markj99

Visited 03.06.25

Cairnholy 15 Carved Panel is located c. 6 feet SE of Cairnholy 13 Carved Panel on a rocky knoll c. 0.5 miles NNW of Cairnholy Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. The panel measures c. 2 feet ENE-WSW and 2.5 feet NNW-SSE. There are two eroded carvings on the central portion of the W half: a cup and ring carving measuring c. 4 inches in diameter and 0.25 inches deep and a cup carving measuring c. 1.5 inches in diameter and 0.1 inches deep. The cup carving is obscured by a white patch of lichen but a slight depression can be felt.

Visited 04.05.25

Cairnholy 13 Carved Panel is located c. 12 feet SE of Cairnholy 4 Carved Panel on a rocky knoll c. 0.5 miles NNW of Cairnholy Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. The rock art is carved on a sub rectangular panel measuring c. 5 feet ENE-WSW and 5.5 feet transversely, split in two by a grassy ravine. There are 7 cup carving right of the ravine on the N edge: a group consisting of 2 parallel lines of 3 cup carvings and a single carved cup. On the left of the ravine there are 2 central cup carvings and a cluster of carvings in the SW. The SW cluster has an eroded central cup and ring carving surrounded by several cup carvings. Canmore ID 368423 has further details of Cairnholy 13 Carved Panel.

On the SW corner of the panel there are two parallel deep grooves, measuring c. 6 inches and 1 foot respectively, which may be natural depressions smoothed and extended by domestic activity.

Visited 05.04.25

Cairnholy 14 Carved Panel is located c. 6 feet E of Cairnholy 4 Carved Panel on a rocky knoll c. 0.5 miles NNW of Cairnholy Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. Cairnholy 14 is a flat panel, shaped like South America, on the N edge of the ridge. There is a line of natural hollows running E-W on the S side of the panel. There are 2 carved cup markings in the centre of this alignment. The carved cups are c. 1.5 inches in diameter and 0.25 inches deep, adjacent to 2 deep natural hollows. Further details of Cairnholy 11 are available in Canmore ID 368424.

There are 6 carved panels on the knoll: Cairnholy 4,11,12,13,14&15.

Visited 26.04.12

It was 13 years ago so I don’t have good recall of my visit to Carn Liath (Morangie Forest). I used OS Mapping to plot a route to the cairn. It is 2.2 miles from Aldie Burn Car Park with c. 95 yards total ascent. Walking and cycling are permitted. The main unknown is access from the forest track to the forest clearing due to fallen trees obscuring the forest rides.

Directions to Carn Liath (Morangie Forest): Take the Scotsburn turn off the A9 Tain Bypass. Follow the road for c. 1.8 miles to the right turn for Aldie Burn Car Park. Turn left into the car park after 50 yards. You can proceed from here on foot or by mountain bike. Take along a forest track heading NW which winds W along forest tracks for c. 2.2 miles to reach NH 7296 7969. Look for a forest ride heading NW then turn N towards a stony cairn in a large clearing. My walking route is viewable on Carn Liath (Morangie Forest).

Trantlemore is an isolated crofting township in the far N of the Scottish mainland. It is accessed via the A897 running 40 miles from Helmsdale to Melvich. The A897 is a single track road with passing places. It is a scenic route up to the N coast of Scotland with 16 Brochs included in the 32 sites on or near the A897 listed in TMA. That is 0.8 sites per mile!



Directions to Carn Liath (Trantlemore): Take the A897 Melvich turn off the A9 in Helmsdale. Follow Dunrobin St for c. 0.2 mile to a roundabout. Take a right turn onto the A897 Melvich. Follow this narrow road for 31.6 miles to a sharp cut-back left turn signed for Trantlemore. Follow the narrow lane for c. 0.1 miles to a car park beside Trantlemore Cemetery. Walk c. 100 yards W then turn right up a grassy bank to a gateway into rough pasture. Carn Liath (Trantlemore) is c. 50 yards NW of the gateway. My walking route is viewable on Carn Liath (Trantlemore).

Visited 25.06.14

Carn Liath, Trantlemore is the site of a ruined broch on the S edge of Trantlemore, an isolated settlement adjacent to the A897 in Sutherland. It is located on a natural knoll. There are remains of an outer wall up to c. 1.2m high on the NE Arc. Canmore ID 6824 estimates that the outer wall had an outer diameter of 17.6m and a thickness of 4.2m. There is a trench on the NE Arc c. 4.5m long, 3m wide and 1.2m deep which may been the original entrance. Remnants of parallel walls defining the entrance are visible.

There are two ruined brochs in Trantlemore: Carn Liath, Trantlemore Broch and Trantlemore which is located c. 0.7 mile N of Carn Liath, Trantlemore in the township.

Visited 01.12.13

It is ironic that so many antiquarians have driven past this stony cairn crossing the Ballachulish Bridge to and from Fort William, yet so few have stopped to visit it. The cairn is not particularly impressive but it has good southern views.

