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Tigh na Cailleach

The Tigh na Cailleach is a fascinating place. Hidden away in a remote glen west of Glen Lyon, it’s a small turf-roofed “house” which is home to a “family” of water-worn stones known as the Cailleach (old woman), the Bodach (old man), the Nighean (daughter) and further children. It is thought to be an ancient shrine to the cult of the Mother Goddess.

Each spring the family are brought out of their house, and each October they are returned for the winter before Samhain a tradition that has been going on certainly for hundreds of years, but possibly even thousands.

Shielings nearby were still in use until after 1782 and the inhabitants would re-thatch the Cailleach’s house, repair the walls and bring the family out to watch over their herds. When the herds moved back down for the winter the family would be sealed up in the house until the following year.

Later, after farming methods changed, a succession of local shepherds or gamekeepers continued the practice. The most recent that I know of was Bob Bissett, head stalker on the Invermeran estate, who died a few years ago, however someone else is still bringing the family out each year.

Legend has is that the Cailleach gives birth to a new child every hundred years. Writing in 1888, Duncan Campbell said that there were 12 stones, although this may have been said to give the site a Christian spin, associating it with a St Meuran (probably St Mirin) and his eleven disciples. Today there are 7 stones in total.

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Alternative names for Tigh na Cailleach

Taigh nam Bodach; Tigh na Bodach; Tigh na Cailliche; Tigh nam Bodach

Where is Tigh na Cailleach?

Tigh na Cailleach is in the parish of Fortingall and the county of Perthshire.

Grid reference: NN 3804 4271

Lat / long: 56.548375, -4.635968

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Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Tigh na Cailleach

OS map 377
Loch Etive & Glen Orchy (Dalmally, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy & Taynuilt)
OS Explorer map 377


OS map OL48
Ben Lawers & Glen Lyon (Loch Tay, Killin & Kenmore)
OS Explorer map OL48


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Directions to Tigh na Cailleach

Enter a starting point

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Weather at Tigh na Cailleach

4°C
max 4°C / min 4°C
7km/h NE
1029mb
86%
80%
04:02 20:27

Broken clouds
Weather observed at East Laroch at 02:24
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References (books)

Druids
Anne Ross
London, 2004
Pagan Celtic Britain
Anne Ross
London, 1967
Perthshire in History and Legend
Archie McKerracher
Edinburgh, 1988
The Book of Garth and Fortingall
Duncan Campbell
Inverness, 1888

References (websites)

Canmore
  • In search of the Old Woman of Gleann Cailliche

    Ancient sites near Tigh na Cailleach

    Caisteal Cona Bhacain fort

    10.3km away

    Cona Bhacain standing stone

    10.4km away

    Tirai standing stone

    16.1km away

    Kerrowmore stone circle

    20.7km away

    Kerrowmore fort

    21.1km away

    Eilean nam Faoileag crannog

    21.2km away

    Acharn standing stone

    21.2km away

    Kinnell stone circle

    22.0km away

    St Adamnan's Cross standing stone

    25.0km away
    more ancient sites....
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    Castles near Tigh na Cailleach

    Achallader Castle

    6.0km away

    Loch Dochart Castle

    17.1km away

    Meggernie Castle

    17.6km away

    Kerrowmore motte

    21.2km away

    Finlarig Castle

    21.3km away

    Castle of Eilan Rowan (site of)

    21.7km away

    Kinnell House

    22.0km away

    Edramucky Castle (site of)

    24.8km away

    Stronvar

    26.8km away
    more castles....
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    Pictish stones near Tigh na Cailleach

    Struan Class I symbol stone

    48.4km away

    Old Kilmadock 1 Class II cross slab

    51.6km away

    Old Kilmadock 2 Class I symbol stone

    51.6km away

    Priest's Stone Class III cross-slab

    55.9km away

    Fowlis Wester Class II cross-slab

    57.6km away

    Fowlis Wester Church Class III cross-slab

    57.6km away

    Dunfallandy Stone Class II cross slab

    58.2km away

    Logierait Class II cross-slab

    59.4km away

    Dunkeld 1 Class I symbol stone

    62.8km away
    more Pictish stones....
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    Pictish sites near Tigh na Cailleach

    Torvean silver chain

    104.3km away

    Norrie's Law hoard

    108.1km away

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    116.6km away

    Borland silver chain

    117.5km away

    Whitecleugh silver chain

    129.8km away

    Haddington silver chain

    131.8km away

    Traprain Law silver chain

    137.0km away

    Whitlaw silver chain

    145.3km away

    Burghead fort

    146.2km away
    more Pictish sites....
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    Accommodation near Tigh na Cailleach

    Bridge of Orchy Hotel
    hotel, bunkhouse, pub, restaurantBridge of Orchy
    8.7km away
    Inveroran Hotel
    hotelBridge of Orchy
    10.7km away
    Tyndrum Lodge Hotel
    hotelTyndrum
    13.2km away
    Inverardran House
    bed and breakfastCrianlarich
    17.0km away
    Kings House Hotel
    hotelGlencoe
    17.0km away
    Best Western The Crianlarich Hotel
    hotel, restaurant, barCrianlarich
    17.4km away
    Crianlarich SYHA Hostel
    hostelCrianlarich
    17.5km away
    The Bridge Of Lochay Hotel
    hotelKillin
    20.6km away
    Killin Hotel
    hotelKillin
    21.4km away
    Braveheart Backpackers
    hostelKillin
    21.4km away

    Accommodation search

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    castles
    holiday parks
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    more accommodation....

    Cafés, restaurants & bars near Tigh na Cailleach

    Bridge of Orchy Hotel
    hotel, bunkhouse, pub, restaurantBridge of Orchy
    8.7km away
    The Green Welly Stop
    restaurant, caféTyndrum
    13.3km away
    Best Western The Crianlarich Hotel
    hotel, restaurant, barCrianlarich
    17.4km away
    The Rod & Reel
    pubCrianlarich
    17.5km away
    Glenlyon Tearoom
    caféBridge of Balgie
    20.5km away
    The Courie Inn
    hotel, pubKillin
    21.5km away
    Monachyle Mhor Hotel
    hotel, restaurantBalquhidder
    24.8km away
    The Drover's Inn
    hotel, pubInverarnan
    25.2km away
    Antler Bar
    pubKinlochleven
    27.3km away
    Tailrace Inn
    hotel, pubKinlochleven
    27.3km away
    more food.... / more drink....

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    Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 4:20 pm. Updated on the 29th of February 2020 at 9:12 am.

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    Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

    Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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