markj99

Directions to Creag Mac A Ghille Chlais

There is room to park up c. 70 yards N of Ledbeg Bridge on the A837 at NC 24905 14194. Walk c. 100 yards S over the bridge. Head E into moorland for c. 25 yards to an obvious mound surmounted by several erect stones. This is the ruined Ledbeg River Cairn. The upright stones on the summit of the cairn are remnants of a burial chamber. There is a scattering of large stones to the S of the chamber. Creag Mac A Ghille Chlais Cairn is located on the N slope of Creag Mac A Ghille Chlais beside the Ledbeg River. It is c. 400 yards E of Ledbeg River Cairn in rough boggy moorland on an elevated spur. I walked E, parallel to the river to reach this almost invisible cairn at NC 25279 14166. The low mound is a heathery island in brown moorland measuring c. 10 feet in diameter and 1 foot high. My walking route is viewable on Ledbeg River Cairns. The route to Creag Mac A Ghille Chlais Cairn is a short strenuous yomp requiring wellies or walking boots.

Visited 07.10.26

Creag Mac A Ghille Chlais Cairn is located on the N slope of Creag Mac A Ghille Chlais beside the Ledbeg River. It is c. 400 yards E of Ledbeg River Cairn in rough boggy moorland on an elevated spur. I walked E parallel to the river to reach this almost invisible cairn at NC 25279 14166. The low mound is a heathery island in brown moorland measuring c. 10 feet in diameter and 1 foot high. trove.scot 4525 noted that it was ” bounded by contiguous slabs set lengthways” but there was no stone kerbing visible on my visit. The route to Creag Mac A Ghille Chlais Cairn is a short strenuous yomp requiring wellies or walking boots.

Directions to Sheuchan Hill Cairn:

Take the New Luce/Industrial Estate turn off the A75 in Castle Kennedy. Continue along this minor road for c. 1.9 miles to reach a farm track to Little Tongue on the left. Follow this single track road for c. 0.5 mile to a shed where it is possible to park up by a cattlegrid at NX 1281 6245. I met a friendly farmer who was quite happy for me to visit the cairn. Walk c. 150 yards along the farm track to a right-angled bend. There is a gate on the left. Walk S across a paddock for c. 50 yards to a gap in a dry stane dyke bordering rough moorland. Walk c. SW on a bearing of 238° for c. 250 yards to reach Sheuchan Hill Cairn at NX 12250 62180. In truth, there is not much to see, just tussocks of marsh grass with no visible stones. My walking route is viewable on Sheuchan Hill Cairn. Given the difficult boggy terrain underfoot, I wouldn’t recommend following in my footsteps.

Visited 08.10.26

I followed in the squelchy footsteps of thelonius and gladman down to the banks of Loch Cam before heading NE up a pathless slope towards the Cam Loch Cairns. (Should they be called the Ledbeg Cairns given that they are located in rough pasture SW of Ledbeg?) The going underfoot was energy sapping. I was fortunate to head directly for a gap in the deer fence. The moorland beyond the fence was equally unforgiving but an obvious cairn loomed into view, a green oasis on the edge of brown moorland. Ledbeg W Cairn more than made up for the soggy route to it: a grassy mound with a large portal on the SE and remains of a polygonal chamber in the centre. Ledbeg E Cairn is located c. 150 m E of its companion cairn. It is an undisturbed mound with few features save for a few large kerb stones and an earth bank radiating from the SW arc.

I used the OSGR’s quoted in trove.scot 4645 to navigate to the Ledbeg Cairns. Ledbeg W Cairn is located at NC 23460 13160 and Ledbeg E Cairn is located at NC 23602 13133.

Visited 07.10.26

Loynemore E Cairn is located in boggy moorland, c. 0.7 km E of the A837, c. 1.4 miles N of the A835/A837 junction at Ledmore, a small settlement in the Highlands. It is constructed on a SW slope c. 80m above the A837. Loynemore E Cairn “measures approximately 13.5m E-W by 12.0m transversely and is 1.2m high” according to trove.scot 4624. The NE half of the mound is covered in rough grass: the SW half of the mound is covered in scattered stones on rough grass. There is a subcircular scatter of small cairn stones measuring c. 4m in diameter outside the NW perimeter.

Loynemore E Cairn is situated c. 0.5 km E of Loynemore W Cairn.

