drewbhoy

A very early rise saw a very pleasant walk heading west from Nedd, through the village of Drumbeg until I cross the Oldany River. Immediately after the bridge there is a track that heads north.

At the tracks end is one of the numerous sea lochs that make up the coast line. I have never seen water so calm. Photo shy seals and otters keep a close eye on my comings and goings.

Rubha Creag Iomhair is a very small dun, 8m by 5m which possibly can be reached when the tide is out. Unluckily for me it was in though the local residents didn’t seem to mind. Most of the stone work was removed to build a nearby lodge, and some of the nearby walls. My first thought was the duns in North Uist, very similar. Some stone work does remain and a possible place to leave an Iron Age boat appears to be on the north side of the site.

Not much left, but on a day like this, a truly beautiful place.

Visited 15/10/2020.

After the tiring experience at Rubha Gisgil we headed north for the final site of the day at Cnoc An Daimh near the village of Scourie.

Unlike a lot the chamber cairns in the area, An Daimh has a lot going for it. There are remains of the internal cairn as well as a decent pile of stones. Remarkable really considering the closeness of the site to the road and a village. Rubha to the south is a nightmare to get to and has almost been completely robbed, so so we should consider ourselves lucky that this site remains as it is.

We probably parked in the same spot as Mr G and were confronted with the same problem, a lack of time with night and darkness approaching. The October nights come in fast so we headed south to confront the B869 on the way back to Nedd.

Visited 14/10/2020.

Canmore says that this site is well ruined, I can confirm that it is well ruined. It is also a complete nightnare to find.

I parked at Geisgeil farmstead and walked back south on the A894 looking for a place to get through the trees and bushes. Be careful clambering through here as I narrowly avoided jumping straight into bog. Once on the other side of the trees you’ll be confronted by a deer fence.

Basically I headed south west from the farmstead, climbing several small hills before I reached the site. Not much is left of the internal cairn, just a small pile of stones. The rest have long gone, however the kerb Canmore mentions is still there. I also believe several other kerbs also remain place.

Still, what makes it all worthwhile is the view Badcall Bay, Loch Obain, and the various mountains make it a stunning location for this prehistoric site.

What wasn’t stunning was my route back to the road. Looking due east I spied a gap in the trees. My route involved trudging across a decently dried bog, the south of a wee hill with many fallen rocks, jumping a stream to reach the deer fence. Climbing the deer fence I walked towards the road finding a piece of the bog that wasn’t so dry before heading north back to Geisgeil.

The site might not be much to look at, the scenery certainly is!

Visited 14/10/2020

Like Mr G I thought this a rather nice cairn, well placed if somewhat hidden by a wee rocky hill but with magnificent views except due west. The A894 hides views of the broch.

However the broch does provide an opportunity to park away from the road to the west of the A894. I headed back east jumped the gate opposite, followed a fence south then headed east straight to the top of the rocky hill. Immediately below this hill sits the cairn.

Sitting at over 15m wide and almost 1.7m high it remains undisturbed (according to (Canmore) despite being much robbed, the nearby road has probably made it safer from harm and further modern day robbing. My old friend (from my younger days) the Quinag overseas what I and everything else does.

Back up the hill then over the road to broch.

Visited 14/10/2020.

The road to Loch Ardbhair Broch is to east of Nedd, our base or a twisty road from the A894 heading west. You can see the site from way above on the west side of the T junction. Spying a ‘no unauthorised vehicle’ sign we parked on the sharp corner, but well away from the road, to the west of this road. So a longish but lovely walk in the October sun down the Ardvar road until a wall and what looks like a turning area. Look below and west, walk down thru the field to the shore, the broch will be in front.

It looks if you can get to broch but any causeway has been bashed around and I saw no real trace of anything that looked like a 100m in length. A wall that leads to site has a gap for the Allt Na Claise burn to head to the sea. Sadly for me, my escapades at Achiltibuie rendered the wellingtons unavailable for the day. Try as I might I could see no way over.

There seems to be a lot of confusion over what this site is – a broch, dun or Atlantic Roundhouse. It is very similar to nearby site at Kylestrome. The walls seem to be almost 4m wide with the internal site being close to 7m. There is a lot of fallen stonework but what remains seems well built to me. Pity I couldn’t get across, there’s always the next time.

One thing beyond debate is the stunning location, well worth a visit, with proper footwear a step onto the rocky islet is well possible.

Superb!

Visited 14/10/2020.

