Drumadoon Hillfort

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Hillfort Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Drumadoon Hillfort :

The first thing that you see when approaching are the impressive Columnar Basalt Cliffs. You can climb the Hillfort form the South, behind the large geological dyke, or from the Eastern slopes, through lots of heavy vegetation.

The Hillfort has been inhabited since at least 3,000bc and some consider it to have been an Oppidium due to it's size and location. It has commanding 360° views.
On the Eastern side of the summit stands a 1.5m high Menhir, and earlier reports mention the remains of a Souterrain, although the entrance to this is more than likely filled in with soil and vegetation debris and has not been seen in a long time.

It would have been quite the site 5,000 years ago, with a thriving community on top of the Hillfort, and all around the surrounding farmlands at the base of the Fort, and the nearby Kings Caves and Machrie Settlement's.

*Getting There ; Its about a 20 minute walk from the bus station at Blackwaterfoot
Cross the bridge and walk along the beach past the golf course to your right, continue on for 15 minutes until you hit Drumadoon Point and turn right.

Kings Cave

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Fionn's Cave :

Formed about 10,000 years ago after the end of the Younger Dryas, The Caves are situated below Torr Righ Mor (137m) on the West coast of Arran, halfway between Torbeg & Tormore. They look out onto the Kilbrannan Sound and across to the Kintyre Peninsula.

There are 3 caves next to each other, with the central one being the one tagged 'Kings Cave', although in the past it was known as 'Fionn's Cave' (Fingals Cave) after the mythical Irish hero - which would provide a connection with Fionn's Cauldron on Machrie Moor.
Occupied since ancient times, these deep caves would have provide adequate shelter and a good base for fishing and hunting for our Mesolithic ancestors. It has at least 1 Cup & Ring Mark, some Ogham Carvings, Viking Carvings and plenty more to discover on the walls of the Cave.
Not far from the Caves are documented Dinosaur footprints (1 of 3 sites on Arran)

*Getting There ; Coming from Doon Hillfort at Drumadoon Point, you can walk along the shore in front of the Forts cliff's, and then join the path, OR if coming from the Hillfort itself you will see a path leading down the slope's at the Northern end and joining a well worn path that takes you straight to the caves. (It is exactly 1.5km from the base of the cliffs to the caves)

Shortly after joining the path you will pass a small rocky area where people stack boulders on top of each other. After 15 minutes you pass a rocky part of the beach (when the tide is out) which contains dinosaur footprints. And after a further 5 minutes you will reach the caves.

Machrie Moor 10

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM10 : MM 10 : This is the FIRST site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 10' (Moss Farm Cairn Circle) is 760m away

Remains of a 19m diameter Bronze Age Cairn and Stone Circle.

In 1861 the Cairn was completely encircled with with 70~100cm high Menhirs.
The Cairn has been robbed of much of it stones, and the outer kerb now consists only of 6 upright stones, with several now lying on their sides, and covered in grass.

The Cairn and Stone Circle may be destroyed, compared to it's original state, but the site still retains a special aura.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 1st site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Moss Farm Stone

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM7 : This is the SECOND site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 7' (Moss Farm Menhir) is 1.5km away

A 1.6m high Sandstone Menhir on a prominent point on the Moor, roughly aligned to the cardinal points, with the West Face facing the Kintyre Peninsula.

When visiting the Menhir I found a small Gold box with a Chinese coin inside, the coin had a square hole in the middle and a little note saying "Magic for you"

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 2nd site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Tormore 2

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Chambered Cairn Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM8 : This is the THIRD site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 8' (Moss Farm Cairn Menhir/Tormore 2) is 1.55km away

Remains of a 9m oval 'Clyde Type' Cairn, now nearly totally covered in Heather. The most prominent feature is the 1.8m high Standing Stone.
Nearby is another upright stone, about 50cm tall. In 1861 flint flakes and arrowheads were dug up beneath the chamber by J. McArthur.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 3rd site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Moss farm chambered cairn

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Chambered Cairn Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: MM6 : This is the FOURTH site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 6' (Moss Farm Chambered Cairn) is 1.6km away

Remains of a Bronze Age Sandstone Cist. Originally it was square shaped and consisted of 5 Menhirs lain horizontally, with a Capstone on top.

Two stones formed the E side, with one stone on each of the other sides.
When excavated by J.Bryce in 1861, only 4 of these stones remained. He found an Urn and some Flint Arrowheads.

