Region : Dumfries & Galloway District : Wigtownshire Town or village : Gatehouse of Fleet Grid Reference : NX 518 540 Period : 3rd-2nd millennium BC Cairnholy II (Cairn Holy II) CHAMBERED CAIRN

This Clyde-type chambered cairn measures about 21m x 12m and is less elaborate than the nearby Cairnholy I tomb. There is no evidence of a façade, but the entrance is flanked by an impressive 2.9m tall portal stone and its broken twin. In front of the entrance there is a closing stone, now prostrate. The bipartite chamber survives almost intact. It consists of slab-sided inner and outer compartments, the inner still retaining its large capstone, as seen in the photo. Excavation in 1949 by S. Piggott and T.G.E. Powell revealed a leaf-shaped arrowhead, a flint knife and Beaker pottery. The finds are now in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland in Edinburgh. The site is said to be the grave of the mythical Scottish king Caldus (Galdus or Gauldus). In care of Historic Scotland

Other chambered cairns ------------------ Achnacree (Carn Ban) Barpa Langass Beorgs of Housetter Blackhammer Cairnholy I Cairnholy II Camster Long Camster Round Camus nan Geall Clettraval Cnoc Freiceadain North Cnoc Freiceadain South Coille na Borgie South Cuween Hill East Bennan Garrywhin (Cairn o' Get) Holm of Papa Westray North Holm of Papa Westray South Isbister (Tomb of the Eagles) Knowe of Lairo Knowe of Yarso Maes Howe Midhowe Nether Largie South Ord North Ord South Punds Water South Yarrows South Taversoe Tuick Torrylin Unival Unstan Vinquoy Wideford Hill Other sites in Dumfries & Galloway ---------------------- Cairnholy I Cairnholy II Girdle Stanes Glenquicken Glenterrow High Banks Loupin' Stanes Torhousekie Twelve Apostles Wren's Egg