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039 Cairn, Beecraigs, Torphichen. |
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Description
The remains of this turf covered burial cairn measuring some 11m
in diameter are situated a mile or so to the west of Beecraigs
Country park, due south of Linlithgow. Around its perimeter is a
kerb of large boulders, of which 12 are visible, all but forming
a circle. A small modern cairn surmounts the older cairn. There
are also numerous boulders around the cairn and some may simply
be the result of field clearance. An old quarry not far to the
west also contains a large number of stones from field
clearance, some of which might have been associated with the
cairn at one time.
Directions
The cairn is best reached from the minor road between Dechmont and
Linlithgow, starting at the access area to Longmuir Plantation. A
forest track leads to the foot of the hill.
Parking
At entrance area to forest.
Fieldnotes
The remains of the burial cairn near Riccarton Hills was a bonus
as I had no idea it existed when I planned my trip to the area.
It was when scanning the horizon from Cockleroy Hill that I
noticed a jumble of boulders through the binoculars. I just had
to check it out. The setting is quite superb with open views all
round and the outline of the cairn is quite distinct, although
many of the stones have been scattered. However, some of the
larger boulders may be the result of field clearance. An old
quarry to the east holds many boulders of similar shape and size
to those still present on the cairn, some may originally be from
the cairn itself.
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