| The Kilmartin Valley is an area of enormous archaeological significance. There are more than 350 ancient monuments within a six mile radius and 150 of those are prehistoric, including standing stones, cairns and chambered tombs, some of the relics dating back 5000 years.
Kilmartin seems remote – is remote, in the 21st century. But in megalithic times, this was as central as Glasgow or London today. In fact, it was the site of a capital – the true Scottish capital even.
It is even speculated that the infamous Stone of Destiny was used at Dunadd before going to Scone – and then onwards to Westminster Abbey and more recently Edinburgh Castle. In fact, Dunadd and the rock on which sits Edinburgh Castle all have something in common – something that is also shared by Dumbarton Rock Castle. All are geological anomalies: solitary hills rising from an otherwise relative plane.
In short, the whirlpool is a great event: these spinning cauldrons are formed where tides crash or sea water is forced into narrow vortices. The Corryvreckan is one of only seven major whirlpools in the world and the biggest and most dangerous in Europe. The Gulf of Corryvreckan is over 300 feet deep, but when the whirlpool is at full power, the depth of the water is less than a hundred feet. The particular cause of this awesome power is a subterranean spike, called An Cailleach, which causes the great Atlantic waves to form into a giant vortex and create the whirlpool. |
