Though the name suggests a cairn, the Gourdon monument is actually a long barrow, or barrow cairn, measuring about 46 metres long and 14 metres at its wide end. The barrow is oriented NE to SW, and is about 1.7 metres at its highest point.
The barrow is only partly covered in earth, with the remainder made up of irregular stones and small, rounded boulders, though many of the stones have been robbed. The site has been investigated by archaeologists but no sign of a burial chamber has been found.
A short stroll to the south, on the steep seaward slope of Gourdon Hill, are the remains of a hill fort.
Within a short drive are three other ancient sites; Cairn O'Mount burial site, Nine Stanes Stone Circle, and the Pictish cross known as the Fordoun Stone.
About Gourdon Cairn
Address: Gordoun, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Attraction Type: Prehistoric Site
Location: Just west of Gourdon. Best reached via a track off the A92 midway between Gourdon and Inverbervie
Website: Gourdon Cairn
Location map
OS: NO818706
Photo Credit: Andrew Wood, licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence
Opening Details: Open access site, usually accessible at any reasonable time
POPULAR POSTS
HERITAGE
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions
and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Find other attractions tagged with:
barrow (Historical Reference) - burial chamber (Historical Reference) - hill fort (Historical Reference) - Pictish (Architecture) - stone circle (Historical Reference)
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Arbuthnott, St Ternan's Church - 2.7 miles (Historic Church) 
Kinneff Old Church - 3.6 miles (Historic Church) 
Fordoun Stone - 7.4 miles (Prehistoric Site)
St Palladius' Chapel - 7.5 miles (Historic Church)
Dunnottar Castle - 9.2 miles (Castle)
Dunnottar Church and Marischal Aisle - 9.5 miles (Historic Church)
Fetteresso, St Ciaran's Old Church - 9.6 miles (Historic Church)
Fasque - 10.9 miles (Historic House)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Gourdon Cairn:
Stonehaven, Grampian
Sleeps: 5
Stay from:£434 - £1,528
