Grannie Stane

Trip No.8  Date Added: 22nd Jun 2022
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature Country: Scotland (North Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 2nd Sep 2018. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙚, 𝙄𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝘼𝙮𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙚

Thought to be the remnants of an ancient Stone Circle that once existed in the area. In 1895 four of the stones from the circle were apparently removed and used during the construction of a weir further downstream, public outcry saved the last stone which was also the largest stone, and it grew to be known locally as the 'Granny Stane'. The new weir caused the water levels of the River Irvine to rise and submerge most of the stone, leaving only the top 12” visible above the surface. A nearby plaque at St. Inan's Holy Well call's this stone “One of Irvine's prehistoric puzzles”.

The Granny Stane once served an important role in the annual Marymass celebrations held every August in Irvine. The Carters Society's would twice encircle the stone before heading out to the Moors. This tradition was done to commemorate the crossing of the River Irvine by 'William Wallace' in 1297 on his way to fight the English at knadgerhill. This would suggest that the stone stood on dry land or at least in very shallow water if the Carters were able to walk around it, which would have been possible before the weir was built in 1895. It's now situated in the shadows of the Rivergate Bridge, 5m from the SW bank and 35m from the NE bank.

If a Stone Circle did once exist here, then it would have obviously had to have been built on dry land. Various maps shown in 'John Strawthorn's' 1982 book: The History of Irvine, show how much the Ayrshire coastline and course of the River Irvine has changed in the last two millennia. 1,000 years ago the River Irvine ran a different course entirely and didn't pass anywhere near where the Granny Stane is now located, it entered the sea further south near Warrix. Some believe before the river changed course that the area on the NE bank of the river (next to Saint Inan's Holy Well) was once a lush holm that was the original location of the stone circle. As there are little written records I guess it's destined to remain “One of Irvine's prehistoric puzzles”.

Carman Hill cairn

Trip No.11  Date Added: 29th May 2022
Site Type: Chambered Cairn Country: Scotland (West Dunbartonshire)
Visited: Yes on 22nd Apr 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 2

Log Text: Carman Hill Cairn: A decent sized Portal Menhir made from Gneiss, a small Basalt Standing Stone, and a small pile of boulders are all that remains of this Neolithic Clyde-Carlingford type Cairn, not far from the summit of Carman Hill.
Located about 142m above sea level, it is situated in what is now a fenced off livestock field, and has been dated to about 2,500~3,000bc.

As l approached from the North, coming from the HillFort at the summit of Carman Hill, l noticed a slight Silvery-Gold shimmer to the surface of the Menhir, Sol was getting ready to set over the Arrochar Alps to the West.
l recorded some measurements and directions, and noticed the Menhir has rough alignments to the cardinal points.
It is slightly triangular shaped, with the largest face oriented South, the other two sides face NE and NW, so where these three sides meet show rough alignment to E, N & W

An excavation in 1954 by "J.G. Scot" noted there was 2 Portal Stones and 2 Slab Stones making a sort of passage way that appeared to indicate a Burial Chamber. He measured the Cairn as being 4.5m long, and found 50 Quartz Pebbles and the butt of a broken, polished Greywacke Axehead inside.
By 1963 when OS visited the site they reported the Cairn had been greatly disturbed, by excavation(s) and tree removal (The Cairn once being at the Southern end of Walton Woods) and the shape of the Cairn was no longer traceable, and that was nearly 60 years ago.
Even now when l compare the current state of the site to photographs taken 5 years ago, there has been even more of a disturbance at the Cairn, with most the boulders now appearing to have been moved or displaced.

The most recent tree removal was unnecessary in my opinion, the photo from 1992, when it shows the Cairn with a tree on either side and a few bushes adds some atmosphere and character to what is now pretty much a bare field. The close proximity of the trees to the Cairn and the removal of it's roots probably destroyed much of the remaining shape of the Cairn, although to a trained eye you can see a slight resemblance and shape of what it might have been.

It would have been quite the sight 5,000 years ago though, with the now demolished Cairn enjoying spectacular views up and down the River Clyde.
While l was there l was lucky enough to experience the Sun setting behind the Mountains in the West. And it dawned on me how significant the positioning and alignment of the burial chamber was, roughly aligned WNW, it faces the Sun each evening as the Sun "Symbolically Dies" (The Sun sets against these Mountains in Cowal every day of the year)

Carman Hill Fort

Trip No.11  Date Added: 29th May 2022
Site Type: Hillfort Country: Scotland (West Dunbartonshire)
Visited: Yes on 22nd Apr 2019. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 2

Log Text: Carman Hill Fort: A strategically well positioned Iron Age Hillfort with amazing 300° views (The view to the North is blocked by Overton Muir -288m)

I have had an interest in this site ever since l read about the possible 'King Arthur' connection after reading "William Scobie"s convincing article on the subject (Robert de Brus settled in the area 600+ years later, so perhaps the area has always been inhabited by leaders, chieftains or kings)
The Vale of Leven is a prime location, Carman Hillfort along with The Dumbarton Rock Settlement are thought to have been occupied by the Damnonii before Roman occupation, with their descendants later reclaiming Dumbarton Rock and making it the capital of their Kingdom ~ Alt Clut.

