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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 |