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Tinto Cairn
Cairn (Neolithic) - (Bronze Age)
Site Name Tinto Cairn
Classification Cairn (Neolithic) - (Bronze Age)
Alternative Name(s) Tinto Hill
Canmore ID 47525
Site Number NS93SE 1
NGR NS 95320 34368
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/47525
- Council South Lanarkshire
- Parish Carmichael
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Clydesdale
- Former County Lanarkshire
NS93SE 1 95320 34368
(NS 9531 3436) Tinto Cairn (NR)
OS 6" map, (1957).
A cairn measuring approximately 45m in diameter and nearly 6m in height occupies a commanding position on the summit of Tinto. Even if it is partly of natural origin (Geog J 1954) and has had stones added to
it by visitors, it remains one of the largest cairns in Scotland.
RCAHMS 1978, visited 1969.
This cairn was generally as described by the RCAHMS when seen in 1955.
Visited by OS(JD) 21 June 1955.
No change to previous information.
Surveyed at 1:10,000.
Visited by OS(JRL) 21 February 1979.
Publication Account (1985)
The cairn on the summit of Tinto Hill (712m OD) is one of the largest bronze-age round cairns in Scotland, measuring 43m in diameter by almost 6m in height It is a prominent local landmark, being visible for many miles and, on a clear day, the stiff Ish walk to the summit is more than handsomely repaid by the magnificent view to be gained of the valley of the Clyde and the Southern Uplands.
Although the majority of round cairns are to be found at lower levels, there are a small number of these, rather remote, hilltop cairns in southern Scotland. They are frequently large and must have held a special place in the minds of the builders, being more than simple burial-places for the dead. In fact, they are reminiscent of the hilltop memorials erected in the 18th and 19th centuries by local landowners to commemorate their ancestors. For other examples of hilltop cairns see, Auchensaugh Hill (NS 853272); Cairn Kinny (NS 784214; Cairn Table (NS 724242).
Information from ‘Exploring Scotland’s Heritage: The Clyde Estuary and Central Region’, (1985).