After the visit to the broch at Polglass I made my way back up to road and headed north to the weird No.26, which is a gate to nowhere and a weird picnic table sitting oddly near an honesty box. To the east of this there is a ruined homestead, make for that them head south towards a gate and a track. This track heads east and means you avoid the bog if the fence had been jumped near the ruined house.

On the top the small climb is is a very impressive boulder kerbed cairn. Almost more impressive was the sun setting behind the Summer Isles, a truly stunning, magical site. Silohouetted in the distance, Lewis, Raasay and Skye.

Being almost 14m wide and almost 0.5m high the site has had almost all of its stones removed except for the impressive kerb. Once again the local greenkeepers have done a tremendous job keeping the grass short.

Once allowed back out after ‘lockdown, being shielded and all of that stuff’ I’d had no mishaps during the summer and no mishaps until this the end of the third day in Assynt. Wanting a better view of the sunset, Summer Isles and cairn I walked several steps backwards, without looking, and plummeted almost waist deep into a cunningly placed bog.

Several stops made to wring out socks and empty wellingtons (put on just in case of stream to jump) I made a smelly return to car and A & B who thought the mishap hilarious.

Still a wonderful, wonderful site, the sunset something I’ll never forget.

Visited 13/10/2020.

As Thelonious says, find the signpost and you’ll find the broch situated on the banks of the Horse Sound. I’d parked at the north end of Achiltibuie to walk down the minor road to revisit a few places last visited and worked at many years ago. Nothing much has changed and probably nothing will.

I often wonder if a full scale excavation clearing out rubble, turf, various rubbish, would reveal much more here. Tantalising glimpses of well built still remain and as can be seen by turf covering the broch walls there is still a considerable amount of the site left. The nearby houses and walls, ruins themselves, have been built out of broch stone.

A bit of a what if site, but you never know what’s underneath.

Visited 13/10/2020

At first glance from the roadside you’d think this was a cliff fort or a dun, it’s position is ideal for a such a site except that it is a cairn. A cairn made up of pebbles.

I’ve seen pictures of cairns from Rhum (also indicated in Canmore) that look similar, the Tower of Johnson / Cairn Shiels near Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire are also reasonably similar, indications of raised beaches.

From Achanhaird we headed west, then north west stopping at the Blairbuie junction, look west the site is below.

Steep slopes are in north and south, the south has a small stream running. The cairn itself is 11m wide and 1m tall, it has received the usual houking treatment which may or may not reveal what I thought to be the remains of a cist. Erosion one day will also be a problem here as the west side of the promontory has been washed away waiting for the cairn to topple in. However it will be here for quite a lot of years yet.

Beautiful views west, beautiful site.

Visited 13/10/2020.

Here in Aberdeenshire we’re very lucky to have the ever changing dunes at Forvie Sands near Newburgh were the River Ythan meets the north sea. The sands move, kerb cairns, hut circles, a possible stone circle and sites of medieval interest appear. Over time I’d think many more might well appear. Achnahaird Sands could well be a similar place.

Buildings have been uncovered, enclosures found, walls and pieces of pottery from various ages including prehistoric finds. Also from prehistory a small burial cairn.

This burial cairn has stunning views to the east, the famous four mountains. Other views are hidden by dunes, hopefully one day we’ll discover what is underneath.

The small cairn is 4m wide and 1m high with a hint of a kerb and luckily, for us, hasn’t seen the sea for quite a long a time. Not many people, if any, come here. Animals do visit as evidenced by their excavations on the site.

From the dun walk south, jump a few burns, cross a few boggy bits and look for a clearing with a mound with short grass. This leads straight to cairn.

Tremendous scenery and yet another tremendous site!

Visited 13/10/2020.

After climbing back down from Strath Polly we headed south to the end of the road at Badnagyte. Head west amongst stunning scenery, Loch Osgaig glowing in the sun, until the layby with loads of signposts and info. Follow the road, north west, to Auchnahaird, then take the first minor road heading east. There is a parking place at the end of this road.

Achnahaird Sands regularly features in ‘Best Beaches’ and attracts a lot of visitors. There is a track that leads from the parking place that skirts past the dun. Thankfully not to many people are aware of what they walk past.

A small promontory indicates the dun and this might have been slightly longer but has been damaged by erosion. Very close to the path there is the outer rampart/wall indicated by large stones curving round at 7m in length. Another wall can be seen closer to the internal dun which is also surrounded by a wall. It is a small site being 5m square. A possible entrance was probably on the north west. If you clamber onto beach you can see more stonework on the north side.

Amazing what you can see beside a path.

Visited 13/10/2020.