Visited 07.10.26

Loynmore W Cairn is located in moorland c. 150m E of the A837, c. 1.5 miles N of the A835/A837 junction at Ledmore, a small settlement in the Highlands. At least 7 large kerb stones remain on the NW-E arc of the round cairn. Loynmore W Cairn is a grassy mound measuring c. 16m in diameter and 1.3m high according to trove.scot 4628. There is a grassy rectangular hollow in the centre of the mound, measuring c. 1.8m E-W and 1m transversely. It may be the remains of a robbed out chamber.

Visited 08.10.26

Knockan E Chambered Cairn is located c. 75m N of the A835 at the W edge of Elphin, a small settlement in the Highlands. The ruined cairn lies down a steep N slope from the A835 in rough pasture. It is c. 80m ENE of Knockan W Chambered Cairn.

Knockan E Chambered Cairn is a subcircular mound c. 12m in diameter and 2m high. It is carpeted in rough grass. There is an irregular hollow in the NW quadrant of the cairn. This may be attributable to rabbit warrens which could still be occupied. The summit of the mound is dominated by three large orthostats, measuring c. 0.5m high. They are presumably remnants of a central chamber orientated N-S.

trove.scot 4638 has further details of Knockan E Chambered Cairn.

Visited 08.10.26

Knockan W Chambered Cairn is located c. 50m N of the A835 at the W edge of Elphin, a small settlement in the Highlands. The ruined cairn lies down a steep N slope from the A835 in rough pasture. It is easily identified by a telegraph pole supplanted on the N arc of the cairn.

trove.scot 4638 states that Knockan W Chambered Cairn survives “as a turf-covered mound of debris truncated on all sides by late agriculture and its original size is conjectural. It is now roughly oval measuring 15.0m NE-SW by 10.0m and 1.5m maximum height.” There is a ruined chamber in the centre of the cairn orientated ESE-WNW, measuring c. 1.8m long and 1.2m broad. Two stones remain in situ on the N side of the chamber: a upright triangular slab measuring c. 0.75m high by 0.75m long by 0.3m broad and a moss covered recumbent slab measuring c. 0.75m long by 0.6m broad by 0.3m high. A hollow containing scattered medium sizes stones is located c. 5m E of the central chamber.

Visited 07.10.26 & 08.10.26

I had planned a visit to the area around Elphin using trove.scot Map Search to find obscure cairns. The Knockan cairns were my first port of call on a showery changeable morning. I found a convenient lay-by 100 yards down from the cairns. I hopped over the fence and scrambled down the steep slope towards the telegraph pole. I was trying to make sense of the jumbled stones on Knockan W Cairn when a heavy shower sent me scuttling to my car. I continued N to other sites before returning in the early afternoon. It was dry for 10 minutes then another downpour made me abandon the site. My third attempt to examine the cairn two hours later was aborted when it started pouring as soon as I parked up. I took this as a sign from the universe and headed for my hotel. The next morning I returned to resume my battle with the elements. Happily, I was able to spend a dry hour investigating and recording the three cairns hidden in the moorland. All’s well ...

Revisited 08.10.26

I was drawn to the Bone Caves, one of my favourite ancient sites. The walk up the glen is scenic and relatively easy save for the steep ascent to the caves. I was having my lunch in the Badger Cave when I heard the roaring of a stag. The bellows continue whilst I explored the other caves. I continued E past the Fox’s Den towards the head of the glen. I was able to see a stag and 10 hinds c. 300 yards away on a hill above the path. They are much more intimidating up close. There was another stag and several hinds near the start of the path, up on the crags thankfully.

Visited 08.10.26

Eilean An Tighe island is on Loch Cam, c. 0.5 mile NE of Elphin , a village in the Highlands. The manmade island is located c. 150m NW off the S end of Loch Cam. Eilean An Tighe is subcircular measuring c. 30m in diameter and 1m above water level. The surface is densely populated by mature trees. trove.scot 4635 states that the “level summit area (19.0m E-W by 14.0m N-S) is enclosed by an irregular wall averaging 1.4m thick and faced with boulders some of which are very large. The wall appears to be fairly modern and the vegetation within suggests a garden was planted here at one time.” Eilean An Tighe is classified as a possible crannog (Period Unassigned) on trove.scot 4635.

