Maarten van Hoek The Geography of Cup-and-Ring ... - StoneWatch

� CHAPTER 1.2.2 �
THE LOCH TAY ROUTE
PATTERNS OF DIVERGENCE
� INTRODUCTION �
This study area (Fig. 16) comprises a mountainous inland region in the
centre of Scotland (Fig. 3), dominated by the river and Loch Tay which
roughly stretches for 60 km between Crianlarich and Ballinluig.
Included is the land flanking this stretch up to 5 km on both sides. The
study area therefore measures roughly 600 km 2 , but the focus is on
three smaller concentrations, indicated within frames on Fig. 16.
map
map map
FIGURE 16: THE LOCH TAY STUDY AREA; SCOTLAND.
In the previous chapter we have seen that the Kilmartin valley served
as a major ritual key area and that patterns of convergence dominated
the distribution of rock art sites and monuments. When prehistoric
people travelled further inland from the Kilmartin area, the use of two
major lakes, Loch Awe and Loch Tay, caused a strong funnelling effect.
This is reflected in the (sparse) distribution of rock art along this
M. van HOEK: 34
GEOGRAPHY