Hebridean Archaeological Sites
Stone settings on Ben Langais, North Uist
Main Article
Location: NF 846 654
In the woodands at Langais in North Uist is 'Beistean's Grave'. This is probably a naturally outcropping rock, split into several large slabs, but its most interesting feature is a series of 'cup marks', one at each corner on the upper slab, joined by man-made grooves. The lower stones also have cup marks at the corners. These may be Bronze Age (3,000 - 4,000 ago), and may have had special significance. ('Beistean' is a traditional local man's name).
The other end of the outcrop is called 'Leac Alasdair' or Alasdair's Slab. The remains of a stone-lined cist appear to lie under these great slabs, but its purpose is unknown. Tobar Alasdair (Alasdair's Well) is reputed to lie nearby.
Just beyond the north edge of the mature woodland, in a small cutting into the peat, can be seen what is likely to have been a standing stone, 2.25m long, now prone, made of local rock with a striking banded pattern. Did it once stand there, overlooking the hill, or was it in transit from its quarry to a destination it never reached?
SMR Database Entries
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has an extensive online Sites and Monuments Records database, with in-depth details about the historical, cultural and archaeological sites and monuments in the Hebrides. This site is featured in this database, and the list below gives links to read more. These links will open in a new browser window / tab.
