Auchagallon Stone Circle

Summary

Auchagallon Stone Circle or Auchengallon cairn is the remains of a Neolithic or Bronze Age burial cairn, surrounded by a circle of fifteen stones. It is located near Machrie on the Isle of Arran in Scotland (grid reference NR89293464).

Auchagallon Stone Circle
Auchagallon Stone Circle
Auchagallon Stone Circle is located in North Ayrshire
Auchagallon Stone Circle
Auchagallon Stone Circle shown within the Isle of Arran, Scotland
LocationIsle of Arran
Coordinates55°33′35″N 5°20′34″W / 55.559789°N 5.342810°W / 55.559789; -5.342810
TypeKerbed burial cairn
History
PeriodsNeolithic / Bronze Age
Site notes
OwnershipHistoric Scotland
Public accessYes

Description edit

The cairn and stone circle is situated on a slight ledge of a west-facing slope,[1] overlooking Machrie Bay.[2] The circle comprises fifteen blocks varying in height from 0.5 metres to 2.3 metres. The stones are of red sandstone, except two which are a pale grey granite. The circle has a maximum diameter of 14.5 metres.

In the centre is a large stone cairn. Antiquarians digging here in the 19th century found a burial cist in the centre, although there are no records of any other remains. Although the monument is now called a stone circle, it was probably built as a kerbed cairn.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Arran, Auchengallon (39228)". Canmore. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  2. ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Auchengallon,cairn 150m WSW of (SM90023)". Retrieved 22 February 2019.

External links edit

  Media related to Cairn Auchagallon at Wikimedia Commons

  • Historic Environment Scotland: Visitor guide