Visited 09.10.26



I passed by Pulpit Rock for the first time in many years recently. I was disappointed to note that the rock had been screened from the road by a strip of trees. There is room to park several cars in an unsigned designated car park on the corner. Further disappointment ensued when I discovered some “artist” had sprayed a green graffito ” TFB” in the pulpit. The site now feels neglected and hidden.

There are several old images of Pulpit Rock available on https://www.trove.scot 127862.

Visited 06.09.26

Sheuchan Hill Cairn is located on the summit of Sheuchan Hill, c. 2 miles NNE of Castle Kennedy in Dumfries and Galloway. The ruined cairn was on the margin of a belt of trees which have been harvested. The summit of Sheuchan Hill is covered in tussocks of 3 feet high marsh grass and reeds making walking difficult and locating ground features almost impossible. On reaching the recorded grid reference, I found no visible signs of the “ring of cairn material about 3m thick and 0.4m in maximum height” described in trove.scot 61721.

Visited 31.08.26

Chlenry Cairn Cemetery is located c. 1 mile NE of Castle Kennedy, a small village in Dumfries and Galloway. It lies c. 220m SSE of Chlenry Cottages in a flat arable field.

Chlenry Cairn Cemetery was found by analysis of aerial photographs taken in 1978. These images are viewable in trove.scot 61703. Cropmarks delineate a line of 4 circular marks running c. ENE-WSW. trove.scot 61703 lists the site as Balnab, a name no longer in use, so I used the alternative name Chlenry as this is in current usage. It estimates the largest ring to measure 10m in diameter with an entrance in the SE arc.

On my visit to the newly harvested field I failed to observe any traces of the cairn cemetery in the stubble: centuries of farming have reduced this site to sub-surface features.

Visited 30.08.

Doon Hill (Kildonnan) Enclosure is an earthwork located on the summit of Doon Hill c. 350m NNW of Kildonnan Farm on the B7042 between Sandhead and Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway. The rectangular grassy mound measures c. 20m E-W by 17.5m N-S. It is protected by an earth rampart and outer ditch. The highest remains of the rampart are c. 1.5m high in the SE corner. There is an entrance in the centre of the E Rampart. trove.scot/place/60597 estimates the internal dimensions of the enclosure to be 14m E-W and 12m transversely. Additionally, it dates the enclosure to the Iron Age.

Visited 22.08.26

Cults Loch Settlement is located c. 1 mile NE of Castle Kennedy, a small village in Dumfries and Galloway. It lies c. 100m E of the E bank of Cults Loch in a flat arable field.

Cults Loch Settlement was found by analysis of aerial photographs taken in 1978. These images are viewable in trove.scot 61704. Cropmarks delineate a circular enclosure protected by a double palisade and outer ditch. trove.scot estimates the enclosed settlement to measure up to 40m in diameter.

Archaeological excavations carried out in 2009 and 2011 are detailed in trove.scot 61704. Unearthed artifacts date the settlement to the Iron Age. The archeologists stated that the “site comprised a single enclosure ditch and double palisade, within which were two successive ring-groove houses, a souterrain and a range of other pits and pothole features.”

On my visit to the grass field I failed to observe obvious traces of the palisades and ditch: I found a flat featureless rough grass surface except for a possible low discoloured bank measuring c. 5m E-W and 2m N-S. This may correspond to the proposed souterrain in the N half of the enclosure.

Visited 19.08.26

On a recent visit to Cults Loch, located c. 1 mile NE of Castle Kennedy, I observed that the omnipresent Beef Cattle occupying the field on the W bank of Cults Loch had been moved elsewhere. I took the opportunity to get a better view of Cults Loch Central Crannog from the W bank. I also explored the remains of an Iron Age Fort on a grassy mound on the W margin of Cults Loch. It is sited on a natural grassy mound wedged between a marsh and Cults Loch.

Cults Loch Promontory Fort was first identified by analysis of aerial photographs taken in 1978. There are viewable on trove.scot 61697. Cropmarks clearly show a ditch on the S edge of the promontory. trove.scot gives a full description of the fort and its defences. it also includes details of archaeological digs in 2009 and 2010 which found evidence of an inner ditch c. 5m wide and 3m deep supplemented by an outer ditch measuring c. 5.5 m wide and 2m deep. Excavation of the interior of the fort, which measures c. 85m N-S and 65m E-W, revealed “pits, postholes and linear gullies.” The only surface feature that I could find was a subcircular hollow on the N flank measuring c. 2m in diameter and 0.5m deep.

