Visited 06.11.22
Balker Moor S Cairn is located on an isolated moor c. 4 miles NE of Stranraer. According to Canmore ID 61699 (go to Links), this sub-circular cairn measures c. 20 yards in diameter and 2 feet high. The irregular surface of the cairn is occupied by reeds and moor grass with only one visible stony mound, measuring c. 10 feet in diameter by 2 feet high. Another proposed cairn, located c. 110 yards NNW, is listed as Canmore ID 61730. I was unable to locate any trace of the N cairn in the rough moorland.
Directions: Take the A77 Ayr road E out of Stranraer. After c. 2 miles continue past the A751 Dumfries junction for c. 0.3 mile. Take the right turn onto an unsigned single track road. Stay on this road for c. 2.5 miles, past Craigcaffie Farm, then park up in a lay-by on the right at NX 1013 6501. Walk ESE across the moor parallel to the forest margin for c. 700 yards to NX 1072 6477, avoiding the boggiest ground. Walk c. 250 yards S from here to Balker Moor N Cairn at NX 10724 64545. Balker Moor S Cairn is located at NX 10767 64445, c. 110 yards SSE of the N cairn. My route can be seen on Balker Moor Cairns. Wellies and GPS navigation are essential.
The half mile trek to this cairn was waterlogged but I was compensated for my efforts by being 150 yards from a red deer stag and hinds (slightly nerve-wracking) and finding a hidden cairn in moorland. It isn’t the biggest cairn ever, but the overall experience was ultimately worthwhile.