View from above and the north east (4 June 2016).
A single stone row measuring 18.3m long, including two large upright orthostats and three recumbent slabs situated in a small valley. The stones stand up to between 2.42m and 2.37m high, the northern recumbent stone probably fell eastward and the other two westward.. The row is orientated NNW to SSE and forms part of a cluster of three rows which all share the same orientation. Views which would otherwise be extensive are restricted by rising ground to the west. It feels as if the row has been “hidden” from the sea.
Location
| Scotland Mull Argyll & Isles NM 43903 52051 Lat 56.590229 Long -6.1729512 |
Map showing the location of Dervaig, Centre stone row.
Plan of the Dervaig Centre stone alignment. Original survey at 1:200 by Sandy Gerrard.
Characteristics
| Type: Single | Length: 18.3m |
| No. of stones: 5 | Size of stones: Only large |
| Tallest stone: 2.42m | Shortest stone: 2.37m |
| Orientation: 160° | Altitude: 120m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : | Sea View: No |
| Context: Stone alignment | |
| Notes: | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: – |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes |
Identification
Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretion of this row.
Typology
This stone row is of Type S2. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
© Copyright Jo Turner and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. Until recently (2016) the stone row was surrounded by conifers.
But now the trees have been removed enabling a fuller appreciation of its topographical context. Looking south along the row.
View from the north east.
The three central stones. View from the south east.
View from the north west.
Looking along the row from above and the north. It is very likely that the nearest stone has been dragged a short distance from where it fell.
Looking along the row from above and the south.
The stone row is situated in the lee of a prominent knoll restricting views to the nearby sea. Two modern viewpoints in the vicinity illustrate the magnitude of the views available from this area but instead the row was placed in a position where the views from it are very limited.
Nearby car park for visitors to the nearby formal viewpoint. The extensive views from this viewpoint are not available from the stone row which is instead positioned by a small knoll thereby blocking any view to the sea. Sea views become available a very short distance south of the row.
Access Information
Car parking is available nearby at NM 43994 51847. The row is clearly visible from the car park. The car park is not suitable for high vehicles.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Modern Antiquarian Canmore
Other References
Burl, A., 1993, From Carnac to Callanish – The prehistoric rows and avenues of Britain, Ireland and Brittany, Yale University Press, New York and London, pg. 223.
Ruggles, C.L.N., 1999, Astronomy in prehistoric Britain and Ireland, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 197.
Timeline
VISITED:- 4th June 2016
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 4th February 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 15th March 2019
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 