There is impressive stonework remaining on the HillFort, with several large Menhir sized stones lying on their side and partially covered by soil and grass. Were any of these ever erect as Standing Stones l wonder? Some of the large stones in the wall are an impressive size, especially on the lower Southern sections.
A field wall dividing the Fort in two seem to be the same type and age of stone found in the Fort, suggesting they have been taken at some time in the past to make fields on the hillside.

In 1863 the boulders suffered some damage, as recorded in the 1927 book 'The Old Vale and Its Memories' by "J.G.Temple" and "James Ferguson". Local youths from the Vale carried coals, wood and tar, and had a great bonfire which could be seen in many counties. The fire cracked the big rocks badly and the damage can still be seen today. In "Iain.C. Lees" 1933 book 'The Campsies and the Land of Lennox' - it states that local traditions consider the stones on the summit to be the supposed site of a 'Druid temple'.

Due to time constraints l didn't have time to investigate the numerous Hut Circle remains, l will do that next time l visit.
l would definitely recommend a visit to this site, it has never been excavated, so who knows what historical artefacts or remains lie under the surface.

Castle Hill Fort (Largs)

Trip No.5  Date Added: 29th May 2022
Site Type: Hillfort Country: Scotland (North Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 4th Jul 2018. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Castle Hill Fort: Situated 183m above sea level, from a defensive point of view l can see why this place was choosen by our Iron Age ancestors. The inhabitants would have seen any sea invaders hours before they could arrive at the Hillfort.

Not much of the Hillfort remains, you can see the ditch remains to the South, and the entrance near the NE corner sloping down to a sort of level plateau, were a hut circle once stood. Once on site you can see the basic shape of the Fort, and it isnt hard to imagine what it may have looked like in it's prime.

Looking out across the Firth of Clyde, the views are spectacular, with great views of Arran to the West, and the silhouette of the Arrochar Alps behind Cowal to the North. This Spot has a very special feel to it.
4.25km away to the NNW, is another Iron Age Hillfort - Knock Hill Fort. Would they have been in operation at the same time? (Perhaps related or allied to the tribe on Castle Hill Fort?)

Granny Kempock Standing Stone

Trip No.4  Date Added: 29th May 2022
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 29th Jun 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Kempock Menhir: This 1.8m Menhir sits perched on the very edge of a 10m cliff, and has been dated to approx 2,000BC.

The Menhir is a Mica-Schist, and although not exact, it has a rough alignment to the cardinal points. The North Face has a head like protrusion, and just below this is a small triangular wave like carving near the top of the North face. It also has an unusual hole near the base on the Eastern face.

It would have been quite a sight 4,000 years ago, with the Menhir standing alone at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the Firth of the Clyde. You can go between the houses at the bottom of the cliff to get a view of the Menhir from below.

Site visits ;
1. 29/06/18
2. 20/08/18
3. 21/06/19

Barlogan Cairn

Trip No.12  Date Added: 29th May 2022
Site Type: Cairn Country: Scotland (Renfrewshire)
Visited: Yes on 10th May 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 2

Log Text: Barlogan Cairn :

A medium sized Stone Cairn on the slopes below North Barlogan Woods.

I first spotted the Cairn from the edge of the golf course as l made my way along it, and even from over 300m away l could see the Cairn stand out against the green hillside, a herd of Cows where sleeping in the next field.

As l got to the end of the golf course l tried to look for a way down the hillside, on the way in an adjacent field to the North of the Cairn, l spotted a large boulder to my left (Looking East) so before l went to the Cairn l went over to have a look, on the way l noticed another stone, a lot smaller, but it seemed to line up with the big one from the direction l was walking, so l took my compass out and while they didn't exactly align E~W, it wasn't far off it.
When l got to the large boulder l then seen another marker stone to the South, again when l checked this was off by roughly the same amount of degrees (Pole shift?)
The 3 rocks formed markers of an almost perfect right angle triangle.
So the large boulder aligns N~S with a smaller boulder to the South, AND aligns E~W with another small boulder to the West. Until this point l had never thought of only using 3 rocks to mark the Cardinal Points, having always used 4 before. Clever.