North Ballachulish Cairn is a stony mound on the N side of Ballachulish Bridge, c. 150 yards W of the A82 passing North Ballachulish. Take the unsigned dead-end right turn onto Old Ferry Road c. 100 yards after the N end of Ballachulish Bridge. Park up in a lay-by c. 110 yards down the road. Walk c. 110 yards back to the junction then walk 30 yards S towards the bridge. A tarmac path heads W into a field. Follow the path through a gate then head SSW across the field towards 2 mature trees on the edge of the cairn. My walking route is viewable on North Ballachulish Cairn.

Directions to Cairn Macneilie, Inch Parks: Take the narrow road for Stair Estates Balker Farm off the A75, c. 0.3 mile E of the A751/A75 junction. Follow the narrow lane for c. 0.8 mile to an unsigned left turn. There is room to park up carefully. Walk c. 50 yards NW along the dirt track. Head N into the woods following a vague winding path for c. 150 yards towards tree-covered Cairn Macneilie (Inch Parks) on the edge of the wood. My walking route is viewable on Cairn Macneilie (Inch Parks).

Visited 05.05.25

Directions to Green House Bridge: At the top of the A75 Glenluce Bypass take the A747 Port William road. After 3.5 miles pass through Auchenmalg to the Cock Inn. Continue along the coast for 1.6 miles to a lay-by at NX 2595 5114 on a corner NW of the Rocks of the Garheugh. Walk E for c. 110 yards to reach a gateway into a narrow field. Head E over stepping stones at a ford in a stream near the gate and keep E to the S corner of the field. Head E up up a rough slope. towards a stone wall. Follow the stone wall to reach a gnarled Hawthorn Tree. Continue for c. 30 yards along the wall to a break in the wall where you can step over a fence. Turn S down the wall for c. 30 yards to a hawthorn tree. Turn L up a rough slope heading SE. Continue SE for c. 100 yards to intersect with a path heading E. Follow the path E for c. 100 yards and Green House Bridge cairn should be visible to the SE. There is a faint path heading E of Green House Bridge Cairn. Take the path for c. 100 yards to cross a track heading SE. Continue E for c. 100 yards past a large boulder to reach a 4x4 track heading SE. Follow the track SE for c. 220 yards to find Cairn Buy, a stony mound. My walking path can be viewed on Cairn Buy and Green House Bridge Cairn.

Visited 05.05.25

Directions to Cairn Buy: At the top of the A75 Glenluce Bypass take the A747 Port William road. After 3.5 miles pass through Auchenmalg to the Cock Inn. Continue along the coast for 1.6 miles to a lay-by at NX 2595 5114 on a corner NW of the Rocks of the Garheugh. Walk E for c. 110 yards to reach a gateway into a narrow field. Head E over stepping stones at a ford in a stream near the gate and keep E to the S corner of the field. Head E up up a rough slope. towards a stone wall. Follow the stone wall to reach a gnarled Hawthorn Tree. Continue for c. 30 yards along the wall to a break in the wall where you can step over a fence. Turn S down the wall for c. 30 yards to a hawthorn tree. Turn L up a rough slope heading SE. Continue SE for c. 100 yards to intersect with a path heading E. Follow the path E for c. 100 yards and Green House Bridge cairn should be visible to the SE. There is a faint path heading E of Green House Bridge Cairn. Take the path for c. 100 yards to cross a track heading SE. Continue E for c. 100 yards past a large boulder to reach a 4x4 track heading SE. Follow the track SE for c. 220 yards to find Cairn Buy, a stony mound. My walking path can be viewed on Cairn Buy and Green House Bridge Cairn.

Directions to Balneil Cairn: The route to Balneil Cairn starts at New Luce Hall Car Park. Walk S past the church for c. 120 yards to reach a minor junction. Take the left turn, walk for c. 180 yards to reach a gateway on the right. Head S across the grass field for c. 100 yards to a gateway. Head SSE for c. 120 yard to a gap in the woods. Traverse up the wooded slope crossing a fence into a grass field. Continue SSE for c. 100 yards towards a gate. Head E across the field for c. 300 yards to a gate. Follow a fence E for c. 120 yards to a gateway. Head NW towards the obvious stony mound in the field. NB There may be beef cattle in the field preventing safe access. My cross country route is viewable on Balneil Cairn.

Visited 24.04.25

It is natural to focus on the Sir Andrew Agnew Monument constructed on the Tor of Craigoch Hillfort given the lack of physical remains. The ditch and rampart defences on the S and W flanks are obscured by gorse and rhododendron shrubs which encircle the hillfort. The enclosure on the summit is featureless except for the modern tower, an OS trig point and low rock outcrops breaking the grassy surface. The oval enclosure currently measures c. 44 yards E-W and 22 yards transversely.

