Reasons for Designation
Round cairns are prehistoric funerary monuments dating to the Bronze Age
(c.2000-700 BC). They were constructed as stone mounds covering single or
multiple burials. These burials may be placed within the mound in stone-lined
compartments called cists. In some cases the cairn was surrounded by a ditch.
Often occupying prominent locations, cairns are a major visual element in the
modern landscape. They are a relatively common feature of the uplands and are
the stone equivalent of the earthen round barrows of the lowlands. Their
considerable variation in form and longevity as a monument type provide
important information on the diversity of beliefs and social organisation
amongst early prehistoric communities. They are particularly representative of
their period and a substantial proportion of surviving examples are considered
worthy of protection.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a round cairn of Bronze Age date,
situated on the summit of the ridge known as Garleigh Hill where it commands
extensive views in all directions. The round cairn is part of a wider group of
prehistoric monuments including cairns and cup marked rocks which are the
subject of separate schedulings.
The round cairn is visible as a spread of stones 11m in diameter and stands to
a maximum height of 0.3m. In the south western part of the cairn there is a
large stone slab interpreted as the remains of a cover for a stone coffin or
cist. Several other stone features on the hilltop are considered to be recent
in date and have been constructed from material robbed from the upper surface
of the round cairn.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32727
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
