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<< Our Photo Pages >> Carman Hill cairn - Chambered Cairn in Scotland in West Dunbartonshire

Submitted by AstroGeologist on Thursday, 02 May 2019  Page Views: 8681

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Carman Hill cairn Alternative Name: Walton Farm
Country: Scotland County: West Dunbartonshire Type: Chambered Cairn
Nearest Town: Dumbarton  Nearest Village: Cardross
Map Ref: NS36357815
Latitude: 55.968378N  Longitude: 4.623651W
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
2 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.
3 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
4

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AstroGeologist visited on 22nd Apr 2019 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 2 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)

custer visited on 22nd Sep 2012 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4 Access: 3



Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 2.5 Ambience: 4 Access: 2.5

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing W (22.04.19) : 15 minutes before Sunset (Vote or comment on this photo)
The remains of a chambered cairn in West Dunbartonshire. The large upright stone is set in a gently-sloping field that gives a view of the River Clyde to the south-west; the stone is what remains of a chambered cairn, which once contained a burial chamber. Photo taken facing west showing the sunset over the 'Arrochar Alps', and many more on our page. l think it is symbolic that the builders placed this Cairn facing this direction, the Sun sets against these mountains every evening, every day of the year.

Stones at edge of field near wall. Prominent position on the hillside viewing down onto the Clyde. The largest stone is on the eastern end of the rest. Views from here great up the Clyde to Glasgow, out over the Firth of Clyde and Ardmore point and up the Gareloch. Marked on OS map Explorer 347.

This grave was probably constructed in the Neolithic. When the site was excavated in 1954, fifty quartz pebbles were found, as well as a polished stone axe-head, which is now in a museum.

The cairn has been subjected to considerable disturbance, including the removal of trees (the cairn is located in what was the southern end of Walton Wood, now gone), and some unauthorised digging (see final paragraph), so that the shape of the cairn is no longer evident. See NS3678 : Walton Farm chambered cairn for yet more disturbance.

The largest upright stone is 1.65m tall, and is composed of metamorphic rock (it appears to be gneiss). To its right is another stone, and a pit is evident next to the latter stone.

More details at Canmore

Page originally by Custer, with additions.
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Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing W (22.04.19) : Sunset over the Arrochar Alps from the Neolithic Cairn. l think it is very symbolic the builders placed this Cairn facing this direction, the Sun sets against these Mountains every evening, every day of the year (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by Creative Commons : The large stone, possibly a portal stone, is about 1.65 metres tall, and the chamber is, from this angle, behind it. The wooded slopes of Killoeter form the distant backdrop. Walton Farm chambered cairn This site dates from the Neolithic period. See LinkExternal link (at Canmore) for a detailed description. Copyright Lairich Rig and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licen... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by Creative Commons : Walton Farm chambered cairn. In this view, the distant backdrop is formed by the escarpment of the Kilpatrick Hills. The chamber itself is in front of the large upright stone. Copyright Lairich Rig and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by custer : Looking out over the Firth of Clyde and the Gareloch (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing E (22.04.19) : The NW face of the Menhir overlooking the Neolithic Cairn Remains, which is roughly aligned WNW

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by Creative Commons : The large upright stone is set in a gently-sloping field that gives a view of the River Clyde to the south-west; the stone marks the site of a chambered cairn (an ancient stone-built site which had a burial chamber inside). This grave was probably constructed in the latter part of the Stone Age. When the site was excavated in 1954, fifty quartz pebbles were found, as well as a polished stone axe-h...

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by Creative Commons : This Neolithic cairn has been subjected to considerable disturbance, including the removal of trees (the cairn is located in what was the southern end of Walton Wood, now gone), and some unauthorised digging (see final paragraph), so that the shape of the cairn is no longer evident. The largest upright stone is 1.65m tall, and is composed of metamorphic rock (it appears to be gneiss). To its...

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by Creative Commons : The site of the cairn is well marked by the large upright stone; the chamber itself is just behind that stone. The background shows the Firth of Clyde, with the Rosneath Peninsula jutting in from the right to a point behind the large stone. Walton Farm chambered cairn Copyright Lairich Rig and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by Creative Commons : The base of a large stone can be seen at the top of the image; this is the stone that is prominent in the photo accompanying the main description. It was possibly a portal stone, and it stands about 1.65 metres tall. In front of its base, in the present photo, is a stone that is about 90cm tall, and up to 55cm wide; its near side has a conspicuously flat surface. The pit measures about 1.4m by 1.2...