There are traces of an outer earth rampart on the SW slope outside the circle of vegetation. I found two large cup markings c. 6 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep on a horizontal panel c. 25 yards E of the monument. The cups were too circular and the interior surface of the cups too smooth for them to be natural. They are possibly the result of domestic activity modifying natural hollows.

Visited 18.03.14

Carburrow Quoit is an unusual jumble of stones located c. 60 yards NW of the E cairn on the summit of Carburrow Tor. The stone structure consists of an elongated cuboid stone pointing NW, supported on the SE by a stone slab and in the centre by a small boulder. It looks too artificial to be shaped by natural forces. Given the nearby cairns on the summit, it seems likely that Carburrow Quoit was constructed by man for an unknown purpose.

There was a large car park on the NE end of Elrig Loch. It has now been closed off by a line of large boulders, however it is possible to park beside them. Elrig Loch Crannog lies under water c. 100 yards NNE of the NE end of the loch. A pile of stones c. 1 foot high and 6 feet wide projects above the water.

According to Canmore, the crannog was surveyed in 2004 : “The crannog consists of a large stone mound, 26.5m in diameter and 1.77m from base to top.” M G Cavers 2004. Further details of the survey are available in Canmore ID 62709.

Visited 28.10.18

There are 2 probable crannogs in the SE corner of Carlingwark Loch, on the S edge of Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway. According to Canmore ID 64674 “Two artificial islands were found when the loch was drained in 1765. At the same time two dugout canoes, a dam, to maintain the level of the water in the loch, and a planking floor were found.” OSA 1794 (T Halliday). A later report states that “there were four fortified islands, two of them artificially constructed of oak piles.” (J Stuart 1875).

Fir Island, a natural island in the SE corner of Carlingwark Loch, is likely to be one of the fortified islands. Ash Island, an artificial island c. 55 yards N of Fir Island, is another likely candidate. A crannog was constructed on the island, probably connected to Fir Island by a causeway. Ash Island is subrectangular, measuring c. 20 yards E-W and 10 yards transversely, with a central clump of mature trees. An unnamed subcircular artifical island, occupied by a mature tree, lies c. 45 yards WNW of Ash Island. It measures c. 10 yards in diameter and may have been connected to Ash Island by a causeway. It could have been one of the man-made fortified islands on Carlingwark Loch.

Visited 20.09.19

It is difficult to access Candle Hill Stone Circle: It is protected by an enclosure and vigorous shrubs. It is best to enter the enclosure on the SE corner adjacent to the remains of the circle. The circle is located c. 30 yards ESE of the centre of the knoll. The most obvious feature is the Candle Stone, a standing stone c. 15 feet W of a thorn tree. A grassy cairn is situated c. 6 feet S in the centre of the circle. Walk S round the cairn to reach the fallen recumbent stone and flankers on the S Arc of the circle. It is possible to find the fallen N,ENE,W and NW stones by walking round the perimeter of the circle, starting from the NNE Standing Stone. The N,ENE,W stones are largely buried in the turf with only a small area visible from above. The NW stone is hidden in gorse on the NW Arc.

Visited 21.03.12

Cantraybruich Cairn is a confusing jumble of stones in the E corner of a field near Culloden Moor. I saw a short stone row featuring ill-matched stones but couldn’t visualise a cairn.
I wish I had read Canmore ID 14151 before my visit. On reviewing my photos I thought that I identified a pile of stones on the E Arc of the Cantraybruich Cairn. I think I will revisit if i’m in the area.

Directions to Cantraybruich: Head for Inverness on the A9 then take the Culloden B9006 turn off. Follow the signs to Culloden Visitor Centre. Continue E along the B9006 for c. 1.8 miles to a gateway on the right at NH 77527 46069 (///chilling.decoding.surfed), c. 0. 4 miles E of Culloden Moor Caravan Site. A short track leads E into a field. Follow the margin of the field SE for c. 220 yards to the E corner. The remains of the cairn are located c. 50 feet W in the grassy margin of the field. My walking route is viewable on Cantraybruich Cairn.

Directions to Capenoch Loch Long Cairn

The path starts in a gateway opposite Barr Farm on the A702 between Moniaive and Penpont. The farmer has prohibited parking in this gateway. Due to this restriction an extension of 0.33 miles N to the nearest lay-by at NX 82877 92845 is necessary. A forest track heading NE starts opposite Barr Farm. Follow the track for c. 0.35 miles to reach a junction. Turn right then bear right after c. 80 yards. Follow the track SE for c. 0.3 mile to NX 8375 9244. Head N up a narrow forest ride for c. 100 yards. Capenoch Loch Long Cairn is c. 80 yards NE in the centre of a large clearing. My route can be viewed on Capenoch Loch Long Cairn.

