Craigengillan

Nearest town:
New Galloway (16km S)
OS reference:
NX62699448
OS sheet:
77
Latitude:
55° 13' 31.12 N
Longitude:
4° 9' 32.49 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Craigengillan (Cairn(s)) by markj99

Summit of Craigengillan Cairn viewed from E.

Image credit: Mark Johnstone
markj99
markj99 Sep 22, 2024

Articles

Craigengillan

markj99
markj99 Sep 22, 2024

Directions from N: Take the A713 Dalmellington turn off the A77 Bankfield Roundabout on the edge of Ayr. Head through Dalmellington to Carsphairn. After c. 22.7 miles take the B729 Moniaive turn off the A713 on the E edge of Carsphairn. Stay on the B729 for c. 5.2 miles to reach Smittons Farm. Take the left turn cul-de-sac signed for Water of Ken. Follow this single track for c. 1.8 miles to park up at the junction with Craigengillan. My walking route is viewable on Craigengillan Cairn.

Directions from S: Take the A76 Kilmarnock turn off the Cuckoo Bridge Roundabout on the A75 at Dumfries. After c. 1.8 miles take the left turn for B729 Moniaive. (There is parking for The Twelve Apostles of Hollywood c. 450 yards from the junction on the left. This large stone circle is a must see). Take the B729 for c. 13.5 miles to Moniaive. Follow the B729 through Moniaive for c. 10 miles to reach a left turn cul-de-sac for Water of Ken. Follow this single track for c. 1.8 miles to park up at the junction with Craigengillan. My walking route is viewable on Craigengillan Cairn.

Craigengillan

markj99
markj99 Sep 22, 2024

Visited 17.09.24

Craigengillan Cairn is a ruined cairn, hidden in forestry c. 4 miles ENE of Carsphairn in Dumfries and Galloway. Despite its isolated location, this cairn has been badly treated by Man. The surface of the cairn has been entirely stone-robbed. Subsequently, a sheep ree consisting of three substantial walls was constructed on the mound. The area around the cairn was ploughed prior to afforestation. Deforestation was the final indignity, leaving the cairn surrounded by an area of devastation.

According to Canmore ID 64336 the circular mound measured c. 80 feet in diameter and 10 feet high in 1911. The diameter may have been reduced by the encroachment of trees. The grassy surface of the cairn is still intact, subdivided by three surmounted walls radiating from the summit.

Stout Footwear and GPS Navigation are essential to find this cairn. The last 0.4 mile is through boggy difficult terrain in a forest. Retrace your steps carefully: I took a wrong turn and had to exit by following a burn down to the road.

Sites within 20km of Craigengillan

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