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Showing 1-25 of 18,997 fieldnotes. Most recent first | Next 25 
Rubh An Dunain (Cairn(s)) |
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Of the four sites this one probably has the best views of the dun, chamber cairn, cave, naust / canal, loch, mountains and sea. On our visit the sea, Camas a Mhurain - Gulf of the Sea, was an astonishing colour of blue. The cairn sits at nearly 13m wide and is 1.1m tall. Lots of stonework can be seen poking through the well manicured turf, local greenkeepers do an excellent job. Decent kerbs can be seen situated around the site. Probably a lot of stones have been used in the building of the dyke which seperates the two cairns. Now we made our way back to the main track via a route suggested by a site that promotes highland treks / walkways. This led us around the west of Carn Mor, there is no path of any kind, it goes near the top of cliffs and in parts is an ankle breaker. Take the main track back, we were mightily relieved to emerge unscathed back to the track along with the dog. That site will never be used again. Apart from track malfunction everything at Rubh An Dunain was as perfect as perfect could be. Great weather, great place. Visited 04/08/2023. |
Posted by drewbhoy30th November 2023ce |
Rubh an Dunain (Chambered Cairn) |
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From the dun we crossed the Viking-made canal via handily placed causeway and made our way round the sound side of Loch na h'Airde before heading north towards the cairns that are located in front of the small hill, Carn Mor. As Mr G said this is an isolated place nowadays but it once appeared to be reasonably populated with the nearby dun, medieval townships and various Nordic visitors. Now the closest people are at Glen Brittle, the most regular visitors being sheep and cows along with people making the trek to the various sites. The chambered cairn still sits at 20m wide and a good gentle tidy would reveal that a lot of it is still in place. Large slabs and some well built dry stanes remain in place. A gentle restoration would be wonderful to see but given the location, highly unlikely. The view as ever remains glorious and we're lucky that we have made it on a beautiful clear day day which seemed unlikely given the previous nights dreich stuff. Not far to the next site, a wee jump over a wall. Visited 04/08/2023. |
Posted by drewbhoy 30th November 2023ce |
Captain's Bridge (Drummochreen) W (Hillfort) |
| Directions to Captain's Bridge (Drummochreen) W: Take the B741 Dailly road off the A77, N of Girvan. After c. 5 miles stay straight on for Maybole at the Dailly junction. Continue towards Maybole for c. 1.7 miles to a farm junction on the left at NS 28593 03605. Park up and walk c. 120 yards W along the dirt track to a green track on the left. Walk 5 yards along the green track. Look left to see the outer bank and ditch of the fort. Climb over the bank to enter the enclosure of Captain's Bridge (Drummochreen) W fort. |
Posted by markj99 28th November 2023ce |
Caerketton Hill (Cairn(s)) |
| Direction to Caerketton Hill Cairn: I parked at NT 24954 66968, a car park at the Hillend Ski Centre junction with the A702 on the S edge of Edinburgh. A path leading W starts here, before it turns to the SW. This path leads up to an elevated ridge which commands impressive views of Edinburgh. Caerketton Fort and Cairn are accessed by this moderately steep route. My route can be viewed on Caerketton Hill Cairn. |
Posted by markj99 26th November 2023ce |
Hillend (Hillfort) |
| Directions to Hillend Fort: I parked at NT 24954 66968, a car park at the Hillend Ski Centre junction with the A702 on the S edge of Edinburgh. A path leading W starts here, before it turns to the SW. This path leads up to an elevated ridge which commands impressive views of Edinburgh. Caerketton Fort and Cairn are accessed by this moderately steep route. My route can be viewed on Caerketton Hill Cairn. |
Posted by markj99 26th November 2023ce |
Loch Heron (Crannog) |
| Directions to Loch Heron Crannog: Take the North Street turn (signed for Whitecairn Farm Caravan Park) off Main Street in Glenluce. Follow this narrow road for c. 7 miles to reach a minor crossroads at Three Lochs Holiday Park. Take the right turn opposite the holiday park entrance onto a single track road. Follow the road for c. 0.25 mile to a lay-by on the right. The crannog can be viewed from here. |
Posted by markj99 24th November 2023ce |
Moss Knowes (Natural Rock Feature) |
