Kilmartin Glen
Kilmartin Glen
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
249 reviews
Excellent
183
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63
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3
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Vicki
7 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
Visited Kilmartin to see the ancient cairns and was delighted to find a free tour run by the Kilmartin museum Trust. Lasted about 2 hours and very informative. Flatish easily accessible route, meeting opposite the toilets by the snack vans. Tours are bookable througthe museum website but we didn't prebook and were fine. Thank you Anne and Jim for a great visit.
Written 16 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ashersophie
Naples, FL78 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
If you're interested in neolithic sites, this is un-missable. We only had a couple hours, and want to go back for a few days. After Orkney and the important sites in Ireland, Kilmartin Glen is crucially significant.
A gathering place for millenia, across cultural & religious changes, this beautiful location was a magnet (best word I can think of) for humans for unknown reasons: but they all left remembrances for us: cairns, standing stones, stone circles, cists, evidence of wood circles...then important buildings from around 500 years ago, too. All in a lovely place.
Plus, in the museum, we encountered truly lovely people who were willing to help us during a crisis travel situation, totally willing to go out of their way for us for no reason: except that's the kind of people they are.
A gathering place for millenia, across cultural & religious changes, this beautiful location was a magnet (best word I can think of) for humans for unknown reasons: but they all left remembrances for us: cairns, standing stones, stone circles, cists, evidence of wood circles...then important buildings from around 500 years ago, too. All in a lovely place.
Plus, in the museum, we encountered truly lovely people who were willing to help us during a crisis travel situation, totally willing to go out of their way for us for no reason: except that's the kind of people they are.
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bunkry Loon
Stonehaven, UK430 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The cairns and stones in the glen were built 4,000 to 5,600 years ago. Incredible.
It's worth walking from Kilmartin around the whole lot, although there is a second carpark at the Nether Largie/Temple Wood end too.
One of the cairns has a sliding trap door that allows you access inside, I'm not sure many people actually spot that.
It's worth walking from Kilmartin around the whole lot, although there is a second carpark at the Nether Largie/Temple Wood end too.
One of the cairns has a sliding trap door that allows you access inside, I'm not sure many people actually spot that.
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arsha D
7 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We did a 1 day tour to Standing Stones and Stone Circles from Glasgow with @DiscoverScotlandTours. For that day Scott was our driver/guide and he was really great and fun. It turns out that we were the only couple on the tour, so in fact we had a private tour which was really splendid as we could make our own program. The night before we as well as Scott went to P!nk concert so we were all still crazy about last night. Anyway Scott told us a lot of history, we went to see the Lochs and Nessy babies, the Dunadd, Standing Stones, circles, Inverary castle and lots more. We had fun and amazing time with Scott.
Written 30 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigJim101
1 contribution
Jul 2020 • Solo
had a lovely kip here last night. great company from the local sheep. perfect air con. only problem was it was a bit smelly. also, no receptionist to greet me!! i would definitely stay here again, but hope i dont find any dead bodies next time.
Written 30 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norfolkmardler2017
Norwich, UK19 contributions
Sept 2021
Thank you to to the two volunteer guides ( one was named Ben) who gave us a wonderful guided tour of this truly amazing and historic site during our visit a couple of weeks ago. Their enthusiasm and knowledge brought its fascinating story to life. A big 'Thank you' to you both.
Written 5 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne P
New York City301 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
Kilmartin Glen isn't as well known outside of Scotland as other visitor attractions. but if you are an archaeology buff, it is well worth a visit. Known as Scotland's premiere archaeological site it contains: cairns, standing stones, castles, early and medieval Christian sites, abandoned settlements, henges, and rocks carved with the enigmatic cup and ring symbol seen all over Europe.
Also located in the glen is Dunadd Hill Fort, which was occupied by Scotland's earliest kings.
Before embarking upon your explorations, it is recommended that you stop off at the Kilmartin House Museum to view the 3D model of the area and to pick up a map.
Items recovered from excavations of the various sites are housed in the museum. One article of interest is a two person Corrach; a hazel ribbed boat covered with cowhide. Apparently, this type of vessel was so efficient that it was continuously used up until recently on the River Boyne in Ireland.
Another interesting object is the stone cist. A cist is a small coffin- like box or ossuary, usually used for human remains. The one on display dates from circa 2000 - 1500 BC.
Equally ancient is the 4,000 year old yoke. Willow eel traps, flint tools and a rowan bow and quiver are only some of the multitude of artifacts on display that our ancestors left behind.
Hands on activities for visitors include a peg loom and a quern where one can make flour from grain. Outside the museum is a replica of a monk's beehive cell.
Nearby, is Kilmartin's Parish Kirk which houses two ancient crosses found in the area; one from the 10th century and one from the 16th. A separate structure outside the kirk holds a collection of carved grave slabs. Their origins range from the 1200's to the 1700's and most of the carvings depict knights. One has to wonder: "Whose slabs were these? What were their lives like? How did they live and die?"
Kilmartin Glen lies in Argyll, which features a timeless, sparsely populated landscape of rolling hills, peaceful glens and lush fields, making the journey to Kilmartin as worthwhile as the destination itself. There could not be a better place to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world and connect with the vibrations of past eras. It is hoped that you will make the trip.
Also located in the glen is Dunadd Hill Fort, which was occupied by Scotland's earliest kings.
