A visit to Kilmartin Museum for CELM volunteers was organised for Saturday, 7th September 2013.
On the appointed day the ten travellers convened at Achnacroish for the 0900 boat. On arrival at Oban the drivers went off to collect the vehicle, while the remainder attempted to control their stress by retiring to a coffee house. When the drivers returned with a very new, and very shiny, minibus there was some difficulty experienced in extracting the rest of the party from the dry and warm coffee house for the journey to Kilmartin. We did, however, have a pleasant drive south, despite the torrential showers which were to be a feature of the day.
On arrival at Kilmartin Museum the party split up and toured the displays at their own pace. For those who have not visited before, Kilmartin Museum deals with the archaeology of Kilmartin Glen, a world famous site of around 800 remains covering a 5000 year period of continuous occupation of the area. The museum has been created in the ground floor of Kilmartin House, and is physically sub divided into compact display areas, each featuring a distinct time period or aspect of the remains.
Many of the displays feature artefacts found in Kilmartin Glen, and there are also many superb recreations of objects, tools and weapons. The displays are particularly attractive, but are also very clear and feature comprehensive, and easily comprehensible, display notes.
While we were there the museum was busy, but this thinned over lunch time when the group retired to the Museum Café where a large table had been reserved and we all enjoyed a hearty lunch.
On leaving the museum we drove on southward to visit the inscribed stones near Cairnbaan. Although well off the main road the car park was clearly signposted, but on arrival at the car park there was a woeful lack of signposting to indicate the whereabouts of the stones. After much wandering around in the forest, and much muttering, the stones were found and a group of us made the ten minute walk in to see them. They are well worth a visit being fascinating in themselves, and in a truly spectacular setting giving fine views over Lochgilphead and down Loch Gilp.
On our return to Oban we dropped some of our party at the 1700 boat, while the rest of us rounded off the day with a plate of fish and chips – thereby maintaining the high cultural level of the outing – and returned on the 1900 boat.
Visit to Kilmartin 7 September 2013
Top of Kilmartin Church Tower
Rock Art at Achnabreck