The Connecticut Wiccan and Pagan Network [ General Info ]

Sacred Sites of Scotland

In October 2002, 6 CWPN members decided to visit Scotland to explore some of the sites including a few ancient Pagan sacred sites. I, as well as other CWPN members, have been to Ireland many times so we were excited to venture into a new Celtic country. Scotland is quite a bit more rustic then Ireland with its rugged terrain and glaciated mountains. The highest mountain peak being Ben Nevis, located in the highlands, which stands at 4,406 feet.

There are 787 major islands in Scotland, most of which lie off the Northern and Western coasts. There are also countless lochs and dense forests with a wealth of wild life. Not to mention the endless site of castle ruins, whisky distilleries and men wearing kilts.

Scotland is a great part of the UK to visit. Just make sure you bring plenty of money because it's a bit more expensive then Ireland and lots of energy for hiking through the glens. Below are some pictures of Pagan sites we visited as well as some other places of interest. Enjoy! (For more information, contact Liz at jasmine@sevensages.com)

Ballymeanoch located in Kilmartin Glen (Argyll Region)

This was built between 6,000 and 3,500 years ago. It looks to be the remains of a very large standing stone circle.

There are six stones arranged parallel to each other. Four in one row and two in the second. There are also remains of a few burial cairns.

Re-enacting an ancient Pagan ceremony

Dun Ringill located on the Isle of Skye

This is an Iron Age Fort approximately 2,000 years old. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull used to live near here and wrote a song about it.

Over looking the sea, it's quite a magnificent place and I can see why Ian was inspired. Since we're all Tull fans, this was one of our "must see" places.

In the wee hours I'll meet you down by Dun Ringill - watch the old gods play by Dun Ringill. We'll wait in stone circles 'til the force comes through - lines join in faint discord and the Stormwatch brews a concert of Kings as the white sea snaps at the heels of a soft prayer whispered.
(Lyrics of "Dun Ringill" from the Jethro Tull album "Stormwatch", 1979 Chrysalis Records)

Callanish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

The stones in these two pictures (left and below) were absolutely amazing and are probably Scotland's most famous prehistoric site. Built between 4,200 and 3,700 years ago, the stones are aligned with the summer solstice sunrise.

In the center are the remains of a chambered cairn surrounded by the awesome megaliths. Archaeologists are undecided if this was built before or after the stone circle around it.

A local legend about the stones states that Giants used to live here and they refused to be Christianized so St. Kieran turned them into stone.

Corrimony Cairn located near Inverness (Highland Region)

This is a chambered burial cairn with a passage into the chamber that is now open to the elements.

The cairn is surrounded by a stone circle, approximately 11 stones. The passage entrance faces the south-west, the direction of the mid-winter sunset.

Aviemore Stone Circle located in Aviemore (Highland Region)

This stone circle was built about 4,000 years ago. Wouldn't you just love to have a stone circle in your backyard?

Camster Long and Round Cairns located in Caithness (Highland Region)

The next three pictures are of a great example of a Neolithic chambered tomb dating from 2,500 BC. The long and round cairns are located right near each other. They are also referred to as "The Grey Cairns of Camster".

Inside the cairn is a bit of a "crawl" before you emerge into the round chamber where you can stand.

Every cairn I've ever been in gives you the feeling of being in a "womb". A place where all life comes and all life returns. Outside is secondary, inside is the "womb of the earth". It's quite an amazing experience being inside one of these awesome structures

Cairn O'Get located in Caithness (Highland Region)

This is a chambered cairn that has eroded over the years and is left open to the elements

It's thought to be one of the earliest built in Caithness

Excited tourist

Doune Castle located in Doune, Stirling (Argyll Region)

What trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to Doune Castle. The site where Monty Python filmed The Holy Grail. This was a Stuart stronghold that was built in the late 14th century. It fell to ruins in the 18th century but has been fully restored and a really cool place to explore.

This is the bedroom scene where Michael Palin (Lancelot) was being "examined" by 2 female "doctors". This is actually a very large fireplace located in the kitchen.

Wedding scene

"We're the Knights of the Round Table. . . "

Misc. photos

Glencoe (Highland Region)

This is the site of the McDonald massacre where in 1692, the Campbell clan slaughtered many of them in their sleep.

