Latest Fieldnotes

Directions to Cairn Macneilie, Inch Parks: Take the narrow road for Stair Estates Balker Farm off the A75, c. 0.3 mile E of the A751/A75 junction. Follow the narrow lane for c. 0.8 mile to an unsigned left turn. There is room to park up carefully. Walk c. 50 yards NW along the dirt track. Head N into the woods following a vague winding path for c. 150 yards towards tree-covered Cairn Macneilie (Inch Parks) on the edge of the wood. My walking route is viewable on Cairn Macneilie (Inch Parks).

Visited 05.05.25

Directions to Green House Bridge: At the top of the A75 Glenluce Bypass take the A747 Port William road. After 3.5 miles pass through Auchenmalg to the Cock Inn. Continue along the coast for 1.6 miles to a lay-by at NX 2595 5114 on a corner NW of the Rocks of the Garheugh. Walk E for c. 110 yards to reach a gateway into a narrow field. Head E over stepping stones at a ford in a stream near the gate and keep E to the S corner of the field. Head E up up a rough slope. towards a stone wall. Follow the stone wall to reach a gnarled Hawthorn Tree. Continue for c. 30 yards along the wall to a break in the wall where you can step over a fence. Turn S down the wall for c. 30 yards to a hawthorn tree. Turn L up a rough slope heading SE. Continue SE for c. 100 yards to intersect with a path heading E. Follow the path E for c. 100 yards and Green House Bridge cairn should be visible to the SE. There is a faint path heading E of Green House Bridge Cairn. Take the path for c. 100 yards to cross a track heading SE. Continue E for c. 100 yards past a large boulder to reach a 4x4 track heading SE. Follow the track SE for c. 220 yards to find Cairn Buy, a stony mound. My walking path can be viewed on Cairn Buy and Green House Bridge Cairn.

Visited 05.05.25

Directions to Cairn Buy: At the top of the A75 Glenluce Bypass take the A747 Port William road. After 3.5 miles pass through Auchenmalg to the Cock Inn. Continue along the coast for 1.6 miles to a lay-by at NX 2595 5114 on a corner NW of the Rocks of the Garheugh. Walk E for c. 110 yards to reach a gateway into a narrow field. Head E over stepping stones at a ford in a stream near the gate and keep E to the S corner of the field. Head E up up a rough slope. towards a stone wall. Follow the stone wall to reach a gnarled Hawthorn Tree. Continue for c. 30 yards along the wall to a break in the wall where you can step over a fence. Turn S down the wall for c. 30 yards to a hawthorn tree. Turn L up a rough slope heading SE. Continue SE for c. 100 yards to intersect with a path heading E. Follow the path E for c. 100 yards and Green House Bridge cairn should be visible to the SE. There is a faint path heading E of Green House Bridge Cairn. Take the path for c. 100 yards to cross a track heading SE. Continue E for c. 100 yards past a large boulder to reach a 4x4 track heading SE. Follow the track SE for c. 220 yards to find Cairn Buy, a stony mound. My walking path can be viewed on Cairn Buy and Green House Bridge Cairn.

Pregacial survivors… the highest on Colonsay. Christopher Somerville notes in his excellent book Life Between the Tides that the highest of the raised beaches here now stands 130’ above the present sea level due to post glacial uplift. Those at Uragaig and Kilchattan are also notable. These earlier sea levels have resulted in many former sea caves along the island’s coast being sites of very early habitation.

While on our way along the track to Kerry Ring armed with an out of date OS map I did a double take.. eh, what’s this? Only later did I find that it was listed here. It is a skyline feature as soon as you get to the end of the forestry when coming from Black Wood car park – I had thought from a distance it was Kerry Ring. Superb views from here – until the replanted pine forestry along the ridge overlooking Kerry obscure that direction. Do ‘do’ the Kerry Ridgeway if you get the chance. So many sites and vistas. I’ve yet to complete it. Next time, touch wood.

