Description

The monument comprises two prehistoric burial cairns, lying on a level terrace on the south-western slopes of Cnoc Dubh na Leitreach, in Achaglachgach Forest.

The southern cairn measures 3.6m by 2.4m, with 6 large boulders around the perimeter, and a standing stone 1.4m high on the northern edge. A rounded stone 0.6m high is sited opposite the standing stone on the S side of the cairn. The cairn is low, with small boulders in the centre rising to a height of approximately 0.5m. This cairn is known locally as the Giant's Grave or Diarmid's Grave.

The more northerly cairn lies 11m away, and is a round cairn 10m in diameter and 2.5m high. It is grass-covered, but stones can be felt underfoot. A slight hollow on the top of the cairn may indicate that attempts at excavation have been made in the past.

The monument is being rescheduled because it had been marked in the wrong place on the original scheduling map. The area now to be scheduled is an oval, measuring 90m NE-SW by 60m, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

This monument is of national importance because the two prehistoric burial cairns have the potential to increase considerably our understanding of prehistoric ritual and funerary practices, and also of the past environment, as the cairn material will have helped to preserve the prehistoric ground surface buried beneath it. The close proximity of the two cairns indicates that they may have formed part of a group of related contemporary monuments.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is RCAHMS number NR 86 SW 9.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland