Visited 18.09.23
The Quadrilataire de Manio is one of Carnac’s more enigmatic monuments. It is difficult to imagine how this stone rectangle would have fitted into the Carnac Complex. The proximity of the Geant du Manio merely adds to the air of mystery.
Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S is located on a path in woods c. 300m W of Saint-Philibert in Morbihan. The ruined dolmen consists of a capstone c. 1.8m wide at ground level resting on one recumbent stone. There is a shallow hollow below the capstone.
There is a lay-by on the D781 at N47.590813, W3.010069. Walk 25m NE along the roadside to reach a track running S. After c. 110m walk straight into the trees avoiding private property. Continue along this path for another c. 200m to reach a junction. The ruined Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye N is located c. 10m E in a small clearing. After visiting this site return to the junction of paths, take the right path heading S. Follow this vague path for c. 130m to reach Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S.
Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S is located on a path in woods c. 300m W of Saint-Philibert in Morbihan. The dolmen, which measures c. 1.5m high, is preserved in a fenced-off enclosure in a small clearing. The remains consist of a chamber with a large capstone measuring c. 2m wide. The chamber has a large flooring slab. An uncovered passage projects c. 1.5m ENE from the chamber.
There is a lay-by on the D781 at N47.590813, W3.010069. Walk 25m NE along the roadside to reach a track running S. After c. 110m walk straight into the trees avoiding private property. Continue along this path for another c. 200m to reach a junction. The ruined Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye N is located c. 10m E in a small clearing. After visiting this site return to the junction of paths, take the right path heading S. Follow this vague path for c. 130m to reach Dolmen de Mané Canaplaye S.
Visited 17.09.23
There is a standing stone c. 150m WSW of the Le Chat Noir roundabout on the D781. A cul-de sac signed to Kerganoff is 75m W of the roundabout. There is a small lay-by on the left of the junction. Follow a path starting opposite the lay-by, heading W into low shrubs for c. 50m to reach a clearing with Menhir de Kerangoff in the centre. The menhir is c. 1.8m high. The most notable feature of the stone is the concave South-East face.
Visited 17.09.23
There is a ruined dolmen in a stand of pine trees on the end of the Pointe Er Hourél. It is only c. 40m from Quiberon Bay. The Dolmen de Pointe Er Hourél consists of 3 orthostats measuring c. 1.3m high and a recumbent capstone measuring c. 2m wide. The rare combination of the trees and the sea give this ancient monument a magical atmosphere.
The site is well frequented. Indeed, I had to wait 30 minutes for a French family to finish their picnic in the shade of the stones to get my photos.
Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de St Pierre Loperec is in a grass field on the edge of the coast. It is located on a mound in the centre of the field. The ruined dolmen still retains some gravitas.
Take the Pointe er Ville turn off the Route de Saint-Pierre just after passing through Kerguérec. Park up after c. 300m. The road is restricted to authorised vehicles after this point. Walk S for c. 200m. Take a path heading S for c. 100m. Dolmen de St Pierre Loperec is c. 120m SE in the centre of a grassy field.
Visited 17.09.23
There is a hidden dolmen c. 450m SW of the Le Chat Noir roundabout on the D781. A cul-de sac signed to Kerganoff is 300m SW of the roundabout. Follow the narrow lane for c. 200m to a dead-end. Dolmen de Kermané is on the left in a private garden. I was limited to taking pictures from outside the fence.
Visited 17.09.23
Dolmen de Kercadoret is a neglected site in a shrubby wood N of the D781 on the NE edge of Kercadoret. There is a path off the D781 into a field on the NE edge of Kercadoret. Follow round the edge of the wood for c. 80m then follow the wood N for c. 20m to reach a vague path into the wood. Head NW for c. 20 yards through shrubbery to find the hidden dolmen. It is located at 47.58981 -2.9781 if you have a GPS app.
Visited 16.09.23
The only alignments open to walk through on my visit were Menec and Kerlescan. Alignements de Kerlescan was the more impressive of the two with taller stones in the rows.
Visited 16.09.23
Géant du Manio is a high and handsome standing stone in Manio Forest. The massive menhir reaches up to 6.5m. It is well sign-posted on a forest path c. 40m ESE of Quadratiere du Manio.
Visited 16.09.23
Dolmen de Kermario is located in the SW corner of Alignement de Kermario, c. 40m SW from the nearest stone. It has the appearance of an Allee Couverte.
Visited 16.09.23
The Alignements de Kermario were the most impressive of the Carnac Alignments due to the length of the stone rows and the impressive height of the megaliths forming the rows. Unfortunately I had to be content with external views of the stones as access was restricted. The best views were to be had from the Old Windmill platform.
Visited 16.09.23
A one-way road is now in place adjacent to the Alignements de Ménec. It is possible to walk E from the Maison des Megalithes along the Alignements de Ménec but you must drive W along the road following the stone rows. It is a c. 4 km walk E along the Carnac alignments. After visiting Alignements de Ménec and Toulchignon I elected to return to the Maison des Megalithes. I drove the loop to Alignements de Kermario Car Parking to continue my tour.
It is possible to take the Petit Train or several other Carnac alignment tours located on the approach to the Maison des Megalithes. Parking at the Maison des Megalithes is free.
Visited 16.09.23
Tumulus de St Michel is located on the NE edge of Carnac. Hotel du Tumulus is conveniently located adjacent to the giant mound. A small chapel is perched on the summit of the mound. There are two modern entrances, on the S and W sides, into the two chambers and passages buried within the tumulus. However, these are only accessible on guided tours. Despite the encroachment of modernity, Tumulus de St Michel manages to retain its gravitas.
Visited 15.09.23
Dolmen de Lannek-er-Men is located in Port Brillac, a small village c. 4 km NW of Sarzeau in Morbihan. The chamber of this dolmen measures c. 3m x 2m x 0.6m. Two medium-sized capstones are supported by several orthostats on the NE and SW sides. There is a large floor slab in the NW half of the chamber.
The dolmen is wedged into a corner against a hedge in a grassy area, used as a car park on my visit. In fact, a BMW bumper was almost touching the dolmen. My picture options were restricted to lateral views.
Visited 15.09.23
Menhir de Kermaillard is a massive standing stone, sub-rectangular in cross section, measuring c. 1.7m long and 1.2m wide. This dressed pillar rises to a point at c. 4m. There is a square measuring c. 0.6m and a crescent carved in bas-relief on the base of the WSW face. A small axe carved on the left of the square is no longer visible. Proposed carvings on the ENE face are not visible in bright light.
Visited 15.09.23
Allee Couverte de Grah-Niol is located on a narrow lane on the Northern edge of Arzon. There is convenient parking 50m N of the site. There is a low fence round the allee-couverte denying any internal access. This is unfortunate as there are carved stones inside the passage of the monument. A standing stone is erected on the E end of Allee Couverte de Grah-Niol, on the roadside.
Visited 15.09.23
It is only 6 euros to access the Cairn de Petit Mont. Given the size of the site that is good value. It includes a group tour in French of the Cairn & Dolmen 3b, which is off limits without a tour guide. I requested some English commentary and the guide was obliging enough to give me a short lecture in English. I was also able to take photos in Chamber 3b.
Visited 15.09.23
Cairn de Petit Mont is a large pentagonal cairn perched on a headland South-West of Arzon in Morbihan. The elevated position has extensive sea views and enables the cairn to be seen from afar. The unusual shape of the cairn, which currently measures 55m long by 55m wide, may be a result of its multi-phase construction. According to the tour booklet, a mound covering a closed chamber (Chamber 1) was constructed in c. 4600 BC. The mound measured 50m x 19m x 1.6m. A stone cairn, measuring 22m long and 12m wide was erected over the mound c. 100 years later. 700 years later a chambered cairn with one accessible chamber (Chamber 2) was built over the original cairn. After another 1100 years a fourth phase of building occurred in 2700 BC. The cairn was modified and extended. Chamber 2 was blocked off and Chamber 3a and 3b were built, accessed by passages from the East side of the new cairn.
Unfortunately, this was not the final modification of Cairn de Petit Mont. Due to its strategic position on the coast Hitler order the construction of a concrete bunker within the cairn in 1943. The bunker was built in the S side of the cairn. This modification completely destroyed Chamber 3b and partially destroyed the passages of Chamber 2 and Chamber 3a. The cairn was neglected until 1979 when archaeological excavations resulted in the final phase of modifications, completed in 1989. As a result Chamber 3a and its passage were restored. We also have access to Chamber 2 via the Bunker. The facades of the cairn were modified into a series of 3 steps with a flat roof.