Visited 19.08.26

On a recent visit to Cults Loch, located c. 1 mile NE of Castle Kennedy, I observed that the omnipresent Beef Cattle occupying the field on the W bank of Cults Loch had been moved elsewhere. I took the opportunity to get a better view of Cults Loch Central Crannog from the W bank. I also explored the remains of an Iron Age Fort on a grassy mound on the W margin of Cults Loch. It is sited on a natural grassy mound wedged between a marsh and Cults Loch.

Visited 26.06.26

East Revoch S Cairn is located on the margin of a field c. 220 yards W of East Revoch farm, c. 1 mile S of Eaglesham, a village in East Renfrewshire. The remains of the cairn are an irregular grassy platform measuring c. 33 yards in diameter and 1 yard high. There is a large boulder on the W perimeter which appears to be a field clearance deposit. I located three parallel embedded stones on the N Arc which are possibly original kerb stones. The platform is otherwise covered in rough grass and weeds. trove.scot 43954 has further details of East Revoch S Cairn.

East Revoch N Cairn is located c. 400 yards of East Revoch S Cairn.

Visited 26.06.26

East Revoch N Cairn is located on a natural knoll c. 400 yards N of East Revoch farm, c. 1 mile S of Eaglesham, a village in East Renfrewshire. trove.scot 43943 has a report from the 1856 Name Book: “When this tumulus was being removed, about 1836, several urns filled with calcined bones and sticks were found”. All that remains of this cairn is a sub-circular grassy mound measuring c. 6 feet high and 30 yards in diameter. There is a large hollow, measuring c. 13 feet by 10 feet, in the SE Quadrant of the cairn. A modern stone cairn reaching c. 3 feet high has been surmounted in the centre of the cairn.

East Revoch S Cairn is located c. 400 yards of East Revoch N Cairn.

Visited 01.04.26

Gidleigh Common S Cairn is a low mound c. 450m NNE of Scorhill Stone Circle on the E edge of Dartmoor. The round grassy cairn stands out as a green island on brown moorland. According to Historic England 1018908 it measures 0.60m high with a c. 12m diameter. Gidleigh Common S Cairn lies c. 25m SSW of Gidleigh Common N Cairn.

Visited 01.04.26

Gidleigh Common S Cairn is a low mound c. 450m NNE of Scorhill Stone Circle on the E edge of Dartmoor. The round grassy cairn stands out as a green island on brown moorland. According to Historic England 1018908 it measures 0.75m high with a c. 12m diameter. Historic England states that there are traces of an inner ring of stones on the S Arc. Gidleigh Common N Cairn lies c. 25m NNE of Gidleigh Common S Cairn.

Visited 30.03.26

If you are driving near Helston it is a no brainer to take this 3.5 mile detour through Cornish lanes to Prospidnick Longstone on the roadside. The ancient stone slab reaches an impressive 9 feet high. There is a convenient gateway c. 20 yards NE of the stone allowing a closer inspection. My google maps route from the A394 at Helston can be viewed on Prospidnick Longstone.

Visited 30.03.26

Eathorne Menhir has been re-erected in a small campsite c. 50 yards NE of Eathorne Farm on a minor road between Penryn & Gweek. The new location is SW 7460 3136. The standing stone has sustained damage in its travels: the top of the stone has broken off leaving a jagged edge. Despite this the stone is still impressive reaching up to c. 8 feet.
There is room to park carefully as the road widens just beyond the gateway to the campsite.

Boskednan N Cairn B, located c. 165 yards NNW of Boskednan Stone Circle, has been virtually razed from the landscape. It is now only visible as a dark green patch in brown moorland. Historic England 1003099 states that the “southern round cairn survives as a low uneven circular stony mound measuring up to 14m in diameter and 0.4m high.” The area is carpeted in moor grass and moss obscuring any stones in the low mound.
Walk c. 50 yards SSE on the path from Boskednan N Cairn A towards Boskednan Stone Circle. Boskednan N Cairn B lies c. 30 yards W of the path.

