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Auchengallon,cairn 150m WSW of

A Scheduled Monument in Ardrossan and Arran, North Ayrshire

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Coordinates

Latitude: 55.5598 / 55°33'35"N

Longitude: -5.3427 / 5°20'33"W

OS Eastings: 189292

OS Northings: 634643

OS Grid: NR892346

Mapcode National: GBR FG50.RHQ

Mapcode Global: WH1MT.XJ04

Entry Name: Auchengallon,cairn 150m WSW of

Scheduled Date: 7 July 1994

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM90023

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain)

Location: Kilmory

County: North Ayrshire

Electoral Ward: Ardrossan and Arran

Traditional County: Buteshire

Description

The monument comprises a Bronze Age kerbed cairn (sometimes also described as a stone circle) which is situated on a slight W-facing terrace overlooking the N end of Machrie Bay.

The round cairn measures 14.5m in diameter from NW to SE by 13m transversely and is surrounded by 15 earthfast sandstone blocks which measure from 0.5m to 2.3m in height. It is not clear how much of the internal cairn has been either robbed or is the product of field clearance. However, there is a record of an undated excavation (probably in the late nineteenth century) which found a cist in the centre of the cairn, but nothing further is known about this.

The area to be scheduled is almost circular on plan and measures up to 50m in diameter, to include the cairn and an area around in which associated remains may survive, as marked in red on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has well defined field characteristics and, despite earlier investigations, has the potential to provide information about Bronze Age ritual and funerary practice. It is also situated on the NW edge of a renowned, dense concentration of similar and related Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments around Machrie Water (both domestic and ritual) which have great potential to enhance our understanding of the development of prehistoric society.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NR 83 SE 1.

References:

Balfour, J. A. (ed.) (1910) The book of Arran, vol. 1, [Glasgow], 119, Fig. 59.

Ordnance Survey (1864) Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey, Book No. 2, 30.

Piggot, S. and Simpson, W. D. (1970) Illustrated guide to ancient monuments: volume vi, Scotland, Edinburgh, 61.

PSAS (1972-4) 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum and Library', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 105.
Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Auchagallon Stone Circle
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/auchagallon-cairn
Find out more

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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