Barrows, Cairns, Tombs & Tumuli

For those who may not know, the terms ‘cairns’ and ‘tumuli’ are just prehistoric tombs. Another word we find as we move further north into Scotland is ‘cist’, which has a similar affiliation – though a cist is more accurately a stone-lined coffin, over which cairns tend to be built. A cairn is a pile of loose rocks and stones, which tends to be erected over a single or multiple burial or cremation – though without excavation we can never be sure which one it’s gonna be! Chambered cairns are well-designed cairns with lengthy entrances or internal ‘rooms.’ A tumulus meanwhile (‘tumuli’ is the plural) is a heap of earth piled up over a burial or cremation. Small cairns and tumuli tend to cover single graves; whilst larger ones can have multiple burials therein. However we sometimes find that huge tombs have only one or two burials/cremations inside. In such cases it is probable that the people entombed there were of considerable importance: perhaps a tribal chief, a king, a queen, or powerful shaman. In many places across Brigantia and Scotland, where there’s a profusion of cairns/tumuli we tend to find good examples of prehistoric rock art, or cup-and-ring stones.

BARROWS, CAIRNS, TUMULI:  Bibliography & References

1. Aberdour, Fife
2. Achadh Thaibstil, Bettyhill, Sutherland
3. Acharn Burn, Kenmore, Perthshire
4. Achnacree, Achnacreebeag, Argyll
5. Acrehowe Hill, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
6. Addlebrough, Bainbridge, North Yorkshire
7. Aird Thorr Innse, Gigha, Argyll
8. Aithernie, Scoonie, Fife
9. Alresford Hill, Alresford, Essex
10. Angel Moon Field, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire
11. Annfield, Bridge of Allan – see Lentran, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
12. Apronful of Stones, Wigtwizzle, Bradfield, South Yorkshire
13. Apronful of Stones, Settle, North Yorkshire
14. Ardilistry, Islay, Argyll
15. Ardlamey, Gigha, Argyll
16. Ardminish, Gigha, Argyll
17. Armshaw Lowe, Oxenhope, West Yorkshire
18. Ashleigh Barrow, Darwen, Lancashire
19. Askwith Moor Cairnfield, North Yorkshire
20. Auchenlaich, Callander, Perthshire
21. Balloch, Alyth, Perthshire
22. Badbury Barrow, Shapwick, Dorset
23. Badger Wells Cairn, Pendle Hill, Lancashire
24. Baildon Moor Circle, West Yorkshire – see Lower Glovershaw
    
25. Baile Mhargaite Cist (01), Bettyhill, Sutherland
26. Baile Mhargaite Cist (02), Bettyhill, Sutherland
27. Ballachraggan, Callander, Perthshire
28. Barnhill, Jura, Argyll
29. Baron’s Cairn, Black Crofts, Argyll
30. Barr a’ Chuirn, Slockavullin, Kilmartin, Argyll
31. Barrow Field, Bushy Park, Teddington, Middlesex
32. Bartlow Hills, Bartlow, Cambridgeshire
33. Battle Hill Dolmen, Huntly, Aberdeenshire
34. Batty Wife Hole, Ribblehead, North Yorkshire
35. Beacon Hill, Barkisland, West Yorkshire
36. Bedd y Cawr, Llanymynech, Montgomeryshire
37. Bedford Hill, Tooting, Surrey
38. Beinn na Caillich, Broadford, Skye
39. Belton Road, Silsden, West Yorkshire
40. Birkhill House, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
41. Birkhill Sandpit, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
42. Blackheath Circle, Todmorden, West Yorkshire
43. Black Hill Long Cairn, Low Bradley Moor, North Yorkshire
44. Black Hill Round Cairn, Low Bradley Moor, North Yorkshire
45. Black Hill Tumulus, Middleton Moor – see Round Hill, Middleton Moor
46. Bleara Lowe, Earby, Lancashire
47. Bleara Moor Cairnfield, Earby, Lancashire
48. Bleara Moor Tumulus, Earby, Lancashire
49. Brink Ends, Dovestones Moor, Trawden, Lancashire
50. Boatbridge Quarry, Thankerton, Lanarkshire
51. Borough Hills, West Mersea, Essex
