Description

The monument comprises the remains of a prehistoric cairn probably of Bronze Age date (2,500 BC – 800 BC). It is located on the summit of a ridge overlooking the Lynn of Lorn on the Island of Lismore at approximately 50m above sea level. 

The monument survives as a large roughly circular turf covered spread of stones, 14.6m in diameter and up to 1.4m high. Stone has previously been robbed from the cairn. A large slab 1m long by 0.4m wide and 0.15m projects from the stones on the south west. This along with a depression in the centre of the cairn may be evidence of a burial cist. 

The scheduled area is circular with a diameter of 30m. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as it makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past as a prehistoric burial cairn dating to Bronze Age (2,500 BC – 800 BC). It retains structural and other physical attributes, in particular it survives as a large roughly circular turf covered spread of stones, 14.6m in diameter and up to 1.4m high, a large stone slab and a depression which may represent a cist. Excavation of similar monuments have shown that buried structures, such as cists, are likely to survive along with archaeological deposits containing artefacts, environmental and human remains. The monument is a good example of a prehistoric cairn and is therefore an important representative example of this monument type.

It also has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding of ritual and funerary practices in northwest Scotland during prehistory. It can tell us about the role of such monuments in prehistoric society as well as their placement within the landscape. As a prominent mound, it would have been an important component of the wider prehistoric landscape of settlement, agriculture and ritual. As a prominent feature in the area, it would have been an important component of the wider prehistoric landscape of settlement, agriculture and ritual. It has potential to be studied in relation to the remains of other broadly contemporary monuments in the immediate area such as Dun Uamh Nan Cradh, Cairn (scheduled monument SM241; 380m east-northeast) Creag an Fhithich, cairn 390m SSW of (scheduled monument SM4176; 745m north-northwest) and Brynalen, cairn 550m SSE of (scheduled monument SM5147; 1.3km west-northwest) to better understand their chronology, form, distribution and development at a local and national level.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/23006/

HER/SMR Reference

https://www.wosas.net/wosas_site.php?id=1196

Source: Historic Environment Scotland