Giant's Graves

Archaeological place

Explorer Tom

Giant's Graves above Whiting Bay are two prehistoric chambered cairns, reached by a proper climb through Arran's Glenashdale forest. Tom has already volunteered to measure the giants, although he has sensibly left his ladder at the bottom of the hill. These are horned chambered cairns, built by Stone Age communities more than 5,000 years ago. Their stone chambers and projecting shapes belong to a world of ceremony and remembrance whose exact rituals have not survived. The idea that giants buried their victims here is a later tale, wonderfully dramatic and about as useful to archaeology as Tom's ladder. Look at the cairns as deliberately made monuments rather than heaps of spare rock. Their position above the sea was part of the choice. Forestry and Land Scotland maintains a waymarked trail from the Glenashdale forest entrance. It climbs steeply for about 600 metres before reaching the cairns, with exposed roots, steps and places that can be muddy. The whole route is about five kilometres and the forest managers suggest allowing two hours. Pause on the ascent: the woodland, the sudden gaps in the trees and the view back toward Whiting Bay make this a walk with several rewards. Start from the signed entrance south of Whiting Bay, using the operator's latest route advice. The separate Glenashdale Falls path has a storm-damage diversion, so follow the signs for the Graves and avoid inventing a shortcut between trails. Wear shoes that can handle a wet slope. Tom may claim the giants are still out walking; you can let the cairns keep the quieter story.

What is recorded here

Map note: The map marks Giant's Graves as an ancient site near South Kiscadale, North Ayrshire, Scotland. There is no need to invent a lost kingdom to make the name interesting.

From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors) w422665539

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