From the archives of 'Huanted Scotland' magazine.
Each week in Highlander Web Magazine, Haunted Scotland brings you stories of Ghosts, UFO's, Castles, Sightings and Strange Phenomina reported throughout Scotland....

SCOTLAND'S STONEHENGE?.
A plea for the recognition of our ancient antiquity by David Colman.

The Bathgate hills are situated in West Lothian, Scotland and are steeped in ancient history. Close to the highest point in West Lothian lies Cairnpapple. Cairnpapple is an ancient burial mound and henge complete with barrow and burial holes. This ancient site now nears the ripe old age of 4500 years old. The cairn was in use and was 2500 years old at the time of the birth of Christ.

A brief historical outline.

After excavation in 1947 and 1948, the site was re-constructed and dated somewhere between 2500 B.C. and the 1st century.

Comparisons between Cairnpapple and many of the ancient monuments of Britain could now be made. Silbury hill in Wiltshire, Europe's' highest man made earth mound , and part of the mysterious and beautiful Avebury complex , was constructed around 2600 B.C. Recognised and loved the world over, Stonehenge is dated around 3000B.C., with the first blue stones being put in place around 2000 B.C.

These magnificent structures graced the world at the same time as the pyramids and sphinx of ancient Egypt and the ancient lost city Machu Picchu in the Andes. To compare with and calculate the historical value of Cairnpapple, in the company of these ancient and sacred places, helps to makes one understand Cairnpapples' historical importance.

The creation of the monument took place in five distinct phases. The first phase of building began in the late Neolithic, or later part of the stone age era. Building continued throughout the Copper age and early and middle bronze ages.

Found at the site after excavation were ritual holes and the remnants of cremated human bones. Many artifacts were discovered including pottery, incinery urns and a red deer antler pin. Other archeological finds were, a bone pin with eye and flint axe heads and implements, which appear to have been imported. This stresses a connection between Cairnpapple and South of the border.

The cousin of Cairnpapple, Arbor Law in Derbyshire, is not only the closest in proximity to it, but also is remarkably similar in composition, albeit slightly larger in scale. The one fact that makes Cairnpapple unique is that the site has been used locally by all religions pertaining to the indigenous people. An ancient Celtic legend tells of an extremely important holy site.

The Mystery site was situated on a high vantage point somewhere in Central Scotland, at the place where the two seas are closest. Could Cairnpapple, situated almost on the highest point in West Lothian, between the firth of Forth and the Clyde, be construed as that holy site?

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