The Kirk

 

Pair of stones forming part of The Kirk stone row. View from north (Scale 1m).

A probable double stone row measuring 54m long, including 7 medium-sized stones situated on a south facing slope with a sea view. The row is very sinuous, leads uphill from a ring cairn and is orientated north to south. There is a second cairn in the vicinity and the row may have once extended to it.

Location

England	Lancashire	Rest of England	SD 25091 82770
Lat 54.23513969   Long -3.1507857

Map showing the location of The Kirk stone row.

Plan of The Kirk stone row (Source: Survey at 1:500 by Sandy Gerrard).

Characteristics

Type: Double	Length: 54m
No. of stones: 7	Size of stones: Only medium
Orientation: 0°	Altitude: 200m
Upper end: –	Lower end: Cairn
Straight (Yes or No)  : No	Sea View: Yes
Context:  Cairn
Notes: Very sinuous double row or two separate rows.

Other Information

Public Access:  Yes

Land Status:

Scheduled Ancient Monument: Yes

Identification

Category: Probable. It is very likely that the stones north of The Kirk represent the remnants of either a very sinuous double stone row or perhaps two rows.

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Typology

This stone row is of Type D7. Information on this form of stone row and other rows of this type is available here.

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Individual stones

Seven stones situated to the north of The Kirk may be seen as forming a double stone row or perhaps two separate double rows. On balance it seems more likely that this is a sinuous double stone but it is possible to see them as two rows. The first could comprise stones 1 – 4 and the second stones 5 -7.

Stone 1

An upright stone measuring 0.73m long by 0.34m wide, standing 0.38m high and orientated at 175°.

Stone 1 View from the south.

Stone 2

A leaning stone measuring 0.66m long by 0.48m wide, standing 0.47 high and orientated at 142°.

Stone 2 in foreground and stones 3 and 4 beyond. View from south (Scale 1m).

Stone 3

An upright stone measuring 0.50m long by 0.18m wide, standing 0.40m high and orientated at 155°.

Stone 4

An upright stone measuring 0.78m long by 0.50m wide, standing 0.43m high and orientated at 175°.

Stones 3 and 4. View from the south (Scale 1m).

Stones 2, 3 and 4 Viewed from the north. Stone 4 left of ranging rod, Stone 3 to right of ranging rod and Stone 2 next to water filled erosion hollow.

Stone 5

An upright stone measuring 0.38m long by 0.10m wide, standing 0.62m high and orientated at 160°.

Stone 6

An upright stone measuring 0.43m long by 0.37m wide, standing 0.46m high and orientated at 160°.

Stones 5 and 6. View from south east (Scale 1m).

Stones 5 and 6 Viewed from north east. Stone 6 on left (Scale 1m).

Stone 7

An upright stone measuring 0.30m long by 0.22m wide, standing 0.33m high and orientated at 150°.

Stone 7 View from north looking along the row (Scale 1m).

Ring cairn known as The Kirk

At the lower end of the row is a substantial ring cairn known as The Kirk. This includes a stoney bank surrounding an internal flat area.

The Kirk. View from above and the south.

The Kirk. View from the north.

Access Information

Limited parking is available at SD 24603 81154. From here cross the road and follow the eastern side of the field boundary leading north to SD 25134 82143. From this point you can either walk straight to the row or follow the footpath to the left to SD 25134 82143 and from there walk along the footpath to the row.

Online Resources 

Megalithic Portal     Modern Antiquarian     PastScape

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. 216.

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Timeline

VISITED:- 9th September 2017 

FIRST PUBLISHED:- 12th February 2016

LAST UPDATED:- 13th January 2018