<< Our Photo Pages >> Cairnbaan 2 - Rock Art in Scotland in Argyll

Submitted by rockartuk on Thursday, 21 February 2008  Page Views: 12454

Rock ArtSite Name: Cairnbaan 2
Country: Scotland County: Argyll Type: Rock Art
 Nearest Village: Cairnbaan
Map Ref: NR8387791056  Landranger Map Number: 55
Latitude: 56.063378N  Longitude: 5.473259W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 5 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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Anne T visited on 19th Jul 2018 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Cairnbaan 2 Rock Art Panel: Leaving Cairnbaan 1 by its western corner, there’s a notice saying ‘further panels’. This was a little further than we thought, but very much worth the additional walk. This second panel was truly magnificent, with its interlinked carvings. As the nice young couple from Huddersfield said: “A lovely one to finish on.” We waited for the sun to come out to get the best contrast on the motifs. I really, really enjoyed seeing this panel. As it was very hot, we decided to wander back through the forest slowly and make our way to Lochgilphead for refreshments. With only two more standing stones on the list to see, this almost concluded our Scottish visit.

SolarMegalith visited on 27th Apr 2013 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4

snakefarmer have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.5 Ambience: 4.5 Access: 3.5

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by rockartuk : On the crossing of the A83 and B841 (to Crinan), behind The Cairnbaan Hotel, there is a signposted path leading to two panels with great Rock Art. This is site 2 (not fenced!). Beautiful combined carvings. Prehistoric loudspeakers; stock-still........ (Vote or comment on this photo)
Cup and Ring marks or other Rock Art in Argyll. On the crossing of the A83 and B841 (to Crinan), behind The Cairnbaan Hotel, there is a signposted path leading to two panels with great Rock Art.

This is site 2 (not fenced!). Beautiful combined carvings. Prehistoric loudspeakers; stock-still........

For more information see Canmore ID 39575, which describes this complex series of carvings, including a really unusual one at the bottom of the rock which, although badly weathered "comprise(s) a broad shallow cup surrounded by a single ring which is linked to the cup by a series of rays."

Note: Newly discovered rock art found near Cairnbaan, see comment
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Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Anne T : Looking across the whole of the rock sheet, wishing I'd brought my wide angled lens with me. Walking around the rock to try and capture the whole motifs, the ground was very springy, even after a prolonged period of dry weather. We wondered if there was a spring here. (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by dees : Cairnbaan 2 taken from the south in 2019. I used to own a cottage next to the Cairnbaan hotel so I’m very familiar with these wonderful stones - I have many more pics! It’s quite amazing how the images change throughout the year due to the changing light and the lichen. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Aska : A total view from the north. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Aska : A total view from the south. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Anne T : Standing at the kissing gate in the walled section containing Cairnbaan 2, looking back towards Cairbaan 1, with Cairnbaan village and the canal in the valley below.

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Anne T : What is left of the star motif in the lower section of the rock. We spent ages with the information board and the "In the Footsteps of Kings" book (page 151) making sure I photographed the right motif.

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Anne T : Some more of these complex motifs, brought into relief in the sunshine.

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Anne T : The number and complexity of motifs on this rock art panel is amazing. Stan Beckensall in his "Prehistoric Rock Art of Kilmartin" book says the motifs are meant to be viewed from the South south, as the ducts runs in that direction and the flatness of the surface throws the motifs into relief when the sun shines.

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by Bladup : Cairnbaan 2.

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by SolarMegalith : Eroded cup-and-ring mark on Cairnbaan 2 panel (photo taken on April 2013).

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by SolarMegalith : Well-preserved cup-mark with four rings (photo taken on April 2013).

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by SolarMegalith : Conjoined cup-and-ring marks on Cairnbaan 2 panel (photo taken on April 2013).

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by SolarMegalith : Decorated surface of Cairnbaan 2 panel (photo taken on April 2013).

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by durhamnature : 1948 photo at Carn Ban, from Berwickshire Naturalists, via archive.org

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by crannog : Close up of rock carvings (will return on a sunny day to compare the effects of light on the rockface/carvings).