An annual pilgrimage to this most idyllic and unspoilt part of the world and where my family’s roots are. I had previously failed to spot this site when driving to and fro but this time, armed with a large scale map thought I’d give it another go. Only after locating and photographing it – it’s just described as a ‘mound’ – did I find via the HE listing that it dates not from the Dark Ages as I’d previously read but in fact is about three thousand years old and therefore eligible for inclusion on this site.
The theory that it is the resting place of a chieftain named Pussa is therefore incorrect, unless his remains were interred subsequently. I prefer the translation as ‘burial mound with the pear tree’ anyway. The current tree, a venerable ash, both disguises the site and perhaps, due to its size, is counter to the HE description as being in good condition. But… nice to bear the name of something prehistoric, eh? And if you ever get the chance to visit this supremely timeless area do not hesitate. You’ll come back again and again as I do. A E Housman was right. One day my ashes may lie here too.

Directions to Balneil Cairn: The route to Balneil Cairn starts at New Luce Hall Car Park. Walk S past the church for c. 120 yards to reach a minor junction. Take the left turn, walk for c. 180 yards to reach a gateway on the right. Head S across the grass field for c. 100 yards to a gateway. Head SSE for c. 120 yard to a gap in the woods. Traverse up the wooded slope crossing a fence into a grass field. Continue SSE for c. 100 yards towards a gate. Head E across the field for c. 300 yards to a gate. Follow a fence E for c. 120 yards to a gateway. Head NW towards the obvious stony mound in the field. NB There may be beef cattle in the field preventing safe access. My cross country route is viewable on Balneil Cairn.

Visited 24.04.25

It is natural to focus on the Sir Andrew Agnew Monument constructed on the Tor of Craigoch Hillfort given the lack of physical remains. The ditch and rampart defences on the S and W flanks are obscured by gorse and rhododendron shrubs which encircle the hillfort. The enclosure on the summit is featureless except for the modern tower, an OS trig point and low rock outcrops breaking the grassy surface. The oval enclosure currently measures c. 44 yards E-W and 22 yards transversely.

There are traces of an outer earth rampart on the SW slope outside the circle of vegetation. I found two large cup markings c. 6 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep on a horizontal panel c. 25 yards E of the monument. The cups were too circular and the interior surface of the cups too smooth for them to be natural. They are possibly the result of domestic activity modifying natural hollows.

Visited 18.03.14

Carburrow Quoit is an unusual jumble of stones located c. 60 yards NW of the E cairn on the summit of Carburrow Tor. The stone structure consists of an elongated cuboid stone pointing NW, supported on the SE by a stone slab and in the centre by a small boulder. It looks too artificial to be shaped by natural forces. Given the nearby cairns on the summit, it seems likely that Carburrow Quoit was constructed by man for an unknown purpose.

There was a large car park on the NE end of Elrig Loch. It has now been closed off by a line of large boulders, however it is possible to park beside them. Elrig Loch Crannog lies under water c. 100 yards NNE of the NE end of the loch. A pile of stones c. 1 foot high and 6 feet wide projects above the water.

According to Canmore, the crannog was surveyed in 2004 : “The crannog consists of a large stone mound, 26.5m in diameter and 1.77m from base to top.” M G Cavers 2004. Further details of the survey are available in Canmore ID 62709.

Visited 28.10.18

There are 2 probable crannogs in the SE corner of Carlingwark Loch, on the S edge of Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway. According to Canmore ID 64674 “Two artificial islands were found when the loch was drained in 1765. At the same time two dugout canoes, a dam, to maintain the level of the water in the loch, and a planking floor were found.” OSA 1794 (T Halliday). A later report states that “there were four fortified islands, two of them artificially constructed of oak piles.” (J Stuart 1875).

