Ballymeanoch, near Lochgilphead, Argyll, Scotland, PA31 8RG
Ballymeanoch Standing Stones
Prehistoric
Source image
5.2
Wildland
Under 1 hour
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.2Two stone rows—one of two stones and one of four—are the visible remnant of a much larger prehistoric avenue in Kilmartin Glen. Look closely at the larger stones: one carries extensive cup-and-ring markings, while nearby remains of a henge and burial cairn add to the archaeological landscape.
Ballymeanoch is more than a brief encounter with standing stones: the rows sit within a compact prehistoric landscape of carved stone, a near-levelled henge and burial remains. Its appeal lies in reading these scattered traces together, rather than treating the stones as an isolated monument.
Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling · Peaceful
Find your way
Open mapBallymeanoch, near Lochgilphead, Argyll, Scotland, PA31 8RG
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The experience
Visit the two rows, compare their different arrangements and inspect the cup-and-ring markings on one of the larger stones. Nearby archaeological remains make this a worthwhile short stop, but access and the exact route should be checked before setting out.
Things to do
Compare the two stone rows
Notice the contrast between the row of two stones and the separate row of four. Together, the rows are described as part of a much larger megalithic avenue.
10–20 minutes
Look closely at the cup-and-ring markings
One of the larger slabs in the four-stone row bears extensive cup-and-ring marks. Take time to examine the carved surface without assuming what the marks meant to their makers.
5–10 minutes
Notice the wider prehistoric setting
The source places remains of a henge and a burial cairn close to the rows, with Dunchraigaig cairn and Baluachraig rock art a few hundred yards away. Check access and the route before attempting to visit additional sites.
Allow extra time; walking distance and route not confirmed
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Under 1 hour
Quick visit: read the stone rows
- 01
Check the approach and access arrangements before setting out; the supplied map pin is not an entrance point.
- 02
Visit both rows: one has two stones and the other four.
- 03
Inspect the cup-and-ring markings on one of the larger stones, then look for the nearby cairn and remains of the henge.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of Kilmartin Glen’s archaeology
- 01
Start at Ballymeanoch and take time to compare the two rows and their carved markings.
- 02
If access and travel arrangements suit, continue to the nearby Dunchraigaig burial cairn and Baluachraig cup-and-ring-marked outcrop.
- 03
Plan any further stops independently: the supplied Historic UK guide describes other archaeological sites in the glen, but current access and facilities should be checked before travelling.
Verified history
The two Ballymeanoch rows—one of two stones and one of four—are described as part of a larger megalithic avenue. A third, holed stone once stood with the two-stone row but was removed at some point within the last century, according to the site account. Nearby are the remains of a henge, now almost levelled by ploughing, and a burial cairn. The same account identifies cup-and-ring markings on one of the larger stones in the four-stone row. The available sources do not establish a precise construction date or a definite purpose for the monuments.
Hidden details
A missing holed stone — A third stone with a hole pierced through it once stood with the two-stone row. The site account says it was removed within the last hundred years; it is not present with the row today.
The nearly erased henge — A henge monument survives nearby as remains, but the source notes that it has been almost flattened by ploughing. Its low visibility is part of the story of how this archaeological landscape has changed.
When to go
· No specific visiting time is established by the supplied evidence. The source includes sunrise photographs, but does not establish sunrise as a necessary or superior time to visit.
The supplied sources give no seasonal visiting guidance. A dry spell may make a field approach more comfortable, but current ground conditions are unknown.
Field surface and drainage are unverified. Check local conditions and wear footwear suitable for uneven or wet ground.
Worth pairing with
Dunchraigaig burial cairn
The Ancient Scotland site account places this cairn a few hundred yards from Ballymeanoch. Confirm the route and access before setting out.
Baluachraig cup-and-ring-marked outcrop
The Ancient Scotland account identifies a nearby rocky outcrop with cup-and-ring marks, making it a natural archaeological extension if access and the approach are suitable.
Kilmartin Glen archaeological sites
Historic UK describes a wider concentration of prehistoric monuments in Kilmartin Glen, including cairns, standing stones and rock carvings. Plan a broader visit only after checking current site access and practical details.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the two-stone row and the separate four-stone row
- 02
extensive cup-and-ring markings on one of the larger slabs
- 03
the nearby remains of a henge, now almost levelled by ploughing
- 04
and the nearby burial cairn. The source describes a holed stone that once stood with the two-stone row but is no longer there.
The story
Archaeology
Best time to go
Any season; choose a dry spell if possible, as the approach crosses a field and ground conditions are not confirmed.
Choose a clear, dry spell for easier field access. The source illustrates the stones at sunrise, but no particular time is required for a visit.
How long to spend
Under 1 hour
Perfect for
History lovers · Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The stones are reached across a field, according to the supplied visitor account. Public access, the precise approach and any current restrictions are not independently confirmed; check before visiting and follow any on-site instructions. The supplied Google pin marks the main place, not an entrance or parking point. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
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Parking
Parking availability and location are unverified. The supplied map pin is not a parking pin; check before travelling.
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
Check before visiting; no dog policy is confirmed.
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Accessibility
The source record indicates that the entrance is not wheelchair accessible. The approach is described by a visitor source as a walk across a field; surface, gradients and current conditions are unverified. Check before visiting.
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Cost
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Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Ballymeanoch Standing Stones
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