Strath Polly Dun had been high on the list for a long time so a chance to visit duly arrived with us based in Nedd near Drumbeg to the north. From Lochinver follow the main road, A837, until just before the harbour, take the wonderful minor road heading south signposted Achiltibuie. Technically heading south, in reality it heads every direction but does eventually head south.

Just before the fish farm on the River Polly, east, there is a large area in which there is plenty room to park. Keep an eye to the south and look for a gate. Jump this gate, cross the small boggy area and aim for the ridge in front, then climb the reasonably gentle slope. The dun is wonderfully situated, stunning views with all of the famous nearby mountains visible. Weather as we all know plays an important part in these areas and we got lucky, seven days dry and on a couple of days summer weather. This day was one of the hot days.

At 13m by 9m it isn’t a very large site but plenty of wall remains, evidence suggests that the dun was rebuilt. Certainly the nearby sheep enclosure was built using stones previously located within the sites walls. The front door is in the west which was our approach.

Truly stunning site, the River Polly below, mountains with Polly/Enard Bay to the west.

Visited 13/10/2020.

Once finished at Clachtoll’s Broch head south on the coastal path, walk round the Bay of Clachtoll’s beach and climb up the grass bank on the other side. Whilst doing all of this keep your eye on the promontory and it’s amazing shape. The Split Rock is also home to a dun, it is a truly stunning scene.

To reach the site basically keep on the grass and head west looking for the highest point. Don’t go any further than the highest point as a 20m drop into the sea awaits. This part of the dun measures 14m by 7m and has some vitrified rock, to reach it long legs would be needed to climb the natural stairway of the small cliff on the east side.

To me, it also looks like the lower and east side has also been used at some point. Whatever it was used for nobody appears to know but surely came in handy as an extra line of defence.

Pottery finds at the dun are of a similar age to those found at the nearby broch. Presumably both were occupied at the same time.

With that it was back to the car this time using a track to get back to main road for an easy walk back north.

Truly stunning site!

Visited 12/10/2020.

From Loch Na Claise we took the minor road via Balchladich back to the B869 and headed to the south of the small village of Stoer to park at the graveyard.

The stunning broch at Clachtoll is short walk over the field to west then head south following the path along the beach.

A truly stunning entrance with various doors and lintels. It seems unbelievable that that someone stole a lintel. However guard cells, various chambers, stairways are all still there in amongst the often 4m wide walls. These walls are best preserved in the north, east and west. The south is largely fallen but retains it shape.

Best to look at the Canmore notes in the links section for a better description than what I can give. Being a time served stone mason myself I can only admire the magnificent work of the Iron Age dry stane dykers. The Assynt Project and its partners deserve massive credit for looking after this site. A remarkable achievement.

Good to see the broch getting plenty of visitors in these troubled times. Fresh air can be a very good thing.

Visited 12/10/2020

After a visit to the fantastic Stoer Lighthouse we headed south east, then took the second road heading straight south towards Clashmore and Loch Na Claise. Plenty of room to park at the roads end.

I headed south west on a track leading towards a cottage, just before the end of the track there is a gate heading east, take that and keep going east thru another gate. The crannog will be straight in front.

Claise means gorge or ravine, but this loch seems pretty gentle to me. The crannog is 8m wide and has a causeway connecting it to the shore. Discoveries on the crannog were dated at 180BC.

Great wee site, worth heading east from the end of the road onto the slopes of Clashmore to get a view from above the loch.

Beautiful place.

Visited 12/10/2020.

From the Clashnessie Dun we headed back to the B869 and headed further west until the hall at Reinchait. Signposts indicate the Stoer Lighthouse, follow this road north avoiding the roads heading west until the first road heading north, go to its end. We were given permission to park just beyond the roads end.

Go into the field immediately east and follow the wall north until a pallet gate, open this and keep going north until the wall ends. Perfect underfoot conditions as the local greenkeepers have done a fine job. Keep heading further north and the dun’s outer defence will come into view.

The drizzle had gone but the wind was still strong as I ventured over the wall. An outer rampart over 2m wide with a remaining wall protects the dun and its rock bridge with an entrance on the south side. Further defence can be seen on the north and south sides of the internal dun. Steep cliff all round the stack add to the complex defences of the 20m by 6m site.

I thought this a tremendous site, lots to see on the sea and weather bashed promontory. Returning to the car it was easy to imagine the wind being part of the defence set up. However weather in these parts can change very quickly, by the time we arrived back at the car the temperature had risen to 16, the clouds had all but gone and winds had relented to the gentlest of breezes.