52. Borgie, Tongue, Sutherland
53. Bown Hill Long Barrow, Woodchester, Gloucestershire
54. Bown Hill Tumulus, Woodchester, Gloucestershire
55. Bracklin Burn, Dunblane, Perthshire
56. Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire
57. Broadgate, Strathblane, Stirlingshire
58. Brotton Howe, Brotton, Cleveland, North Yorkshire
59. Brown Hill, Saddleworth, Lancashire
60. Brown Howes, Ebberston Low Moor, North Yorkshire
61. Bryn Celli Ddu, Llandaniel Fab, Anglesey
62. Bul Barrow, Woolland, Dorset
63. Burwains Lake, Foulridge, Lancashire
64. Cairn 1, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
65. Cairn 2, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
66. Cairn 3, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
67. Cairn 4, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
68. Cairn 5, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
69. Cairn 6, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
70. Cairnbane, Portnacroish, Argyll
71. Cairnpark, Dollar, Clackmannanshire
72. Cairnwochel, Ardoch, Braco, Perthshire
73. Calderstones, Allerton, Liverpool, Lancashire
74. Caravan Park, Blair Drummond, Stirlingshire
75. Carleatheran, Gargunnock, Stirlingshire
76. Carleith, Crook of Devon, Kinross-shire
77. Carlowrie, Kirkliston, Midlothian
78. Carmyllie Hill, Greystone, Angus
79. Carn Ban, Glen Cochill, Perthshire
80. Carn Ban, Kilmartin, Argyll
81. Castle Carr, Luddenden Dean, West Yorkshire
82. Castle Farm Circles, Barcaldine, Argyll
83. Castle Law, Blairlogie, Stirlingshire
84. Catfoss Cemetery, Hornsea, East Yorkshire
85. Cat Heaps, Swanston, Edinburgh, Midlothian
86. Catlow Quarry, Nelson, Lancashire
87. Church Field, North Ockendon, Essex
88. Cicely Low, Houndkirk Moor, South Yorkshire
89. Cladh Chlainn Iain, Jura, Argyll
90. Cliviger Laithe, Worsthorne, Burnley, Lancashire
91. Cliviger Law, Mereclough, Burnley, Lancashire
92. Cnoc a’ Chuirn Mhoir, Jura, Argyll
93. Cnoc na Croise, Ardminish, Argyll
94. Cock Hill, Wadsworth Moor, West Yorkshire
95. Cock Howe (1), Skelton Moor, Marske, North Yorkshire
96. Coldstone Beck Cairn (01), Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
97. Coldstone Beck Cairn (02), Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
98. Coldstone Beck Cairn (03), Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
99. Coneypark Nursery, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
100. Cow Keeper’s Field, Boulby, Easington, North Yorkshire
101. Craigenkirn, New Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire
102. Craigkennockie, Burntisland, Fife
103. Craigmaddie Muir (1), Baldernock, Stirlingshire
     
104. Craigmaddie Muir (2), Baldernock, Stirlingshire
105. Craigton, Cleish, Kinross, Kinross-shire
106. Cray, Hubberholme, Buckden, North Yorkshire
107. Creich Manse, Brunton, Fife
108. Croes-llechau, Bronllys, Breconshire
109. The Croft, Doune, Perthshire
110. Cromlix Lodge, Dunblane, Perthshire
111. Crow Hill Cairn Circle, Midgley Moor, West Yorkshire
112. Culliford Tree Barrow, Whitcombe, Dorset
113. Cuparlaw Woods, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
114. Dalvraid, Melness, Tongue, Sutherland
115. Danes Hills, Riccall, North Yorkshire
116. Danes Hills, Skipwith, North Yorkshire
117. Delf Hill, Extwistle, Burnley, Lancashire
118. Devil’s Apronful, Appletreewick, North Yorkshire
119. Devil’s Apronful, Pendle Hill, Lancashire
120. Devil’s Den, Clatford, Wiltshire
121. Dobrudden Necropolis, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
122. Douglas Terrace, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
123. Downs Farm, Kempshott, Basingstoke, Hampshire