Visited 15.09.23
I stumbled across Tumulus de Tumiac while waiting for the Petit Mont Cairn to open; Mad dogs and Scotsmen go out in the midday sun. I saw the mound on the horizon and experienced the usual gravitational attraction. A path to Tumulus de Tumiac is conveniently located in a lay-by on the E edge of Arzon in a long straight on the D780. The site is closed to the public, a relatively common state of affairs in my experience, so I contented myself with a distant view. The grassy mound measures 86m in diameter and 20m high according to the information board. A central tomb, measuring 4.4m x 2.4m x 1.75m, is covered by successive layers of clay. The mound has been dated to 4790 BC.
The mound is known locally as Butte de Cesar (Caesar’s Mound). He is reputed to have witnessed a naval battle from the summit of Tumulus de Tumiac in 56 BC.
Visited 15.09.23
I travelled to the Cairn de Gavrinis via a pre-booked trip from Port-Navalo with Le Passeur des Iles on a 20 person boat. The journey to the island took around 20 minutes. There was an organised lecture on the Cairn de Gavrinis in French for around 30 minutes before we were allowed to enter the passage in small groups. We were allowed free access to the passage and chamber, which are lit by subdued lighting, for 5 minutes. There were no restrictions on photography allowing me to take some good pictures of the carved stones in the passage and the chamber. The boat was waiting at the end of the tour. I would recommend this trip though I could have done without the extended lecture in French.
Visited 14.09.23
Access to this monument has been restricted by a low fence round the perimeter. There is an official sign denying permission to enter the dolmen. I respected this request reluctantly because I would have liked to see the carved stones in the monument.
Visited 14.09.23
Mané-er-Hroëck tumulus is easily visited via a signed footpath off Rue de Kerpenhir. The chamber entrance is obviously modern but that doesn’t detract from the atmosphere in the plain chamber in the centre of the tumulus.
Visited 14.09.23
Menhir de Kerpenhir is a massive irregular standing stone on the coast c. 200m N of Société Nautique de Locmariaquer (Locmariaquer Sailing Club). The menhir is c. 3.5m high by 2.5m wide. It is orientated ENE-WSW on its broad faces.
Menhir de Kerpenhir is featured on page 160 of Le guide des mégalithes du Morbihan by Gabriel Le Cam. This book is an indispensible photographic record of 338 monuments in the Morbihan area.
There is a large car park off Route de Kerpenhir on Pointe de Kerpenhir, c. 2km SSE of Locmariaquer. Walk c. 40m N from the Car Park to reach a closed gate on the right. Follow a track W round the coast. After c. 350m turn left along a path. Follow this path W for c. 100m to reach Menhir de Kerpenhir.
Visited 14.09.23
Grand Menhir Brise is one of Locmariaquer’s big three sites. It is only accessible via the Site des Megalithes Visitor Centre for 6 euros. To be fair, there are three impressive monuments, unrestricted visiting time and free parking so what’s not to like?
Grand Menhir Brise consists of four massive recumbent stones which are though to have been parts of one of the largest ever menhirs, measuring c. 20 metres long. There is speculation as to whether the Grand Menhir Brise either broke on erection or as a result of an earthquake or was deliberately toppled. There is archaeological evidence of 19 socket holes forming a giant stone row, with Grand Menhir Brise as an end stone. Whatever the reality, there is no doubt that the Grand Menhir Brise is an impressive antiquity.
Visited 14.09.23
Table des Merchants is one of Locmariaquer’s big three sites. It is only accessible via the Site des Megalithes Visitor Centre for 6 euros. To be fair, there are three impressive monuments, unrestricted visiting time and free parking so what’s not to like?
La Table des Merchants is a cairn constructed in 1993 around the surviving naked dolmen for the preservation of the antiquity. It was interesting to see the carved rear stone and ceiling in the chamber. However, the new cairn reminds me of the reconstructed cairn at Newgrange. I prefer my ancient monuments unadulterated.
Visited 14.09.23
Er-Grah Tumulus is one of Locmariaquer’s big three sites. It is only accessible via the Site des Megalithes Visitor Centre for 6 euros. To be fair, there are three impressive monuments, unrestricted visiting time and free parking so what’s not to like?
Er-Grah Tumulus has gravitas but it’s long thin footprint make it difficult to capture a definitive image. The undoubted focus is the central tomb with its massive capstone, the cherry on the cake. I decided to walk slowly round Er-Grah Tumulus absorbing its antiquity as I strolled.
Visited 14.09.23
I followed directions to Dolmen de Mané Rutuel from the Tourist Office in Locmariaquer. After a 5 minute walk, I discovered that the long mound is closed to the public due to safety concerns. I was reduced to walking round a protective fence, making the best of limited views. Mané Rutuel is an impressive monument but a disappointing outcome.
