Visited 09.07.23
Knee of Cairnsmore Cairn is c. 1.2 miles SSE of the N Summit of Cairnsmore of Fleet, a hill c. 5.5 miles E of Newton Stewart. The round stony cairn, on the southern summit of Cairnsmore of Fleet, has been reduced to c. 15 yards in diameter reaching a height of 1 yard. A modern marker cairn c. 5 feet high has been constructed on the N Arc. Canmore ID 63763 has further details of Knee of Cairnsmore Cairn.
Visited 08.07.23
Glenquicken Moor Standing Stone is located on Glenquicken Moor, N of Garrochar Tree Farm, c. 2 miles E of Creetown. Canmore ID 63672 describes the stone as a “thin broad whinstone slab”. The stone’s dimensions, taken from Canmore, are 3 feet 6 inches high by 3 feet 4 inches broad by 6 inches thick. The broad faces are on a NE-SW Axis.
The stone is hard to find in summer due to a sea of ferns. I walked c. 50 yards SSW from the rocky knoll at NX 51610 58608 to find the hidden stone.
Glenquicken Moor Standing Stone is difficult to access due to its proximity to Garrochar Tree Farm. The route to Glenquicken Moor Standing Stone is short but is tricky underfoot, over rough ground for half of it. A detour is required round Garrocher Tree Farm’s high fences. My route is viewable on Glenquicken Moor Standing Stone.
Visited 02.07.23
East Threave Cairn is located in pasture land c. 2 miles NNW of Dailly in South Ayrshire. The grassy round mound is in a hollow on the edge of a moraine c. 0.5 miles ESE of East Threave farm. According to Canmore 40882 the cairn is 13m in diameter and 1.5m high. An earth set stone, possibly a kerb stone, is visible on the E Arc. There is some erosion on the W half of the summit. A central hollow c. 0.5m deep has been created by excavation on the summit of the cairn.
Visited 22.06.23
Milton Loch SE Crannog is located in the south-east corner of Milton Loch, c. 1 mile south-east of Crocketford in Dumfries and Galloway. According to Canmore ID 65047 the crannog was discovered in 1953 when the water level in Loch Milton was lowered. Milton Loch SE Crannog is situated c. 20 metres west of the bank near the Milton Burn outlet from the loch. It consists of an oval platform of stones measuring c. 20 metres east-west and 14 metres north-south. Low water level in 1973 exposed 38 vertical piles and several horizontal timbers on the platform. Around 10 of the vertical piles delineated a causeway to the shore. A pile taken from the crannog in 1989 was dated to c. 110 BC.
The crannog is currently occupied by a large mature tree and shrubbery. The high water level has obscured any features of the crannog excepting a short stony projection on the east arc, probably remains of the original causeway.
Visited 22.06.23
Milton Loch Central Crannog is located centrally in Milton Loch c. 1 mile SE of Crocketford in Dumfries and Galloway. According to Canmore ID 72519 the island was identified as a crannog by an underwater examination in 1989. It was constructed using wooden piles and transverse timbers laid on a bed of boulders set on a natural outcrop. The crannog measures c. 20 metres across above the water level, sloping away to c. 30 metres in diameter at a depth of c. 3 metres. Wooden samples taken from the crannog have been dated to c. 480 AD.
The crannog is prominent in the middle of Milton Loch, a low circular island covered by mature trees. According to Canmore ID 72521 an island lying c. 110 metres W of the crannog was examined in 2002. The island was found to be a natural outcrop.
Visited 22.06.23
Milton Loch NW Crannog is in the NW corner of Milton Loch c. 1 mile SE of Crocketford in Dumfries and Galloway. According to Canmore ID 65046 the crannog was revealed when the water level of Milton Loch was lowered in 1953. A causeway c. 100 yards long was marked by a double line of wooden posts leading east to a low stone covered island, measuring 35 feet in diameter. The crannog was a circular house, measuring c. 47 feet in overall diameter, constructed in timber. The interior of the house was subdivided radially into compartments. A 6 feet platform supported by wooden posts surrounded the stony island. A small harbour measuring 35 feet was constructed on the SE of the crannog. Further details of archaeological excavations are available in Canmore ID 65046.