Visited 07.04.12

Capenoch Loch Long Cairn is located in a large forest clearing c. 250 yards SE of Capenoch Loch, c. 1.5 miles SSW of Penpont, a village in Dumfries and Galloway. The stony mound measures c. 36 yards on the NE-SW long axis. The transverse axis tapers from c. 17 yards at the SW end to 9 yards at the NE end. The NE half has been stone robbed to ground level but the SW half is relatively intact reaching up to 9 feet high. There are two excavated hollows along the NE-SW axis in the SW half but no chambers are visible on the cairn.

Furter detail of Capenoch Loch Long Cairn are available in Canmore ID 65334.

Directions to Cairnholy 06


Take the signed Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn turn off the A75 at NX 51646 53037 (///bound.hotel.scrubbing) between Creetown and Gatehouse. Go past the first left turn, instead take the 2nd left for Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn then bear left at the Y junction after c. 100 yards. Continue up the lane to the carpark at Cairnholy. Walk W along the farm track for c. 150 yards to reach a gateway on the right. There is an interesting recumbent stone c. 20 feet W of the gate. Head to a gate in a stone wall c. 80 yards NNE. Follow the path NNE from the gateway for c. 130 yards then walk W for c. 50 yards to a grassy mound in the field. This is listed as Cairnholy Cairn on TMA. Walk NNW for c. 50 yards to a gate in a stone wall. Head NNE for a pair of small clearance cairns c. 100 yards from the gateway. Cairnholy 03 is a large stone on the W edge of a clearance cairn at NX 52000 54282 (///larger.fairway.subplot) c. 35 yards N of here.
It is possible to extend your walk to visit Cairnholy 6 & 7. Cairnholy 6 is located c. 140 yards ENE of Cairnholy Sheepfold in a drainage ditch running parallel to a stone wall. Cairnholy Sheepfold is located at NX 51721 54902 (///critic.jetted.nutty) in the NW corner of a grass field containing a large clearance cairn. Cairnholy 6 is located at NX 51871 54968 (///maker.blunt.downfield).
Cairnholy 7 is located in a grass field containing a large clearance cairn and Cairnholy Sheepfold in the NW corner. Cairnholy 7 is carved on a narrow rock ridge aligned ENE-SSW, c. 75 yards SSE of the sheepfold and c. 30 feet ENE of the stone wall. Cairnholy 7 is located at NX 51758 54840 (///gossiped.cook.valued). My route is viewable as Cairnholy 3,6 & 7.

Directions to Cairnholy 07


Take the signed Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn turn off the A75 at NX 51646 53037 (///bound.hotel.scrubbing) between Creetown and Gatehouse. Go past the first left turn, instead take the 2nd left for Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn then bear left at the Y junction after c. 100 yards. Continue up the lane to the carpark at Cairnholy. Walk W along the farm track for c. 150 yards to reach a gateway on the right. There is an interesting recumbent stone c. 20 feet W of the gate. Head to a gate in a stone wall c. 80 yards NNE. Follow the path NNE from the gateway for c. 130 yards then walk W for c. 50 yards to a grassy mound in the field. This is listed as Cairnholy Cairn on TMA. Walk NNW for c. 50 yards to a gate in a stone wall. Head NNE for a pair of small clearance cairns c. 100 yards from the gateway. Cairnholy 03 is a large stone on the W edge of a clearance cairn at NX 52000 54282 (///larger.fairway.subplot) c. 35 yards N of here.
It is possible to extend your walk to visit Cairnholy 6 & 7. Cairnholy 6 is located c. 140 yards ENE of Cairnholy Sheepfold in a drainage ditch running parallel to a stone wall. Cairnholy Sheepfold is located at NX 51721 54902 (///critic.jetted.nutty) in the NW corner of a grass field containing a large clearance cairn. Cairnholy 6 is located at NX 51871 54968 (///maker.blunt.downfield).
Cairnholy 7 is located in a grass field containing a large clearance cairn and Cairnholy Sheepfold in the NW corner. Cairnholy 7 is carved on a narrow rock ridge aligned ENE-SSW, c. 75 yards SSE of the sheepfold and c. 30 feet ENE of the stone wall. Cairnholy 7 is located at NX 51758 54840 (///gossiped.cook.valued). My route is viewable as Cairnholy 3,6 & 7.

