6 May 2019
Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Crinan Woods, 96m/315', P 63m, Tump, OS 55, NR 790 938 and Dunadd, 55m/180', P 49m, Tump, OS 55, NR 836 935
With no space on the Mull ferry for my car, I had to rethink my plans and find somewhere else to go for the day. The answer was a drive south to Crinan with plenty of interest on the way. First stop was in Crinan itself where there is a large car park at the harbour and a hotel and coffee shop but little else.
except a very pleasant walk. It started by going along the canal towpath.....
before crossing a swing bridge and entering Crinan Woods. It was quite a steep climb on a narrow path and we had a rest at a view point about half way up.....
the woods were fairly open so there were views.....
and the summit open was clear of trees. This is the view north with Scarba prominent and the northern part of Jura to its left.....
The path descended the other side of the hill and took us back to the harbour, very pleasant.
I had climbed Dunadd many years ago but didn't have any photographs so it needed a return visit. Dunadd is one of the most important places in what has since become Scotland. The original Scots were migrants from Ireland who from about 500 AD settled across Argyll and founded the Kingdom of Dalriada with Dunadd as its capital. The Fort on Dunadd was where the Kings were anointed.
The summit area is really interesting. One of the rocky slabs contains a carved bowl whose purpose is unknown. A second holds an imprint of a foot carved into the rock. It is thought that the King of Dalriada was inaugurated by placing his foot into the rocky imprint. They must have had small feet, my size seven was a few inches too big so I can't claim the Kingdom!
There is also is some inscribed ogam text (an alphabet of straight lines), whose meaning is unknown, and a carving of a boar. Dunadd dominates the Glen, you wouldn't get close to it without being noticed........
Bagging the Tumps takes you to some interesting places!
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