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by crannog : panel 4 (located about 400yards away from other panels)

Cairnbaan 2
Cairnbaan 2 submitted by caradoc68 : I believe this is panel 4 of the Cairnbaan group. Visited on a very wet day, you can still make out the cup and bowls quite clearly. (2 comments)

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 114m ESE 102° Cairnbaan 1* Rock Art (NR8398891027)
 229m E 101° Dun Chuain* Stone Fort or Dun (NR841910)
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 1.7km NNE 31° Dunamuck South* Standing Stones (NR8484192493)
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 2.4km N 359° Dunadd Recumbent Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NR83979343)
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 2.6km N 357° Dunadd Standing Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NR8386993612)
 3.1km NE 35° Kilmichael Glassary 1* Rock Art (NR8579793496)
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 3.1km NE 35° Kilmichael Glassary 2* Rock Art (NR8580993545)
 3.2km NE 36° Kilmichael Glassary Kirk* Ancient Cross (NR8589893521)
 3.9km NNE 31° Torbhlaren Fallen Stone Standing Stone (Menhir) (NR86079428)
 4.1km NNE 32° Torbhlaran 1* Rock Art (NR8621394375)
 4.1km NE 38° Dun Torbhlaran* Stone Fort or Dun (NR866942)
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"Cairnbaan 2" | Login/Create an Account | 7 News and Comments
  
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Re: Cairnbaan 2 by Anne T on Monday, 22 January 2018
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I think the comments below belong to the Achnabreck Forest site page, rather than Cairbaan 2. Not sure how to change them over. Thanks.
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bronze Age Rock carving found after a storm in Kilmartin Valley by rockartuk on Thursday, 21 February 2008
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Hi Folks,
The photos of this amazing new find can be seen at:
Achnabreck New-1 on BRAC
Cheers,
jan
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Bronze Age Rock carving found after a storm in Kilmartin Valley by Andy B on Thursday, 21 February 2008
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Andy Buntin for Forestry Commission Scotland in West Argyll said: ‘We discovered the new rock art during a routine inspection of trees that had been blown down or up-rooted during the high winds - so it seems this time the damage and disruption caused by the gales has uncovered something good!

‘West Argyll is renowned for its archaeological importance with 46 scheduled ancient monuments and the site is one of the three largest ring-marked sites in Britain.

‘The importance of the site and the reasons for the carvings remain a topic of speculation and despite public and academic interest, the meanings of the symbols remains mysterious. But we do know that they date back to the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Initially the carvings were found on boulders and outcrops of rock overlooking major routes, hunting grounds, water-holes and hunting spots. This suggests a link with herding or hunting wild animals, although the presence on hillsides may indicate that they mark out boundaries between farmland and wild ground - perhaps an association with territorial ownership. Later on many boulders were incorporated into burials and cairns where they separate boundaries between sacred areas.

‘The rock is very close to the popular Fire Tower mountain bike trail which means that for years, people have been cycling or walking past a prehistoric find! We will be re-routing part of the trail to ensure the carving is protected and opening up access for people to view the rock.’

Forestry Commission Scotland - with advice from Historic Scotland and Kilmartin House Museum - plan to carry out further evaluation work to determine the full extent of the find. The Fire Tower trail will be closed for another two-three weeks due to storm damage but the walking paths to the other rock art sites remain open.

Argyllshire Advertiser
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Bronze Age Rock carving found after a storm in Kilmartin Valley by Andy B on Thursday, 21 February 2008
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A rock carving dating back to the Bronze Age has been uncovered by
Scottish forestry workers clearing trees which fell during the recent
storms. The mysterious rock art had been hidden by a huge tree in
Forestry Commission Scotland's Achnabreac Forest, in West Argyll,
until it was blown down around three weeks ago.

The carving - believed to be around 5000 years old - is of a dice-
like pattern. It sits above the mouth of Kilmartin Glen and directly
overlooks the rock art at Cairnbaan. Its proximity to these other rock
art sites, its visual relationship with both sites and the similar
complexity of design suggests that all three sites may be connected,
say the commission. It believes the new site may hold the key to
unravelling the mystery which surrounds the rock art in Argyll.

Andy Buntin, of the Forestry Commission, said: "We discovered the
new rock art during a routine inspection. West Argyll is renowned for
its archaeological importance, with 46 scheduled ancient monuments,
and the site is one of the three largest ring-marked sites in Britain.

The importance of the site and the reasons for the carvings remain a
topic of speculation and despite public and academic interest, the
meanings of the symbols remains mysterious."
Mr Buntin said the carvings date back to the late Neolithic and
early Bronze Age. "Initially the carvings were found on boulders and
outcrops of rock overlooking major routes, hunting grounds, water-
holes and hunting spots," he said. "This suggests a link with herding
or hunting wild animals, although the presence on hillsides may
indicate that they mark out boundaries between farmland and wild
ground - perhaps an association with territorial ownership. Later on,
many boulders were incorporated into burials and cairns where they
separate boundaries between sacred areas."

Source: The Herald
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Cairnbaan by Anonymous on Thursday, 22 July 2004
Condition:prehistoric loudspeakers? does this explain that when we visited in june we found that on shouting at cairnbaan we discovered an amazing echo that followed the valley. a natural theatre , a good place to address a large number of people. What are they for? felt to me like a steller or /and terrestrial map. reminded me of aborigiony art from dream time showing in symbol form terrestrial maps.
Ambience:GREAT VIEW

Access:
EASY
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