Achnabreac Prehistoric Rock Carvings by munki-boy
Achnabreck Prehistoric Rock Carvings
The Achnabreck Rock Carvings are located in Kilmartin Glen and are believed to date from around 5000 years ago.
Achnabreck is one of the finest examples of prehistoric rock art in Scotland. They are spread over three outcrops and are among the largest and most complex decorations. The most common decoration are cup and ring marks, some with up to 12 rings and reaching more than a metre across. Other decorations include ringed stars, spirals, multiple rings and parallel grooves.
The spirals are of interest, as there are similar examples found in Ireland, suggesting wide-reaching contacts. Some of the carvings seem to overlap other carvings. There are also several different decorations and styles used, which may mean the carvings accumulated over a long period.
As the art is mostly abstract, you can only guess at what the markings mean. Some say it should be regarded as a series of messages, with meanings dependent on their landscape.
There is no other place in Scotland that has such a concentration of prehistoric carved stone surfaces and Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, as Kilmartin Glen.
Created: 27 November 2016 Edited: 29 November 2023
Achnabreck Cup and Ring Stone Information
Achnabreck Cup and Ring Stone Address
Unnamed Road, Lochgilphead
PA31
Achnabreck Prehistoric Rock Carvings LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Achnabreck Prehistoric Rock Carvings
There are some historic monuments around including:
Achnabreck,standing stone 275m SSW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM168Carn Ban, cairn, Cairnbaan Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM10333Nether Largie Mid, cairn 305m NNE of Nether Largie Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM13298Baluachraig,prehistoric rock carvings 100m SW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM90026Kilmichael Glassary,prehistoric rock carvings Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM90184Poltalloch, cist 55m WNW of North Lodge Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cist SM221Dunadd, standing stone 190m ESE of Dunadd Cottage Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM197Torbhlaran,standing stone Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM230St Bride's Chapel Ecclesiastical: chapel SM2640Poltalloch, three cists 320m S of Cnoc-an-teallaidh Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cist SM225Rhudil Mill, cairn 410m ENE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM227Crinan Canal,Cairnbaan - Ardrishaig Industrial: inland water SM6501Ri Cruin,cairn 210m S of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM90247Ballymeanoch, standing stones 450m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone setting SM4301Kilmartin Churchyard, crosses, tombstones, & Neil Campbell Tomb Crosses and carved stones: sculptured stone (not ascribed to a more specific type); Ecclesiastical: burial ground, cemetery, graveyard SM13316Crinan Canal,Loch a' Bharain canal feeder Industrial: inland water SM6502Cairnbaan, prehistoric rock art 230m N & 215m NNE of Cairnbaan Hotel Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM13211Achnabreck, prehistoric rock carvings 485m NNE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM12957Ballymeanoch,kerb cairn 430m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM3749An Car,standing stone,Lechuary Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM170Nether Largie South, chambered cairn 120m S of Nether Largie Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn SM13299Nether Largie,cup marked rock 440m N of Fork Roads Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM217Auchoish, long cairn 900m NE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: long cairn SM173Dunamuck,two standing stones Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM200Dunamuck, cairn and two standing stones 460m ENE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM198Temple Wood,stone circles and cairns 330m SW of Nether Largie Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM90300Achnabreck,prehistoric rock carvings 370m NNE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM90006Stane Alane, standing stone 190m S of Corbiere Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM213Dunamuck,one fallen & two standing stones Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM199Ballymeanoch, henge, 390m WNW of Ballmeanoch Cottage Prehistoric ritual and funerary: henge SM176Poltalloch,standing stone 500m WSW of East Lodge Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM224Rhudil Mill,cairn 225m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM226Rowanfield Cottage,cist 275m SW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cist SM228Nether Largie North, cairn 480m NNE of Nether Largie Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM13294Baroile,chambered cairn 180m SSW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn SM179Nether Largie,standing stones 400m S of Fork Roads Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM218Dunamuck, chambered cairn 350m SSE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn SM11053Dunchragaig,cairn 280m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM90111Dunadd,fort,boar carving,ogam inscription and cupmarkings Crosses and carved stones sculptured stone; Prehistoric domestic and defensive hill and promontory fort; Prehistoric ritual and funerary cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks SM90108St Margaret's Church, cross 9m W of, Lochgilphead Crosses and carved stones: cross (free-standing) SM10398Ballymeanoch,cairn 300m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM3342.