Now all that remains are two upright Menhirs, sitting at a right angle.
The large one, orientated E-W, measures 2m long, 1.1m high and 40cm wide. The small one is orientated N-S, measures 1m long, 80cm high and 40cm wide.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 4th site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Machrie Moor 5

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM5 : This is the FIFTH site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 5' (Coire Fhionn-Fingals Cauldron) is 1.75km away

A double concentric Stone Circle made from large, radioactive Granite boulders.
The inner circle is roughly 11.5m in diameter and has Eight stones, 60~100cm high.
The outer circle is 18m in diameter consists of Fifteen slightly smaller stones, one of which has a hole in it.

J.M.Arthur excavated this circle in 1858 and removed a lot of small packing stones and boulders, but he didn't reach the original ground level.
A few years later in 1861, J.Bryce found a small Sandstone Cist in the centre of the circles, less than 30cm from the surface. The Cist contained several bone fragments and black earth, and he suggests that the area had been disturbed several times before his excavation.
J.A.Balfour records the remains of this Cist in 1910, but it no longer exists today (perhaps it has been filled in)

During the 1980s Paul Devereux and other members of the Gaia Programme conducted a series of tests, over a 5 year period, to monitor electromagnetic anomalies at many Megalithic Stone Circles across Europe.
MM5 gave a site average, of 33% above background radiation levels.
The tallest, and the most Westerly of the upright stones in the inner ring, is particularly energetic, giving readings 16% above the next most radioactive stone in the double ring.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 5th site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Machrie Moor 4

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM4 : This is the SIXTH site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 4' (Granite 4 Poster) is 1.87km away

A Four Poster Granite ellipse about 90cm high, and about 6.4m on it's longer axis. The positioning suggests a 5th Boulder may have been in place at one time, giving a more Circular shape to the site.

Excavated by J.Bryce in 1861, he found a Bronze Age Cist (90cm long, 40cm wide and 60cm deep) in the centre.
Skeletal remains were accompanied by an Irish tripartite bowl, a Bronze awl, and three Flint Flakes.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 6th site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Machrie Moor 3

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM3 : This is the SEVENTH site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 3' (4.3m Red Sandstone Menhir) is 1.96km away

Originally this Stone Circle had 8 or 9 stones. Now only 6 stones are visible, and only the tallest, a 4.3m high, Red Sandstone Menhir remains standing.
The rest have fallen over, there is an ribbed Menhir lying flat near the centre of the circle (Perhaps used to sharpen swords?) The axis of symmetry (NE-SW) is approx 15.5m long.

Excavations by J.Bryce in 1861 uncovered a small Cist in the centre containing an Urn with some Flint Flakes. The Urn, which contained fragments of burnt bone, disintegrated on removal.
A second Cist was found 1m South of the centre, which contained a crouched burial, also with some Flint Flakes.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 7th site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Machrie Moor 2

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM2 : This is the EIGHTH site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 2' (3 Menhirs & 2 Millstones) is 2.1km away

Originally this Stone Circle had 7 or 8 Red Sandstone Menhirs. Now only 3 remain standing. The tallest of which is 4.9m high

Excavations by J.Bryce in 1861 uncovered a Cist (90cm long, 55cm wide and 65cm deep) in the centre of the circle, containing an inhumation, and accompanied by an Irish tripartite bowl, and four Flint Flakes.
A second smaller Cist was found not far from the Menhir in the NE arc, but he didn't find anything inside it.

There are two millstones, of a different rock type to the other stones, in the south-east arc, and look to be from a later date.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 8th site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Machrie Moor 1.

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: MM1 : This is the NINTH site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 1' (6 Granite & 5 Sandstone) is 2.16km away

Originally this Stone Circle (ellipse) had 6 Granite Boulders alternating with 6 small Sandstone Menhirs (A Sandstone Menhir on the Northern arc is now only a stump)

It roughly measure's 13m in diameter and is only about 25m away from MM11.

Cremated remains were found in an off-centre pit, along with a Bone Needle, Flint Knife and covered by an inverted Urn.
A.Burl made the discovery in 1979 of Timber post holes, which predated the placement of the stones.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 9th site you encounter when coming from the car park.

Machrie Moor 6

Trip No.6  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Stone Circle Country: Scotland (Isle of Arran)
Visited: Yes on 9th Aug 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: MM11 : This is the TENTH site you encounter when heading East from the Beach at Machrie. From the car park 'Machrie Moor 11' (10 small stones & Timber postholes) is 2.18km away

Completely buried under peat, it was discovered by E.W.MacKie in 1975, by him probing through the peat.
Excavations by "A.Burl" between 1978 and 1979 revealed 10 small upright Stones, the tallest of which is 1.2m high and is standing on the Western arc of the circle.