124. Drizzlecombe 13, Ditsworthy Warren, Sheepstor, Devon
125. Druimyeonbeg, Gigha, Argyll
126. Duel Cross Hill, Grafton, North Yorkshire
127. Dumpton Park, Ramsgate, Kent
128. Dunblane Cathedral, Stirlingshire
129. Dun Riaskidh, Torrisdale Bay, Sutherland
130. Dwarf’s Tomb, Alva, Clackmannanshire
131. Elf Howe, Folkton, East Yorkshire
132. Elf Howe, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire
133. Elistoun West, Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire
134. Elphillock, Kildrummy, Aberdeenshire
135. Fairy Knowe, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
136. Fairy Knowe, Crarae, Minard, Argyll
137. Fairy Knowe, Kinross, Kinross-shire
138. Fairy Toot, Butcombe, Somerset
139. The Falls (1), Boulby, Easington, North Yorkshire
140. The Falls (2), Boulby, Easington, North Yorkshire
141. Feizor Thwaite, Lawkland, North Yorkshire
142. Firtholme, Easington, East Yorkshire
143. Fiscary 1, Farr, Sutherland
144. Fiscary 2, Farr, Sutherland
145. Fiscary 3, Farr, Sutherland
146. Fiscary 4, Farr, Sutherland
147. Flag Inn, St. Osyth, Essex
148. Flat Howe (1), Sleights Moor, North Yorkshire
149. Flat Howe (2), Sleights Moor, North Yorkshire
150. Foel Fawr, Llanfechell, Anglesey
151. Ford, Kilmartin, Argyll
152. Fox Hill, Lowthorpe, East Yorkshire
153. Frensham Common, Frensham, Surrey
154. Galley Hill, Streatley, Bedfordshire
155. Garadh Ban, Buchanan, Stirlingshire
156. Gariob Cottage, Achnamara, Knapdale, Argyll
157. Gask Hill, Collessie, Fife
158. Ghost’s Knowe, St. Ninians, Stirlingshire
159. Giant’s Grave, Reelig, Kirkhill, Inverness-shire
160. Giant’s Grave, Tweedsmuir, Peeblesshire
161. Giants’ Graves, Halton Gill, North Yorkshire
162. Giant’s Knowe, Culloch, Muthill, Perthshire
163. Glen Cochill Cairnfield (01), Little Dunkeld, Perthshire
164. Glen Cochill Cairnfield (02), Little Dunkeld, Perthshire
165. Glen Cochill Cairnfield (03), Little Dunkeld, Perthshire
166. Glencreggan, Glenbarr, Kintyre, Argyll
167. Glenrickard, Brodick, Arran, Argyll
168. Glenshervie Burn, Glen Almond, Perthshire
169. Gough’s Barrow, Long Compton, Warwickshire
170. Graffa Plain, Brimham Rocks, Hartwith, North Yorkshire
171. Great Skirtful of Stones, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
172. Great Skirtful Ring, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
173. Green Crag Top Cairns, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
174. Green Howe, North Deighton, North Yorkshire
175. Grubstones Circle, Burley Moor – see Roms Law, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
176. Hades Hill, Whitworth, Lancashire
177. Hagg Woods, Thongsbridge, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
178. Hamilton Farm, Cambuslang, Lanarkshire
179. Harden Moor Cairnfield, Bingley, West Yorkshire
180. Harden Moor Circle, Bingley, West Yorkshire
181. Hare Hill, Elslack, North Yorkshire
182. Harlaw, Fairnington, Roxburghshire
183. Hatfield Barrow, Marden, Wiltshire
184. Haulgh, Bolton, Lancashire
185. Hawk Hill, Alloa, Clackmannanshire
186. Hawksworth Moor (01), West Yorkshire
187. Hawksworth Moor (02), West Yorkshire
188. Hawksworth Moor (03), West Yorkshire
189. Hazell Circle, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire (NEW FIND)
190. Heights Farm, Quernmore, Lancashire
191. Heligar Pike, Denton Moor, North Yorkshire
192. Heyshaw Moor (north), Dacre, North Yorkshire
193. High Close Cairn, Grassington, North Yorkshire
194. High Low Ridge, Askwith Moor, North Yorkshire
195. High Marchup, Silsden, West Yorkshire
196. High Woof Howe, Langdale Forest, North Yorkshire
197. High Street Barrow, Towthorpe, East Yorkshire
