WLGS 20 Cairnpapple Hill (Proposed RIGS) [NS 9872 7174] (Figure 65), (Figure 66), (Figure 67), (Figure 68)

WLC site description

Part of the Bathgate Group sites

Other designations: SAM (Cairnpapple Hill); AGLV; HPWG (unimproved acid grassland)

Cairnpapple Hill is one of the best known and most important pre-historic sites on the mainland of Scotland. The site consists of both ceremonial and burial monuments. Human activity on Cairnpapple dates back 5,500 years to the Neolithic period. During the Bronze Age the site was used as a burial site. Burials were placed under cairns, in shallow graves and in unlined pits. The site builders used the local rock types — basalt from the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation and quartz-dolerite from the dyke to the north or the sill to the east of the site.

The site offers one of the best viewpoints in central Scotland — on a clear day it stretches from Arran in the west to the Bass Rock in the east. Between the Rifle Range Quarries (WLGS 27) and the 312 m Trig point 600 m south of Cairnpapple Hill several low scarp features trending north-north-east pick out fresh, fine-grained basalt are interpreted as the central parts of lava flows.

(Figure 65) Stone circle and burial cairn on Cairnpapple Hill, viewed from the south-west. Rock types used are mainly local — basalt from the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation and quartz-dolerite from nearby intrusions [NS 9872 7174] (WLGS 20).

(Figure 66) Stone circle and burial cairn on Cairnpapple Hill, viewed from the south-east. The cairn is a reconstruction representing the original Bronze Age cairn. [NS 9872 7174] (WLGS 20).

(Figure 67) Stone circle and and satellite burial chambers on Cairnpapple Hill. Rock types used are mainly local — basalt from the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation and quartz-dolerite from nearby intrusions [NS 9872 7174] (WLGS 20).

(Figure 68) Historic Scotland interpretation board at Cairnpapple (WLGS 20).