Measuring 13m in diameter, and only about 25m away from MM1, Cremated remains were found in a central pit, made of Flint.
Pitchstone and Diorite Knifes & Scrapers were excavated along with some pottery.
10 Timber Post Holes were also discovered, situated between the 10 stones, suggesting use of the site before the Stones were put in place.

*Getting There ; Get the '322 bus' to Blackwaterfoot from the Ferry terminal at Brodick. It takes approx 45 minutes.
From Blackwaterfoot you can go directly to the Moor by following the A841 road which is a 5.5km walk (It took me about an hour on the way back)

Or you can take the scenic route which is 8.5km. The long way follow's the beach to Drumadoon Point, and then onto the Doon Hillfort, after exploring the Fort you walk along the beach path to Kings Caves (These part's of the journey are covered in log visits for these sites)

From the Caves you can go along the shore to Machrie Bay (which would have been shorter) but instead l followed the trail path up Torr Righ Mor (137m) and around the Pine forests on Torr Righ Beag (109m) until l reached to visitors car park. From here it's a 15 minute walk to the visitors car park at Machrie Moor.
This is the 10th site you encounter when coming from the car park.

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

Larkfield Moor

Trip No.4  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Rock Art Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 29th Jun 2018. My rating: Condition -1 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Larkfield Moor 1 :

Located about 100m above sea level, the view from Larkfield Moor is spectacular. Looking across the Clyde you have Kilcreggan on the Rosneath Peninsula, with the entrance to Loch Long to it's left, and the rugged peaks of the Arrochar Alps in the background.

To the back of the Moor near the factory is flat piece of land that is sheltered from the elements by a natural cliff face which provides protection and privacy.
It would have been a great place for Neolithic People to have a tempoaray or permanent settlement.

This is one of 8 Cup Mark Sites found around the Larkfield Moor area so far (2 sites are on Earn Hill - above the cliffs in the main page photograph)

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

*Getting There ; The moor is approx 2.5km from Gourock train station or 1.75km from McInroy's Point.

From the TRAIN station : Get to the Kempock Menhir, and from here it is just over a half hour walk through a maze of streets. Walk onto Bath Street and follow it onto Barhill Road, continue for 800m and then turn onto Victoria Road. From here take the first left up Golf Road and follow until the end of the road, take a quick left then right and you'll be on Cowal View, and 0.5km later you'll arrive at the golf course.

From the FERRY terminal : Walk Eastward along the Cloch Road for 1/2km until you see a turn in to your right. Walk up Cloch Brae and walk up the set of stairs cutting through the houses, you will come out on Turnberry Ave.
Walk Westward and take your first left, walk up Cowal View for 400m and you will reach the golf course.

Once at the golf course stick to the left hand side next to the Mile Burn. Walk up for about 5/10 minutes and it is somewhere around here the Rock Art was discovered.

Bogle Stane

Trip No.12  Date Added: 17th Jul 2019
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 10th May 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 2 Access 5

Log Text: Bogle Stane :

Quite large remains of a Glacial Erratic perched at the top of the Clune Brae.

At some time in the distant past there was an minister who lived in the area, and jealous of the lore and superstitions surrounding the Monolith, he sneakily arranged to have to stone blown up and carted off to be used to build some local dykes, with enough left over to make some curling stones.
You can clearly see where the gunpowder shattered the rock in pieces.

Said to have been nearly 4m tall before it was destroyed, it would have been seen for miles around, and was said to have been a local beauty and picnic spot back then, with fantastic views across the River Clyde of Ben Lomond 29km away.
The trackway from Kilmacolm to Port Glasgow used to run on the other side of the Bogle Stane, which is why it is sometimes (Incorrectly) said to have been 'moved' across the road.

It is stuck right beside a path and a road, across from a school that used to be called Boglestone School (Now called Newark after the Castle at the bottom of the Clune Brae) it has houses and shops surrounding it and the place is just chaos. The peaceful serenity this place once had is now long gone.
Having been here 10,000+ years, this stone probably played an important role throughout history, and must have been significant to all who lived here. Even today the old stone lends it's name to the local area, with the whole place now called Boglestone.

There is an unusual stonemasons mark on the Eastern face of the Erratic, nothing is recorded about who made it. There was at one time a plaque with a poem attached to the Bogle Stane, but this is now long gone.

*Getting There ; From Port Glasgow bus or train station it is approx 2km away (45 min walk)

Get the '531' bus to Boglestone from the town centre (The Bogle Stane has it's very own bus stop) at the top the Clune Brae, which is a steep hill 1.4km long.
The bus journey takes 5 minutes.