The crannog is now populated by mature trees obscuring the surface of the island and the current high water level has submerged the causeway.
Visited 22.06.23
There is a mysterious earthwork on Green Island, a promontory on the W bank of Milton Loch in Dumfries and Galloway. Milton Loch is c. 1 mile SE of Crocketford, near Dumfries.
The earthwork runs on a east-west axis along the promontory. The narrow boat shaped enclosure, measuring c. 246 feet east-west by 73 feet north-south according to Canmore ID 65045, is protected by a surrounding ditch and rampart defensive system. The rampart is c. 3 feet high and the surrounding shallow ditch 10-12 feet wide. The entrance to the enclosure is in the centre of the west flank, measuring c. 8 feet wide. The flat grassy enclosure is featureless.
There is some doubt as to the age and classification of the earthwork. C M Piggott thought it dated to the Dark Age or Medieval periods while A E Truckell stated it ‘seems a definitely Viking type of site.’ Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland has a description of the earthwork but notes that it ’ cannot be classified as a fort as such.‘
Visited 07.06.23
If you have walked to the shy and retiring Craddock Moor Stone Circle it is only an extension of c. 500 yards WSW towards a low mound on the horizon to reach Craddock Moor E Barrow. The round mound measures c. 17 yards across and 1 yard high. The fern-covered mound is studded with small protruding stones. Craddock Moor W Barrow, which is located c. 40 yards W, measures c. 20 yards across. It consists of a central mound c. 8 yards across and 1 yard high surrounded by a circular stony bank up to 0.5 yard high.
Visited 06.06.23
When I read Mr Hamhead’s fieldnotes I realised that I had been walking past the original Minions Mound on every visit to Minions. The stone wall constructed round the mound may be protecting it for future antiquarians, however it also disguises the antiquity of the site.
I decided to visit the Minions Mound currently marked on the OS as it was a flat walk for c. 300 yards. The round barrow stands out of the moorland, a horseshoe-shaped bank up to 1 yard high on the S Arc and c. 20 yards in diameter. The centre of the mound has been stone robbed down to ground level from the NW.
Historic England 1010256 has further information on the tumulus.
Visited 08.06.23
I am magnetically attracted to Twelve Men’s Moor every time I visit Cornwall. The landscape is a unique mix of spectacular rock formations, ancient cairns, and post-industrial remains. I like to revisit old friends, Kilmar Tor Quoit and the Pyramid Stone, to renew my acquaintance.
Visited 07.06.23
Craddock Moor NE Cairn is located in the NE of Craddock Moor in Cornwall. The grassy platform cairn measures c 33 yards in diameter and 1 yard high. A central mound measures c. 25 yards across. The mound is enclosed by an earth bank c. 3 yards wide and 1 foot high, c. 1 yard outside the edge of the mound. Further details of Craddock Moor NE Cairn are available in Historic England 1010310.
Craddock Moor Stone Circle lies c. 200 yards SW of Craddock Moor NE Cairn.
Visited 08.06.23
A walk on Twelve Men’s Moor and its associated tors is always rewarded with a rich variety of antiquarian sites. On my recent visit I discovered that the Bearah Tramway Cist had been cleared of vegetation, giving an improved aspect to the site.
Visited 27.05.23
Moss Knowes Rocking Stone is located in South Ayrshire, c. 0.5 mile W of the S end of Loch Ricawr in Galloway Forest Park. It is marked on OS Mapping. The rocking stone is a sub-rectangular stone measuring c. 10 x 5 x 5 feet. The long axis runs E-W. It is balanced on a large wedge-shaped boulder measuring c. 11 feet high by 15 feet wide in the SW side sloping down to 3 feet high in the NE side. A choke stone on the NE slope of the wedge-shaped boulder appears to have wedged the rocking stone in position. As a result, the rocking stone doesn’t rock. It is unclear whether the choke stone is natural or a later addition by man.