Visited 14.09.23
I found the Menhir du Bronzo by following the Sites des Megalithes sign opposite the Tourist Office. The broken menhir is located in a vacant plot on the left of Ruelle du Bronzo. The site has two large stones: the erect bottom half in the SW and the displaced top half lying to the NE. Each half of the broken stone measures c. 6 feet long.
Visited 13.09.23
Dolmens des Grays is located 5 minutes E along the coastal path starting in Pen Lan Car Park. At first sight the monument is a jumble of stones. There is an interpretation board, suggesting that the cairn consists of an amalgam of 3 separate tombs. It divides the cairn into Tomb A,B & C. They are in the N, SW & SE respectively.
Continue E along the path for 10 minutes to reach Dolmen du Crapaud.
Visited 13.09.23
Dolmen du Crapaud is located on a cliff edge SE of Plage des Granges, S of Pen Lan (Penn Lann). The remains of this site have been much reduced by coastal erosion. The chamber resembles a toad viewed from N, hence the french name Dolmen du Crapaud.
The site is easily accessible from a coastal path starting in Pen Lan Car Park, heading E past Cairn des Grays to Les Granges.
Visited 05.09.23
Camrie Fell Cairn is a low grassy cairn, c. 2 miles N of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. The mound is located in high pastureland, c. 500 yards NNE of Gleniron Farm.
The footprint of a round cairn is located on an E-W slope in a grass field. There is a grass bank on the perimeter of the cairn, running clock-wise from the S Arc to the N Arc. The bank measures up to c. 6 feet wide and 2 feet high. The radius of the W half of the cairn is c. 27 feet. The E half of Camrie Fell Cairn has been reduced to ground level. There is only one stone, measuring c. 1.5 feet by 1 foot, on the flat surface of the cairn. It is located in the NE quadrant.
Canmore ID 61601 has a full description of Camrie Fell Cairn.
Take the North St turn-off in Glenluce, heading for the Three Lochs. After c. 1.3 miles turn left down a narrow unsigned lane. Follow this single track lane for c. 0.9 miles. Take a sharp right turn at Keepers Cottage. This rough farm track leads to Gleniron Farm. After c. 0.3 of a mile you will reach a 90 degree corner at NX 1961 5983. There is room to park here. A gate leads NNE up a slope adjacent to a dry stane dyke to a ruined farm. Follow the track though the farm. The cairn is located c. 150 yards NNW in the next field. My route is viewable on Camrie Fell Cairn.
Visited 03.09.23
Craig Fell N & S Cairns are located in Glenwhan Forest, c. 3 miles S of New Luce in Dumfries and Galloway. An off-road bike is preferable to travel the c. 3.5 miles via rocky forest tracks.
Craig Fell N Cairn is in a clearing c. 100 yards E of the forest track. It can be accessed by a vague boggy path through scrubby trees. The irregular grassy mound measures c. 50 feet across and 3 feet high according to Canmore ID 61609. Its surface is scarred by plough-lines. There are some medium-sized embedded stones scattered amongst the tussocks.
The smaller S cairn is located c. 75 yards S of Craig Fell N Cairn. According to Canmore ID 61604 Craig Fell S Cairn was one of many small cairns destroyed by afforestation. It is inaccessible due to an impenetrable forest.
There is room to park at NX 1412 6188. My route is viewable on Craig Fell Cairns.
Visited 15.08.23
Cairn Wood (Barskeoch) Cairn is located in Cairn Wood c. 3 miles W of Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway. The cairn is hidden in an enclosed wood c. 300 yards N of Barskeoch Farm. The circular grassy cairn is surrounded by mature trees. It measures c. 70 feet in diameter and 4 feet high. According to a 1912 report in Canmore ID 62939, the mound was surrounded by a peristalith of large stones laid at irregular intervals. These stones are no longer in situ, however, a jumble of around 10 large stones has been deposited on the S arc of the cairn. It is possible that these were the original peristalith stones. The kerb of Cairn Wood (Barskeoch) Cairn is defined by an earth bank c. 1.5 feet high on the E arc and an intermittent circle of kerb stones. There is a large cup mark measuring c. 5 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep on an upright kerb stone on the NE of the perimeter. The interior of the cairn has been robbed-out, leaving an irregular grassy surface dotted with protruding stones. The centre of the cairn has a low grassy mound and a sub-circular rubble of exposed mossy stones, c. 5 feet in diameter.