Bunston Knowe

Trip No.12  Date Added: 17th Jul 2019
Site Type: Modern Stone Circle etc Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 10th May 2019. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Bunston Knowe :

The site is a lot bigger than l expected, due to being in private grounds of a hospital access was always limited. And from the aerial photographs it looked more like some sort of Henge, but as you can see it is actually some form of Earthworks.

I got the impression it was dug out ditches with raised banks, but it is more like some sort of Motte, on top of another Motte. Or possibly some sort of viewing platform. It actually looks like there used to be more than the current 2 layers, this is especially noticeable on the South and West sides, where the remains of 4 layers can be seen building up. The area surrounding the site has a massive embankment on it's Western perimeter, with a shallow depression separating it from Bunston Knowe.

Modern steps were built into the Earthworks around 1876 when the land was sold to build the Smithston Asylum.
On the Eastern side there is a shallow cutting through the turf running to the summit, which is about 2m high. Around the perimeter base it looks like there may possibly have been a ring of large boulders, which have now been removed.

The hospital was bulldozed in 2018 and is now a pile of rubble and the future of Bunston Knowe is uncertain, as plans were in place to turn the area into a housing scheme. I then read there are contamination issues at the site. I didn't know this before l went but l seem to be ok, bear it in mind though if you decide to go and have a look before this wonderful creation is destroyed forever.

*Getting There ; From Branchton train station it is approx 650m away (5 min walk)

It is a short walk from the train station, walk East along Inverkip Road for 475m passing Gleninver Road and then Neil Street across the street on your left, you'll soon come to a metal bridge on your right hand side, it goes over the railway tracks. Cross this and head South for a minute and you'll see Earthworks beyond the trees.

Greenock Moors

Trip No.3  Date Added: 4th Jul 2019
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 30th May 2018. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 5 Access 3

Log Text: The Greenock Moors :

Documented on the Greenock Moors (So far) ;

*More than 30 Hut Circle sites
*25 Cairns
*32 Cup Mark sites (Including the 5 on Larkfield Moor)
*Neolithic & Bronze Age artefacts

Site visits ;
1. 30/05/18
2. 08/06/18
3. 30/03/19
4. 21/05/19
5. 10/06/19

Getting there ; There are lots of ways to get up onto the Moors, but the easiest way from Greenock is from Overton. Drumfrochar train station is 2 minutes from the Old Largs Road, which takes you to the East side of Loch Thom, and if you continue on up the hill another few minutes you'll come to Overton Road, which takes you to the West side of the loch. The Old Largs Road route can be driven, the Overton Road way is for walking.

Whinhill Cup Marks

Trip No.15  Date Added: 17th Jul 2019
Site Type: Rock Art Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 21st May 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 3

Log Text: Whinhill Cup Marks :

These Cup Marks are found on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Clyde and are as described in the main site description.

Located on a flattish piece of land on the hillside below Whitelees Moor, the rock is almost totally surrounded on all sides by Gorse, with only a small opening found when facing South. The two times I was there, there was people using the practise hole and the rock is right at the very edge of the putting green. After travelling so far I wasn't about to let them stop me so I set up my camera and started clicking away, the men soon left as the practise green is for club members to warm up on before a round, and these men clearly weren't paying club members, so I didn't feel too bad.

The place is very peaceful and the Rabbits were running from the Gorse and playing on the putting green once the men had left, apart from the Midges it is a very pleasant site. The Cup Mark on the very top of the rock (Usually hidden under Moss and other vegetative debris) is 5cm in diameter, and just over 1cm deep. The oblong carving is quite peculiar, it isn't smooth the way most (Not all) Cup Marks are. It has some rugged surfaces on the interior the oblong shape. It is approx 7cm x 14cm.
And on the other side of the rock across from the oblong shape is some sort of other depression/carving. It is quite possibly natural, but if it isn't natural and is man made it looks like someone started to make another oblong and gave up half way through chipping the rock out.

*Getting there ; Access the golf course from the Old Largs Road, which runs from Overton at the top of Greenock to Loch Thom (And onto Largs) The Cup Marks are about 15 minutes walk from Drumfrochar train station.

From the train station come out onto Peat Road and turn left, walk uphill taking your 3rd left after the last house. Walk up the Old Largs Road for 10 minutes and you'll see the entrance to the golf course, walk through the car park heading towards the river and follow the path around until you see the putting green straight ahead (By this time your facing East)

Whitelees Moor 1

Trip No.15  Date Added: 17th Jul 2019
Site Type: Rock Art Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 21st May 2019. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 3

Log Text: Whitelees Cup Marks 1 :

The rocky outcrop on the Western lower slopes of Whitelees Moor is as described in the main site description.