I left these boulders and headed to a small Burn at the Northern edge of the field, as l entered the field all the Cows stood up in an instant, even though l was about 175m away from them, l noticed the gate between the fields was open, so l slowly made my way up towards the Cairn.

As l made my way to the Cairn the Cows all came to the fence to look at me, and they all started heading for the gate, l picked up my pace. I was only halfway across the field, when they started charging towards me, and down to where l had just entered from, so l couldn't turn back. I ran and they chased me up to the top of the Cairn, l had nowhere else to go, the cows surrounded me, l counted 18 and then noticed they weren't cows at all, they were young Bullocks. I was trapped up the top of a Cairn surrounded by Bulls for about 15 minutes. Not knowing what to do, l couldn't do anything but wait it out. Eventually they seen l meant no harm, and after walking around the Cairn and sizing me up the largest Bull started slowly heading off in the opposite direction from which they had came, and the rest eventually followed.

Once l had time to look at the Cairn and measure and document it l was really impressed, l didn't know what to expect beforehand but what remains are quite impressive, and even though it started raining the placement of the Cairn in this surrounding landscape is really peaceful and has a tranquil feel to it. There no no sound apart from nature, the only civilisation you can see are the golf course and a few distant farmhouses, apart from that you are all alone, with cliffs behind you, and a wooded hill in front of you, to West and East is relatively flat land.

When it started raining l headed up to the small cliffs at the top Barlogan Woods, l saw a tree in a gap that would provide shelter, on my way l passed a large boulder. Once up at the gap in the cliff waiting out the rain, it looked like this part of the cliff had been quarried, possibly the source of the two large boulders in the two fields, and maybe even the stone used for the Cairn itself. On the way back down l stood in front of the large boulder (Which is 90m away) and like the triangle formation in the next field, this almost lined up N~S perfectly, only out by the same few degrees the other stones were) So if you were standing at the Cairn looking up at the large boulder you would be facing South.

The rocks used to build the Cairn look really weathered and ancient, on the SW part a large number of stones look to have been removed at some point in the last decade or so, it is very noticeable when looking North, but you wouldn't see it if you were facing South.
The Cairn itself is built at the bottom edge of a natural rocky ridge on the hillside, and from the Northern side of the Cairn it is about 1.5m or so high, but as you go around to the Southern side it only appears to be 1m high, due to the slope of the hill.

The site has a very old feeling to it, and l didn't really want to leave. While visiting Barlogan l was fortunate enough to watch a Buzzard fly overhead for 5 minutes or so as it scanned the land below. I spent just over an hour there, enchanted by the Cairn and my surroundings, only leaving because the rain started up again.

Haylie

Trip No.5  Date Added: 31st Jan 2022
Site Type: Chambered Cairn Country: Scotland (North Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 4th Jul 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: A solitary chamber is all that remains of this Cairn in the coastal town of Largs. It has been classified as a Clyde-Type Cairn, as described in the 1979 book: 'Introduction to British Prehistory' by Megaw and Simpson.

It's situated at the foot of a steep hill, in what is now a fenced off field and it has been carbon dated to 3,000 BC. The Cairn is roughly aligned to the cardinal points, with the opening/entrance facing East. Castle Hill Fort is about a 20 minute hike up the hill.

One source I read said there was originally 5 stone chambers, but the official source states it only had 3, when visiting the site I tend to lean towards 3 based on the size of the remaining chamber, but I am not ruling out 5. The original Cairn, known then as 'Margaret's Law' measured 2m x 7m. It was first excavated by William Wilson in 1772, when a reported 1,500 cart-loads of stone & rubble were removed from the top of the Cairn.

Inside the stone chambers, were 10 human skulls, bones, urns and flint knives. The remaining chamber has a large capstone that measures about 2.5m x 1.8m.

Dun Donald

Trip No.24  Date Added: 30th Nov 2019
Site Type: Hillfort Country: Scotland (South Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 30th Nov 2019. My rating: Condition 2 Access 4

Log Text: Dun Donald :

Sourlie Hill

Trip No.23  Date Added: 30th Nov 2019
Site Type: Modern Stone Circle etc Country: Scotland (North Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 30th Nov 2019. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Sourlie Hill Menhirs :

Eglinton Park

Trip No.22  Date Added: 29th Nov 2019
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: Scotland (North Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 26th Oct 2019. My rating: Condition 1 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Eglinton Park Settlement :

Lawthorn Mount

Trip No.21  Date Added: 29th Nov 2019
Site Type: Barrow Cemetery Country: Scotland (North Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 30th Sep 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Lawthorn Mount :