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by custer : Looking up towards the hillfort on top of the hill.

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by custer : Looking up the River Clyde towards Glasgow

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing NE (22.04.19) : Carman Hill Fort (Behind the bare tree) from Carman Hill Cairn (the Fort is 1.5km as the crow flies or 1.75km walking)

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing S (22.04.19) : The smaller of the 2 remaining Standing Stones at the Cairn

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing S (22.04.19) : The 1.65m tall Menhir from ground level

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing NW (22.04.19) : The Southern face of the Menhir displaying 'Gneissic Banding' ~ it shimmered Silver and Gold as Sol was setting in the West

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing WNW (22.04.19) : The Neolithic Cairn Remains from in front of the Menhir

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing NE (22.04.19) : The South face of the Menhir overlooking that over the Clyde - The small Standing Stone is about 50cm tall

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing SE (22.04.19) : The NW face of the 1.65m tall Menhir (The actual burial Cairn is positioned on front of this face)

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing W (22.04.19) : The remains of the Cairn, which has been dug up and destroyed many times

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing SW (22.04.19) : Geological surface detail on the NE face of the Gneiss Menhir had a Silvery-Gold shimmer to it

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing SW (22.04.19) : The large Gneiss Menhir has a rough triangular shape to it, the 2 faces showing are the NE face on the left and the NW face on the right, facing the Cairn remains. The unshown face is facing South, and the 3 points where the faces meet, show rough alignment to E, N & W

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing SW (22.04.19) : The Neolithic Cairn remains set against the horizon ~ beyond the River Clyde 140m below, are the Renfrewshire Hills

Carman Hill cairn
Carman Hill cairn submitted by AstroGeologist : Facing S (22.04.19) : The final approach of a 1.75km walk when approaching from the Hillfort at the top of Carman Hill

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 1.5km NNE 31° Carman Hill Fort* Hillfort (NS37207944)
 2.2km W 280° St Mahew’s Cross* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NS34207863)
 4.1km N 10° Cameron Farm* Chambered Cairn (NS372822)
 4.4km N 5° Round Hill (Cameron home farm cairn)* Cairn (NS36918252)
 4.9km SSE 157° Langbank Crannog (West)* Crannog (NS3813073550)
 5.2km SE 134° Dumbarton Hilllfort* Hillfort (NS399744)
 5.2km SSW 208° Bogle Stane* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (NS3370773634)
 6.0km S 190° High Castlehill Fort Hillfort (NS3505972281)
 6.5km SE 138° Langbank Crannog (East)* Crannog (NS4049773171)
 6.5km ESE 115° Dumbuie Dun* Hillfort (NS42187517)
 6.6km SSW 195° Craigmarloch Fort Hillfort (NS34437185)
 6.6km SSW 211° Devol Moor Ancient Village or Settlement (NS3269872597)
 6.7km SE 127° Dumbuck Crannog* Crannog (NS41577392)
 6.7km SSW 204° Cunston Cist Cist (NS33407210)
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 7.9km ESE 114° Greenland 1 Rock Art (NS43447460)
 7.9km ESE 114° Greenland 2 Rock Art (NS43487462)
 8.0km ESE 116° Ardconnel Hill Fort* Hillfort (NS4348074400)
 8.1km SSW 207° Devol 1 Rock Art (NS324711)
 8.2km SSW 213° Devol 2 Rock Art (NS31547144)
 8.3km S 170° Elphinstone Fort Hillfort (NS37506995)
 8.6km SE 129° Longhaugh Point Menhir* Standing Stone (Menhir) (NS4279972498)
 8.6km SW 216° Devol 3 Rock Art (NS3110071370)
 9.0km SW 232° Corlick Hill Cairn* Cairn (NS2904872850)
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"Carman Hill cairn" | Login/Create an Account | 1 comment
  
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Damage in early 2000s and nearby cairns by Andy B on Monday, 17 March 2014
(User Info | Send a Message)
Re: Walton Farm
by Anonymous on Monday, 15 March 2004
Condition:2
Ambience:
Access:2
When we visited this site we spoke to the local farmer who told us that a year or two before someone had damaged the site by digging a large hole in it. The farmer had back filled the hole, but only after placing a dead sheep in it for the next "robber" to find. I don't know if the excavations have disturbed the stones.

See also nearby:
Group of three Cairns
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1586472

Grass-covered Ancient Cairn
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1369760
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