Directions to Cairnholy 03


Take the signed Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn turn off the A75 at NX 51646 53037 (///bound.hotel.scrubbing) between Creetown and Gatehouse. Go past the first left turn, instead take the 2nd left for Cairn Holy Chambered Cairn then bear left at the Y junction after c. 100 yards. Continue up the lane to the carpark at Cairnholy. Walk W along the farm track for c. 150 yards to reach a gateway on the right. There is an interesting recumbent stone c. 20 feet W of the gate. Head to a gate in a stone wall c. 80 yards NNE. Follow the path NNE from the gateway for c. 130 yards then walk W for c. 50 yards to a grassy mound in the field. This is listed as Cairnholy Cairn on TMA. Walk NNW for c. 50 yards to a gate in a stone wall. Head NNE for a pair of small clearance cairns c. 100 yards from the gateway. Cairnholy 03 is a large stone on the W edge of a clearance cairn at NX 52000 54282 (///larger.fairway.subplot) c. 35 yards N of here.
It is possible to extend your walk to visit Cairnholy 6 & 7. Cairnholy 6 is located c. 140 yards ENE of Cairnholy Sheepfold in a drainage ditch running parallel to a stone wall. Cairnholy Sheepfold is located at NX 51721 54902 (///critic.jetted.nutty) in the NW corner of a grass field containing a large clearance cairn. Cairnholy 6 is located at NX 51871 54968 (///maker.blunt.downfield).
Cairnholy 7 is located in a grass field containing a large clearance cairn and Cairnholy Sheepfold in the NW corner. Cairnholy 7 is carved on a narrow rock ridge aligned ENE-SSW, c. 75 yards SSE of the sheepfold and c. 30 feet ENE of the stone wall. Cairnholy 7 is located at NX 51758 54840 (///gossiped.cook.valued). My route is viewable as Cairnholy 3,6 & 7.

Visited 05.04.25

Cairnholy 12 Carved Panel is located c. 6 feet ESE of Cairnholy 4 Carved Panel on a rocky knoll c. 0.5 miles NNW of Cairnholy Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. Cairnholy 12 is a flat subrectangular rock panel measuring 10 feet E-W and 4 feet N-S. The most prominent motif is a double cup and ring carving on the W end. The large cup is c. 2.5 inches in diameter and 0.5 inches deep, the small cup c. 1 inch in diameter and 0.25 inches deep. The outside diameter of the rings is c. 6 inches. There are also multiple carved cups on the panel. The dimensions of the carved cups vary from 1- 2 inches in diameter and 0.25-0.5 inches deep. Further details of Cairnholy 12 are available in Canmore ID 368422.

There are 6 carved panels on the knoll: Cairnholy 4,11,12,13,14&15.

Visited 05.04.25

Cairnholy 11 Carved Panel is located c. 9 feet SSW of Cairnholy 4 Carved Panel on a rocky knoll c. 0.5 miles NNW of Cairnholy Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. It consists of 8 equally spaced cup carvings arranged in 2 parallel lines. The carved cups are c. 1-1.5 inches in diameter and 0.25-0.5 inches deep. The lines are orientated ENE-WSW, measuring c. 9 inches long and 3 inches apart. Further details of Cairnholy 11 are available in Canmore ID 368421.

There are 6 carved panels on the knoll: Cairnholy 4,11,12,13,14&15.

Visited 07.04.25

Cairnholy 6 Carved Panel is located c. 0.6 miles N of Cairnholy Farm in a drainage ditch running WSW-ESE, parallel to a stone wall. The flat stone in the bottom of the ditch has two wide striations probably caused by drainage equipment. The carvings are on the N side of the panel. They consist of a W Cup Carving , a Central Cup Carving c. 1 feet E and an irregular E Cup Carving. The W Cup Carving has peck markings on the surface and measures c. 3.5 inches in diameter and 0.25 inches deep. The Central Cup Carving is conical, measuring c. 1.5 inches in diameter and 1 inch deep. The E Cup Carving appears to be unfinished, an oval hollow measuring c. 4.5 inches long.

Canmore ID 63737 has further details of Cairnholy 6 Carved Panel.

Visited 05.04.25

Cairnholy 04 Carved Panel is located c. 0.5 miles NNW of Cairnholy Farm on a rocky knoll in a grassy field. It is c. 25 feet ENE of a stone wall bordering the field. Cairnholy 04 Carved Panel has two carvings: A cup & ring carving with several small satellite cup carvings on the N perimeter and a cup carving on the W end. The N Cup & Ring Carving has a central cup c. 2.5 inches in diameter and 0.5 inches deep with a complete inner ring and a partial outer ring up to a radius of 4 inches. The S Cup Carving is c. 2 inches in diameter and 0.25 inches deep. Canmore ID 63726 lists the location of Cairnholy as NX 51551 54637: This OS Grid Reference is accurate to 1 square metre as opposed to the 100 square metres of the six figure OS Grid Reference quoted on the top of the page.

There are 6 carved panels on the knoll: Cairnholy 4,11,12,13,14&15.

Visited 07.04.25

Cairnholy 07 Cup Carved Panel is c. 0.5 mile N of Cairnholy 01 in Dumfries and Galloway. It is located on a narrow stone ridge on the summit of a grassy knoll c. 75 yards SSE of Cairnholy Sheepfold which is built in the NW corner of a grass field. The carved panel is c. 20 yards NE of a dry stane dyke.

The carved panel has 16 cup carvings arranged in two parallel lines measuring c. 18 inches on a ENE- WSW Axis. The equally spaced cups measure up to 1.5 inches in diameter with depths varying from 0.25 to 0.5 inches.