Located on open Moorland, there is usually Sheep grazing around the rock but they run away when they see someone approach on the path up the moor.

Panel 1 : This is the largest Cup Mark I have ever seen, it is absolutely huge. I filled the conical depression with water from the nearby burn and when it was full it reminded me of a Dog bowl. As if someone made this as a watering hole for their hunting dogs possibly, just a thought. There is a similar sounding bowl sized Cup Mark recorded 'IN' the Daff Reservoir.

Panel 2 : This is a strange looking Cup Mark, it looks like a Horse hoof print embedded into the rock. To me, it is debatable if this one is man made or not, there is something about the interior that doesn't seem 'Cup' like. It looks more like a Quartz boulder or something similar has been yanked out of the bedrock and this is the hole that remains.

Panel 3 & 4 : These are similar to Panel 2, in that I have questions over these being man made or a natural features, they don't have a smooth interiors like Panel 1, they are rugged and jagged inside the Cup shape. My initial thought was it looked to me as if small Quartz stones had been yanked from the bedrock and these were the remains. But they did have semi-circular and tear drop shapes to them. Perhaps this is how Cup Marks start out and they were left unfinished, how would we know, or how could we tell?

*Getting there ; Access the moor from the Old Largs Road, which runs from Overton at the top of Greenock to Loch Thom (And onto Largs) These Cup Marks are about 25 minutes walk from Drumfrochar train station.

From the train station come out onto Peat Road and turn left, walk uphill taking your 3rd left after the last house. Walk up the Old Largs Road and after 10 minutes you'll pass Whinhill golf course, keep walking for about another 10 minutes and you'll come to a small place to park a car at the bottom of the moor, there is a large metal gate to stop cars going up the track.
Walk up the track for about a minute, keeping a lookout for rocks protruding from the grass on the left side of the track. They are low rocks and would be easy to miss if they Sheep weren't there to keep the Grass in check.

Whitelees Moor 2

Trip No.15  Date Added: 17th Jul 2019
Site Type: Rock Art Country: Scotland (Inverclyde)
Visited: Yes on 21st May 2019. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Whitelees Cup Marks 2 :

The Cup Marked Rocks on the upper slopes of Whitelees Moor are as described in the main site description.

Located in fenced Moorland about 50m from the Cairn remains at the summit of the moor. These are more traditional than the the Cup Marked rocks at the bottom of the moor.

Panel 1 & 2 : Could not locate these two boulders - I searched for over an hour on my first visit and had no luck finding them, I searched a vast distance of Whitelees through difficult, marshy terrain, but couldn't see these Cup Marked boulders anywhere. There are literally hundreds of boulders dotted over the area and it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Panel 3 & 4 are next to each other, in fact Panel 3 rests on top of Panel 4. During my search for the first two panels I saw these rocks and thought they looked prime rocks to have Cup Marks on them, but when I went and looked them over I didn't spot anything, so I continued my hunt, after much frustration I was drawn back to these rocks for some reason. I started clearing the Sheep wool & dung from the rocks and I then noticed a circular shape filled with debris, I scooped it out and it was a very pronounced Cup Mark.

Panel 3 : The Cup Mark is on the very top of the rock, which is propped up on a small, thin rectangular rock that rests on Panel 4. The Cup Mark has a Radial Groove running down to a natural fissure in the rock.

Panel 4 : Has 2 Cup Marks, one larger one at the Western corner of the rock, and a much smaller one at the opposite Eastern end, almost in line with the Cup Mark on Panel 3. When viewed from above the 3 Cup Marks form a triangle. Panel 4 has a lot of natural grooves criss crossed across it's surface and is sloping gently from East to West.

*Getting there ; Access the moor from the Old Largs Road, which runs from Overton at the top of Greenock to Loch Thom (And onto Largs) These Cup Marks are about 35 minutes walk from Drumfrochar train station.

From the train station come out onto Peat Road and turn left, walk uphill taking your 3rd left after the last house. Walk up the Old Largs Road and after 10 minutes you'll pass Whinhill golf course, keep walking for about another 10 minutes and you'll come to a small place to park a car at the bottom of the moor, there is a large metal gate to stop cars going up the track.
Walk up the windy track for about 5 minutes (Passing Whitelees 1 after a minute) and you'll come to a gate below an old disused, red brick bunker further uphill. From here it's less than 5 minutes away. Climb the gate and head up past the bunker as far as you can go until to start seeing the Clyde. Keep walking and you'll see a long rocky spine running East to West. Head for that. Look across the river to Ardmore Point and Panel 3 & 4 are halfway between the rocks you are at and the fence to the North.