The Carved Rocksheet at Achnabreck

All pictures copyright © 1999 Martin McCarthy

The horned spiral at Achnabreck Large image (98k 476x367) The horned spiral at Achnabreck Large image (167k 814x548) One of the carved outcrops at Achnabreck Large image (84k 720x508) One of the carved outcrops at Achnabreck Large image (55k 708x492) One of the carved outcrops at Achnabreck Large image (76k 768x486) Detail of one of the carved outcrops at Achnabreck Large image (83k 770x502) Detail of one of the carved outcrops at Achnabreck Large image (77k 764x484) Detail of one of the carved outcrops at Achnabreck Large image (62k 742x512) One of the carved outcrops at Achnabreck. The double-spiral is at the lower left. Large image (54k 504x540) Detail of the double spiral. Large image (45k 668x342) One of the carved rock outcrops. Large image (76k 750x478) Detail of one of the carved rock outcrops. Large image (59k 752x506)

There is a group of extensively carved rock outcrops at Achnabreck, near Kilmartin. Cup-and-ring marked rocks by their nature are difficult to date. However, it is clear that there were at least two phases in the decoration of this rock surface as some carvings overlay earlier markings. At Achnabreck is the unusual feature of a double spiral, as shown in the photographs.