Canmore ID 368427 has further details of Cairnholy 07.

Visited 04.04.25

Balneil Cairn is located in rough pasture c. 0.3 mile NE of Balniel Farm, near New Luce in Dumfries and Galloway. The round grassy cairn has significant deposits of field clearance stones on the E and SW Arcs. Balneil Cairn has a diameter of c. 66 feet and a height of 4 feet.

Further information on Balneil Cairn is available on Canmore ID 61662.

Visited 03.04.25

Cairnholy 3 Cup & Ring Carved Stone is located on the W perimeter of a subcircular clearance cairn, c. 250 yards NE of Cairnholy Farm. The clearance cairn measures c. 12 feet in diameter and 1 foot high. It is centrally located in a group of clearance cairns aligned on a N-S axis.

Cairnholy 3 Cup & Ring Carved Stone is an irregular cuboid measuring c. 2 x 2 x 1.5 feet. It lies recumbent on the W edge of the clearance cairn, the long axis aligned E-W. There is a large cup and ring carving on the W face of the stone. The carving consists of a central cup surrounded by 6 equally spaced rings. The diameter of the outside ring is c. 12 inches. The carving is worn but still visible in sunlight.

Further details of Cairnholy 03 Cup & Ring Carved Stone are available in Canmore ID 63725.

Visited 24.03.25
On my return visit, I found Cairnderry in an improved condition: The kerb of the cairn was discernible and the exposed chambers in the centre of the cairn were free from vegetation. I was able to reconcile the remains of the cairn with the plan. Cairnderry Cairn is an impressive monument with easy access from the A714, deserving of more visitors.

Visited 20.03.25

After an unseasonable dry spell, I decided to return to boggy Balker Moor to locate the N cairn. Using the quoted OS Grid Reference, I managed to locate an earth bank with several kerb stones. I walked round the curve to locate further kerb stones on the E & W arcs. I estimated that the circle had a c. 45 foot diameter. A carpet of heather has colonised the interior of the circle, blending it into the landscape. Balker Moor N Cairn has been almost entirely destroyed except for an earth bank on the N arc. Further details are available on Canmore ID 61730.

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.

Visited 19.03.25

When I revisited Ballach-a-Heathry Cairn on 19.03.25, the large field clearance stones had been removed, leaving a grassy plateau sloping S-N. The perimeter of the cairn was more sharply defined with steep edges. The cairn has an irregular elongated oval footprint. The measurements of the cairn were c. 57 feet on the NNW-SSE Axis and c. 33 feet on the ENE-WSW Axis with a height of c. 7 feet.

Ballach-a-Heathry Cairn is located in a grass field c. 180 yards SW of a gateway with adjacent parking available.

Visited 08.02.25

This is an improvement on my previous route to Drumwhirn Cairn: Take the A75 turn off to Newton Stewart at the large roundabout. Follow the town centre to the end of Victoria Street & bear left across the Cree Bridge. Turn L about 50 yards from the end of the bridge into Minnigaff. After 0.5 mile you will see a war memorial on your R.
Take the next L turn after 100 yards. This is a narrow country lane headed to Cree Woods. Follow this lane past Minigaff Parish Church, Boreland Wood and Boreland Farm. Around 0.5 mile after Boreland Farm a green lane protected by a deer gate starts at NX 39089 68355 on the R. There is room to park up in a passing place at NX 39082 68352. Open the deer gate and walk N up the muddy green lane for c. 300 yards to reach a Y junction. Take the left boggy path into the forest for c. 70 yards to reach a gateway. Walk NE up the field for c. 100 yards then bear N up the slope for c. 250 yards heading for the visible stony cairn. My walking route is viewable on Drumwhirn Cairn.

The path to Drumwhirn Cairn is boggy in places so wellies are essential in all but dry summer conditions.

Visited 14.12.24

Auchmantle Fell (The Wee Cairn) is located c. 2 miles WSW of New Luce in Dumfries and Galloway. The cairn is delineated as a sub circular grassy area surrounded by moor grass. The centre of the low mound is dotted with moor grass. The cairn is c. 60 feet in diameter and 1 foot high. There are no visible stone on the surface. The cairn has two prominent features: There is an earth bank on the NW arc up to 2 feet high and an exposed grassy cist in the centre, measuring c. 3 feet by 2 feet in area and c. 9 inches deep. Further information is available on Canmore ID 61692.

Auchmantle Fell (The Muckle Cairn) is c. 135 yards N of Auchmantle Fell (The Wee Cairn), a prominent modern cairn on the horizon.

Visited 14.12.24

Auchmantle Fell (The Muckle Cairn) is situated c. 2 miles WSW of New Luce in Dumfries and Galloway. All that remains is a low grassy round platform with a modern cairn constructed in the centre. The platform measures c. 15 feet in diameter by 1 foot high. The modern cairn measures c 4 feet high. There are traces of a small stone enclosure in the E quadrant. Details of Auchmantle Fell (The Muckle Cairn) are available in Canmore ID 61691.