Loch Winnoch Crannog

Trip No.20  Date Added: 29th Nov 2019
Site Type: Crannog Country: Scotland (Renfrewshire)
Visited: Yes on 24th Aug 2019. My rating: Condition -1 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Loch Winnoch Crannog :
No visible remains of the Crannog to be seen above the water level

Broom Cist

Trip No.19  Date Added: 25th Jul 2019
Site Type: Cist Country: Scotland (Renfrewshire)
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2019. My rating: Condition -1 Ambience 2 Access 3

Log Text: Broom Cists :

Lawmarnock Cup Marks

Trip No.19  Date Added: 25th Jul 2019
Site Type: Rock Art Country: Scotland (Renfrewshire)
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2019. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 2

Log Text: Lawmarnock Cup Marks :

Back O' Hill Farm Cup Marked Stone

Trip No.19  Date Added: 25th Jul 2019
Site Type: Rock Art Country: Scotland (Renfrewshire)
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Back o' Hill Cup Marks :

Houston Tumulus

Trip No.19  Date Added: 25th Jul 2019
Site Type: Barrow Cemetery Country: Scotland (Renfrewshire)
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2019. My rating: Condition -1 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Houston Tumulus :

Houston South Mound

Trip No.19  Date Added: 25th Jul 2019
Site Type: Cairn Country: Scotland (Renfrewshire)
Visited: Yes on 25th Jul 2019. My rating: Condition 1 Ambience 2 Access 4

Log Text: Houston South Mound :

Broomfields Menhir

Trip No.18  Date Added: 19th Jul 2019
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: Scotland (North Ayrshire)
Visited: Yes on 12th Jul 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Broomfields Menhir :

A large Sandstone Menhir on the beachfront at Largs.

*Getting there ; Less than 10 minutes from the train, bus or ferry.

Exit the train station onto Gogo Street and walk West towards the beach, turn left and cross the bridge over Gogo Water and walk along Mackerston Place passing a putting green on your right. After 225m turn left up Charles Street then right down Broomfield Place, which changes to Broomfield Crescent at the juntion with John Street. You can't miss the Menhir.
From the ferry & bus stop you just follow the coastal path South. (800m from train station + 950m from ferry terminal and bus stop)

Hunterian Museum

Trip No.17  Date Added: 19th Jul 2019
Site Type: Museum Country: Scotland (North Lanarkshire)
Visited: Yes on 3rd Jul 2019. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Hunterian :

A small collection of Prehistoric Artefacts. Of particular interest are :

°13 PETROSPHERES (Largest collection in the world of carved Neolithic Petrospheres)
°10 NEOLITHIC AXEHEADS & HAMMERS
°3 TANGED ARROWHEADS
°2 COLLARED CINERARY URNS

There is no Archaeological information on display at these items, (Like when and where they were found) and as a whole the displays could be presented a little better. The Petrospheres are especially significant and deserve a whole display to themselves instead of being lumped in with non related items. Their historical rarity and significance should be highlighted.
As well as these prehistoric artefacts the Hunterian also houses a nice Mineral & Gemstome collection on the same floor.

*Getting There ; Just over a 5 minute walk from Kelvinhall Subway station.

Come out the station and turn left, walk along Dumbarton Road for 330m and you'll come to an entrance archway to the University of Glasgow (Which is an entrance to the Hunterian Museum) the road name changes to Argyle Street here. Walk up through the archway into a 'Maze' of streets and turns following the tourists (It is VERY BADLY signposted - it's like they don't want you to find it) until you find the entrance to the museum.

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery

Trip No.17  Date Added: 17th Jul 2019
Site Type: Museum Country: Scotland (North Lanarkshire)
Visited: Yes on 3rd Jul 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: Kelvingrove :

An interesting collection of Neolithic & Bronze Age Artefacts. Of particular interest are the :

°OAK LOG BOAT ; Found at the Loch Glashan Crannog (1960)
°4m OAK LADDER ; Found at the Dumbuck Crannog (1898)
°CARVED CIST COVER ; Found in Argyll
°CUP & RING MARKED ROCKS ; Found in Bluebell Wood, Langside
°NEOLITHIC PETROSPHERES ; Found in Aberdeenshire
°CINERARY URNS ; Found in Knocken Hill, Lesmahagow
°NEOLITHIC AXEHEADS ; Found in various places
°BRONZE AGE WEAPONRY ; Found in various places

*Getting There ; Just over a 5 minute walk from Kelvinhall Subway station.

Come out the station and turn left, walk along Dumbarton Road passing an entrance to the Hunterian Museum on your left after 330m, the road name changes to Argyle Street here. Keep walking along Argyle Street over the River Kelvin and the front entrance to the Kelvingrove Museum is about another 330m walk.