Highland cattle

Traffic jam

Family portrait

Beautiful landscape photos



In October 2002, 6 CWPN members decided to visit Scotland to explore some of the sites including a few ancient Pagan sacred sites. I, as well as other CWPN members, have been to Ireland many times so we were excited to venture into a new Celtic country. Scotland is quite a bit more rustic then Ireland with its rugged terrain and glaciated mountains. The highest mountain peak being Ben Nevis, located in the highlands, which stands at 4,406 feet. There are 787 major islands in Scotland, most of which lie off the Northern and Western coasts. There are also countless lochs and dense forests with a wealth of wild life. Not to mention the endless site of castle ruins, whisky distilleries and men wearing kilts. Scotland is a great part of the UK to visit. Just make sure you bring plenty of money because it's a bit more expensive then Ireland and lots of energy for hiking through the glens. Below are some pictures of Pagan sites we visited as well as some other places of interest. Enjoy! (For more information, contact Liz at jasmine@sevensages.com)





Ballymeanoch located in Kilmartin Glen (Argyll Region)
This was built between 6,000 and 3,500 years ago. It looks to be the remains of a very large standing stone circle. There are six stones arranged parallel to each other. Four in one row and two in the second. There are also remains of a few burial cairns.
		Re-enacting an ancient Pagan ceremony
Dun Ringill located on the Isle of Skye
This is an Iron Age Fort approximately 2,000 years old. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull used to live near here and wrote a song about it.
		Over looking the sea, it's quite a magnificent place and I can see why Ian was inspired. Since we're all Tull fans, this was one of our "must see" places.
In the wee hours I'll meet you down by Dun Ringill - watch the old gods play by Dun Ringill. We'll wait in stone circles 'til the force comes through - lines join in faint discord and the Stormwatch brews a concert of Kings as the white sea snaps at the heels of a soft prayer whispered. (Lyrics of "Dun Ringill" from the Jethro Tull album "Stormwatch", 1979 Chrysalis Records)
Callanish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis
		The stones in these two pictures (left and below) were absolutely amazing and are probably Scotland's most famous prehistoric site. Built between 4,200 and 3,700 years ago, the stones are aligned with the summer solstice sunrise.

		In the center are the remains of a chambered cairn surrounded by the awesome megaliths. Archaeologists are undecided if this was built before or after the stone circle around it.
A local legend about the stones states that Giants used to live here and they refused to be Christianized so St. Kieran turned them into stone.
Corrimony Cairn located near Inverness (Highland Region)
		This is a chambered burial cairn with a passage into the chamber that is now open to the elements.
The cairn is surrounded by a stone circle, approximately 11 stones. The passage entrance faces the south-west, the direction of the mid-winter sunset.
Aviemore Stone Circle located in Aviemore (Highland Region)
		This stone circle was built about 4,000 years ago. Wouldn't you just love to have a stone circle in your backyard?
Camster Long and Round Cairns located in Caithness (Highland Region)
The next three pictures are of a great example of a Neolithic chambered tomb dating from 2,500 BC. The long and round cairns are located right near each other. They are also referred to as "The Grey Cairns of Camster".


		Inside the cairn is a bit of a "crawl" before you emerge into the round chamber where you can stand.
Every cairn I've ever been in gives you the feeling of being in a "womb". A place where all life comes and all life returns. Outside is secondary, inside is the "womb of the earth". It's quite an amazing experience being inside one of these awesome structures
Cairn O'Get located in Caithness (Highland Region)
		This is a chambered cairn that has eroded over the years and is left open to the elements
It's thought to be one of the earliest built in Caithness
		Excited tourist
Doune Castle located in Doune, Stirling (Argyll Region)
What trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to Doune Castle. The site where Monty Python filmed The Holy Grail. This was a Stuart stronghold that was built in the late 14th century. It fell to ruins in the 18th century but has been fully restored and a really cool place to explore.
		This is the bedroom scene where Michael Palin (Lancelot) was being "examined" by 2 female "doctors". This is actually a very large fireplace located in the kitchen.
Wedding scene
		"We're the Knights of the Round Table. . . "
Misc. photos
Glencoe (Highland Region)
This is the site of the McDonald massacre where in 1692, the Campbell clan slaughtered many of them in their sleep.
		Highland cattle
Traffic jam
		Family portrait
Beautiful landscape photos