View from the south west.
A possible single stone row measuring 5.8m long, including three large upright orthostats situated on the eastern side of a prominent knoll. The stones stand up to between 1.97m and 1m high and denote the edge of a scarp. A fourth stone in the nearby wall may have once formed part of the row. The row is orientated NNW to SSE, the northern stone is incorporated into a later field wall and it forms part of a cluster of three rows which all share the same orientation. A sea views is blocked by rising ground to the west. It feels as if the row has been “hidden” from the sea. Doubts concerning the identity of this row hinge around the fact that the stones appear to denote the edge of a quarry dump.
Location
| Scotland Mull Argyll & Isles NM 43859 51655 Lat 56.586652 Long -6.1732771 |
Map showing the location of Dervaig, SSE stone row.
Plan of the Dervaig SSE stone row. Original surveyed at 1:200 by Sandy Gerrard.
Characteristics
| Type: Single | Length: 5.8m |
| No. of stones: 3 | Size of stones: Only large |
| Tallest stone: 1.97m | Shortest stone: 1m |
| Orientation: 161° | Altitude: 94m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : No | Sea View: No |
| Context: Stone alignment | |
|
Notes: A fourth stone incorporated into the wall may have originally formed part of the alignment before it was moved. The row denotes the edge of a quarry dump. This does not necessarily invalidate the prehistoric interpretation but introduces an element of uncertainty. The row is tucked behind a knoll which prevents views of the nearby sea. |
|
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: – |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: No |
Identification
Category: Possible. This alignment of stones look like a stone row and sits within an area containing similar looking sites. The stones however all stand on a scarp formed by quarry waste and this introduces a significant element of uncertainty. For this reason alone it is probably safer to consider this a possible row until future work determines the precise relationship between the quarry waste and the stones.
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
Views towards the nearby sea are completely blocked by the rocky outcrop west of the row. View from the east.
The stone row denotes the edge of a prominent scarp formed by quarry waste. View from south east.
A later drystone wall incorporates one of the orthostats. The wall also overlies the quarry dump. View from north.
Exposed quarry dump waste near to the stone row. View from the south west.
View from above and east. The rocky outcrop and quarry are visible beyond. The position of the row means that views from it are restricted. Extensive views are available within a few metres.
View from above and north west. The stone which has probably been moved is visible within the wall in the background.
View from above and east highlighting the rocky outcrop that blocks the view towards the sea.
View from the south west.
Access Information
Limited car parking is available at NM 43989 51626. The row is clearly visible from the parking area.
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 