The Scots word Muckle means “big”, differentiating the cairn from Auchmantle Fell (The Wee Cairn) which lies in boggy moorland c. 135 yards S (c. 190°) of The Muckle Cairn.

Visited 26.12.24

I returned to Claughreid Stone Circle around 15 years after my first visit. I was able to locate all 10 stones on 04.04.10. On return, it seemed to me that the stone circle was hidden in rough moor grass. I was able to locate 7 outer stones at varying heights: N Stone (356°), NE Stone (37°), E Stone (82°), ESE Stone (112°), SSE Stone (153°), SW Stone (225°) and WNW Stone (300°). I stood on a stone at 180° and exposed the surface of a S Stone. I looked for a stone on the W Arc at 270° but was unable to find any.

Claughreid Stone Circle is in danger of sinking into the moor leaving only the larger stones exposed.

My route to Claughreid Stone Circle was via a track through Claughreid Farm avoiding a trudge through boggy moorland: Turn off the A75 for Cairn Holy at NX 5164 5305. Follow the sign for Cairn Holy for c. 100 yards then bear right onto an unsigned single track road. Stay on this winding lane for c. 0.4 miles to reach an unsigned track on the left at NX 5207 5313. Follow this dead-end track for a mile to reach a small car park at the end: the track becomes increasingly rough and dirty closer to the end.

The walking route to Claughreid Stone Circle starts at the end of the public road from Barholm Farm to Claughreid Farm. Park up and walk along the track to Claughreid Farm. Head W through Claughreid Farm then head downhill. Cross over a ford then follow the track through a dry stane dyke. Continue NW for c. 300 yards to go through a gate in the dry stane dyke. Head NNE from the gateway on vague tracks for c. 100 yards to reach Claughreid Stone Circle, partially obscured in moorland. My walking route along this track can be viewed on Claughreid Stone Circle.

There is a possible cairn on the summit of Auchensoul Hill, c. 0.75 miles WNW of Barr, a small village in South Ayrshire. The grassy mound on the summit of Auchensoul Hill is surmounted by an OS Trig Point. Canmore ID 62635 proposes that the mound may be the remains of a prehistoric cairn, The round cairn measures c. 15 feet in diameter by 1 foot high. There are several embedded stones on the N and W arcs which may be kerb stones. There is also an obvious medium-sized stone located c. 30 feet SE of the cairn.

Visited 27.10.24

There is a ruined cairn c. 1.5 miles S of New Luce on the W bank of the Water of Luce in Dumfries and Galloway. It is named after Low Airyolland farm which is located c. 400 yards SW of the cairn. Low Airyolland cairn is on a grassy mound sloping from N to S. It is defined by an earth bank up to c. 3 feet high with a c. 60 feet diameter. The cairn is dominated by a tall mature oak tree in the NW quadrant. There are shrubs and ferns on the E, S and W arcs. A large moss covered stone on the S perimeter and 3 large stones on the W perimeter may be displaced kerb stones. The centre of the circle is grassy and irregular with scattered embedded stones.

There is further information on Low Airyolland Cairn in Canmore ID 304998.

Visited 11.10.24

Culquhasen SE Cairn is located in the NE corner of a field c. 0.33 mile SE of Culquhasen Farm, c. 4 mile SE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. Medium-sized clearance stones have been deposited on the S and E perimeter of the round cairn. The ruined stony cairn has been bisected by a dry stane dyke across the N arc. Canmore ID 62247 estimated that the original cairn measured 18m in diameter and 1.8m high. The S half of Culquhasen SE Cairn retains a covering of small stones: The N half has been robbed of stones leaving a grassy surface truncated by the stone wall. The area N of the wall has been populated by long grass and gorse bushes obscuring the original surface of the cairn. The remains of Culquhasen SE Cairn are c. 6 feet high.

Visited 05.10.24

The remains of Glenchamber Cairn are located on a natural knoll in pasture c. 4 miles NNE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. The low grassy mound is in a field opposite the junction of Glenchamber Farm Track with the Three Lochs road from Glenluce. The cairn has been reduced to a grassy oval plateau c. 1 foot above ground level . It measures c. 30 yards on an ENE-WSW axis and 18 yards on a NNW-SSE axis. There are scattered stones on the platform and a cluster of small stones c. 3 feet in diameter in the centre.
Canmore ID 109479 has details on Glenchamber Cairn.

Visited 05.10.24

Carscreugh N Burnt Mound is located on Carscreugh Fell c. 3 miles NNE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. It is situated in moorland between two burns c. 130 yards WSW of Carscreugh N Cairn. On approach from the E, the grassy crescent-shaped mound stands out from the brown vegetation. It measures c. 30 feet E-W and 15 feet N-S. Canmore ID 62431 has additional information on Carscreugh N Burnt Mound.