198. Higher Town Bay, St. Martin’s, Scilly Isles
199. Ilkley Gate, Ilkley Moor – Cairn Circles (NEW FIND)
200. Intake Lodge, Yearsley, North Yorkshire
201. Invercharnan, Glen Etive, Argyll
202. Jack Straw’s Castle, Kilmington, Wiltshire
203. Jeppe Knave Grave, Wiswell, Lancashire
204. Judge’s Cairn, Dunblane, Perthshire
205. Keighley Train Station, West Yorkshire
206. Kemp Howe, Sledmere, East Yorkshire
207. Kerrycrusach, Bute, Argyll
208. King’s Yett, St. Ninians, Stirlingshire
209. Kinpurnie, Newtyle, Angus
210. Kippenross House, Dunblane, Stirlingshire
211. Kirkshaws, Old Monkland, Lanarkshire
212. Kit’s Coty House, Aylesford, Kent
213. Lanshaw Cairn 01, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
214. Lanshaw Cairn 02, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
215. Lanshaw Cairn 03, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
216. Larkfield, Maidstone, Kent
217. Law Knowe, Niddrie, Edinburgh, Midlothian
218. Lea Green, Grassington, North Yorkshire
219. Leaf Howe, Stape, North Yorkshire
220. Leathad Carnaich, Dalhalvaig, Caithness
221. Lentran, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
222. Lexden, Colchester, Essex
223. Limekiln Field, Pytchley, Northamptonshire
224. Lippersley Pike, Denton Moor, North Yorkshire
225. Little Skirtful of Stones, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
226. Longbarrow Field, Timble, North Yorkshire
227. Long Man’s Grave, Abernyte, Perthshire
228. Long Skelpick, Bettyhill, Strathnaver, Sutherland
229. Lower Apronful of Stones, Pendle Hill, Lancashire
230. Lower Glovershaw, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
231. Lower Headley Farm, Thornton, Bradford, West Yorkshire
232. Lower Higham Farm, Hyde, Lancashire
233. Low Woof Howe, Langdale Forest, North Yorkshire
234. Lyneham Barrow, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire
235. MacRee’s Cairn, Glen Meurain, Fortingall, Perthshire
236. Manton Down, Rockley, Marlborough, Wiltshire
237. Manse Bridge, Melness, Tongue, Sutherland
238. Marriotts Barrows, Hyde, Lancashire
239. Merlin’s Grave, Drumelzier, Peeblesshire
240. Merlin’s Mount, Marlborough, Wiltshire
241. Millbarrow, Winterbourne Monkton, Wiltshire
242. Miller’s Grave, Midgley Moor, West Yorkshire
243. Mill Hill, Eastburn, Driffield, East Yorkshire
244. Mini-Skirtful of Stones, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
245. Minning Low, Aldwark, Derbyshire
246. Moor Hey, Weeton, Lancashire
247. Mount Pleasant, Normanby, North Yorkshire
248. Mount Skip, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
249. Mount Zion, Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire
250. Mutlow Hill, Great Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire
251. Nanny Howe, Coate Moor, Kildale, North Yorkshire
252. Nanny’s Grave, Steeton, West Yorkshire
253. Nether Glenny, Port of Menteith, Perthshire
254. Nether Glenny 02, Port of Menteith, Perthshire
255. Ninewells, Caputh, Perthshire
256. Nixon’s Station, Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
257. North Hill, Samson, Scilly Isles, Cornwall
258. Old Pleck Barrow, Rushmore, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
259. Oliver Cromwell’s Hill, Eye, Cambridgeshire
260. Ossian’s Stone, Sma’ Glen, Fowlis Wester, Perthshire
261. Overton Down Tomb, West Overton, Wiltshire
262. Parsons Lane, Silsden, West Yorkshire – see High Marchup
263. Pendreich 1, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
264. Pendreich 2, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
265. Pendreich 3, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire
266. Pennythorn Hill, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