Fir Island, a natural island in the SE corner of Carlingwark Loch, is likely to be one of the fortified islands. Ash Island, an artificial island c. 55 yards N of Fir Island, is another likely candidate. A crannog was constructed on the island, probably connected to Fir Island by a causeway. Ash Island is subrectangular, measuring c. 20 yards E-W and 10 yards transversely, with a central clump of mature trees. An unnamed subcircular artifical island, occupied by a mature tree, lies c. 45 yards WNW of Ash Island. It measures c. 10 yards in diameter and may have been connected to Ash Island by a causeway. It could have been one of the man-made fortified islands on Carlingwark Loch.

Visited 20.09.19

It is difficult to access Candle Hill Stone Circle: It is protected by an enclosure and vigorous shrubs. It is best to enter the enclosure on the SE corner adjacent to the remains of the circle. The circle is located c. 30 yards ESE of the centre of the knoll. The most obvious feature is the Candle Stone, a standing stone c. 15 feet W of a thorn tree. A grassy cairn is situated c. 6 feet S in the centre of the circle. Walk S round the cairn to reach the fallen recumbent stone and flankers on the S Arc of the circle. It is possible to find the fallen N,ENE,W and NW stones by walking round the perimeter of the circle, starting from the NNE Standing Stone. The N,ENE,W stones are largely buried in the turf with only a small area visible from above. The NW stone is hidden in gorse on the NW Arc.

A very pleasant early morning visit to the rock art at Knock 4, close to Monreith, for sunrise, with the sound of roe deer barking in the woods next to the rock art panel.

I tried to find the panels known as Knock 2 and Knock 3, but with no success. I remember the farmer clearing the field with a digger several years ago, so fear they may have either been buried or removed completely. I’ll have another look again soon.

Visited 21.03.12

Cantraybruich Cairn is a confusing jumble of stones in the E corner of a field near Culloden Moor. I saw a short stone row featuring ill-matched stones but couldn’t visualise a cairn.
I wish I had read Canmore ID 14151 before my visit. On reviewing my photos I thought that I identified a pile of stones on the E Arc of the Cantraybruich Cairn. I think I will revisit if i’m in the area.

Directions to Cantraybruich: Head for Inverness on the A9 then take the Culloden B9006 turn off. Follow the signs to Culloden Visitor Centre. Continue E along the B9006 for c. 1.8 miles to a gateway on the right at NH 77527 46069 (///chilling.decoding.surfed), c. 0. 4 miles E of Culloden Moor Caravan Site. A short track leads E into a field. Follow the margin of the field SE for c. 220 yards to the E corner. The remains of the cairn are located c. 50 feet W in the grassy margin of the field. My walking route is viewable on Cantraybruich Cairn.

Directions to Capenoch Loch Long Cairn

The path starts in a gateway opposite Barr Farm on the A702 between Moniaive and Penpont. The farmer has prohibited parking in this gateway. Due to this restriction an extension of 0.33 miles N to the nearest lay-by at NX 82877 92845 is necessary. A forest track heading NE starts opposite Barr Farm. Follow the track for c. 0.35 miles to reach a junction. Turn right then bear right after c. 80 yards. Follow the track SE for c. 0.3 mile to NX 8375 9244. Head N up a narrow forest ride for c. 100 yards. Capenoch Loch Long Cairn is c. 80 yards NE in the centre of a large clearing. My route can be viewed on Capenoch Loch Long Cairn.

Visited 07.04.12

Capenoch Loch Long Cairn is located in a large forest clearing c. 250 yards SE of Capenoch Loch, c. 1.5 miles SSW of Penpont, a village in Dumfries and Galloway. The stony mound measures c. 36 yards on the NE-SW long axis. The transverse axis tapers from c. 17 yards at the SW end to 9 yards at the NE end. The NE half has been stone robbed to ground level but the SW half is relatively intact reaching up to 9 feet high. There are two excavated hollows along the NE-SW axis in the SW half but no chambers are visible on the cairn.