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Directions to Moss Knowes from South: Take the A714 Girvan at the N end of Victoria Street in Newton Stewart. Follow the road for c. 8.4 miles to Bargrennan. Take the right turn to Glentrool Village. Follow the road for c. 9.3 miles to a Y-junction. Bear right for c. 4.7 miles to reach Stinchar Bridge. There is a right turn signed for Forest Drive. Take this narrow road for c. 1.2 miles to a dead-end. Park up and follow the Carrick Forest Drive for c. 1.7 miles to reach a right turn just before Loch Riecawr. Take the right turn heading S for c. 1.1 miles to reach Moss Knowes Rocking Stone. It is c. 25 yards SE of the forest track in an open area of felled forest. Directions to Moss Knowes from North: Take the B7045 Straiton left turn off the A77 just S of Minishant. Stay on the B7045 for c. 3.9 miles to a Y-junction on the edge of Kirkmichael. Bear right along the B7045 for c. 4 miles to Straiton. Follow the Newton Stewart road straight through Straiton for c. 7.3 miles to reach Stinchar Bridge. There is a left turn signed for Forest Drive. Take this narrow road for c. 1.2 miles to a dead-end. Park up and follow the Carrick Forest Drive for c. 1.7 miles to reach a right turn just before Loch Riecawr. Take the right turn heading S for c. 1.1 miles to reach Moss Knowes Rocking Stone. It is c. 25 yards SE of the forest track in an open area of felled forest. My walking route is viewable on Moss Knowes Rocking Stone. |
Posted by markj99 19th November 2023ce |
Barnsallie Fell (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions to Barnsallie Fell: Take the A747 Portwilliam turn off the A75 at Glenluce. Follow the road for c. 1.8 miles to reach a left turn signed for Whithorn Way. Stay on this single track road for c. 1 mile to reach a left turn signed for Craigenveoch via a forest track. There is a lay-by on the edge of the loch after c. 100 yards if you want to park up. Continue on foot or by car for c. 0.2 miles to reach a parking place at Knock of Luce Wood. Walk c. 200 yards W along a grass track leading to a dead-end. Take the loch side path for on the left for c. 200 yards to reach NSF Scotland Woodland Garden. Take a path NW starting at the NSF Scotland info board. Head W towards an obvious gap in the stone wall. Wellies are required from this point. Cross a stream then head N parallel to the stone wall through boggy shrubby ground for c. 100 yards to reach Barnsallie Fell Cairn, shrouded in small trees. |
Posted by markj99 17th November 2023ce |
Cults Loch (Crannog) |
| Directions to Cults Loch Crannogs: Take the New Luce turn off the A75 at the petrol station on the SE edge of Castle Kennedy. After c. 0.5 mile take the right turn signed for Nivens Yard. Follow this potholed gravel track for c. 75 yards to a gate on the left. There is room to park at the gate. Walk E through the gate for c. 350 yards to reach a gate into a field on the left. Follow a track NE towards Cults Loch. The Central Crannog can be viewed from the W bank of the loch. The NW Crannog is located on a circular promontory in the NW corner of the loch. My route is viewable on Cults Loch Crannogs. On a cautionary note, there are often beef cattle in the field beside Cults Loch. |
Posted by markj99 15th November 2023ce |
Rillaton N Cairn (Cairn(s)) |
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Visited 07.06.23 Rillaton N Cairn is located c. 40 yards NNW of Rillaton Barrow on Craddock Moor, c. 0.5 mile N of Minions in Cornwall. The cairn is preserved as a flat grassy platform delineated by a sub-circular grass bank measuring c. 25 feet in diameter and up to 1 foot high. Rillaton N Cairn is easily missed due to its low stature and the prominence of its illustrious neighbour, Rillaton Barrow. Nevertheless, the location of Rillaton N Cairn surely increases its importance in the landscape. Rillaton N Cairn is shown on OS Mapping but doesn't have an Historic England listing. |
Posted by markj99 13th November 2023ce |
Gellaig Hill (Cairn(s)) |
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04/11/2023 - After sunset visit to Geallaig Hill. This a fine hill with a good loop from Glen Gairn. We reached the top at pretty much sunset. Misty and a cold wind. We sat by the cairn, had our tea and waited for the dark. A few stars on the way back down but the mist and clouds didn't clear much. It was a chilly visit but just what we needed. The nice cairn on the top of Geallaig Hill. I'd forgotten how big the footprint was. Looks prehistory to me. There's over 14 hut circles and a field system at the bottom of the hill. Could the people who lived there have built this cairn back in the Bronze age? |
Posted by thelonious13th November 2023ce |
Rubh an Dunain (Broch) |
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Following almost in Les's footsteps, diversions via a cave and the dog trying to find alternative routes, we eventually made it to the superb galleried dun at Rubh an Dunain. With A being interested in nausts, this was a superb opportunity to closely look at both, with the cairns afterwards. The Sound of Soay, Loch Brittle, The Cuillins and Loch na H'Airde along with the island of Rum provide wonderful backdrops to this lonely, but obviously not that lonely in past times, place. The dun is galleried within its large wall along with a door check, rivalling those near Tayvallich. Sadly erosion will play a role here and perhaps has done so in the past, any surrounding wall has gone. Entrance to the site is via a small climb up from the Viking canal. Turn round to see the the mountains - stunning. Visited 04/08/2023. |