Another great site.

Visited 12/10/2020

Clashnessie Dun sits on a rocky outcrop to the north of the wee village of Clashnessie. Take the minor road that heads north, from the B869, and keep going until its end. From here take the track going north and then head east from the steading to the small hill. The dun is hidden by this hill.

There are hints of a causeway that join up with the promontory’s south west. Getting up from there isn’t easy but having long legs helps. Traces of wall can be seen on the east side, and going by the remnants it appears to stretch round the edges. The dun is approximately 13m square with cliffs on three sides.

Great place to start proceedings, heavy winds, drizzle would quickly vanish.

Visited 12/10/2020.

On getting back to Scruschloch I was relieved to find out there was a road that headed near to the cairn at Wester Peathaugh as the heat and miles had made the legs heavy.

Opposite the buildings at Wester Peathaugh there is plenty of room to pull in. Only a few half interested cows observed as I climbed up to the cairn.

The cairn, which is fantastically located, is 12m wide but has been badly robbed. However the kerb remains reasonably in place.

On the way up to the site you will pass the grave of Richard John Alban Long inscribed with -

‘Forvever in our thoughts, at rest in the hills he loved‘

He would be happy with the way the present habitants are looking after the countryside, I was also happy, if very tired, every person I’d met on todays hike had been kind and informative. Since I was heading north I followed the track to it’s conclusion near the Kirkton of Glenisla, which will be the start of the next hike in this area.

Visited 8/08/2020

Nick Brand’s directions on how to get to Scrushloch are spot on except that the tarred road is now a bit tired.

When Nick visited 17 years the area was clear, now the trees have grown but the clearing remains. I was given directions to the circle by the residents at Scrushloch and luckily met one of their neighbours who led me to the site. Only a small burn to jump and site is reached. My guide told me that he often came to the Four Poster and wondered what the Picts got up to. He was somewhat surprised when I informed him that the site was probably 1,500 years older than these previous locals.

Three stones remain upright whilst the fourth is taking a nap. It sits at 3m square.

A beautiful, beautiful site. Should have brought a lawn mower :-)

Visited 8/08/2020.

This whole area is covered in prehistoric sites and Brankam Hill has its quota of sites, barrows, hut circles, kerb cairns and something I haven’t come across before a double Four Poster.

Sitting on the east side of the hill the two small circles, similar to Strone, are only 3m apart. The north setting is just over 1.5m square and the south setting, 1m square.

Not the the most impressive site, but certainly one of the most fascinating.

Plans being made to go back and have a good look at the hill with a guide from the area.

Visited 8/08/2020.

Heading west from the Welton Cairn I headed straight down the hill, fairly steep, looking back if I’d headed slightly north then west it would have much easier. In the saddle of between the Brankam and Welton Hills there is an impressive hut circle.

The site is almost 19m wide and has walls almost 2m wide with the front door located in the south east arc Much remains of the inner wall, however the outer wall has been severely robbed probably to construct later enclosures.

Visited 8/08/2020.

After a good look at The Carrach I headed south west on good underfoot conditions to another cairn with a load of field clearance plonked on top. Also standing guard was a very friendly cow who had a friend lying down in the hot sunshine, obviously his shift on watch had just finished.

Fantastic views south, and to numerous sites Lintrathen, Foldend, Strone Hill, Welton, Mile Hill etc etc, this area has a fantastic amount of prehistory.

The badly damaged cairn is best identified by its footprint and the kerbs that remain. Its taking a bit of a beating, perhaps underneath the rubble might be ok, it does make me wonder where all of these decent sized stones came from and what they might have been used.

Still the views are tremendous and Lintrathen’s water sparkled in the sunshine.

Visited 8/08/2020.

The next stop on this scorcher of a day was to ask permission to park at Kinclune House, which is further along the B951 a couple of miles west of Kingoldrum. Once again I was given information on prehistoric sites , this time about Kinclune Hill which I’ve noted for a later visit.

From the house I went back down the road, west, a short distance before jumping over the wee Kinclune Burn to head uphill, over a couple fences. The climb is short but steep as I almost headed straight north. After the steepish climb the countryside is more ‘rolling’. Look for the trees to the east and follow them. The site will be easily spotted as it has had a load of field clearance dumped on top.

The cairn’s footprint makes it about 11m wide with several kerbs still place, especially on the west side, to the east more of the cairn can be seen. Somewhat ironically, Kinclune Hill can be seen to the east, but my feet would head west.

Tremendous views.

Visited 8/08/2020.