Furter detail of Capenoch Loch Long Cairn are available in Canmore ID 65334.

Visited early April on a windy, overcast morning . Easy to find as signposted from Ashbourne to Buxton Road and parking up a farm track. Honesty box or pay the man a pound for adults, children free. A nice stroll up a stony track to the henge. A wonderful place that holds its magic. There are two entrances through the bank in roughly SE and NW alignment, ditch crossings and a ring of fallen stones with some larger ones in the middle, one of which attracts offering which it was nice to see were largely biodegradable.
It is interpreted as a stone circle surrounding a central arrangement but I’m going to suggest, based on seeing many ruins similar, that it was a dolem surrounded by kerbstones and covered by a mound inside the henge. The site is close to several barrows, mostly removed and rifled by “The Barrow Knight” a local Victorian amateur who dug a lot of barrows. While digging the one in the next field (see separate entry) he discovered a Neolithic burial and when his tunnel collapsed a Bronze Age cist with grave goods including a Jet necklace was revealed. This is interesting because the early burial mound predates the henge and a long time later it was reused and a new barrow constructed on top, similar to Waylands Smithy for example, so these monuments evolved over time as each wave of settlers stamped their presence on this obviously important place. A beautiful, peaceful place where I had only buzzards for company. I recommend a visit and will be back on a future, better planned tour of this area.

Visited early April on a windy, overcast morning . Easy to find as signposted from Ashbourne to Buxton Road and parking up a farm track. Honesty box or pay the man a pound for adults, children free. A nice stroll up a stony track to the henge. A wonderful place that holds its magic. There are two entrances through the bank in roughly SE and NW alignment, ditch crossings and a ring of fallen stones with some larger ones in the middle, one of which attracts offering which it was nice to see were largely biodegradable.
It is interpreted as a stone circle surrounding a central arrangement but I’m going to suggest, based on seeing many ruins similar, that it was a dolem surrounded by kerbstones and covered by a mound inside the henge. The site is close to several barrows, mostly removed and rifled by “The Barrow Knight” a local Victorian amateur who dug a lot of barrows. While digging the one in the next field (see separate entry) he discovered a Neolithic burial and when his tunnel collapsed a Bronze Age cist with grave goods including a Jet necklace was revealed. This is interesting because the early burial mound predates the henge and a long time later it was reused and a new barrow constructed on top, similar to Waylands Smithy for example, so these monuments evolved over time as each wave of settlers stamped their presence on this obviously important place. A beautiful, peaceful place where I had only buzzards for company. I recommend a visit and will be back on a future, better planned tour of this area.

Directions to Cairnholy 06


Take the signed Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn turn off the A75 at NX 51646 53037 (///bound.hotel.scrubbing) between Creetown and Gatehouse. Go past the first left turn, instead take the 2nd left for Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn then bear left at the Y junction after c. 100 yards. Continue up the lane to the carpark at Cairnholy. Walk W along the farm track for c. 150 yards to reach a gateway on the right. There is an interesting recumbent stone c. 20 feet W of the gate. Head to a gate in a stone wall c. 80 yards NNE. Follow the path NNE from the gateway for c. 130 yards then walk W for c. 50 yards to a grassy mound in the field. This is listed as Cairnholy Cairn on TMA. Walk NNW for c. 50 yards to a gate in a stone wall. Head NNE for a pair of small clearance cairns c. 100 yards from the gateway. Cairnholy 03 is a large stone on the W edge of a clearance cairn at NX 52000 54282 (///larger.fairway.subplot) c. 35 yards N of here.
It is possible to extend your walk to visit Cairnholy 6 & 7. Cairnholy 6 is located c. 140 yards ENE of Cairnholy Sheepfold in a drainage ditch running parallel to a stone wall. Cairnholy Sheepfold is located at NX 51721 54902 (///critic.jetted.nutty) in the NW corner of a grass field containing a large clearance cairn. Cairnholy 6 is located at NX 51871 54968 (///maker.blunt.downfield).
Cairnholy 7 is located in a grass field containing a large clearance cairn and Cairnholy Sheepfold in the NW corner. Cairnholy 7 is carved on a narrow rock ridge aligned ENE-SSW, c. 75 yards SSE of the sheepfold and c. 30 feet ENE of the stone wall. Cairnholy 7 is located at NX 51758 54840 (///gossiped.cook.valued). My route is viewable as Cairnholy 3,6 & 7.