Visited 11.08.23
Cairn of Knockglass is a circular mound in arable land c. 1.5 miles N of Creetown in Dumfries and Galloway. The cairn measures c. 90 feet in diameter and 6 feet high. This is a substantial increase of the dimensions quoted in Canmore ID 63531. Cairn of Knockglass had a diameter of c. 50 feet as reported in a 1912 visit. The increase in diameter can be ascribed to the addition of large field clearance stone deposited round the perimeter of the mound. Canmore also records that the centre of the cairn had been cleared out. The current cairn has a flat grassy centre with a few stones dotted on the surface. There are extensive views to the south and west of Cairn of Knockglass.
Visited 11.08.23
Cairn Hill (Barraer) Cairn is a grassy cairn in arable land c. 2.5 miles SW of Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway. It is located on the southern slope of Cairn Hill (Barraer). The elliptical cairn measures c. 22 yards on the NE-SW axis and 16 yards on the NW-SE axis. Almost all stones have been removed from the cairn, except for the NW arc. Additionally, field clearance stones have been dumped on the NW arc. Cairn Hill (Barraer) Cairn is listed as Canmore ID 62953.
Visited 11.08.23
High Baltersan Cairn is a circular grassy mound located in arable land c. 2 miles S of Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway. It is situated adjacent to a natural rocky knoll which has field clearance stones deposited on its summit. The mound measures c. 33 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. The perimeter is studded with small and medium-sized stones. The flat summit is covered in grass. Canmore ID 63565 has further details of High Baltersan Cairn.
Visited 11.08.23
Cairnhouse E Cairn is a stony mound on the N edge of Cairnhouse Farm, c. 2 miles NNW of Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway. The round mound is contained within a square stone-walled enclosure attached to a farmhouse. It is inaccessible due to the stone wall and surrounding ferns. According to Canmore ID 63373 material has been removed from the E arc. Canmore estimates that Cairnhouse E Cairn measures c. 60 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet high.
Visited 11.08.23
Cairnhouse W Cairn is a grassy platform in arable land c. 0.33 miles W of Cairnhouse Farm, c. 2 miles NNW of Wigtown in Dumfries and Galloway. The round mound measures c. 50 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. Large field clearance stones have been dumped on the N arc. The remainder of the cairn has small to medium stones scattered on its surface. Canmore ID 63373 states that there is no sign of an exposed internment.
Visited 06.08.23
Elrig Cairn is a grassy mound c. 400 yards NE of Elrig, a small village in Dumfries and Galloway. The sub-circular cairn is located in arable land c. 350 yards SW of Elrig Farm. The mound measures c. 66 feet in diameter and 5 feet high. The S half is covered in thorn bushes. Old farm equipment and field clearance stones have been dumped in the N half. The cairn appears to be be unexcavated. Canmore ID 62713 has details of Elrig Cairn.
Visited 04.08.23
Mochrum Fell (Elrig) Cairn is located c. 1.7 miles NW of Elrig in Dumfries and Galloway. It was constructed on the summit of Mochrum Fell (Elrig) with panoramic views. The sub-circular cairn measures c. 70 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. The perimeter is delineated by a belt of small stones with gaps in the N and SW. A stone slab, c. 3 feet high, has been erected as a standing stone in the E arc and a marker cairn, c. 3 feet high, has been built on the SE perimeter. These features are presumably modern additions to the cairn. The grassy centre of the mound has been cleared of stones. Canmore ID 62897 suggests that a central cist was destroyed by a bonfire previous to 1911. There is a central rectangular depression occupied by a large split rock with two large drill holes on its upper surface. The depression measures c. 4 feet long x 3 feet wide x 1 foot deep on a NE-SW axis. A c. 3 feet long slab on the SE edge could have been a cist side slab.
Visited 01.08.23
Cairn Hill (Dalquharran) Cairn is a ploughed-out cairn c. 0.5 miles north of Dailly in South Ayrshire. The grassy mound is located on the crest of Cairn Hill in arable land. According to Canmore ID 40870 the cairn measured 21m in diameter by 0.9m in height in 1982. Canmore also stated that in 1820 four cists were found in it.