Posted by drewbhoy 13th November 2023ce |
Green Island, Milton Loch (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork) |
| Directions to Green Island, Milton Loch: Take the Park of Brandedleys turn off the A75 on the SW edge of Crocketford. Follow the road for c. 0.8 mile to Auchengibbert Farm. Bear left to Kirkgunzeon for c. 0.2 mile to a passing place on the left. Park up and follow a vague path along the margin of the field to the W bank of Milton Loch. My route is viewable on Milton Loch Crannogs. |
Posted by markj99 12th November 2023ce |
Captain's Bridge (Drummochreen) SE (Stone Fort / Dun) |
| Directions to Captain's Bridge (Drummochreen) SE: Take the B741 Dailly road off the A77, N of Girvan. After c. 5 miles stay straight on for Maybole at the Dailly junction. Continue towards Maybole for c. 1.7 miles to a farm junction on the left. Park up and walk c. 150 yards SW round the corner to Captain's Bridge (Drummochreen) SE on the S end of the bridge. |
Posted by markj99 6th November 2023ce |
Cairn Hill (Dalquharran) (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions to Cairn Hill (Dalquharran) : Take the B741 Dailly road off the A77, N of Girvan. After c. 5 miles stay straight on for Maybole at the Dailly junction. Continue for 75 yards to park up in estate gates on the right. Walk c. 100 yards S into the estate to reach a path heading E into a wood. Follow the path E for c. 150 yards then head S for c. 50 yards along a path heading into a field. The cairn is c. 130 yards SE of the entrance into the field. On 06.11.23 the field was in crop making a visit impossible. |
Posted by markj99 6th November 2023ce Edited 7th November 2023ce |
Creag A' Chapuill (Cave / Rock Shelter) |
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First stop on our way to the famous dun, cairns and naust was the cave at Creag A' Chapuill. Parking is available near the Glen Brittle camp site. We were lucky, a beautiful day for a wonderful walk. Discoveries have placed occupation or use of the cave around the same time as the cairns were built, finishing around the the completion of the dun. To me it had an appearance of a shop as flat topped rock at the entrance resembled a shop counter. It certainly had good views as the nearby prehistoric monuments as well as Loch na h'Airde can be seen to the west. The shop idea might be close as various pottery and later iron slag were found at the site. Also found was an oar shaped piece of wood, to me it looked like the shape of a wooden tool I'd seen used at a demonstration at Archeolink beside Oyne, sadly now closed. An interesting place. I headed south west from the path at the medieval MacAskill township, heading across a surprisingly dry valley, only a small stream to jump. The cave be seen from here so reasonably easy to find with the ascent to the site being fairly easy. However, cut across back to the main path as south of the cave is boggy when heading to the dun and cairns. Wonderful views. Visited 04/08/2023. |
Posted by drewbhoy 6th November 2023ce |
East Threave (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions to East Threave Cairn : Take the B741 Dailly road off the A77, N of Girvan. After c. 5 miles stay straight on for Maybole at the Dailly junction. Continue towards Maybole for c. 1 mile to a minor road on the left, signed to Kirkoswald. Take this single track road for c. 1.2 miles to a sharp left at a farm road with a cattle grid. After c. 0.3 miles on this farm road bear right onto a rough track. Follow this muddy pot holed track for c. 0.6 miles to a gateway on your left at NS 25887 04226. There is room to park on the right. Make your way though the gate towards East Threave Cairn in the grassy field. |
Posted by markj99 6th November 2023ce |
Knee of Cairnsmore (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions: Travel E along the A75 for c. 3 miles from the roundabout at Newton Stewart. to reach the Kirroughtree /Palnure junction. Continue E for c. 0.4 mile to an unsigned left turn. Follow this narrow lane for c. 0.4 mile to reach Cairnsmore Estate. Bear left for c. 0.2 miles to a right turn into Graddoch Bridge Parking Lane. Walk to the end of the lane, turn right and follow the signs for Cairnmore of Fleet. The walk is a 10 mile ascent and descent of Cairnsmore of Fleet taking in three cairns. My route is viewable on Cairnsmore of Fleet Cairns. |
Posted by markj99 4th November 2023ce |
Cairnsmore of Fleet (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions: Travel E along the A75 for c. 3 miles from the roundabout at Newton Stewart. to reach the Kirroughtree /Palnure junction. Continue E for c. 0.4 mile to an unsigned left turn. Follow this narrow lane for c. 0.4 mile to reach Cairnsmore Estate. Bear left for c. 0.2 miles to a right turn into Graddoch Bridge Parking Lane. Walk to the end of the lane, turn right and follow the signs for Cairnmore of Fleet. The walk is a 10 mile ascent and descent of Cairnsmore of Fleet taking in three cairns. My route is viewable on Cairnsmore of Fleet Cairns. |