Moss Knowes Rocking Stone is accessed via Carrick Forest Drive, which is currently closed to vehicles. A mountain bike is the best way to reach the rocking stone from the W terminus of Carrick Forest Drive at NX 41312 95695. Follow the Carrick Forest Drive for c. 1.7 miles to reach a right turn just before Loch Riecawr. Take the right turn heading S for c. 1.1 miles to reach Moss Knowes Rocking Stone. It is c. 25 yards SE of the forest track in an open area of felled forest.
Visited 15.05.23
There is a submerged crannog in the centre of Cults Loch, c. 1 mile NE of Castle Kennedy in Dumfries and Galloway. An additional crannog site can be found in the NW corner of Cults Loch.
Cults Loch Central Crannog is visible as a scrubby island c. 100 yards off the W bank of Cults Loch. According to Canmore ID 61693, the island “measures about 7.5m from N to S by 5.1m transversely.” An underwater archaeological survey in 2002 estimated the dimensions of the submerged crannog to be 19.5m N-S by 17m transversely, rising 2.5m above the loch bed.
Cults Loch NW Crannog was located on a sub circular promontory, projecting c. 50 yards into the NW corner of Cults Loch at NX 1203 6058. Archaeological excavations carried out between 2007 and 2010 established that the promontory was man-made. Traces of a ditch and wooden palisade defensive structure were found at the neck of the promontory. The excavation of the interior yielded evidence of multi-phase occupation. Canmore ID 276231 has further detail of the archaelogical excavations of Cults Loch NW Crannog. The present waterlogged condition of the site on the N margin of the loch precluded me from making any investigation of the promontory.
Visited 04.05.23
Captain’s Bridge (Drummochreen) W Hillfort is located immediately W of Captain’s Bridge on the B741, c. 4 miles S of Maybole in South Ayrshire.
The E flank of the hillfort has been truncated by the construction of Captain’s Bridge, leaving a 20 foot sheer rock face. The N and S flanks are protected by natural contours. There are remains of a defensive ditch and rampart on the exposed W flank of the fort. The ditch is c. 10 feet wide and 1 foot deep, the rampart c. 5 feet high. The open enclosure, sloping gently from W to E, has a sparse population of trees. It measures c. 20 yards E-W and 18 yards N-S. There are no man-made features visible in the enclosure.
Canmore ID 40869 has further details of Captain’s Bridge (Drummochreen) W Hillfort.
Visited 02.05.23
Captain’s Bridge (Drummochreen) SE Dun is located c. 20 yards SE of Captain’s Bridge on the B741, c. 4 miles S of Maybole in South Ayrshire.
The small dun which reaches up to 20 feet high on the W end has steep defensive sides on the N and E flanks. The S and W flanks provide possible access to the SW-NE sloping summit plateau. It has been populated by mature trees making measurement difficult. Canmore ID 40868 quotes the internal dimensions of Captain’s Bridge (Drummochreen) SE Dun as “11 m by at least 8m”. There are no significant stones visible on the summit plateau.
Visited 09.05.23
Barnsallie Fell Cairn is a small grassy mound, located c. 130 yards N of Whitefield Loch, in the SE corner of Barnsallie Fell in Dumfries and Galloway. It is in a clearing in scrubland on the W edge of Craigenveoch Wood. A tree growing out of the central hollow of the cairn has all but obscured the ancient remains. Viewed from the S, a tree surrounded by a circle of brushwood can be seen. According to Canmore ID 62154 the mound measured “5.0m in diameter and 0.8m high” in 1976. This was difficult to check accurately due to impenetrable vegetation but it seemed to be a good visual estimate.
Visited 12.05.23
Loch Heron is located immediately S of Three Lochs Holiday Park between Glenluce and Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway. The aforementioned three lochs, from SW to NE, are Loch Ronald, Loch Heron and Black Loch. According to Canmore ID 62396, there were two crannogs on Loch Heron.
