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.