Directions to Cairnholy 07


Take the signed Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn turn off the A75 at NX 51646 53037 (///bound.hotel.scrubbing) between Creetown and Gatehouse. Go past the first left turn, instead take the 2nd left for Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn then bear left at the Y junction after c. 100 yards. Continue up the lane to the carpark at Cairnholy. Walk W along the farm track for c. 150 yards to reach a gateway on the right. There is an interesting recumbent stone c. 20 feet W of the gate. Head to a gate in a stone wall c. 80 yards NNE. Follow the path NNE from the gateway for c. 130 yards then walk W for c. 50 yards to a grassy mound in the field. This is listed as Cairnholy Cairn on TMA. Walk NNW for c. 50 yards to a gate in a stone wall. Head NNE for a pair of small clearance cairns c. 100 yards from the gateway. Cairnholy 03 is a large stone on the W edge of a clearance cairn at NX 52000 54282 (///larger.fairway.subplot) c. 35 yards N of here.
It is possible to extend your walk to visit Cairnholy 6 & 7. Cairnholy 6 is located c. 140 yards ENE of Cairnholy Sheepfold in a drainage ditch running parallel to a stone wall. Cairnholy Sheepfold is located at NX 51721 54902 (///critic.jetted.nutty) in the NW corner of a grass field containing a large clearance cairn. Cairnholy 6 is located at NX 51871 54968 (///maker.blunt.downfield).
Cairnholy 7 is located in a grass field containing a large clearance cairn and Cairnholy Sheepfold in the NW corner. Cairnholy 7 is carved on a narrow rock ridge aligned ENE-SSW, c. 75 yards SSE of the sheepfold and c. 30 feet ENE of the stone wall. Cairnholy 7 is located at NX 51758 54840 (///gossiped.cook.valued). My route is viewable as Cairnholy 3,6 & 7.

Visited during early April. Drive from Penzance towards the Lands End air field ( signposted) and don’t miss the entrance to the large car park just before you get to the airport. An easy walk up a track you could drive up if allowed or several winding paths through the heather and gorse. Keep going up and when you can’t get any further up you are atop the first and last hill in England. At the summit there is a rare type of multi burial barrow found only here and Scilley Isles in the UK. I don’t know about the rest of the world. It’s like several small quoits arranged together and piled with smaller rocks. One is very visible immediately but the thing was demolished by treasure seekers, amateur archaeologists and later again by the military to used for aircraft spotting in WW2. Other large rocks that look to be cap stones can be made out.
It would have been visible far out to sea and mariners would have used it to navigate by since the time it was built. There is a modern metal beacon next to it which is lit every midsummer by the fishermen of St Just (according to the sign).
Down the slope a few yards is another definite barrow which has a separate entry on here. It is a lovely place to sit and chill, gaze out to sea or inland, buzzards ride the thermals and ravens play in the wind.
Later in the year when the heather and gorse are in flower it is a haven for butterflies and is stunningly beautiful . There are various other rocks and archeology on the hill. It does get very touristy in season and is a local dog walking area so if you want solitude early mornings or later evenings are better.
If you intend spending a while to have a good look about, you may want a coat with you because it’s very windy or to sit on. Water is always useful but you can see the car from the top so even if it kicked up a storm out of nowhere you can be back in 5 minutes. I advice sturdy footwear and long pants if you intend getting into the gorse and heather.

