An ancient monument to the travelling community has been declared a site of historical significance following a campaign taken forward by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.

The Tinkers’ Heart is a pattern of quartz stones which was laid at an Argyll crossroads.

It is thought to be around 250 years old and has been used by generations of Scottish Travellers as a wedding place and for children to be blessed.

Now located in a field overlooking Loch Fyne. Years of cattle grazing at the site had meant the monument was in danger of being lost. A petition was submitted to the Public Petitions Committee earlier this year by Jess Smith asking for more to be done to save the monument.

Historic Scotland has now written to the committee to confirm that the site will be declared a monument of national importance. The letter also sets out the vision for the preservation and maintenance of the site.