Loch Heron NW Crannog was constructed on an artificial island c. 80 yards E from the centre of the W bank. The small isle has been intensively populated by trees and shrubs obscuring any view of the crannog’s remains. Canmore gives the dimensions of a mound on the isle as 51m NW-SE, 26m transversely and 2.2m high.
Loch Heron SW Crannog is a submerged islet located c. 50m SE of the wooded isle. There are no signs of it from the W bank. Details of Loch Heron SW Crannog are available in Canmore ID 62396.
Visited 02.04.23
Ballageich Hill Cairn is located on the E edge of the summit plateau of Ballageich Hill, c. 2 miles SW of Eaglesham in East Renfrewshire. There is a lay-by on the B764 at NS 53933 50021, opposite to Greenfield Farm track. A path from the lay-by, heading NW, leads c. 180 yards up to the elevated remains of Ballageich Hill Cairn. The grassy sub-circular cairn measures c. 3 feet high and 66 feet in diameter. The surface of the cairn is irregular with exposed stones protruding through the turf. There is a round excavation pit, measuring c. 6 feet across and 1 foot deep, in the S half of the mound. Ballageich Hill Cairn has expansive views to the N, E and S. The W view looks across moorland towards the summit of Ballageich Hill. Canmore ID 43978 lists the cairn under the alternative spelling “Ballagioch”.
Law Knowe was the site of a cairn on a natural knoll on the N fringe of East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire. The cairn measured 8 or 10 yards and had a kerb of large flagstones according to Canmore ID 44899. Canmore states that a large part of the cairn was robbed by the end of the 18th Century and no traces of the cairn remained in 1955.
A Playsport golf course has been constructed on the site of the cairn. The location, in the SW corner of the golf course, has a Marker Cairn with an information plaque constructed on top of Law Knowe.
Visited 21.04.23
There was a hillfort on a natural knoll on the lower E slopes of Caerketton Hill, c. 0.33 miles S of Hillend Ski Centre in Midlothian. The knoll reaches up to a height of 10 yards above the surrounding area. The enclosed area of the oval fort was c. 80 yards E-W and 70 yards N-S. According to Canmore ID 51763 virtually all traces of the fort have been erased by cultivation. There are remains of a defensive bank and ditch extant on the W Arc. The only surviving sign of habitation on the summit plateau is a small hut circle c. 5 yards S of the central summit.
Visited 21.04.23
There is a stony footprint of a cairn on the summit of Caerketton Hill, c. 0.5 mile SW of Hillend Ski Centre in Midlothian. The round cairn, which measures c. 50 feet in diameter, has been razed to ground level on all but the S Arc. A fence running E-W bisects the S half of the cairn, leaving a perimeter of original cairn stones c. 6 feet wide on the S Arc. A modern cairn, c. 3 feet high, has been constructed in the centre of the cairn. Caerketton Hill Cairn has panoramic views in all directions due to it’s elevated location, c. 480m above Sea Level.
Canmore ID 51764 has details of surveys of Caerketton Hill Cairn in 1928 and 1969.
Visited 21.04.23
Galachlaw Cairn is a sub-circular mound in woodland on the S edge of a housing estate in Fairmilehead on the S fringe of Edinburgh. The cairn, which measures c. 45 feet in diameter and 5 feet high, has been almost entirely robbed of stone, leaving several putative kerb stones on the S Arc, as noted in Canmore ID 51710. The largest stone measures c. 1.5 x 1 x 0.5 feet. An eroded path crosses the centre of the cairn on an E-W Axis. There is a significant excavated hollow in the N half of the cairn. Galachlaw Cairn would have had a 360° vista previous to afforestation and urban development.
Visited 20.02.23
Rosesnannon W Barrow is located on Rosenannon Downs c. 3.5 miles SW of Wadebridge. The oval mound is c. 500 yards W of Rosenannon N Barrow in rough moorland.
Historic England List Entry Number:1021224 lists its dimensions as 28m E-W, 25.5m N-S and 1.7m high. There is a shallow excavation in the centre of the barrow leaving stones exposed.
