Stones at the lower end of the alignment. View from west (Scale 1m).
A fan-shaped multiple stone row measuring 16.2m long, including at least 28 small and medium-sized stones arranged in at least 8 separate lines and situated on a gentle south west facing slope overlooking Loch Badanloch. The row is orientated NNE to SSW and stands in an area containing several prehistoric cairns, settlements and burnt mounds.
Location
| Scotland | Sutherland | Northern Scotland | NC 78260 35160 |
| Lat 58.28823635 Long-4.07814155 | |||
Map showing the location of Cnoc Molach stone row.
Simplified plan of the Cnoc Molach stone alignment. (Source: L.J. Myatt, 1983). Original available here.
Characteristics
| Type: Multiple | Length: 16.2m |
| No. of stones: 28 | Size of stones: Small and medium |
| Orientation: 22.5° | Altitude: 154m |
| Upper end: – | Lower end: – |
| Straight (Yes or No) : | Sea View: No |
| Context: Cairns and prehistoric settlement | |
| Notes: 8 rows. Tallest stone is 0.72m high but most are less than 0.2m high and many just protrude through the turf. | |
Other Information
| Public Access: Yes |
| Land Status: |
| Scheduled Ancient Monument: No |
Identification
Category: Plausible. No doubts have been expressed regarding the prehistoric interpretation of this row.
Typology
This stone row is of Type M4. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.
Photographs
View from the south of the stone alignment with summit of Cnoc Molach behind (Scale 1m).
The largest stone in the alignment stands 0.73m high. In many of the multiple rows the tallest stones are at the lower end (Scale 1m).
The stones forming the lower end of the alignment. The juxtaposition of water and mountains probably formed a focus for the ritual activities carried out at this place. View from the east (Scale 1m).
View of the alignment from the south east (Scale 1m).
Most of the stones are tiny and are only visible because of the sparce vegetation (Scale 1m).
View from the north east with Loch Badanloch in the background.
Looking southward along the rows towards Loch Badanloch (Scale 1m).
View from the south east (Scale 1m). The Loch Rimsdale stone alignment is situated in the trees in the background and the two rows would have originally been intervisible.
View from above and south (Scale 1m).
View from above and east (Scale 1m).
View from above and north (Scale 1m).
View from above and north west (Scale 1m).
There are several cairns in the vicinity of the alignment. This one is at NC 78307 35145.
Access Information
Roadside car parking is available at NC 79171 35108. From here walk west across the open moorland for about 900m to the row. The ground is uneven and a map essential.
Online Resources
Megalithic Portal Canmore Historic Environment Record Caithness Field Club Bulletin
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. 224.
Timeline
VISITED:- 5th September 2016
FIRST PUBLISHED:- 13th February 2016
LAST UPDATED:- 31st December 2017
The Stone Rows of Great Britain 
