Kilmartin Glen is home to the biggest collection of cup and ring mark carvings in Europe.
There are over 100 known sites ranging from a single cup-marked rock to highly decorated panels. Major concentrations in the area include those at Achnabreck, Cairnbaan, Kilmichael Glassary, Baluachraig, Ballygowan, Ardifuir, Glasvar, Leckuary, Ormaig and Poltalloch.
Achnabreck
Not only does Kilmartin Glen have the biggest collection of cup and ring marks in total - Achnabreck is the location of the biggest single group found in Europe. The name is Scots Gaelic and means speckled. The views from here are absolutely stunning - on a clear day you can look down over the town of Lochgilphead.
To visit the carvings, take the turning on the east side of the main road halfway between Lochgilphead and Kilmichael Glassary (just north of the Crinan Canal) and follow the bumpy forest rack up to the car park. From the car park, it's an easy 1.5-mile circular walk up to the carvings and back.
Cairnbaan
Overlooking the Crinan Canal (Britain's most beautiful shortcut - see below), this is the site of another set of elaborate carvings. The view is almost as good as the one at Achnabreck - and it's also just a short walk to see it. The easiest way to get here is to park at the Cairnbaan Hotel on the Crinan canal.