Directions to Carfury S: I followed a short route c. 0.2 mile from a tight passing place on the minor road from Carfury to Boskednan taking in Carfury Hedge Stone and Carfury N & S Stones on rough ground.

There is room to park carefully in a passing place at SW 4426 3408 between Carfury and Boskednan. Walk WNW into the field on the left for c. 50 yards then head SW across a shallow stream. Continue SW for c. 50 yards to a gap in a hedge. Follow a rough path SW for c. 150 yards to reach a possible standing stone built into a hedge on your left. The terrain becomes difficult from here. Head W from the hedge stone to a small gap in the bank. Crawl through the gap then continue WNW through pathless vegetation for c. 50 yards to cross a low grassy wall. Head SW for c. 25 yards on the NW side of the wall to find a 12 foot recumbent stone, Carfury N Stone lying parallel to the wall. Continue SW on the NW side of the wall for c. 40 yards to reach Carfury S Standing Stone. My route can be viewed on Carfury Standing Stones.

Directions to Carfury N: I followed a short route c. 0.2 mile from a tight passing place on the minor road from Carfury to Boskednan taking in Carfury Hedge Stone and Carfury N & S Stones on rough ground.

There is room to park carefully in a passing place at SW 4426 3408 between Carfury and Boskednan. Walk WNW into the field on the left for c. 50 yards then head SW across a shallow stream. Continue SW for c. 50 yards to a gap in a hedge. Follow a rough path SW for c. 150 yards to reach a possible standing stone built into a hedge on your left. The terrain becomes difficult from here. Head W from the hedge stone to a small gap in the bank. Crawl through the gap then continue WNW through pathless vegetation for c. 50 yards to cross a low grassy wall. Head SW for c. 25 yards on the NW side of the wall to find a 12 foot recumbent stone, Carfury N Stone lying parallel to the wall. Continue SW on the NW side of the wall for c. 40 yards to reach Carfury S Standing Stone. My route can be viewed on Carfury Standing Stones.

Carfury N Standing Stone is a 12 foot long recumbent stone, lying c. 40 yards NE of Carfury S Stone on a scrubby hillside c. 0.5 miles W of Carfury, a hamlet in Cornwall. The horizontal stone is a similar shape and size to its vertical neighbour. It is possible that Carfury N & S were a pair of standing stones historically.

Visited 28.03.26

I made the mistake of visiting Cheddar Gorge on a Saturday. It was very depressing: people were crawling over the rocks like ants and every parking place was occupied. I couldn’t face a return through the gorge so I took a random route back to the M5. I spotted this barrow in a field. There was a convenient parking spot opposite a gate. This site was the perfect antidote to Cheddar Gorge: a peaceful solo visit to an ancient site.

Visited 28.05.19

I approached the Essa Stones by car from the W. This cuts out the 0.8 mile walk up from Polruan Quay. There is a gateway N of the Lantic Way c. 90 yards W of a minor junction with a lane to Lanteglos Church. Essa Standing Stone 1 is c. 100 yards W of the gateway on the margin of the field at SX 13727 50987. The erect stone slab is orientated E-W and bears signs of weathering. The base round the stone has been eroded to a dusty circle. Essa Standing Stone 2 is located at SX 13762 51085, c. 110 yards NNE down the grassy slope. This slab is irregular and pointed, much less convincing as an ancient monument to my eyes. The standing stones are not visible from the Lantic Way due to the high hedge.

I flew into Tiree from Glasgow via Loganair: there was only a curtain separating the 6 passengers from the pilots. I picked up a hire car from the airport and spent a pleasant week touring this peaceful island. I would definitely recommend enthusiastic TMA’s to follow in my footsteps.

Directions to Tiree Ringing Stone: Take the B8068 N out of Scarinish. After c. 0.7 mile turn right onto the B6089 Caoles road. Follow it for c. 1.4 miles, then turn left for Vaul. Stay on this single track road with passing places for c. 1.2 miles until you reach a grassy car park at the end of the public road at NM 04549 49069. Walk NW along a grass track towards the sea for c. 175 yards. Turn right for c. 130 yards towards a ruined croft. Dun Beag Vaul is c. 70 yards NE of the croft on the edge of the coast. Walk c. 200 yards SW to rejoin the path. Follow the winding path W for c. 175 yards to Dun Mor (Vaul). Continue along the coastal path heading SW then W for c. 1.1 miles to reach a sandy bay at NM 0271 4864. The Ringing Stone is a large grey boulder c. 75 yards NNW in a rocky strip beyond the sand. The stone is unmistakable: it has multiple large cup marks, 53 in total according to the nearby info board. It is located at NM 02679 48689. My walking route is viewable on Clach a’ Choire (The Ringing Stone), Tiree.

