Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond, Scotland

This morning I collected guests from Argyll Hotel in Glasgow and then headed north-west visiting the following sites:

• Loch Lomond where we stopped to photograph a snow-capped Ben Lomond.
• Ret and be Thankful scenic pass.
• Inveraray Castle and town on Loch Fyne.
• Oban
• The prehistoric linear cemetery and stone circle site at Kilmartin Glen. First we visited the museum and visitor centre.
• Carved 14th/15th century medieval gravemarkers at Kilmartin Church burial ground.
• Prehistoric rock art at Achnabreck
• Dunadd fort at foot of Kilmartin Glen
• Oban,where we are staying tonight.

Overall, a good day aided by reasonably dry weather.

In the evening, guest John gave a demonstration of bagpipe playing aty a local pub in Oban.

Rest and be Thankful, Argyll, Scotland

Inveraray Castle, Argyll, Scotland

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland

Kilmartin Glen, Prehistoric Site, Scotland

Prehistoric Rock Art, Achnabreck, Scotland

View from Dunad, Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

Callanish Stones, Lewis, Hebrides

This evening, I am indulging my keen interest in prehistoric stone circles with focus on one of the most famous in Scotland, namely Callanish I.

This stunning site is located some 13 miles west of Stornoway (capital of Lewis). Some key aspects:

• Was probably built over several phases, not as a single project.
• The circle is actually and ellipse.
• This is just one of  a concentration of stone circles in this particular locality. Similar concentrations  can be found in Kilmartin Glen and on the Isle of Arran.
• Comprises a diminutive stone circle, a central stone, an avenue, three rows and a chambered tomb.
• Although the site impresses for its grandeur and astronomy the ring is of modest proportions, with an internal area of just 1334 sq ft or 124 sq m.
• The central line of the stone avenue is aligned on the setting of the southern moon.
• The site may date from 2200 BC.
• Was covered in peat and the scale of the site only became evident in 1857 when 5ft (1,5m) of peat was removed. Interestingly, stone circle building ceased around 1000 BC, a time which coincided with climate change which in turn triggered a build of peat which in turn protected the site over a period of some 3000 years.

Callanish Stone Circle, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Overall, a site that always intrigues me. I look forward to visiting again when next on Lewis.