Visited on 29.07.23
Airyolland W Cairn is located c. 0.6 miles NNW of Elrig, a small village in Dumfries and Galloway. Airyolland Farm is c. 0.6 miles SSW of the irregular stony mound constructed in pastureland. Airyolland W Cairn measures c. 80 feet in diameter and c. 8 feet high. The mound retains a covering of stones except for the W half of the cairn which has a grassy surface with scattered stones. Low traces of ruined enclosures can be seen c. 20 yards E of Airyolland W Cairn. Canmore ID 62703 has details of Airyolland W Cairn.
Airyolland E Cairn is c. 50 yards NE of Airyolland W Cairn.
Visited on 29.07.23
Airyolland E Cairn is located c. 0.6 miles NNW of Elrig, a small village in Dumfries and Galloway. Airyolland Farm is c. 0.6 miles SSW of the round mound lying in pastureland. The grassy platform has been reduced to c. 3 feet high with a c. 60 feet diameter. Medium-sized field clearance stones have been scattered on the surface of the cairn, especially on the NW half. A standing stone, c. 4 feet tall, has been erected in the centre of the platform. It is probably a modern addition to the monument. Canmore ID 62703 has details of Airyolland E Cairn.
Airyolland W Cairn is c. 50 yards SW of Airyolland E Cairn.
Visited 24.07.23
Corwall E Cairn is a grassy round cairn located c. 0.9 miles from the coast, c. 5 miles NW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. The low platform is situated in pasture c. 450 yards ENE of Corwall Farm. Corwall E Cairn, which measures c. 40 feet in diameter and 1.5 feet high, has an irregular perimeter with a line of kerb stones on the N Arc. A modern marker cairn, 3 feet high, has been erected on the N Arc. The cairn has been extensively stone-robbed, leaving a grassy surface with scattered stones. Canmore ID 62127 has further details of Corwall E Cairn.
Corwall S Cairn is c. 700 yards SW of Corwall E Cairn.
Visited 24.07.23
Corwall S Cairn is a stony round cairn located c. 0.5 miles from the coast, c. 5 miles NW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. It is constructed in rough pasture c. 450 yards south of Corwall Farm. The stony central hollow of the mound is surrounded by a grassy perimeter. Corwall S Cairn measures c. 50 feet in diameter and 3 feet high except for the central modern marker cairn which reaches up to 6 feet high. Canmore ID 62125 has further details of Corwall S Cairn.
Corwall E Cairn is c. 700 yards NE of Corwall S Cairn.
Visited 16.07.23
The May Cairn is a low mound located c. 100 yards SSW of The May Farm, c. 5 miles NNW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. The circular platform has a flat grassy surface. The perimeter of the cairn is studded with small exposed stones. It measures c. 54 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. Canmore ID 62915 has further details of The May Cairn
The May Cairn is one of a small cluster of cairns at The May consisting of Court Cairn, The May and Lang Rigs.
Visited 16.07.23
Lang Riggs (The May) Cairn is located c. 400 yards SSW of The May Farm in Dumfries and Galloway. The round cairn, situated in the centre of a field, was reduced to c. 60 feet in diameter and 4 feet high according to a 1911 account in Canmore ID 62205. The grassy platform has been used as a dumping ground for medium to large field clearance stones, mostly round the perimeter, increasing its height to c. 6 feet. Canmore ID 62205 speculated that the cairn was excavated by the Marquis of Bute in 1942. A stony trench in the eastern half may be the result of this excavation.
Court Cairn is one of a small cluster of cairns at The May consisting of Court Cairn, The May and Lang Rigs.
Visited 16.07.23
White Loch of Myrton Crannog is located in the SE corner of the loch c. 1.5 miles N of Monreith, a coastal village in Dumfries and Galloway. According to Canmore ID 62814 the crannog was constructed as a stone mound bounded by c. 100 vertical piles driven into the loch bed. The surface of the crannog is densely tree-covered obscuring any signs of occupation. There is no visible evidence of a causeway from the east bank due to a high water level.
White Loch of Myrton Crannog is accessible from a public path round the loch in Monreith House Estate. Parking is possible at the estate entrance. The best views of the crannog are from the west bank. It is possible to approach the crannog from the east via a woodland path veering off the loch circuit. The views of the crannog from the east bank are restricted by trees bordering the loch. My route is viewable on White Loch of Myrton.
Visited 09.07.23
A second cairn on the summit of Cairnsmore of Fleet is noted in Canmore ID 63764 at NX 502 671, c. 40m NE of the Summit Cairn. This cairn, adjacent to a modern shelter, has a trig point surmounted on its centre. The round mound is c. 6m in diameter and 0.2m high. It has scattered stones, ranging from small to large, on its grassy surface.