Cairn Holy I Chambered Cairn, Dumfries and Galloway
N 54° 51.475 W 004° 18.636
30U E 415869 N 6079767
Cairn Holy I is an ancient place of worship and burial dating back to before 4000BC. Cairn Holy II is nearby. Also known as Cairnholy I. Both managed by Historic Scotland. Open all year. Free.
Waymark Code: WM2QD5
Location: Southern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/07/2007
Views: 68
A remarkably complete Neolithic burial cairn, of a type characteristic of Galloway, on a hill with fine views. Neatly cut grass surrounds the stones, which are in a walled area, accessed by a swing gate. The fore area may have used for ritual ceremonies.
Cairn Holy I and II are signed from the A75 main road. A pleasant diversion for travellers zooming across to the ferries, offering extensive views across the sea. A tranquil site away from the noisy road. No facilities apart from parking area at site.
The site was excavated in 1949. Little is known about the burials as the acid soil has dissolved the bones. Among the objects found in the outer compartment were part of an axe of jadeite, a rare green stone imported from the Alps and a leaf shaped arrowhead. The axe is kept in the Royal Museum of Scotland, in Edinburgh.
A short walk up the track leads to Cairn Holy II, said to be the tomb of the mythical King Galdus.
Links
The Megalithic Portal (
visit link)
Ancient Stones of Scotland (
visit link)
Historic Scotland (
visit link)
Streetmap UK (
visit link)