I flew into Tiree from Glasgow via Loganair: there was only a curtain separating the 6 passengers from the pilots. I picked up a hire car from the airport and spent a pleasant week touring this peaceful island. I would definitely recommend enthusiastic TMA’s to follow in my footsteps.

Directions to Dun Mor Vaul: Take the B8068 N out of Scarinish. After c. 0.7 mile turn right onto the B6089 Caoles road. Follow it for c. 1.4 miles, then turn left for Vaul. Stay on this single track road with passing places for c. 1.2 miles until you reach a grassy car park at the end of the public road at NM 04549 49069. Walk NW along a grass track towards the sea for c. 175 yards. Turn right for c. 130 yards towards a ruined croft. Dun Beag Vaul is c. 70 yards NE of the croft on the edge of the coast. Walk c. 200 yards SW to rejoin the path. Follow the winding path W for c. 175 yards to Dun Mor (Vaul). Continue along the coastal path heading SW then W for c. 1.1 miles to reach a sandy bay at NM 0271 4864. The Ringing Stone is a large grey boulder c. 75 yards NNW in a rocky strip beyond the sand. The stone is unmistakable: it has multiple large cup marks, 53 in total according to the nearby info board. It is located at NM 02679 48689. My walking route is viewable on Clach a’ Choire (The Ringing Stone), Tiree.

I flew into Tiree from Glasgow via Loganair: there was only a curtain separating the 6 passengers from the pilots. I picked up a hire car from the airport and spent a pleasant week touring this peaceful island. I would definitely recommend enthusiastic TMA’s to follow in my footsteps.

Directions to Dun Beag (Vaul): Take the B8068 N out of Scarinish. After c. 0.7 mile turn right onto the B6089 Caoles road. Follow it for c. 1.4 miles, then turn left for Vaul. Stay on this single track road with passing places for c. 1.2 miles until you reach a grassy car park at the end of the public road at NM 04549 49069. Walk NW along a grass track towards the sea for c. 175 yards. Turn right for c. 130 yards towards a ruined croft. Dun Beag Vaul is c. 70 yards NE of the croft on the edge of the coast. Walk c. 200 yards SW to rejoin the path. Follow the winding path W for c. 175 yards to Dun Mor (Vaul). Continue along the coastal path heading SW then W for c. 1.1 miles to reach a sandy bay at NM 0271 4864. The Ringing Stone is a large grey boulder c. 75 yards NNW in a rocky strip beyond the sand. The stone is unmistakable: it has multiple large cup marks, 53 in total according to the nearby info board. It is located at NM 02679 48689. My walking route is viewable on Clach a’ Choire (The Ringing Stone), Tiree.

Visited 28.04.10

Directions to Dun Edinbane Broch: Take the Upper Edinbane turn off the A850. Follow the narrow road S through Upper Edinbane for c. 0.9 miles. It is possible to park up in a large lay-by at NG 3510 5063 at the end of the public road in Upper Edinbane. Walk N back along the narrow road for c. 100 yards to a green shed on the right. Enter the field on the right then head N to the field margin. Follow the field margin NE for c. 300 yards then head NW for c. 50 yards to a green mound containing the ruined Dun Edinbane Broch. My walking route is viewable on Dun Edinbane Broch.

Visited 19.07.21

This route visits 7 ancient monuments on the Moor of Drannandow. They are situated within a square kilometre so it is possible to visit them all on a long summer’s day walking c. 6 miles in total.