Several boulders make up this monument which, to me, is a Four Poster stone circle with some boulders lying beside it. The site appears to be built on top of small mound which is about 4m wide.

From Balstard Stone Circle head towards the trees, slightly to the south and follow them heading north east. This should lead to the site.

Another impressive almost long forgotten site.

Visited 8/08/2020.

Culhawk barrow is on the the south west side of the hill and from there I made my way over the hill of the same name heading east whilst being baked by the sun. Stunning all round views from here make you realise how flat, apart from the obvious hills, the area to the south is. Culhawk is the south east edge to the Highlands and one of the gateways to the mountains. Roads heading north west tend to lead to the A93 as it winds its way through Glenshee to Braemar. Keep following the track over he hill, jump the gate and the remaining standing stone will soon be in view.

This relatively unknown circle has 5 stones that can be seen, I think there is one hidden beneath the turf on the south side. 4 are resting and one still stands, looking like it’s protecting its friends. The site is 10m wide sitting between the Culhawk and Castle Hills.

Another superb site.

Visited 8/08/2020.

At Kirriemuir take the B951 and head north west until the first minor road heading east, take this then take the the first farm track heading north which leads to Culhawk Farm. I was allowed permission to park by two well informed gentlemen who knew about numerous prehistoric sites in the area. This would prove to be a great day for meeting interesting people.

On the hottest day of the year, for me, I headed up the south west flank of CulHawk Hill being sheltered by some well placed trees. The grid ref on Canmore is ‘iffy’ and its locator ‘iffier’, the grid I’ve given is hopefully more accurate. The barrow is on the west side of the track with clear views west to the cairn on Kirkton Hill near Kingoldrum.

With beautiful scenery all round the turf covered site sits at 16m wide and 1.5m tall. The east side has been clipped by the track and the usual houking has taken place but despite the damage I thought this a superb site.

Great way to start the day.

Visited 8/08/2020.

The furthest east of the two cairns is probably slightly better preserved, it is also was the place of execution were a few witches met an untimely end.

Big kerbs remain in place especially on the south, towards the north the kerb is more spaced out, most likely robbed. Field clearance has been dumped in the middle.

A great way, to end a very early start and late finishing day. The legs had gone so I made my way back to the car and headed home via the misty Cairn O Mount.

Visited 25/07/2020.

The final stop of the long short cut home saw me land at the Gallow’s Hill near Cortachy. From Cortachy I headed east but missed the road at Cossacks, taking the road north just before Memus. At Dykend I took the road heading west, complete with the sign I always ignore ‘if sat nav took you here you must be in the wrong place’. Just before a steep corner heaping uphill, there is a road heading south (the road on the OS). I parked at a long abandoned quarry.

From the quarry head uphill then head east passing some lonely looking trees. There are tremendous views looking over the Angus countryside.

Easy to see why some would have called them stone circles. Several kerbs remain in place joined by boulders that are probably field clearance. Most of the stones have been removed probably crushed to make nearby roads. However, the site remains at 11m wide and has nearby company.

Visited 25/07/2020.

Continuing the longest possible short cut home I headed to Ascreavie Hill, this time approaching from the North. After leaving Torrax I headed north crossed the B951 and continued north passing the cairn at Wester Coul. An interesting road this, tremendous views, twisty and dangerous at the same time. It almost takes you to Balintore castle in one of the sharpest corners I’ve seen in a long time. Eventually I found what I was looking for, the path near Turniemuick which headed up Ascreavie Hill.

My original intention was to follow the path to the top then head west. However I gave up on that idea as it isn’t a path, it’s a nightmare so jumped the fence and headed south west. On reaching the top, as normal, there is a decent track, follow that west until the end of the small wood then head south. The last time I’d tried to climb up, after visiting the Balloch Cairn, blizzards and gale force winds drove me back down. This time, a beautiful summer’s day.

Sadly there isn’t much to see of the 11m wide cairn, it has been severely damaged. However several kerbs remain in place. Small cairns to the west have also received similar treatment. One thing that can’t really be removed is the view, The Crandard to the north, Clune Hill to the south.

Worth the hike, best approached from the south.

Visited 25/07/2020.

Walking up from the cairn on the south side of Torrax Hill you wander through numerous field clearance and possible hut circles. Underfoot conditions are good as the sheep have done a good job and luckily (for me) its bone dry. Get to the bottom of the north side, jump a wee burn and the cairn will be straight in front.

This place hardly, as far as the lady at Torrax Farm knows, gets any visitors, quite a few probably well aware of the Melgam Burn that provides quite an obstacle to the north.

