Description

The monument comprises the remains of a chambered cairn dating to the early Neolithic (4000BC – 3000BC) with evidence of reuse in the Bronze Age (2500BC – 800BC). It is trapezoidal on plan, measuring 24.5m long by 11m at the east end, decreasing to about 3.5m at the west end and standing up to about 1m in height. A curving façade defines a forecourt at the east end. The monument lies on the northern slopes of Blast Hill, at about 200m above sea level.

The scheduled area is irregular. 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 national importance of the monument is demonstrated in the following way(s) (see Designations Policy and Selection Guidance, Annex 1, para 17): 

The monument is of national importance because it makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past, or has the potential to do so. Chambered cairns are one of the main sources of evidence for the Neolithic in Scotland and so are important in our understanding of the nature of Scotland's prehistoric society and landscape. This example contributes to our understanding of the design, construction and siting of prehistoric burial monuments in the Neolithic period.b.   The monument retains structural, architectural, decorative or other physical attributes which make a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past. In particular, the cairn retains structural details in the form of its mound, chambers and façade. There is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits. This can contribute to our understanding of the meaning and importance of death and burial in the Neolithic period as well as changing belief during prehistory.d.   The monument is a good example of a Neolithic chambered cairn and is therefore an important representative of this monument type. It can enhance our understanding of Neolithic society and economy, as well as the nature of burial and ceremonial practices and belief systems.e.   The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding or appreciation of the past. It can tell us about the character, development and use of burial and ritual sites and the nature of prehistoric society, economy, social hierarchy and burial in this area of Scotland and further afield. Further research and investigation of the surviving buried remains have the potential to explain the precise chronology of this monument. Such a chronological explanation may help to inform our understanding of the development of similar prehistoric sites across Scotland.f.   The monument makes a significant contribution to today's landscape and our understanding of the historic landscape. It formed a prominent part of the prehistoric landscape and remains a significant feature in the landscape today.

Assessment of Cultural Significance

This statement of national importance has been informed by the following assessment of cultural significance:

Intrinsic characteristics (how the remains of a site or place contribute to our knowledge of the past)

The monument is chambered cairn, surviving as a grassy mound of stone and earth. A curving arrangement of orthostats defines the remains of a façade at the east end. Small scale excavation has shown that this is a multi-phase monument, beginning as small, probably sub-circular, cairn with a single chamber. This was later enlarged with the addition of a long cairn/ mound built of both turf and stone, a façade, kerb and second chamber. Different constructional techniques were used on the north and south sides of the monument with impressive orthostats and drystone walling on the north and no formal or neat edge on the south. The façade was later remodelled. All three of these phases date to the early Neolithic, with the second phase probably dating between 3630 BC and 3360 BC. The dates recovered from the monument suggest Blasthill was one of the earliest chambered monuments built in southern Scotland. The remains of pottery vessels recovered from the monument suggest it was re-used again in the Bronze Age. The forecourt may have been blocked at this date.

Chambered cairns were used for communal burial and ritual. Scientific study of the cairn's form and construction techniques compared with other chambered cairns would enhance our understanding of the development sequence of this site and of chambered cairns in general. The excavations at Blashill indicate there is good potential for the survival of archaeological deposits, including human burials, artefacts and environmental remains such as pollen and charcoal, within, beneath and around monument. The archaeological deposits have the potential to provide information about the date of the monument, ritual and funerary practices and the structure of Neolithic society as well as changing society and belief. Surviving artefacts and ecofacts would enhance understanding of contemporary economy, land-use and environment.

Contextual characteristics (how a site or place relates to its surroundings and/or to our existing knowledge of the past)Around 600 chambered cairns are known in Scotland. This example is considered to belong to the Clyde Cairn group, an architecturally distinctive style of early Neolithic burial monument found in southwestern Scotland. Dating suggests this example may be one of the earliest chambered cairns built in southern Scotland.Chambered cairns are found in a variety of locations. Some are placed in conspicuous locations within the landscape, such as on the summits or shoulders of hills, to be deliberately seen on a skyline, or otherwise seen in profile. Other factors that seem to hold significance are their relationship to routeways across and between different terrestrial and marine landscapes, a location near to good upland pasture, and views over specific areas of land (perhaps relating to different communities). This example is positioned on the summit of a small mound on the northern slopes of Blasthill. It occupies a prominent position with views over a valley to the north which forms a natural routeway through the landscape. The northern side of the cairn is more substantially built than the southern side indicating it was intended to be viewed from the north.The monument, therefore, has the potential to enhance our understanding of burial, ceremony and belief during the early Neolithic and Bronze Age. 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. Study of the monument in relation to similar monuments identified elsewhere can enhance our understanding of early Neolithic monumentality and the continued use and reuse of such monuments during prehistory.

Associative characteristics (how a site or place relates to people, events, and/or historic and social movements)

There are no known associative characteristics that contribute to this site's cultural significance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) ID 38677: https://www.trove.scot/place/38677 (accessed on 17/12/2025).

Local Authority HER/SMR Reference WOSAS PIN 3269 (accessed on17/12/2025).

Cummings, V. and Robinson, G. 2015 The life and times of a chambered tomb: the results of survey and excavation at Blasthill chambered cairn, Kintyre, Western Scotland. Archaeological Journal, 172:1, 1-29.

Cummings, V. and Robinson, G. 2015 The results of the excavations at Blasthill chambered cairn in Cummings, V. and Robinson, G. The southern Kintyre project. Exploring interactions across the Irish Sea from the Mesolithic to the Bronze Age. BAR British Series 618: Oxford.

Henshall A S. (1972) The chambered tombs of Scotland, 2 .Edinburgh.

RCAHMS (1971) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Argyll: an inventory of the ancient monuments, volume 1: Kintyre. Edinburgh.

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/38677/

HER/SMR Reference

WoSASPIN 3269

Source: Historic Environment Scotland