EXPERTS will visit Argyll this week to gather public views on Scotland's only surviving travellers' monument.

The consultation by Historic Scotland forms part of a wider review on the Tinkers' Heart which was used by travellers for weddings and baptisms in years gone by.

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the site, which features a heart of quartz stones, to be scheduled by the public body and preserved to offer travellers a place to visit to remember their heritage.

Historic Scotland is now urging travellers and people in the local community to come forward and share their stories about it.

The monument, which sits on the road between Cairndow and Strachur overlooking Loch Fyne, is said to be a sacred monument for travellers which traces its history back to the Battle of Culloden.

However, Historic Scotland claim there is very little documented evidence of Tinkers' Heart because the travelling community is more inclined to pass down stories and traditions orally.

Dr George Findlater, who is leading the consultation for Historic Scotland said: "As part of our project to better understand the significance of this fascinating monument, we thought that it was important to actually get out to the Argyll area and engage with the local people face to face.

"We'll be meeting with various groups with an interest in the monument, which of course includes the travellers themselves, and we're very excited about all the interesting stories and evidence we're hoping to gather.

"These should really help to inform the consultation and help add to our knowledge of the Tinkers' Heart."