drewbhoy

After parking at the Glenkilrie Council Depot (on the A93 north of Glenkilrie House) I headed west on a very sodden track gradually going uphill. Although it wasn’t raining at the start by the time I reach the first gate it was lashing down. Still the track continues and just to the south is Glenkilrie 2, a cairn, but I headed in North West direction, uphill, to ruined farmyard buildings or sheep enclosures. Climb the fence here and skirt cross country beneath the Clach Sgorach crags. Keep heading west until a proper track appears, Glenkilrie 3 can be seen.

From here I trudged north and the rain was getting heavier and heavier. Ditches and streams had become torrents. Not being one to give up I ploughed on. You reach near the top of the Sgorach and the path/stream veers around another crag, Creag An Lair. Follow this past a fallen gate until a supposed junction is reached. This is only spotted because of the greenery. However keep looking west after the gate as the hut circles can be spotted. Slightly to west of the huts is the circle.

Only two stones remain standing along with some boulder kerbs. The atmosphere at this place is almost overpowering but in a friendly way (I thought) despite the monsoon, imposing crags to the east, south is Bleaton Hill, north is the Cnoc Feanndaige and west is the truly spectacular Cnoc an Daimh. Clearly the builders knew what they were doing, unfortunately I chose a brutal day on which to visit.

The nearby hut circles are well worth a look. With that it was back to retrace my steps, I thought, via the 2 cairns. After getting back to Sgorach I proceeded downhill only to slip and topple straight into a recently created wee loch. Still I visited the two cairns before heading back to the car in a very sorry state. Changed into some dry stuff and headed to Kirkmichael for some late lunch and heat (much needed).

Visited 1/8/2013.

I thought I’d visit this cairn then go cross country to Doonies cairn to the north after asking permission to park at Alrick House. Wrong, I was promptly told to take myself and the car somewhere else. To be fair the owner explained that the area had been plagued with robberies and break ins. However the visitor was drenched and bedraggled, obviously his angelic face didn’t work this time.

So up to Doonies then back along the road from which I’d arrived via Brewlands heading west. I parked after the first wood. From here jump the fence and head towards the trees to the north east on the skyline via a bog, by this time it didn’t matter so I plodded on.

Once at the trees head north, past a couple of hut circles. The cairn, or possible stone circle, is 9 meters wide and has had a houking as the cairn has been robbed. Some kerbs remain in their original position.

Visite 25/7/2013.

Several hut circles in various conditions are situated on the side of the hill near the cairn. A lot going on this hill with details on how to get here on the cairn page.

Visited 25/7/2013.

Doonies is a lovely kerb cairn set in the far west of Angus. With the B951 being closed at Lair the only way here is to take the minor road east at Blacklunans and keep going until it’s end at Brewlands. From here head north and move onto the B951. Go past Doonies and park at the first wood north of the farm.

From the wood I walked back down the road until the gate on the western side of the road. Basically head straight up the hill past many rocks to the upper level. Jump the fence and head south west, the cairn should be visible over a small valley. Somehow the rain had stopped, not for long, so I was able to view this site without another drenching.

The cairn itself is about 10 meters wide and 1 meter high. Several kerbs remain in their original places. Some field clearence has been dumped on the top. It is a very lovely place, well worth a look.

Visited 25/7/2013.

This site is gradually vanishing thanks to a rubbish dump getting larger and larger. A massive pile of rotten sticks lies nearby, more disturbingly the west stone is slowly being eaten up by a levelling process. Very sad as this site has some spectacular views up and down the valley, even on a day like today.

I went to the farmhouse to ask for an explanation but unfortunately nobody was at home. So I phoned those who need to know e.g. Historic Scotland. Hopefully they will explain how to look after the site to the owner.

Visited 25/7/2013.

I parked just up the road from the stone at the very interesting Eco camping farm/shop and was also greeted by a couple of llamas.

The stone has good views up and down the valley.

Visited 25/7/2013.