Visited 14.04.23
Brae Farm SW Cairn is one of a group of 3 cairns on Brae Farm, c. 5 miles NNW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. The SW cairn is located in the corner of a field c. 270 yards S of the B7005 and 20 yards W of Brae Farmhouse.
Brae Farm SW Cairn is the best preserved of the group, retaining original cairn stones on the N Half. The round mound measures c. 60 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. There is a stone covered hollow in the W Quadrant, possibly a result of a 1942 excavation mentioned in Canmore ID 62913. Some medium-sized field clearance stones have been dumped on the W Quadrant.
Brae Farm NE Cairn is located c. 300 yards NE and Brae Farm Central Cairn is located c. 100 yards N of Brae Farm SW Cairn.
Visited 14.04.23
Brae Farm Central Cairn is one of a group of 3 cairns on Brae Farm, c. 5 miles NNW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. The Central cairn is located in pasture c. 170 yards S of the B7005 and 30 yards W of Brae Farm road.
Brae Farm Central Cairn is constructed on a natural rocky knoll according to Canmore ID 62900. The round mound measures c. 50 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. The grassy surface is pock-marked with small clusters of exposed stones.
Brae Farm NE Cairn is located c. 200 yards NE and Brae Farm SW Cairn is located c. 100 yards S of Brae Farm Central Cairn.
Visited 03.04.23
High Moor Hut Circle is a circular grassy footprint in rough pasture c. 5 miles NNW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. The hut circle is located c. 70 yards W of Corwall Farm track, c. 0.5 mile yards S of the B7005.
Usually, when I am searching for a hut circle, I seem to spend 30 minutes grid searching moorland without success. High Moor Hut Circle is a glorious exception to the norm. Heading S from Brae Moor Cairn I spotted my quarry from 100 yards away.
High Moor Hut Circle measures c. 33 feet in diameter and up to 1.5 feet high. There is only one substantial stone on the perimeter, an upright stone c. 1.5 feet high, in the S Arc. The SW Arc of the circle has been obscured by gorse bushes. The probable entrance is a gap in the bank, measuring c. 3 feet wide, in the SE Arc according to Canmore ID 62228. The interior of High Moor Hut Circle is flat and featureless.
Brae Moor Cairn is located c. 200 yards NNE of High Moor Hut Circle.
Visited 03.04.23
Brae Moor Cairn is a sub-circular grassy footprint in rough pasture c. 5 miles NNW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. The cairn is located c. 15 yards W of Corwall Farm track, c. 600 yards S of the B7005. There are intermittent remains of an earth bank on the perimeter, best preserved on the SE Arc up to a height of 2 feet. The cairn is c. 50 feet in diameter with an exposed cist on a NE-SW Axis in the centre. The rectangular cist, which is surrounded by bracken, measures c. 3 x 1.5 x 1.5 feet.
Canmore ID 62227 has further details of Brae Moor Cairn.
Visited 03.04.23
Brae Farm NE Cairn is one of a group of 3 cairns on Brae Farm, c. 5 miles NNW of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. The NE cairn is located in pasture c. 20 yards S of the B7005 and 120 yards E of the Brae Farm road end.
Brae Farm NE is constructed on a natural rocky knoll according to Canmore ID 62898. There are large putative kerb stones on the SE and NW perimeter of the mound. The sub-circular grassy cairn measures c. 20 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. A modern clearance cairn has been accumulated on the field margin 10 yards N of Brae Farm NE Cairn.
Brae Farm SW Cairn is located c. 300 yards SW and Brae Farm Central Cairn is located c. 200 yards N of Brae Farm SW Cairn.
Visited 02.04.23
Craignarget Hill Cairn is a stony cairn on the S slope of Craignarget Hill c. 5 miles SE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway It is situated 0.4 miles of the Rocks of the Garheugh (pronounced Garchy locally) on Luce Bay.
