Description

The monument consists of two very large recumbent stones, which may be the remains of a burial cairn or else fallen standing stones, on the summit of Craonaval. Two large slabs, which appear to have been deliberately brought to the site, lie 1m apart. One measures 3.8m by 3.2m by 0.3m, the other 2.5m by 1.8m by 0.25m. Both rest on smaller stones.

Although it has been suggested that they represent the remains of a chambered cairn, totally removed apart from these two slabs, it seems more likely that they represent a pair of fallen standing stones. They occupy a hilltop location at the S extremity of the local group of cairns, standing stones and stone circles which stretches N to Barpa Langass.

The area to be scheduled is circular, 40m in diameter and centred on the stones, to include the stones and an area around in which evidence for their former use and status may survive, as indicated in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

Although itself of rather obscure purpose, the monument is of national importance as part of a large local group of cairns, standing stones and stone circles, without parallel in the Western Isles except around Callanish. The peat cover around the monument suggests that there may be buried evidence capable of clarifying the nature of this monument, and of providing evidence for contemporary local land-use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NF 86 SW 8.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland