The four-stone row
Ballymeanoch Stone Row

The floor of Kilmartin Glen is astonishingly rich in prehistoric sites. Just south of the Dunchraigraig Cairn (Historic Scotland) is Ballymeanoch, a complex of ancient monuments, the most obvious being a parallel row of standing stones.

There are four stones in one row and two in the other. A third stone, known as The Holed Stone, lies near the remains of a kerb cairn to the north east of the stone row, This recumbent stone has a hole through it, almost certainly man-made, and was recorded as being upright in the 19th century.

As for the stone row, the line of four stones is graduated, from 2.75 metres to 4.1 metres. The middle two stones are covered with cup and ring marks; the largest has over 70 cup marks and over a dozen cup and rings.

Ballmeanoch standing stones
Standing stones

The two stone alignment is smaller than the four-stone row; the stones measuring 2.75 metres and 3 metres tall.

Most historians consider that the six stones still standing were just part of a much larger parallel row of standing stones, an avenue, if you will, similar to the celebrated Avenue at Avebury, in Wiltshire. These stones were probably erected about 2000 BC.

About 130 metres south of the stones is an almost destroyed henge monument. The henge was investigated in the 19th century but has since been almost obliterated by ploughing, so there's not much to see today.

Getting There

Probably the easiest way to reach the stone row and kerb cairn is to park in the Dunchraigraig Cairn parking area on the A819 (southbound) and walk across the road for the cairn. From there, simply head south across the fields, where the stone rows are clearly visible.

Cup marks in one of the standing stones
Cup marks
The kerb cairn
The kerb cairn
The four-stone row (background)
The four-stone row (background)
The standing stones
Four-stone row (background)

About Ballymeanoch
Address: A819, Kilmartin, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Attraction Type: Prehistoric Site
Location: Just south of Kilmartin village, off the B8025 or from the Dunchraigraig Cairn parking area.
Location map
OS: NR833964
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express


NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS

Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest

Dunchraigaig Cairn - 0.2 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Baluachraig Cup And Ring Marks - 0.3 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Ri Cruin Cairn - 0.7 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Nether Largie Standing Stones - 0.8 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Temple Wood Stone Circles - 1 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Nether Largie Cairns - 1.2 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Ballygowan Cup and Ring Marks - 1.4 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating

Glebe Cairn - 1.5 miles (Prehistoric Site) Heritage Rating



Nearest Holiday Cottages to Ballymeanoch:

Nearby accommodation is calculated 'as the crow flies' from Ballymeanoch Stone Row. 'Nearest' may involve a long drive up and down glens or, if you are near the coast, may include a ferry ride! Please check the property map to make sure the location is right for you.


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