Visited 26th August 2003: Balladoole hillfort is relatively small, and would in itself be not too spectacular. However, within the boundaries of it's defences are three other sites (listed below).
Parking and signage are reasonably good, as is access to the fort. There is a maintained path up to the site, and grass cut paths around it's perimeter. It's not a long walk to the top, but the views are pretty impressive, both looking inland towards the mountains and out to sea. It's obviously a good defensive position, as well as a place to be seen from a long way off in the surrounding countryside. Well worth a visit, but not very wheelchair friendly purely because of the gradient.
Within the fortifications of the Iron Age hillfort at Balladoole lie a Bronze Age Cist (SC24666819) a Viking ship burial (SC24716818) and an early Christian Keeil (SC24646817).
Visited 26th August 2003: The hillfort has a circular path of cut grass around it. The first thing you're likely to come to is the Viking ship burial, but if you keep going anti-clockwise you'll then get to the Bronze Age cist.
Although not as impressive as the Viking ship burial or the relatively modern Keeil, it does represent the oldest evidence of ceremonial activity on the hill. The site is well kept, so there's no foliage to fight through to get close up. There are excellent views from the cist there are fantastic views across Bay ny Carrickey towards Port St Mary.
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Posted by Kammer
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