Balmalloch Chambered Cairn — The Modern Antiquarian

Images (11)
Fieldnotes (2)

Images

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Balmalloch Cairn viewed from N.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Balmalloch Cairn viewed from E.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Balmalloch Cairn viewed from S.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Balmalloch Cairn viewed from W.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Hollow in S Arc of Balmalloch Cairn.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Hollow in W Arc of Balmalloch Cairn.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

NW Chamber of Balmalloch Cairn viewed from S.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Split Capstone of NW Chamber of Balmalloch Cairn viewed from N.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Interior of NW Chamber of Balmalloch Cairn viewed from N.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

SE Chamber of Balmalloch Cairn viewed from ENE.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Image of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn by markj99

Interior of SE Chamber of Balmalloch Cairn viewed from WSW.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Articles

Balmalloch Chambered Cairn

Chambered Cairn

markj99 Oct 28, 2023

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.

Balmalloch Chambered Cairn

Chambered Cairn

markj99 Oct 27, 2023

Visited 25.10.23

Balmalloch Chambered Cairn is located in a pine forest clearing c. 2.5 miles NE of Barrhill, a village in South Ayrshire. The stony mound measures c. 20 yards in diameter and 2.5 yards high. Excavation pits are visible on the S and W arcs of the cairn. Two chambers have been exposed by the removal of stones: one in the SE quadrant, the other in the NW quadrant. The larger NW chamber is covered by a split capstone measuring c. 6 x 6 feet. There is no visible passage. The smaller SE chamber has a capstone measuring 4.5 x 3 feet. There may have been a passage ENE of the SE chamber.

Given its rural location, it is not surprising that Balmalloch Chambered Cairn has survived relatively well. There are details of the cairn on Canmore ID 62520.

Balmalloch Cairnfield is c. 200 yards SE of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn.

Sites within 20km of Balmalloch Chambered Cairn

Balmalloch Cairnfield

Megalithic Cemetery • 0.17km ESE

1

1
Laggan Cairn (Barrhill)

Cairn(s) • 1.87km SW

8

2
White Cairn, Barrhill

Cairn(s) • 4.94km WSW

4

1

1
White Cairn, Laggish

Cairn(s) • 6.83km SSW

3

1

1
Cairnderry

Chambered Tomb • 6.96km ESE

14

4

1
Sheuchan’s Cairn

Cairn(s) • 7.4km E

6

1

1
Arnsheen N

Cairn(s) • 7.55km SSE

11

2

1
Arnsheen S

Cairn(s) • 7.58km SSE

5

2

1
Cairnfore

Cairn(s) • 9.46km ENE

4

1

1
White Cairn, Bargrennan Burn

Cairn(s) • 9.5km E

3

1

1
Auchensoul Hill

Cairn(s) • 10km NNW

11

2
White Cairn

Chambered Cairn • 10.71km E

34

4
Dinvin

Hillfort • 10.72km WNW

5

1
Kirriemore

Cairn(s) • 11.34km ENE

5

1

1
Knockeen

Cairn(s) • 11.75km NNE

10

2
Bencallen Hill

Chambered Tomb • 12.25km NE

11

3
Pinbreck Hill

Cairn(s) • 12.42km NE

15

2

1
Miltonise North Cairn

Cairn(s) • 12.65km SW

3

1

2
Wells of the Rees

Sacred Well • 12.65km S

6

2

1
Spy Knowe

Cairn(s) • 12.78km NNW

1
Cairn Kenny

Cairn(s) • 12.84km SW

3

1

1
White Cairn, Markdhu

Cairn(s) • 12.9km SW

3

1

1
Clachaneasy Bridge Cairn

Cairn(s) • 12.95km ESE

4

1

1
Laggangarn

Standing Stones • 13.57km SSW

10

1

1
Duniewick

Hillfort • 14.73km W

16

2
Knockdolian

Cairn(s) • 15.03km WSW

6

3

1
White Cairn, High Aires

Cairn(s) • 16.92km SSE

3

1

1
The Grey Man

Natural Rock Feature • 17.05km ENE

5

2
Craigbirnoch NE

Cairn(s) • 17.25km SSW

8

1
Craigbirnoch NW

Cairn(s) • 17.26km SSW

8

1
Craigbirnoch Central NW

Cairn(s) • 17.56km SSW

13

1
Craigbirnoch Central SE

Cairn(s) • 17.58km SSW

7

1
Cairn Hill (Dalquharran)

Cairn(s) • 17.63km NNW

4

2
Laganabeastie East

Cairn(s) • 17.77km SW

4

1

1
Laganabeastie

Cairn(s) • 17.81km SW
Laganabeastie West

Cairn(s) • 17.81km SW

5

1

1
Garleffin

Standing Stones • 17.81km WSW

2

1

2
Moss Knowes

Natural Rock Feature • 17.82km ENE

10

2
Craigbirnoch S

Cairn(s) • 17.85km SSW

6

1
Craigbirnoch

Cairn(s) • 17.85km SSW
Cairn Na Gath

Chambered Cairn • 17.87km SSW

9

2
Drummanmoan Loan

Cairn(s) • 17.89km SW

10

1
Grey Hill (Shennas)

Cairn(s) • 18.08km SW

12

2
Drannandow W

Cairn(s) • 18.95km ESE

5

1

1
Blair Hill

Standing Stones • 19.02km ESE

18

2

1
Captain’s Bridge (Drummochreen) SE

Stone Fort / Dun • 19.06km N

8

2

1
Drumfern

Cairn(s) • 19.07km ESE

7
Captain’s Bridge (Drummochreen) W

Hillfort • 19.11km N

8

2

1
Drumfern

Stone Circle • 19.14km ESE

11

1
The Witching Stone

Standing Stone / Menhir • 19.18km NW

6

4
Carlock Hill

Cairn(s) • 19.18km WSW

3

1
Altigoukie Burn Cairn

Cairn(s) • 19.2km SSW

10

2
Devil’s Bowling Green

Natural Rock Feature • 19.2km E

2

1
Altigoukie Burn Burnt Mound

Burnt Mound / Fulacht Fia • 19.21km SSW

4

1
Kilfeddar Farm

Cairn(s) • 19.25km SW

12

2
Cairnwhapple Stone

Natural Rock Feature • 19.35km NE

4

1

1
Drannandow

Chambered Tomb • 19.51km ESE

25

1
East Threave

Cairn(s) • 19.55km NNW

7

2
Rorie Gill’s Cairn

Round Cairn • 19.58km ESE

7
Friar’s Kirk SE

Cairn(s) • 19.6km SW

10

2
Friar’s Kirk NW

Cairn(s) • 19.69km SW

11

2
Loch Heron

Crannog • 19.69km SSE

3

2

1
Drannandow Cairn

Cairn(s) • 19.71km ESE

5
Drumanwherran N

Cairn(s) • 19.74km SW

6

2
Barlure

Cairn(s) • 19.89km SSW

11

2

1
Drumanwherran S

Barrow / Cairn Cemetery • 19.89km SW

25

2