Posted by markj99 4th November 2023ce |
Airyolland E (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions to Airyolland W Cairn: Take the Elrig turn off the A747. Follow the road through Elrig for c. 1.9 miles to reach a left turn onto a dead-end lane signed for Barhobble Church Site. Travel c. 140 yards down the lane to a concrete lay-by on the left. Walk c. 400 yards NW to a gateway on the left. A green lane heading W starts here. Follow the green lane for c. 400 yards to reach a gate. Continue on the lane for c. 139 yards to a double gateway on the left. Go through the SW gate. Follow the stone wall S for c. 370 yards to reach Airyolland E Cairn, 15 yards W of the wall. Airyolland W Cairn is c. 50 yards SW of Airyolland E Cairn. My walking route is viewable on Airyolland Cairns. |
Posted by markj99 29th October 2023ce |
Airyolland W (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions to Airyolland W Cairn: Take the Elrig turn off the A747. Follow the road through Elrig for c. 1.9 miles to reach a left turn onto a dead-end lane signed for Barhobble Church Site. Travel c. 140 yards down the lane to a concrete lay-by on the left. Walk c. 400 yards NW to a gateway on the left. A green lane heading W starts here. Follow the green lane for c. 400 yards to reach a gate. Continue on the lane for c. 139 yards to a double gateway on the left. Go through the SW gate. Follow the stone wall S for c. 370 yards to reach Airyolland E Cairn, 15 yards W of the wall. Airyolland W Cairn is c. 50 yards SW of Airyolland E Cairn. My walking route is viewable on Airyolland Cairns. |
Posted by markj99 29th October 2023ce |
Cille Brighde (Cairn(s)) |
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In what has been described as an old church, the remains of a stone circle is instead the remains of a much disturbed cairn some 17m wide and 0.5m high. Parts of the cairn can be spotted as a small bank in which several kerbs still remain. The large stone may have stood or it might simply have always been there. From the standing stone at Clach Na h'Annait, I circled round Kilbride House in an anti clockwise direction, climbing one wall, then jumping the Allt Na Leth-Pheighinne stream, which by this time because of heavy rain seemed to be getting deeper and wider. Walk into the field, head straight west and look for the small trees. The site is most definitely next to edge of a former loch which I can verify is now very boggy. After a good splash around it was back over the burn to walk back up the road to the car. A bit of a 'what' if but a nice wee stop despite the dreich conditions. Visited 03/08/2023. |
Posted by drewbhoy 29th October 2023ce |
Balmalloch Chambered Cairn |
| Directions to Balmalloch Chambered Cairn: Take the dead-end Forest Road at Blair Farm off the A714 c. 0.5 mile SE of Barrhill. Follow this narrow lane for c. 2.7 miles to Darnaconnar Farm at NX 27654 83371. There are three options from here. If you have a 4x4 you can follow the track running N from here or go by off-road bike or walk if necessary. The track is little used and overgrown in the centre. Follow the track for c. 0.8 miles to Balmalloch ruin at the end of the road. Walk NW along a path between trees for c. 120 yards to reach a forest clearing. Balmalloch Cairnfield is located c. 100 yard W from here. The area is planted with small pine trees. Balmalloch Chambered Cairn is c. 350 yards NW of this point across ditches and small trees. Make your best way towards NX 26393 84533 to reach Balmalloch Chambered Cairn. |
Posted by markj99 28th October 2023ce |
Laggan Cairn (Barrhill) (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions to Laggan Cairn (Barrhill): Take the dead-end Forest Road at Blair Farm off the A714 c. 0.5 mile SE of Barrhill. Follow this narrow lane for c. 1 mile to a ruined house on the left of the road at NX 25692 82407. Park up and follow an overgrown track NW for c. 600 yards to a corner at NX 25263 82699. Walk N towards a gate in a deer fence. Walk W through rough boggy ground for c. 150 yards to the deer fence. Follow the deer fence N through similar terrain for c. 300 yards to Laggan Cairn (Barrhill) at NX 25354 82970. |
Posted by markj99 28th October 2023ce |
Barnshangan W (Cairn(s)) |
| Directions to Barnshangan Cairns: Take the W turn to Glenluce off the A75. Turn left for New Luce after 0.2 mile. Stay on this road for c. 5 miles to reach New Luce. Park on Main Street. Walk straight on at the top of Main Street for c. 300 yards to reach Barnshangan Farm track. Follow the farm track for c. 0.6 mile to a gate on the right at NX 18156 65377. Head S into the field for 75 yards then SE towards a gate into an adjacent field. Barnshangan W Cairn is c. 75 yards NE from here. Return to the farm track then walk c. 400 yards E to NX 18429 65423. Barnshangan E Cairn is c. 50 yards to the right, next to a dry stane dyke. |
Posted by markj99 28th October 2023ce |
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