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:
St Bride's Chapel Ecclesiastical: chapel SM2640Baluachraig,prehistoric rock carvings 100m SW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM90026Crinan Canal,Cairnbaan - Ardrishaig Industrial: inland water SM6501St Margaret's Church, cross 9m W of, Lochgilphead Crosses and carved stones: cross (free-standing) SM10398An Car,standing stone,Lechuary Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM170Ballymeanoch, standing stones 450m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: stone setting SM4301Stane Alane, standing stone 190m S of Corbiere Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM213Dunadd, standing stone 190m ESE of Dunadd Cottage Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM197Nether Largie,cup marked rock 440m N of Fork Roads Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM217Nether Largie South, chambered cairn 120m S of Nether Largie Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn SM13299Ballymeanoch,kerb cairn 430m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM3749Rhudil Mill, cairn 410m ENE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM227Dunamuck, chambered cairn 350m SSE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn SM11053Poltalloch, cist 55m WNW of North Lodge Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cist SM221Ri Cruin,cairn 210m S of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM90247Kilmichael Glassary,prehistoric rock carvings Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM90184Nether Largie Mid, cairn 305m NNE of Nether Largie Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM13298Auchoish, long cairn 900m NE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: long cairn SM173Rowanfield 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) SM13294Dunamuck,two standing stones Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM200Cairnbaan, prehistoric rock art 230m N & 215m NNE of Cairnbaan Hotel Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM13211Dunamuck, cairn and two standing stones 460m ENE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM198Achnabreck, prehistoric rock carvings 485m NNE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM12957Kilmartin Churchyard, crosses, tombstones, & Neil Campbell Tomb Crosses and carved stones: sculptured stone (not ascribed to a more specific type); Ecclesiastical: burial ground, cemetery, graveyard SM13316Ballymeanoch, henge, 390m WNW of Ballmeanoch Cottage Prehistoric ritual and funerary: henge SM176Achnabreck,standing stone 275m SSW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM168Poltalloch,standing stone 500m WSW of East Lodge Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM224Nether Largie,standing stones 400m S of Fork Roads Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM218Dunchragaig,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 SM90108Carn Ban, cairn, Cairnbaan Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM10333Crinan Canal,Loch a' Bharain canal feeder Industrial: inland water SM6502Baroile,chambered cairn 180m SSW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: chambered cairn SM179Temple Wood,stone circles and cairns 330m SW of Nether Largie Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM90300Rhudil Mill,cairn 225m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM226Achnabreck,prehistoric rock carvings 370m NNE of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cupmarks or cup-and-ring marks and similar rock art SM90006Ballymeanoch,cairn 300m NW of Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cairn (type uncertain) SM3342Poltalloch, three cists 320m S of Cnoc-an-teallaidh Prehistoric ritual and funerary: cist SM225Torbhlaran,standing stone Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM230Dunamuck,one fallen & two standing stones Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone SM199.