Visited 05.10.24

Carscreugh N Cairn is located on the N edge of Carscreugh Wind Farm, c. 3 miles NNE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. The round cairn is in an elevated position on Carscreugh Fell. The lush green of the cairn stands out in the brown sea of moor grass. Carscreugh N Cairn has been entirely robbed of stones leaving a grassy flat topped mound which measures c. 60 feet in diameter and 4 feet high. The interior of the cairn is irregular with a central hollow measuring c. 4 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep. Canmore ID 62437 has further details of Carscreugh N Cairn.

Carscreugh N Burnt Mound is located c. 130 yards WSW from Carscreugh N Cairn. The terrain between the sites is boggy and uneven.

Visited 05.10.24

Carscreugh S Cairn is located c. 2 miles NE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. It is located in pasture, a quarter of a mile SW of Carscreugh farmhouse. The round cairn measures c. 50 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. There are large embedded stones on the E and W arcs and on the summit of the mound. There are no signs of excavation on the grassy surface. Canmore ID 62158 has details of Carscreugh S Cairn.

Visited 03.10.24

Fell of Loch Ronald Cairn is located in forestry c. 1 mile S of the Three Lochs Caravan Park in Dumfries and Galloway. The fate of this cairn is all too familiar: The area was chosen for afforestation. The ground was ploughed for tree planting, damaging the cairn. The trees matured and were felled causing further damage to the cairn and its surroundings.

Canmore ID 62397 states that Fell of Loch Ronald Cairn measured c. 35 feet in diameter with a possible central cist consisting of several large stones. All that remains of the cairn today is a probable excavated cist delineated by 5 large stones. It is roughly rectangular in shape, measuring c. 5x4 feet in cross-section and 2 feet deep. A large boulder lies directly E of the cist. I found 2 more moss covered stones in the E quadrant. There is an earth bank c. 3 feet high NW of the cist but it may be a later addition constructed by forestry work.

White Laise Cairn is located c. 0.5 mile W of Loch Doon Caravan Site in open moorland in East Ayrshire. It slopes gently from N to S. There is a scattering of small stones in the centre of the cairn, many of then having a white patina. A shepherd’s cairn, c. 3 feet high, has been erected in the SE quadrant of the round cairn. The grassy perimeter is delineated by a ring of ferns. The cairn measures c. 3 feet high by 45 feet in diameter.

Canmore ID 42618 has further details of White Laise Cairn. There are no traces of the stone structure on the N Arc mentioned in Canmore.

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.

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.

Visited 17.09.24

Nether Holm of Dalquhairn is a ruined cairn c. 7 miles NE of Carsphairn in Dumfries and Galloway. It is located in a grass field c. 250 yards SE of Nether Holm of Dalquhairn farm. The round cairn has been badly treated: First of all, it was almost completely robbed of stone, then it was enclosed in a stone wall and finally trees were planted on the perimeter of the cairn. These trees are now mature, delineating the original cairn. There is an intermittent grass bank up to 3 feet high within the stone wall, possibly defining the original extent of the cairn. The centre is a grassy hollow, largely free of trees and vegetation. No stones are visible on the surface of the cairn. Canmore ID 64319 has details of Nether Holm of Dalquhairn Cairn.

On my visit, I bumped into the friendly farmer who was happy for me to go to the cairn since there were only a few lambs in the field.

Visited 18.09.23

Dolmen de Kerroc’h is around 1.2km south of Plouharnel in the hamlet of Kerroc’h. It is located on a patch of grass in the centre of Kerroc’h. The naked dolmen consists of a massive capstone leaning west at 30 degrees, propped up by two large orthostats in the northwest and southwest corners. The sub rectangular capstone measures around 4m by 3m in length. A large recumbent stone lies around 2m east of the dolmen.

Directions: Take the Rue de Kerhueno (Stop Andouilles) turn off the D781 between Carnac and Plouharnel. Follow the road for around 0.75km to reach a stop sign. Turn left for 150m to reach Dolmen de Kerroc’h. Nearby street parking is available and access is free.

Visited 28.07.24

Cairnennock Cairn is situated on Little Eriff Hill, c. 500 yards N of Loch Muck in East Ayrshire. According to the Name Book, it was previously known as the White Cairn of Carnannock. This was probably due to the extensive growth of lichen on the cairn stones which give it an air of antiquity. The cairn is surrounded by a ring of boggy ground up to 10 feet wide populated by marsh grass. Canmore ID 43500 estimates that the sub-circular mound measures 20m E-W by 18m N-S. It was robbed for the construction of a now ruined sheep ree. A central corridor c. 6 feet wide has been razed to ground level in the E-W axis. There are remains of a low wall in the W arc. The N half has a marker cairn c. 5.5 feet high on the perimeter and the S half reaches up to 3 feet high.