Eight low stone cairns beside a former railway preserve an unusual cluster of probable Bronze Age burials and possible field clearance.
Quick facts
- Date
- Probably earlier Bronze Age with possible later clearance; scheduled 1989
- Architect / designer
- Prehistoric builders unknown
- Type
- Group of burial and possible clearance cairns
- Designation
- Scheduled monument (SM4724)
- OS grid reference
- NT 66079 44238
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The cairns form a compact group bounded by the old railway and a burn. Several are broad, low mounds between roughly five and seven metres across; others may be agricultural clearance rather than graves.
Its story
At least four cairns were assessed as probable early Bronze Age burials, while the interpretation of the remaining mounds is less certain. National protection in 1989 recognised both funerary potential and evidence for prehistoric land use.
Why it is included
The group is rare in eastern Scotland and may contain burials, grave goods and sealed ground surfaces that connect ceremonial practice with clearance and cultivation.
What to notice
- A cluster rather than one isolated mound.
- Low profiles that can be difficult to distinguish from natural ground.
- The relationship between cairns, burn and former railway.
Reading the surroundings
Do not enter fields or railway land without a lawful route or permission. Avoid livestock and crops, and never move stones, dig or use a detector.
Timeline
- Earlier Bronze Age Several mounds were probably raised over burials.
- Later prehistory Some smaller heaps may relate to clearing cultivated ground.
- 1989 The surviving group received national scheduling.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Only some cairns are confidently funerary; excavation would be required to resolve the others, and public access was not established.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: East Gordon Cairnfield, SM4724 — Current designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: SM4724 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
Location
OS grid reference NT 66079 44238 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; public text separately states access and current-use uncertainty. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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