Superb all round views including an old friend Cairn Plew to the north east. (there is a camera lying round about, left many years ago) This site is 13m in width and up to 1m high. The east side has been breached or trenched but not entirely removed to reveal slabs which are the remnants of a cist. It must have been an impressive size.

Lovely place, lovely views.

Visited 25/07/2020.

The next stop on the most non direct route home was at Torrax. From the west, leave the B954 at Formal and head west, take the first road north which clings to the banks of Lintrathen Loch, at Kinloch Cottage head west. I asked permission to park at the first 90 degree corner, next to Torrax Wood.

Follow the trees until into the clear, then look north east where a standing stone will be seen. This stone stands at 1m tall on the south side of the site, some of its relations might be in the piles of stones near the gates. Stones can still be seen sticking through the turf in a cairn that is 10m wide and almost 1m high.

To the next site it is up and over Torrax Hill.

Visited 25/07/2020.

Fir Hillock is situated on the western outskirts of Blairgowrie, just to the south of the A923. I parked on Dunkeld Road, headed back west, then south into a field called West Park. Look for the clump of trees, the cairn is housed within.

Like a lot of cairns or barrows aside from the original use it has been used for other purposes, in this case a place of execution most likely hangings. The turf covered cairn still survives at 13.5m wide and is 1m tll. The hollowed out centre, I suspect, might be blamed on more than just the usual suspects.

Walk south west and you’ll reach the famous Lees of Marlee with B947 going through it. (Where I live the A947 is popular)

A nice site.

Visited 25/07/2020.

From the Gormack Muir cairn keep heading west, a track of various standards appears, vanishes and re-appears but always head west until a mound after a clump of trees. The top of the mound houses the Four Poster stone circle. The previous week I’d seen this place from the north, but was beaten by steep descents and a badly swollen Lornty Burn. This week no mistake.

Easily spotted the mound or rise would have been an obvious place to build such a monument. Two stones remain upright, being no taller than 0.5m tall, whilst the other two are having a rest. The winter photograph in the link shows the site clear of heather which gives a better indication of the 2 to 3m gap between each stone.

After 2 and a half days of hunting sites in this area it was a lovely conclusion. However the day wasn’t finished, more to see.

Visited 25/07/2020.

This would a lovely cairn if wasn’t for the gorse growing on it. It is best viewed from the western side where the vegetation is much less and a good idea of size can be seen.

Head north west from the cup and ring marked rock picking your way through clumps of vegetation, keep to the more grassy sections and you’ll find yourself slightly to west of the grass covered cairn. Some kerbs do remain in place (so I disagree with Canmore) but, as usual, the centre has been houked. It sits at nearly 9m wide and at its tallest is almost 1m high.

Still I liked this site, completely at peace and totally silent. Lovely place for a cup of coffee.

Visited 25/07/2020.

After failing to find a way to cross the Lornty Burn the previous week I took the much easier option of turning left (west) just before the aptly named Bridge of Drummady at West Gormack.

Follow the track west until it reaches its end then over the gate and follow a track of sorts. This is ankle breaking terrain so decent boots, possibly poles would come in handy as well. Keep going past the single tree until some low lying bushes/trees etc. Head south then west and keep an eye to the north as the cup and ring marked rock has its own wee hidey hole.

There are nine cup marks, four of these have rings on a boulder 1.6m by 1.4m.

A great start to what prove to be a lovely day.

Visited 25/07/2020

My photo doesn’t do this stone any justice but I can confirm there are up to at least 30 cup marks on this massive boulder. There are probably more as Canmore mentions 40 of these markings. The boulder is almost 2.5m long and 1.2m high. It is surrounded in hut circles and has the three nearby cairns keeping it company.

From Pitcarmick 3 I headed south onto flatter ground where the boulder is easily spotted.

Now the nearby standing stones mentioned by BigSweetie or the stone setting by Canmore must be difficult to locate as I looked and looked with no success. So giving up I headed back to first of the Pitcarmick Cairns.

This time the Pitcarmick Burn provided a nasty surprise as the southern bank I stood on, looking for a place to jump, gave way and ended up with me on my knees in the water. A squelchy walk back to the first cairn and long walk back east to the car parked at Pitcarmick Mill.

Still, a fantastic day amongst fantastic scenery.

Visited 18/07/2020.

Between Pitcarmicks 2 and 3 there is a small saddle to be crossed before climbing up the small hill to the west. Like its neighbours it is superbly situated with the same glorious all round views.

