Ancient sites on Berneray

There are a number of ancient sites on Berneray. This page lists the best known; the historical guide produced by Berneray Historical Society contains a map showing the locations of these sites.

Occasionally, storms reveal more sites, especially around the coast. As the island has been inhabited for many centuries, it is likely that many more sites lie uncovered under the machair.

Clach Mhor Bheinn a'Chlaidh

The name translates as 'large stone of the graveyard'. This is a large stone standing on top of a hill near to Ardmaree Stores. It is eight feet high, and was previously encircled by three rings of boulders.

On a clear day, St Kilda can be seen from this location at a bearing of around 290 degrees.

A' Chiste Chloiche

This stone, known as the stone coffin, was on the slope and to the west of the standing stone. Before being destroyed, there was a chambered cairn from the Bronze age on this site.

Chair stone

This is west of Borve Hill, about 420 yards south west of little Loch Borve. To the south of a circular setting of stones is the chair stone. It is shaped like a seat with a curved back. The stone is Viking in origin and was used in trials. Opposite is another stone where the accused presented his case.

Carnan na Cloinne

The 'cairn of the children', south of Borve road. Next to it is Clach nan Troichean, the 'stone of the Dwarfs'. This relates to the dwarf twins of Norman MacPhail.

Leac an Righ

This is the 'flat stone of the king', or the Coronation stone. It is a stone ledge in the form of a footprint cut out of the rock. It has inscriptions similar to the stone at Dunadd where kings were crowned. It is south of cairn Ciste Chloiche and about 125 yards from the standing stone in a south-westerly direction.

Cnoc na Greine

The 'hillock of the sun' is a circle of stone at Sunhill, just past the seal-viewing car park. Historians have speculated that this was once a centre of sun worship.

Clach nan Coin Lean

The 'stone of the candles' is 50 yards southwest of Beinn Shleibhe (Ben Leva) house in Ruisgarry. Coffins rested here on the way to the old cemetery at Sandhill.

Cill Aiseam

The 'churchyard of Saint Asaph' is south of Ben Shleibhe in the district of Cnoc Dhuna. St. Asaph was a 7th century bishop and a follower of St. Kentigern. A broch was previously above the churchyard site.