Ballymeanoch
Ballymeanoch
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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3 within 3 miles
Attractions
23 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
2 reviews
Excellent
1
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
hfulton32
Paisley, UK411 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This is a mouthwatering site if you like history and it is peaceful whilst being v accessible. You can walk here from Kilmartin, drive (little car park opposite) or even get the bus from Oban or Lochgilphead. Coming from Lochgilphead, it is before the turn off for Crinan/Slockavulin before you get to Kilmartin itself. Beware tho not all drivers are nice enough to stop so check first!
You can also walk up from the road to Crinan beyond the turn for Ri Cruin Cairn by going on a few hundred yards to and through the first big farm gate. Officially though that is farmland.
If you go through the main gate you will get to the cairn, which is like the other major Bronze Age cairns in the valley having had two cist graves. The bodies had melted away in acid soil, but some artefacts were found. There's a lovely M R James type story of a farmer finding a bronze knife and being made to put it back by his wife who felt they had not been alone since he brought it home.
Walk then down a slope at the left hand side of the site and through to a little stream - you can just step over this tiny rill! - and up to the stones. These are more remote and have some interesting marks. Like all such sites, there is a definite atmosphere, and this was clearly a sacred site of some importance as it has the only henge in the valley too. Be eagle eyed and find the story board and then you can orientate yourself and imagine the scene as it once was. You can still trace the circular outline of the henge.
Retrace you steps and follow the sign for the marvelous cup and ring mark stones. No-one knows what purpose they served, but there are hundreds in the valley. Some spirals are beautifully clear here. My own conviction given the astronomical character & orientation of ancient stones and burial chambers is they were a way of humans connecting to/communicating with sky beings and forces.
All the time you are doing this you will get views of the valley and surrounding area.
This is not as well known as other sites in the valley tho it is right by the road, but to me it is one of the best and worth spending some time on. An ordnance survey map, the local guidebook 'In the Footsteps of Kings' (sold in the Kilmartin Heritage Centre) will guide to exactly the spot. I must admit we went in the unofficial back way, and climbed up through a field to the cup and ring stones, which felt more adventurous and natural, then up to the cairn, stones and henge. You can only do this if you carefully open and re-secure the gate and there are no animals in the field. In wet weather you also need to skirt round the darker, marshy patch!
You can also walk up from the road to Crinan beyond the turn for Ri Cruin Cairn by going on a few hundred yards to and through the first big farm gate. Officially though that is farmland.
If you go through the main gate you will get to the cairn, which is like the other major Bronze Age cairns in the valley having had two cist graves. The bodies had melted away in acid soil, but some artefacts were found. There's a lovely M R James type story of a farmer finding a bronze knife and being made to put it back by his wife who felt they had not been alone since he brought it home.
Walk then down a slope at the left hand side of the site and through to a little stream - you can just step over this tiny rill! - and up to the stones. These are more remote and have some interesting marks. Like all such sites, there is a definite atmosphere, and this was clearly a sacred site of some importance as it has the only henge in the valley too. Be eagle eyed and find the story board and then you can orientate yourself and imagine the scene as it once was. You can still trace the circular outline of the henge.
Retrace you steps and follow the sign for the marvelous cup and ring mark stones. No-one knows what purpose they served, but there are hundreds in the valley. Some spirals are beautifully clear here. My own conviction given the astronomical character & orientation of ancient stones and burial chambers is they were a way of humans connecting to/communicating with sky beings and forces.
All the time you are doing this you will get views of the valley and surrounding area.
This is not as well known as other sites in the valley tho it is right by the road, but to me it is one of the best and worth spending some time on. An ordnance survey map, the local guidebook 'In the Footsteps of Kings' (sold in the Kilmartin Heritage Centre) will guide to exactly the spot. I must admit we went in the unofficial back way, and climbed up through a field to the cup and ring stones, which felt more adventurous and natural, then up to the cairn, stones and henge. You can only do this if you carefully open and re-secure the gate and there are no animals in the field. In wet weather you also need to skirt round the darker, marshy patch!
Written May 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SwedeViking17
Parkton, MD247 contributions
Sep 2019
The prehistoric Ballymeanoch standing stones and stone circles (much like depicted in the Outlander television series) are worth a stop when visiting the Kilmartin Glen. The stones are located in an active pasture. Hence, after visiting the stones, be prepared to clean your shoes well before returning to the airport and having to declare your shoes for walking in livestock areas (cleaning with anti-bacterial wet wipes was acceptable to US Customs).
Written October 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingBallymeanoch - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ballymeanoch
- Ballymeanoch is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Hotels near Ballymeanoch:
- (0.67 mi) Dunchraigaig House Bed and Breakfast
- (5.50 mi) Empire Travel Lodge
- (1.78 mi) Kilmartin Castle
- (2.56 mi) Bradan Lodges
- (0.63 mi) 4 bedroom accommodation in Kilmartin Glen, near Lochgilphead
- Restaurants near Ballymeanoch:
- (1.58 mi) Kilmartin Museum Cafe
- (1.59 mi) Kilmartin Hotel and Restaurant
- (5.40 mi) The Smiddy Bistro
- (7.77 mi) The Tayvallich Inn
- (9.48 mi) The Oystercatcher