This cairn is slightly smaller than its neighbour, to the east, being 6m wide and 0.5m tall. The cist remains in place but is gradually being overgrown with heather. A possible capstone also rests to the west of the cairn.

With the legs rapidly tiring, time for a final site for this days hike.

Visited 18/07/2020.

Heading south west and over the Pitcarmick Burn via a small bog from Pitcarmick 1 there a two reasonably well preserved kerb cairns with cists.

This cairn has at least 10 kerbs still in place, possibly 12, with it’s cist also where it should be. A possible capstone can be seen on the north west flank on the way up the small hill. It is almost 7m wide and almost 1m high.

Like its neighbours superb all round views.

Visited 18/07/2020.

From the A924 at Balnabroich, home to a pair of standing stones and a standing stone further along the road I headed south, through the farm, over the ford crossing the River Ardle and parked at Pitcarmick Mill. The Cateran Trail meets the track here.

Follow the track up hill and keep following it as it winds it way, west, through the stunning countryside. The track, bone dry, also does wonders for your ankles however it does mean that it’s nearly impossible to get lost.

Stunning views of Creag-Na-h-Iolaire provide the backdrop to this cairn, on its other side 2 cairns. It certainly makes the arduous walk worthwhile.

It is near the Pitcarmick Burn, more on that later, and over that you must go to reach the other sites. However this site is over 9m wide and 1m high. Some houking has occurred to the centre. As can be seen in the photos there are some impressive kerbs especially on the southern arc.

A beautiful site.

Visited 18/07/2020.

As the crow flies, hopefully in a straight line, this would a very easy walk. It is anything but. From Middleton 5 I headed south west into a valley over a dried marsh, up the hill to walk between the Middleton cairns 3 & 4 plus numerous hut circles. Up to this point the terrain has been mostly turf or burnt heather. Heading further west there are more valleys and this time proper springy heather, just to add interest a steep slope leads to burn which appears to have a dam, up the other side and hopefully the ring cairn will jump out.

Unfortunately it is completely covered in heather and turf. As usual in these cases I found the site by tripping over a stone in the outer edge, at least the heather gave a soft landing.

Apart from a couple photos of stones it was difficult to describe, going by the Canmore link (see links), its impressive but small. Standing further back there is no difference in the height of the heather, strangely nearby hut circles can clearly be seen.

My next objective was to get to the Gormack Four Poster, however my plans were thwarted by steep banks and the Lornty Burn, a raging torrent thanks to rain near Benachally the previous night.

Visited 18/07/2020

One week later and I’m back at Middleton House asking permission to park which was kindly given.

This time I was going to to try and find the two cairns I’d given up on the week before.

This time, heading north from Middleton, I followed the Cateran Trail for a short distance, uphill, until a crossroads, head west (you’ll pass a small quarry) then take the second track heading north west overlooking Loch Glasclune. Once over the Glasclune Burn keep heading north west, again more valleys and dried marshes to negotiate. However like the previous week it was surprisingly dry, 5 miles north had seen torrential rain the night before.

The cairn has a decent kerb surrounding it being 10m wide and in parts 1m high. A lot of houking has happened on the north side but it still looks in fairly condition despite that. This must have been popular place during during prehistoric times, the whole area must have been, there are hut circles everywhere.

Time to go west.

Visited 18/07/2020.

There are several hut circles in a field heading towards Loch Benachally which are found by heading over the hill from the Sherriffmuir Cairn staying on the tarred road until the 2nd gate leading to field on the north, keep going north west.

The first of the hut circles is the best preserved being over 8m wide and has 3m wide walls with the front door to the south.

My main target was the cairn at Loch Benachally NO 0779 5017, I looked everywhere but couldn’t find it, probably well hidden beneath turf and heather. Several nearby cup marked rocks I did find but photos were very poor. However I might well be back if looking for the cairns at Baden Burn.

Stunning scenery Loch Benachally and the hill of the same name I’d last climbed at least 35 years previous.

3 months of being sheltered and in complete lockdown had taken its toll, I was almost dead on my legs and a long way from where I had parked at Middleton House. The walk back via Sherriffmuir, Ranageig, Middleton Muir, Carnashach was tortuous to say the least with different terrains knocking the living daylights out of ankles and knees. However I made it back eventually basically shuffling back to the car.

Still the comeback had started and a lot of miles had gone into the legs. It wouldn’t be so sore the following week.

Visited 11/07/2020

After the Ranageig cairns I head towards the ruins of the Ranageig ferm toun which has a cottage rapidly joining the ruinous state. At this point, still heading west the track suddenly becomes a tarred road. Keep to the tarred road using the bridge to cross the Baden Burn.

