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Tinto Cairn is a cairn situated on the summit of Tinto Hill in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The monument occupies one of the most prominent hilltop locations in the region, standing upon bedrock formed from a felsic igneous intrusion that dates to the Early Devonian period. This geological foundation of hard, ancient volcanic rock would have provided a stable platform for the cairn's construction and contributes to the site's commanding presence in the landscape.
The cairn represents a significant prehistoric funerary or ceremonial monument, positioned to dominate views across the surrounding Lanarkshire countryside. Its elevated location ensured visibility from considerable distances, making it a notable landmark for Bronze Age communities in the area. The choice of such a prominent summit reflects the importance placed upon these structures within early Scottish society.
Tinto Cairn is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4660, recognising its archaeological and historical significance. The monument survives as evidence of Bronze Age burial practice and ritual activity in central Scotland, contributing to our understanding of prehistoric settlement patterns and territorial organisation in the region.
Tinto Cairn,cairn on summit of Tinto Hill is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4660. View the official record →
Tinto Cairn is a cairn situated on the summit of Tinto Hill in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM4660.
Tinto Cairn,cairn on summit of Tinto Hill is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM4660.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Devonshaw Hill,enclosure 300m NNE of summit (5.5 km), The Bower of Wandel, Tower. (5.6 km), Cairn, 640m ENE of Devonshaw Hill (5.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Tinto Cairn,cairn on summit of Tinto Hill's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Tinto Cairn,cairn on summit of Tinto Hill stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Late Silurian To Early Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is felsic-rock.