Description

The monument comprises the remains of a chambered burial cairn dating from the Neolithic period. The cairn was originally scheduled in 1953, but the area covered by the designation did not fully cover the monument. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The cairn lies at 30m OD on a rising E-facing slope in gently sloping moorland. Almost all of the cairn material has been removed, revealing a burial chamber constructed from substantial stone slabs. From the traces of cairn material that survive on the site, the maximum dimensions of the cairn have been estimated at approximately 30m long by 20m wide, with a facade 18m wide by 8m deep.

The chamber is aligned NNE-SSW with three surviving compartments; it is possible that the chamber extended further S. Substantial stones lying to the N of the chamber probably represent the remains of an external cairn facade. A smaller burial cist that would also have been covered by the body of the cairn lies approximately 20m to the SW of the main chamber. Despite its denuded form, the cairn can be seen to fit into the local style of cairn building known as the Clyde type, characterised by rectilinear chambers with massive side slabs and subdivisions of lower stones.

The cairn chamber was cleared out in 1900 by Bryce. The dark, stony soil in the chamber contained a base layer of charcoal, and a number of artefacts were discovered including sherds of grooved ware and cinerary urn pottery, a stone macehead, and knives and other tools of flint.

The area to be scheduled is rectilinear, measuring 55m NNE-SSW by 40m, to include the remains described above and an area around and between them where material relating to the construction and use of the cairn may be expected to.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our understanding of prehistoric ritual and religion. Although superficially disturbed, the monument is likely to retain valuable archaeological evidence below the current ground level. The relationship between this monument and the large prehistoric ritual complex of Machrie Moor, just over 1 km to the NE is of particular interest.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is RCAHMS number NR 93 SW 9.

References

Henshall, A. S. (1963) Chambered Tombs of Scotland, Vol.II, 371-3.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland