1. Crescent Light
CAIRN HOLY, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Cairn Holy is a site of 2 monuments, both chambered tombs, and is on the hills near Kirkcudbright. Site 1 is an imposing structure, despite the derelict nature of the cairn itself, as its forecourt is blessed with a crescent of tall, thin, megaliths reaching for the sky and rivalling the frontispieces of West Kennet and Wayland's Smithy in grandeur. These in fact shield a false entrance to the cairn, which Piggott discovered in his excavation of 1949 to be only accessible through the roof and which was closed around 3000BCE. Initially around 150’ in length and 35’ wide, 2 burial compartments were within Cairn Holy 1 (one with vivacious orange lichen) and a ceremonial axe, a flint knife and pottery have been discovered on site. Site 2 is nearly the reverse, with the slabs and forecourt almost gone but the chamber standing with its capstone still in situ. Cope notes that legend says the mythical king, Galdus, was buried in Cairn Holy 2 and that the name may derive from “cairn ulaidh”, meaning “treasure cairn”. The 2 sites are 150 yards apart and just over a 3 mile trek across hills and moors to Glenquickan stone circle. This image, of Cairn Holy 2, was used in promotional material for the exhibition Holy Stones (E&T#3), in nearby Kirkcudbright.
OS: NX.517.538 Between Kirkcudbright & Newton Stewart, off the A75 in Dumfries & Galloway.
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CRESCENT LIGHT
pastel on card | 12" x 18" | 2007 | £275
#P27 A3 & A4 | #GC152