The cairn measures c. 10 yards in diameter reaching up to c. 5 feet high in the undisturbed N Arc. There is a carpet of moss on the N & E Arcs. The S half of the cairn has been extensively robbed leaving a hollow in the centre of the mound.
Canmore ID 62200 has further details of Craignarget Hill Cairn.
Visited 26.05.12
Tinnis Hill Summit Cairn is located c. 4.25 miles ENE of Langholm. The round cairn lies 0.25 miles E of the Scottish Borders/Dumfries and Galloway border. There is an oval grass mound on the summit of Tinnis Hill. There are low remains of a stone wall enclosure at the base of the mound. On the N & S Axis the wall is c. 40 yards from the summit and c. 25 yards from the summit on the E-W Axis. The cairn was constructed on the centre of the mound. It has been greatly reduced over the centuries to a low grassy mound measuring c. 20 yards in diameter and 2 feet high, according to Canmore ID 67879. A trig point has been erected on the E edge of the cairn. A horseshoe-shaped stone shelter up to c. 4 feet high surrounds the trig point on the N,S & W Arcs.
When visiting this isolated site it is worthwile extending your route 1 mile S to visit Windy Edge Long Cairn and Windy Edge Stone Circle sites in Dumfries and Galloway.
High Gillespie Cairn is a ruined grassy mound located in pasture land c. 4 miles SE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. The surface of the sub-circular cairn has been smothered by gorse bushes. Field clearance stones have been dumped on the N perimeter of the cairn. The current mound measures c. 110 feet in diameter and 5 feet high on a summit plateau.
Canmore ID 62207 states that High Gillespie Cairn had a facade on the E Arc with 5 visible stones. There are no signs of a facade and visible stones in the E arc today. In fact there is evidence of recent excavation on the E Arc. This may be related to a badgers sett dug into the E perimeter of the mound.
Canmore ID 62207 also states that the main axis of the cairn was ENE-WSW, with at least 6 chambers constructed therein. This is difficult to confirm given the ruinous state of the cairn. I located a possible square capstone, measuring c. 4 x 4 x 1 feet, on a collapsed cist on the NE Arc and an exposed cist, measuring c. 5 x 3 x 3 feet on the S Quadrant. The S cist consists of a buried N end slab, an E slab measuring c. 5 x 3 x 1 feet, a missing S slab and a W slab measuring c. 7 x 3 x 1 feet.
Visited 27.03.23
Castle Loch Cairn is located c. 500 yards N of Castle Loch, c. 5 miles ESE of Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway. It is accessed via a rough track running E from Culroy Farm, opposite White Cairn (Culroy) (listed on TMA).
Castle Loch Cairn is a flat grass circular footprint, c. 75 feet in diameter, with earth banks on the S and W Arcs. The S bank measures c. 9 feet wide and 1.5 feet high. The W bank measures c. 5 feet wide by 1 foot high. There is a gap in the perimeter on the SW, possibly due to a farm track which runs from NE-SW across the cairn. There several possible kerb stones on the W Arc: an embedded stone on the SW, a large displaced stone on the W and a recumbent stone on the NW. Field clearance stones have been deposited in the grassy centre of Castle Loch Cairn, creating a stony mound c. 15 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. The mound is offset c. 10 feet to the S.
Castle Loch Cairn is listed as Canmore ID 62234, titled as Drumwhirn. I named the cairn after the nearby Castle Loch because there is already a Drumwhirn Cairn listed on the TMA Dumfries and Galloway page.
Directions to Castle Loch Cairn: Take the A747 Port William road off the A75 at the E End of Glenluce. Turn left onto a single track road for Whitefield Loch after 1.8 miles. Stay on this narrow lane for c. 2 miles to reach Culroy Farm Track. Head E along a rough track. The track reaches a vehicular dead-end at a gate after c. 2 miles. Walk c. 450 yards E along a rocky road to reach a gate. Turn right here, heading NE for c. 400 yards into a narrow rectangular grass field to reach Castle Loch Cairn. There is an evident stony mound in the centre of the cairn.
