Ballochroy
Encyclopedia
Ballochroy is a megalith
ic site in Kintyre
on the Argyll
peninsula in Scotland
. It consists of three vertical stone
s, side by side, aligned with various land features 7–19 miles away.
Alexander Thom
, known for his work on Stonehenge
, maintained that the great length between the stones and the features of distant landscape lent precision to pinpointing the midsummer
and winter
solstice
s for ancient observers.
These three stones are considered the most spectacular set of megalithic monuments that cluster around south Argyll. The three mica schist stones were measured at 3.5m, 3.0m and 2.0m in height. It is possible that this last, smallest, stone may have been broken off at the top. This is unsure however. The line of stones is orientated north-east to south-west.
The flat face of the central stone (at right angles to the alignment) indicates the mountain of Cora Bheinn, on the island of Jura
, which is 30 km away. The shortest stone also faces across the alignment, and points to Ben a'Chaolais, the southernmost of the four Paps of Jura
. The sun setting here would have given warning of the approach of the solstice.
As with many megalithic sites, the current theories concerning the exact use of the stones at Ballochroy are somewhat controversial.
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
ic site in Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
on the Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
peninsula in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It consists of three vertical stone
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...
s, side by side, aligned with various land features 7–19 miles away.
Alexander Thom
Alexander Thom
Alexander "Sandy" Thom was a Scottish engineer most famous for his theory of the Megalithic yard, categorization of stone circles and his studies of Stonehenge and other archaeological sites.- Life and work :...
, known for his work on Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
, maintained that the great length between the stones and the features of distant landscape lent precision to pinpointing the midsummer
Midsummer
Midsummer may simply refer to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place on a day between June 21 and June 24, and the preceding evening. The exact dates vary between different...
and winter
Winter solstice
Winter solstice may refer to:* Winter solstice, astronomical event* Winter Solstice , former band* Winter Solstice: North , seasonal songs* Winter Solstice , 2005 American film...
solstice
Solstice
A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year when the Sun's apparent position in the sky, as viewed from Earth, reaches its northernmost or southernmost extremes...
s for ancient observers.
These three stones are considered the most spectacular set of megalithic monuments that cluster around south Argyll. The three mica schist stones were measured at 3.5m, 3.0m and 2.0m in height. It is possible that this last, smallest, stone may have been broken off at the top. This is unsure however. The line of stones is orientated north-east to south-west.
The flat face of the central stone (at right angles to the alignment) indicates the mountain of Cora Bheinn, on the island of Jura
Jura, Scotland
Jura is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, situated adjacent and to the north-east of Islay. Part of the island is designated as a National Scenic Area. Until the twentieth century Jura was dominated - and most of it was eventually owned - by the Campbell clan of Inveraray Castle on Loch...
, which is 30 km away. The shortest stone also faces across the alignment, and points to Ben a'Chaolais, the southernmost of the four Paps of Jura
Paps of Jura
The Paps of Jura are three mountains located on the western side of island of Jura, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Their highest point is ....
. The sun setting here would have given warning of the approach of the solstice.
As with many megalithic sites, the current theories concerning the exact use of the stones at Ballochroy are somewhat controversial.