Before embarking upon your explorations, it is recommended that you stop off at the Kilmartin House Museum to view the 3D model of the area and to pick up a map.
Items recovered from excavations of the various sites are housed in the museum. One article of interest is a two person Corrach; a hazel ribbed boat covered with cowhide. Apparently, this type of vessel was so efficient that it was continuously used up until recently on the River Boyne in Ireland.
Another interesting object is the stone cist. A cist is a small coffin- like box or ossuary, usually used for human remains. The one on display dates from circa 2000 - 1500 BC.
Equally ancient is the 4,000 year old yoke. Willow eel traps, flint tools and a rowan bow and quiver are only some of the multitude of artifacts on display that our ancestors left behind.
Hands on activities for visitors include a peg loom and a quern where one can make flour from grain. Outside the museum is a replica of a monk's beehive cell.
Nearby, is Kilmartin's Parish Kirk which houses two ancient crosses found in the area; one from the 10th century and one from the 16th. A separate structure outside the kirk holds a collection of carved grave slabs. Their origins range from the 1200's to the 1700's and most of the carvings depict knights. One has to wonder: "Whose slabs were these? What were their lives like? How did they live and die?"
Kilmartin Glen lies in Argyll, which features a timeless, sparsely populated landscape of rolling hills, peaceful glens and lush fields, making the journey to Kilmartin as worthwhile as the destination itself. There could not be a better place to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world and connect with the vibrations of past eras. It is hoped that you will make the trip.
Written 12 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
summerclio
Fife, Scotland65 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
We spent an amazing day in Kilmartin Glen in March 2012. We started off by touring Kilmartin House Museum, which gave a fascinating insight into the history of the area and its importance to archeologists. But even that didn't fully prepare us for the awe-inspiring experience of actually walking through Kilmartin Glen, passing the burial cairns and standing stones until we reached the stone circle at Templeton Woods. It felt as if the past was all around us. When we visited Rome several years ago, I was amazed by how accessible all the ancient archaeology was - there were statues and temples and shrines round almost every corner, and you could just walk up and touch the stones that ancient hands had once touched. I didn't think we had anything like that in this country, but we do - it's here in Kilmartin Glen, and it's even older and in many ways more impressive!
The walk is not an arduous one, and you can go much further than we did if you have the time and are fit enough. We'll definitely visit again to see more of the monuments and structures ancient peoples have left behind.
Ater all that walking you need sustenance, and I'm pleased to say that the cafe in the museum serves delicious soup, sandwiches and scones!
The walk is not an arduous one, and you can go much further than we did if you have the time and are fit enough. We'll definitely visit again to see more of the monuments and structures ancient peoples have left behind.
Ater all that walking you need sustenance, and I'm pleased to say that the cafe in the museum serves delicious soup, sandwiches and scones!
Written 1 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie D
Tinamaste, Costa Rica222 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This glen has more neolithic archaeological site within 6 miles than anywhere else in Scotland. See Standing stones and cairns dotting the glen. Walk right up and hug the cup marked standing stones at Nether Largie. Wander across a field to Temple Wood Circles and then up the tiny road to the Nether Large South Cairn. Stop at the museum first to get a good grasp of the area before you explore the sites.
Written 10 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul G
Glasgow, UK86 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
You can leave the car at the museum (which does very good cakes for after your walk) and then head north until you get to a garage, where the entrance to the field on your left is. The first burial mound is obvious and the kids can climb over it. Continuing diagonally across the field you go across a bridge and continue south where there are another couple of burial mounds, the first of which you can slide back the trapdoor and climb into. Very interesting to see the burial mounds and the standing stones and back at the museum you can watch a film about them. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Written 24 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are coming from USA, and have planned to take the bridge from Skye and drive to Kilmartin. Is this a good plan? Husband is comfortable driving on the left! We have two nights planned in Kilmartin. That means one full day. We love history, (and pre-history) churches, nature, etc. We also don't like to rush through things. Do we need to add another night to our itinerary? Any comments/suggestions are welcome. We will probably never get back to Kilmartin, so this is once in a lifetime.
Written 17 June 2019
If you can, allow another day or even two, because the beautiful remoteness of this area makes for slow travelling. Some of the roads maybe single track. We travelled to Kilmartin Glen from Inveraray and if you have time, a night's stay in Inveraray would reward you with a romantic castle and a beautiful historic town on the shores of Loch Fyne. The journey from Inveraray to Glasgow is fairly straightforward driving.
Written 19 June 2019
Is there any reasonable way to get from Glasgow to Kilmartin without private car?
Written 21 June 2017
Hi I'm sorry I cant tell you! We went by car from near Edinburgh. I do hope you manage to go it is a magical place....you'll feel it if you get there ...Good Luck!
Written 15 July 2017
With limited time and must see spots such as Loch Lomond (long story) what is the best way to see this area? we have a rental car but happy to stay a night somewhere. Basing ourselves just out of Edinburgh 3 days only. Thanks.
Written 25 March 2017
Hi most of the sites are close together so can be viewed in a day. If you are based near Edinburgh then it would be best if you booked a night in the Kilmartin area. We stayed at Keenan House in Glassery very near Kilmartin. It was B&B in a nice house on a country estate the owners are very nice and accommodation is good for one night! The Kilmartin museum is well worth a visit and they do great homemade food for a lunch! Hope this is helpful and you enjoy the sightseeing!
Written 27 March 2017
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