The view from Cairn F. On the left are Cairns H and L, while in the distance is Cairn T. Cairn F, according to Martin Brennan, warns of the approach of the May cross quarter day.

Main Page Guided Tours Introduction Loughcrew Megalithic art The Cailleach Cairns A, B and C Cairn D Cairns E, F and G Cairn H Cairns I, J and K Cairn L Cairns M, N and O Cairn R Cairn S Cairn T Cairn U Cairn V Cairn W Cairns X and Y

Cairn E Little remains of this monument, which was probably about 7 m in diameter. It is recorded on du Noyer's plan of the sites on Cairnbane West. Cairn F Cairn F is a kerbed mound about 15 m in diameter. The cruciform chamber is oriented to the east (about 80°), and there are several decorated stones. Conwell, excavating in 1865, found a stone basin in the north (right hand) recess, and a mysterious ironstone ball in the south (left hand) recess: "On the floor of the northern crypt rests a rude sepulchral stone basin........ Under this basin were found a portion of a bone pin and a flake of flint. In the south-western corner of the southern chamber, and about a foot from the bottom, was found, embedded in the stone and clay which filled it up, a brown ironstone ball, three inches in diameter, and well rounded. Several fragments of bones lay scattered indiscriminately here and there about the floor." Accroding to Martin Brennan, Cairn F is aligned to the rising sun at the end of April, and so warns that the May cross quarter day is near. Brennan's system makes sense: that the cairns are an intergrated group of astronomical indicators, and that the sun, leaving one chamber will soon enter another. Cairn G Cairn G is located immediately beside Cairn F. Their kerbs are just about touching, but Cairn G's kerb flattens slightly to avoid contact. The diameter of this mound is about 20 meters, with only 8 kerbstones in place in Conwell's time. All that remains of the chamber is a hollow in the centre of the mound, and no evidence remains of passage or orientation.