|
Kilmartin Glen
To visit Kilmartin Glen drive a few miles north from Lochgilphead or approach the glen traveling south from Oban on the Lochgilphead road.
As you approach Kilmartin Glen you will leave behind the modern contemporary tourist view of the Highlands of Scotland and begin to experience the true beauty of the local historical landscape of Argyll & Bute.
The undulating hills of Kilmartin Glen play host to a vast story of human endeavour, spanning many thousands of years. The serenity of the ancient monuments you encounter on your route through Kilmartin Glen stand testimony to the range of human expression and communal ritual of the people who lived in Kilmartin Glen all those years ago. Their day to day activities and their beliefs have left an almost indelible mark on the landscape of Kilmartin Glen.
Kilmartin Glen is both an ancient and a beautiful part of Argyll and Bute. The glen commands a very special place in both Scotland’s historical and cultural identity. The tranquility and antiquity of Kilmartin Glen combine to create one of the most magical and special places in Scotland. The local area is awash with historical landmarks and references of previous human endeavor. Kilmartin Glen contains wonderful examples of Standing Stones, Stone Circles, Burial Cairns and Rock Carvings from across the ages.
Believe it or not Kilmartin Glen is still one of the most obscure parts of Scotland. It’s treasures are largely ignored and it’s location well off the tartan tourist trail ensures that most of the coach tours pass it by and the committed traveler continues to enjoy it’s wonderfully unique tranquility.
5000 years ago before the Egyptians even built the pyramids the people living in the glen constructed their own religious monuments. Linear Cemetery on Nether Largie provides tangible evidence of the first recorded Burial Cairns in Argyll.
These Neolithic and Bronze Age sites can still be visited today and they help define the magical atmosphere that is Kilmartin Glen. The area also boasts a stone circle at Temple Wood and Standing Stones at various locations, the best example probably being at Ballymeanoch. The site at Ballymeanoch is managed by Historic Scotland, as well as the standing stones there is an excellent example of a burial cairn and some prehistoric cup and ring rock carvings
Ballymeanoch Standing Stones
Click to Enlarge
Dunnadd Iron Age Fort was once the capital of the Ancient Capital of Dalriada, a far reaching administration who’s influence controlled much of Scotland. It is believed that the Stone of Destiny was used at Dunnadd to crown the first kings of Scotland.
In the village of Kilmartin, Kilmartin Church and it’s graveyard contain some of the earliest relics of Christianity including crosses and grave stones.
The medieval remains of Carnasserie Castle near Kilmartin date back to the 16th century and stand testimony to the adoption of Lutheran Christianity in the Highlands of Scotland.
Moine Mhor a vast expanse of bogland was classified as a National Nature Reserve in 1987. It is one of the last remaining raised peat bogs in the UK. The site is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage and it provides a very special habitat for wildlife.
Whilst Argyll remains largely undiscovered to many of the visitors who travel to Scotland, Kilmartin Glen is one of Argyll’s most prized secrets. If your day trips out demand visitors centres and commercial tourism then Kilmartin Glen will probably disappoint. If instead you are seeking to capture the true spirit of the Argyll landscape, the diverse wildlife and the natural elements of a wonderful land, then make sure your visit to Argyll & Bute includes time to enjoy Kilmartin Glen.
|