Directions to Cairnholy 03


Take the signed Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn turn off the A75 at NX 51646 53037 (///bound.hotel.scrubbing) between Creetown and Gatehouse. Go past the first left turn, instead take the 2nd left for Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn then bear left at the Y junction after c. 100 yards. Continue up the lane to the carpark at Cairnholy. Walk W along the farm track for c. 150 yards to reach a gateway on the right. There is an interesting recumbent stone c. 20 feet W of the gate. Head to a gate in a stone wall c. 80 yards NNE. Follow the path NNE from the gateway for c. 130 yards then walk W for c. 50 yards to a grassy mound in the field. This is listed as Cairnholy Cairn on TMA. Walk NNW for c. 50 yards to a gate in a stone wall. Head NNE for a pair of small clearance cairns c. 100 yards from the gateway. Cairnholy 03 is a large stone on the W edge of a clearance cairn at NX 52000 54282 (///larger.fairway.subplot) c. 35 yards N of here.
It is possible to extend your walk to visit Cairnholy 6 & 7. Cairnholy 6 is located c. 140 yards ENE of Cairnholy Sheepfold in a drainage ditch running parallel to a stone wall. Cairnholy Sheepfold is located at NX 51721 54902 (///critic.jetted.nutty) in the NW corner of a grass field containing a large clearance cairn. Cairnholy 6 is located at NX 51871 54968 (///maker.blunt.downfield).
Cairnholy 7 is located in a grass field containing a large clearance cairn and Cairnholy Sheepfold in the NW corner. Cairnholy 7 is carved on a narrow rock ridge aligned ENE-SSW, c. 75 yards SSE of the sheepfold and c. 30 feet ENE of the stone wall. Cairnholy 7 is located at NX 51758 54840 (///gossiped.cook.valued). My route is viewable as Cairnholy 3,6 & 7.

excavations.ie/report/2011/Dublin/0022279/

It’s not that far a walk from the car park to Bryn Celli Ddu. But far enough that my mind was full of thoughts of what it might be like. You can’t particularly see the tomb until you pop out of the hedges right at the end. So my expectations were high. But I felt weirdly underwhelmed by this place. I suppose I have got a problem with distinguishing reality and imagination. But what more do you want Rhiannon, it’s got everything you’d think you’d like? Perhaps it was so different from your average stone-in-a-field or collapsing dolmen that it felt wrong to me. Too messed with. Too neat.

When I went inside I was really appalled at the amount of tat (sorry, respectful offerings) inside. I wanted to sweep it all into a bin bag and take it away. I probably would have done but there were other visitors and I was vaguely aware they might think I was being disrespectful. Particularly egregious were the hand prints and crosses painted on the stones. Conceivably, the builders of the tomb might have liked your sea shell or even that hideous leather owl. But a cross?? Painted on?? Just stop imposing your 21st century beliefs on someone from 5000 years ago.

Yes I felt quite irritated by now, at myself for not “feeling the vibes” and feeling a bit flat, and also at the graffiti.

Then I noticed the gorsedd. I really liked the gorsedd. It felt like the important bit. I should have found a way to get to it. But it was starting to rain and I felt Mr Rh had been imposed upon enough. If I came back I’d go over there straight away.

The latest imposition at Trefignath is the building of the Holyhead Hydrogen Hub. A worthy effort I’m sure, using renewable energy to produce hydrogen via electrolysis. But I hope it doesn’t obscure the mountain beyond too much. The business park at Parc Cybi is still mostly empty fields otherwise. You’d like to think the stones will still be there when everything else has long since fallen down. They’ve managed to make it so far.

It’s probably heresy but I think I liked the bedrock parts of the tomb better than the tomb itself. But maybe that’s what the creators liked too and that’s why they stuck it here.

There isn’t anywhere particular to park a car but the wideness of the verge of the big new road gives you plenty of options. I liked that they’d designated the stretch of the original lane into a cycle path / for pedestrians.