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 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.
Poltalloch Stones: Stones with exceptional carvings from the Poltalloch Estate are located in the graveyard. Kilmartin churchyard in Kilmartin village.
Glebe Cairn measures a massive 33.5m in diameter and about 4m in height. Information plaque. Access from the northern end of Kilmartin Village.
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.
Nether Largie Mid-Cairn is about 30m in diameter with two Bronze Age cists (stone coffins).
Temple Wood is one of the finest bronze age stone circles in Scotland.
Nether Largie South Cairn contains a chambered tomb probably dating back to before 3000BC.
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.
Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve: One of the last wild, raised bogs left in Britain today.
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.
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.
Achnabreck: A remarkable series of cup and ring marked rocks dating from around 5000 years ago. Off A816, south of Kilmartin Village
Come and visit us for an exciting day filled with historical learning experiences.
Kilmartin,
Lochgilphead,
Argyll, PA31 8RQ
Tel: 01546 510278
E-mail admin@kilmartin.org