267. Perces, Halstead, Essex
268. Pike Lowe, Extwistle, Burnley, Lancashire
269. Pleasington Cemetery, Blackburn, Lancashire
270. Pool Farm, Priddy, Somerset
271. Port na Cleire, Gigha, Argyll
272. Pudding Pie Hill, Thirsk, North Yorkshire
273. Pule Hill, Marsden, West Yorkshire
274. Queen’s Cairn, Farr, Strathnaver, Sutherland
275. Quernhow, Ainderby Quernhow, North Yorkshire
276. Reddicar Clough, Hallam Moor, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
277. Ringstone Edge, Barkisland, West Yorkshire
278. Rockcliff Beacon, Boulby – see The Falls (1)
279. Rolleston Barrow, Rushmore, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire
280. Roms Law, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
281. Round Hill, Middleton Moor, North Yorkshire
282. Round Hill Field, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire
283. Ruston Beacon, Ruston Parva, East Yorkshire
284. Rye Loaf Hill, Settle, North Yorkshire
285. St. John’s Green, Colchester, Essex
286. St. Medan’s Knowe, Kirkton of Airlie, Angus
287. Sauchie, Stirling, Stirlingshire
288. Scale House, Rylstone, North Yorkshire
289. Seaty Hill, Malham Moor, North Yorkshire
290. Serpent Mound, Scallasaig, Glen More, Inverness-shire
291. Shaman’s Cairn, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire
292. Shaw Hill, Skirtcoat, Halifax, West Yorkshire
293. Shawfield, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire
294. Sheep Scar Cairn, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire
295. Sheep Scar Cairn Circle, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire
296. Silver Hill, Stanbury, West Yorkshire
297. Sithean Mor, Shian, Iona, Argyll
298. Skirtful of Stones, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire
299. Slade Cairnfield, Blubberhouses Moor, North Yorkshire
300. Snowden Crags Circle, Askwith Moor, North Yorkshire
301. Snowden Crags Necropolis, Timble, North Yorkshire
302. Southdown Cottage, Dorking, Surrey
303. South Wonston, Hampshire
304. Spell Howe, Folkton, East Yorkshire
305. Staple Howe, Kirklington, North Yorkshire
306. Stapley Hill, Kirklington – see Staple Howe, Kirklington North Yorkshire
307. Stone Man, Kirkby Ravensworth, North Yorkshire
308. Stoney Raise, Addlebrough, Thornton Rust, North Yorkshire
309. Stoodley Pike Circle, Mankinholes, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
310. Strowan, Crieff, Perthshire
311. Swinkly Knoll, Egglesburn, Durham
312. Tarbert, Argyll
313. Thieveley, Holme Chapel, Burnley, Lancashire
314. Toad Stones, Baildon Moor, West Yorkshire
315. Todholes (01), Fintry Hills, Stirlingshire
316. Todholes (02), Fintry Hills, Stirlingshire
317. Tomb Stone, Stanbury Hill, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire
318. Tongue House, Tongue, Sutherland
319. Torrisholme Barrow, Morecambe, Lancashire
320. Tower Hill, Warley, Halifax, West Yorkshire
321. Town Lane, St. Mary’s, Scilly Isles, Cornwall
322. Tulloch Knowe, Doune, Perthshire
323. Tumble Beacon, Banstead, Surrey
324. Two Lads, Withens Moor, Cragg Vale, West Yorkshire
325. Upper Killay, Killay, Swansea, Glamorgan, Wales
326. Warlocks’ Tomb, Muckhart, Clackmannanshire
327. West Lodge, Touch, Cambusbarron, Stirlingshire
328. Whispering Knights, Rollright, Oxfordshire
329. White Cairn, Glen Cochill – see Carn Ban
330. Wicking Crag, Bingley Moor, West Yorkshire (NEW FIND)
331. Winterborne Came 18b, Bincombe, Dorset
332. Witch Hillock, Maryland, Kincardineshire
333. Woofa Bank Cairn, Burley Moor, West Yorkshire (NEW FIND)
334. Wytchley Warren, Edith Weston, Rutland
     

© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian