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Arran, Stronach Wood
Cup And Ring Marked Rock(S) (Prehistoric), Rock Carving(S) (Period Unknown)
Site Name Arran, Stronach Wood
Classification Cup And Ring Marked Rock(S) (Prehistoric), Rock Carving(S) (Period Unknown)
Canmore ID 40156
Site Number NS03NW 7
NGR NS 0030 3636
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/40156
- Council North Ayrshire
- Parish Kilbride
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Cunninghame
- Former County Buteshire
At the southwestern corner of the rock face marked "A" on Somerville's 1901 plan a circular ring, 33cm diameter with a tail consisting of two parallel grooves 20cm wide, 42cm long. The design follows that of most of the major features at this site. Also, just north of this feature, 3 or 4 oval depressions approximately 10 by 32cm and 4 to 6 cm deep. Also 34 and 45cm N of Somerville's feature "6" on Section "D" of his plan, cup marks, 4 and 3cm in diameter respectively. It should be noted that this site is slowly becoming overgrown with heather and other low ground cover.
A Van Riper 1982.
Desk Based Assessment (6 March 1973)
NS03NW 7 0030 3636.
(NS 0029 3636) Cup and Ring Marked Rock (NR).
OS 6" map, (1924)
These markings occur on an exposed rock face on the hill 100 yds above the highest part of Stronach Wood. They consist chiefly of several groups of double penannular rings with gullies issuing downwards from them but in addition there are simple cups and at least three triple rings, two with radial gutters. In 1965, only 8 of these figures were uncovered, the N part of the rock face being turf-covered. Morris also notes some similar, indefinite figures 10ft SW.
Information from OS (IF) 6 March 1973.
Sources: R W Feachem 1963; J E Somerville 1901; R W B Morris and D C Bailey 1967.
Field Visit (1 November 1977)
A cup and ring marked rock outcrop situated in a forest ride and overlooking Brodick Bay. Its sloping slab-like surface, approximately 8.0m by 3.5m, bears 8 ring marks (3 triple and 5 double) as previously described and at least two poor cups.
Two metres to the east of the rock and divided from it by a turf and heather strip, is another series of a cup and ring marks (probably on the same outcrop) "A" on plan. Its flat surface bears 5 double rings with gullies issuing downwards and at least 3 poor cups.
The figures noted by Morris "10ft to the SW" were not evident.
Surveyed at 1:2500. Photographed.
Visited by OS (T R G) 1 November 1977.
Archaeological Evaluation (June 2004)
NS 0029 3636 The site was visited in June 2004 and on the basis of three recording sessions plans and photographs produced. The motifs are still clear and well-defined among areas separated by vertical cracks, mostly filled with minerals. The dominant motif is the rare 'keyhole type', different from the common 'cup and ring', yet linked stylistically.
S Beckensall 2004
Casual Observation (5 July 2010 - 10 July 2010)
NS 0030 3636 Three possible carvings of birds (raven, heron and curlew) were observed, 5–10 July 2010, on a steep shelf of bedrock that forms part of the path between the two known cup and ring panels in Stronach Wood. The three carvings were in plain view, with a fourth just beginning to emerge from the overlying broad band of peat.
Note (30 July 2018)
The location, classification and period of this site have been reviewed.
HES Survey and Recording 30 July 2018.
