, having seen human occupation since the earliest times, when hunter gatherer groups moved into the area after the last Ice Age. More than 350 prehistoric and historic sites lie within 6 miles of the quiet village of Kilmartin. These range from ancient burial cairns and rock-carvings to early Christian crosses, medieval castles and features of the industrial revolution like the Crinan Canal.

Kilmartin House Museum is an award winning world-class unique centre established to protect, investigate and interpret this internationally important archaeological landscape. See ‘The Valley of Ghosts’ presentation; a time travelling experience with breath taking imagery and music. Superb shop & the award winning Glebe Café. OPEN 7 days 10am-5.30pm from 1st Mar to 31st Oct. Winter hours reduced. Closed 23rd Dec to End Feb. On the A816 road from Oban to Lochgilphead, A83 from Inveraray. T: 01546 510278.Kilmartin Glen - a great day out, just 25 miles south of Oban. All sites are free entry & open all year.
 

1. Kilmartin Churchyard contains a glass covered building 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.

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. 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.

6. Nether Largie Mid-Cairn is about 30m in diameter with two Bronze Age cists (stone coffins). Information plaque.

7. Temple Wood is one of the finest bronze age stone circles in Scotland. (See no.14)

8. Nether Largie South Cairn contains a chambered tomb probably dating back to before 3000BC. (See no.14)

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 with 8 axeheads carved on the stone at its westerly end. Explanation plaque. Situated 250m walk from the road. (See no.14)

10. Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve: One of the last wild, raised bogs left in Britain today.

11. Dunchraigaig Car Park: Access to a Bronze Age burial cairn Ballymeanoch standing stones, a henge and a decorated rock surface. Signposted south of Kilmartin Village.

12. Dunadd Hill Fort the capital of the early Scottish Kingdom of Dalriada, by tradition the site of the inauguration of the earliest Scottish kings founded by Fergus Mhor in about AD 500.

13. Achnabreck: A remarkable series of cup and ring marked rocks dating from around 5000 years ago. Off A816, south of Kilmartin Village.

14. Lady Glassary Wood Car Park: Access to Templewood, Nether Largie South Cairn and standing stones, at the junction of the A816 and the B8025.
 

Kilmartin House Museum is the hub of the area and a superb resource for learning more about the archaeological and historical sites in Kilmartin as well as offering a superb café and shop. If you are staying in and around Oban and at the end of your holiday you are travelling back towards Glasgow, why not drive via Lochgliphead, stopping in Kilmartin on the way?

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

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