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Latitude: 56.5991 / 56°35'56"N
Longitude: -6.1788 / 6°10'43"W
OS Eastings: 143604
OS Northings: 753059
OS Grid: NM436530
Mapcode National: GBR CC48.LM3
Mapcode Global: WGZD4.1DZD
Entry Name: Maol Mor standing stones, Dervaig, Mull
Scheduled Date: 29 October 2003
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM10859
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Prehistoric ritual and funerary: standing stone
Location: Kilninian and Kilmore
County: Argyll and Bute
Electoral Ward: Oban South and the Isles
Traditional County: Argyllshire
The monument comprises an alignment of standing stones, which is prehistoric in date. The Maol Mor standing stones, alternatively known as Kilmore or Dervaig A, are situated immediately to the S of Maol Mor hill summit at about 130m OD.
The monument consists of an alignment of four monoliths, aligned NNW/SSE and 10.4m long (the spacing of the stones is variable). The northernmost stone lies prostrate and measures 2.45m in length by 0.85m in width; part of its base has been broken off. The three other stones are upright and stand up to 2.2m high and are a maximum of 1.2m wide.
The monument dates to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age (around 2000 BC). Stone alignments such as this, together with individual standing stones, stone circles and henges, form part of ritual prehistoric landscapes, sometimes of great complexity. Within 1km of the Maol Mor stones there are a further two stone alignments, one some 360m to the SSW (Kilmore standing stones), and another 1 km to the NNW (Cnoc Fada standing stones).
The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence is likely to survive. It is rectangular on plan, with maximum dimensions of 33m NNW-SSE by 23m WSW-ENE, as marked in red on the accompanying map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of a ritual prehistoric monument, with high archaeological potential to elucidate contemporary ritual practices and social organisation. Its significance is increased because, as part of a ritual prehistoric landscape, it is closely associated with several similar monuments nearby which may be broadly contemporary, allowing for comparative study.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as Mull, Dervaig, Maol Mor, NM45SW 5.
Two comparable stone alignments exist nearby, these are 'Kilmore, standing stones 230m NE of' (SM 4351) 360m to the SSW and 'Cnoc Fada Standing Stones, Dervaig, Mull' 1.0km to the NNW (SM 4364).
References:
Burl A 1976, THE STONE CIRCLES OF THE BRITISH ISLES, London, 361.
RCAHMS 1980, ARGYLL: AN INVENTORY OF THE MONUMENTS. VOL 3: MULL, TIREE, COLL AND NORTHERN ARGYLL (EXCLUDING THE EARLY MEDIEVAL AND LATER MONUMENTS OF IONA), Edinburgh, No. 101 (1), 66-67.
Ritchie J N G and M 1985, EXPLORING SCOTLAND'S HERITAGE: ARGYLL AND THE WESTERN ISLES, Exploring Scotland's Heritage series, Edinburgh, No. 78, 143-144.
Ritchie J N G and M 1996, ARGYLL AND THE WESTERN ISLES, Exploring Scotland's Heritage revised series, Edinburgh, 33, 137, 139-140 & 149.
Thom A 1967, MEGALITHIC SITES IN BRITAIN, Oxford, No. M 1/4, 99, 139 & 161.
Whittaker J 1993, MULL: MONUMENTS AND HISTORY, Oban.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Other nearby scheduled monuments