Temple Wood

All pictures copyright © 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 Martin McCarthy

Temple Wood

Large image(27k) The central cist at Temple Wood Large image(66k) Temple Wood looking south-west Large image(71k) Sunset at Temple Wood Large image(37k) The central cist at Temple Wood. The kerb stones of the cairn that covered this before the larger cairn was constructed may be easily seen. Large image(75k) The site of the second circle near Temple Wood. Temple wood is in the background Large image(54k) Composite image of Temple Wood (900x366) Large image(62k) Composite image of Temple Wood (1956x795) Large image(231k)

The beautifully placed stone circle at Temple Wood in the Kilmartin valley. The circle is about 40 feet (twelve metres) in diameter. Originally there was a circle of 22 stones. Three of these stones have been carved: one with a number of concentric circles; another with two spirals - one on each of two adjoining faces with the ends of the spirals meeting at the edge; and a third with cup-marks. In the centre of the circle a kerb-cairn was constructed over a cist in which cremated bones were found. Two cairns were built over cists outside the stone circle. Later a large cairn was built up which covered the inner cairn, the stone circle and the two outer cairns. Post holes from another stone circle were found just a little way from the main Temple Wood circle.