Take the A714 Newton Stewart turn off the A75 roundabout at Newton Stewart. Follow the A714 onto Victoria Street. After c. 0.8 miles turn right over the Cree Bridge. Turn left for Wood of Cree c. 50 yards after the end of the bridge. Follow the road into Minigaff for c. 0.5 mile then turn left for Wood of Cree. Follow the National Cycle Route 7, a narrow winding lane for c. 2.7 miles to reach Barclye Trails Car Park on the right. Park up safely then walk c. 350 yards N to the right turn for Drannandow Farm. Follow the farm track through Drannandow Farm. Bear left along a farm track at a Y junction c. 50 yards N of the farm. NB I have encountered Beef Cattle occupying this track on several occasions. It may be prudent to avoid these potentially dangerous animals, especially if calves are present. If the track is clear continue N then NE for 0.8 mile to a Y Junction. Take the right fork heading E. GPS Navigation is necessary to locate these relatively obscure monuments with the exception of Drannandow N Cairn which is close to Nappers Cottage. The following sites can be visited: Drumfern N Cairn, Drumfern Stone Circle, Drumfern S Cairn, Drannandow S Cairn, Rorie Gill’s Cairn, Drannandow N Cairn & The Thieves Standing Stones. Part of this route is over rough moorland so good footwear is recommended. My walking route is viewable on Drannandow Cairns.

Directions to Devil’s Bowling Green: You can park up at NX 4140 8028 close to the end of public vehicle access to Glen Trool. Walk NE along the road for c. 350 yards to reach the path to Bruce’s Stone. Avoid the Benyellary Path, continue down the private road, cross a bridge and bear left onto the Loch Valley path at NX 4198 8050. The path is defined but boggy in places, continuing upwards towards Loch Valley, then Loch Neldricken. Turn right round the bank of Loch Neldricken to reach a path heading N. Follow this path for c. 300 yards then head E towards the N slope of Craignaw. This is a pathless ascent for c. 1000 yards with a height gain of 200 yards. When you reach the ridge of Craignaw you should see a large flat rockbed at NX 45723 83683 with a variety of stones deposited on its surface. This is the Devil’s Bowling Green. My walking route is viewable on Devil’s Bowling Green (Craignaw).The route is strenuous totalling c. 500 yards of climbing on the way up in c. 4.4 miles. Walking Boots and GPS or Compass Navigation are compulsory. Extra clothing, food and water are strongly recommended.

Visited 03.06.15

When I drove past the Cock Crowing Stone my curiosity was raised by the bold graffito on the stone. Obviously, I took some pictures and resolved to investigate the unusual stone on Google. The search was not particularly productive as to the naming of the stone. Huddersfield Exposed suggested that “the stone might rotate at the sound of a cock crowing on a specific day of the year, or it might be standing on top of a treasure hoard”. An alternative explanation was that it was a frequent perch for a cock grouse crowing in the morning.

I checked out the photos on Geograph and found that the quoted OSGR for the stone is not accurate: It is located at SE 08202 09036 (or 53.57784, -1.87758 on Google Maps).

Directions to Cnoc Nan Dursainean Cairn: Park up at the Free Church of Scotland Car Park in Garrabost. Walk SE up the single track road for c. 200 yards until it reaches a dead end at a derelict building. Continue SE on a moorland path for c. 450 yards to reach a white footbridge on the left. Cross the footbridge then walk c. 20 yards SW to a triangular standing stone called Clach Glas on a grassy mound. Retrace your steps back to the path then head SW along a vague path winding through the heather for c. 600 yards to reach Cnoc Nan Dursainean, a green patch in brown moorland. There is an arc of several stones in the SW of the cairn probably containing a ruined chamber and a single standing stone in the NE. Walk NW along a rough moorland path towards Garrabost. After c. 450 yards you will reach the outskirts of the village. Head N over a burn towards an open field. Walk N across the field towards the A866. Walk c. 300 yards ENE along the A866 to reach the Free Church of Scotland Car Park. My route is viewable on Garrabost Standing Stone & Chambered Cairn. Walking Boots and GPS Navigation are recommended for this circular route.

Directions to Cnocan Nan Cobhar from Broadford: Take the B8083 Elgol turn in Broadford. Stay on the B8083 for c. 11 miles. Turn left for Old Kilmarie Graveyard. After 0.5 mile on the single track park up at Old Kilmarie Graveyard. Walk c. 280 yards NW back to Kilmarie House. There is a gate on the right just above Kilmarie House. This leads to a path beside a river. Follow the path NW for c. 50 yards to a footbridge. Cross the bridge then walk SE for c. 50 yards to reach Cnocan nan Gobhar Cairn. My route is viewable on Cnocan nan Gobhar Cairn (Kilmarie).

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.