From here the road is dead straight and uphill. The cairn is slightly to the north of the road near a lot of well built dry stane dykes.

Five huge kerbs indicate the cairn and provide a welcome seat for this visitor. Other kerbs are underneath the turf of this 8 meter wide and 0.8m tall site. The centre has been houked showing signs of previous visitors.

Benachally can’t be seen, but the views south are stunning giving encouragement to head further.

Visited 11/07/2020

Ranageig 2 is slightly higher than its near neighbour and has the the same views, the Lomonds (in Fife) to the south and Benachally, to the north, getting ever closer.

This cairn is also over 18m wide and is also almost 1m high. Not so much cairn material can be seen due to a covering of turf. Underneath this turf most of the kerbs remain in place. Also in place is the cist.

Another good site in an impressive area.

Visited 11/07/2020

After all of my wanderings about I came across a track at Middleton’s 3 and 4 which headed North West leading straight to the two cairns at Ranageig.

A very good cairn measuring some 18m wide and 1m high, it has most of its kerbs still in place. The cist also remains, with the four side walls, in place with its capstone still in the cairn but shoved aside, at ground level there is a stone floor. Sadly the north side of the cairn has been clipped by the track. A lot of original cairn stones remain in place also, adding to the impressiveness of the site.

From the Middletons, the Ranageigs are slightly higher leading to even better views especially to the south.

Visited 11/07/2020.

The fourth cairn I visited on Middleton Muir is a short and simple walk west thru burnt heather passing quite a few well preserved hut circles.

Some kerbs remain in place in what have been sizable cairn which still sits at 11m wide and 0.5m tall. It has the same beautiful scenery as its near neighbour.

Benachally gets closer.

Visited 11/07/2020

From Middleton 2 it might be 0.5 miles in a straight line heading North West, however there a couple of valleys, marshes and small streams to negotiate before arriving at the well placed site. After heavy rain or during heavy snow this would be a nightmare, luckily for me the very dry weather had dried everything so underfoot conditions were reasonable.

After climbing up and down you eventually reach the cairn which is close to several hut circles and another cairn.

What appears to be a small walkers cairn actually has a stone set on edge, possibly the remnants of a cist. It has several kerbs still in position which surround the 9m wide site / almost 1m high. Tremendous views south especially of the Lomonds in Fife and Benachally to the north.

A nice site.

Visited 11/07/2020

Middleton 2 is only a short distance from its near neighbour being much harder to spot.

It is close to 13m wide and in parts 0.4m tall, a lot of it has been flattened entirely. Once again a lot kerbs are to be found, once again 32 but I counted 20, almost all of them are covered in turf and heather. Most are in the south west arc.

Visited 11/07/2020.

After a good look round Carnashach Wood I headed west staying south of the dry stane dyke on mostly dry land, wooded areas, jumping a couple of fences before reaching the heather of the Middleton Muir. Follow a fence as it heads north west, this almost leads to two cairns.

It must have been a large cairn at some point but after being well robbed it is now about 11m wide and 0.6m tall. Many kerbs remain in place, many turf covered, I counted 17 just about visible out of a 32 still in place.

Good views south including the Lomonds in Fife.

Visited 11/07/2020.

The first major hike after the easing of the lockdown for us sheltered types in Scotland found me in Perthshire getting permission to park at Middleton Farm.

Walk through the farmyard and onto the Cateran Trail, at the first corner there is a gate which goes onto a long disused track. Follow this until the trees at the top of the hill are reached then head west. The stone is sheltered by a large tree.

The large slab has 12 cup marks, the biggest of which are 6cm wide by 1.5cm deep.

Visited 11/07/2020

The Pitscurry Cairn is situated on top of the hill overlooking the Glenlogie and Pitscurry farms. The Pitscurry farm is now uninhabited.

I parked near the Damhead Quarry and walked north west on the track towards Glenlogie Farm, this follows the old railway line. Just before the farm I headed uphill following the dry stane dykes at the edge of the fields. Once over the dyke you make your way through trees and head high ferns until a clearing, of sorts, is reached. At least you can see north.

The cairn does remain in place. It is 6m wide and 0.5m high. There also appears to be a couple of kerbs on the east side. In amongst the ferns cairn material can be seen on top the site. Great views of Bennachie, in particular Mither Tap can be glimpsed between the trees to the south.

Great site for a cairn, winter time visit required.

Visited 4/07/2020.