Visited 25.03.23
Smittons Bridge Kerb Cairn has been reduced to a low grassy circular platform at the base of Stroanfreggan Crags, c. 5 miles E of Carsphairn. It is located c. 100 yards E of Smittons Bridge on the B729 Moniaive road. The cairn has been bisected by a grass track, starting c. 100 yards E of Smittons Bridge, leading N to a disused quarry at the foot of Stroanfreggan Crags. The platform measures c. 60 feet in diameter reaching a height of c. 2 feet on the NE Arc. An earth bank survives on the NE, SE and W Arcs of the kerb cairn. There are several large kerb stone extant on the W Arc. The centre of the platform is flat with a grass track on a N-S Axis despoiling its surface. Canmore ID 64347 has a full description of Smittons Bridge Kerb Cairn.
Visited 30.04.10
Barsloisnoch Cists are located c. 150 yards E of Barsloisnoch Farm in rough pasture, c. 75 yards S of the minor road to Crinan Ferry. Barsloisnoch SE cist (NR 8136 9567) is located in a patch of marsh. The cist is buried up to ground level. It has an impressive sub-rectangular capstone slab measuring c. 9 x 4 x 0.75 feet. The second ruined cist, Barsloisnoch NW (NR 8135 9568), is located c. 10 yards NW on a stony grass mound. The remains of the cist consist of one upright side slab and a small capstone slab, measuring c. 4.5 x 2.5 x 0.25 feet, in a shallow hollow. The measurements and grid references were taken from Canmore ID 39476. Further information is available in Canmore ID 39476.
Visited 20.02.23
There is a Barrow Cemetery on Roseannon Downs c. 3.5 miles SW of Wadebridge. There are 3 barrows in an approximate N-S alignment.
The largest barrow, Roseannon Downs N Barrow, is on the N margin of Roseannon Downs at SW 95548 68101. It is a bell barrow measuring c. 66 feet in diameter and 10 feet high. The mound is clothed in moor grass and heather. The centre of the barrow has a central hollow, c. 20 feet across and 4 feet deep.
Roseannon Downs Central Barrow is located at SW 95604 68035, c. 100 yards SE of Roseannon Downs N Barrow. The round grassy barrow has a diameter measuring c. 66 feet, reaching up to c. 7 feet high. There are several kerb stones exposed on the N perimeter. The mound has a deep central hollow measuring c. 10 feet in diameter and 5 feet deep.
The third barrow, Roseannon Downs S Barrow, located at SW 95516 67891, is c. 240 yards S of Roseannon Downs N Barrow. This ruined barrow is only evident on close approach. The low platform, measuring c. 45 feet in diameter and 3 feet high, has a pitted surface covered in tufts of moor grass and heather.
Further details of Roseannon Downs Barrow Cemetery are available in Historic England List Entry Number: 1004406.
Visited 19.02.23
There is a group of 3 barrows in a field c. 220 yards NW of Pawton Springs Farm on St Breocks Downs. They are in an approximate N-S alignment.
Pawton Springs N Barrow (SW 95960 68779) is a small mound measuring c. 10 yards in diameter and 2 feet high. There is a large earthfast stone on the N perimeter. The grassy surface of the barrow is studded with small stones, topped by a gorse bush.
Pawton Springs Central Barrow (SW 95962 68761) is a small mound measuring c. 10 yards in diameter and 2 feet high. It overlaps the S Arc of Pawton Springs N Barrow. The grassy surface of the barrow is studded with small to medium stones.
Pawton Springs SW Barrow (SW 95934 68737) is a low grassy mound measuring c. 17 yards in diameter and 1.5 feet high. It is located c. 65 yards NW of Pawton Springs Central Barrow. A large earthfast stone is located on the S perimeter of Pawton Springs SW Barrow. There is a central hollow measuring c. 5 yards in diameter and 6 inches deep. The grassy surface of the barrow is featureless.
Further details of Pawton Springs Barrow Cemetery are included in English Heritage List Entry Number: 1004619.
Visited 20.02.23
Pawton Gate Round Barrow measures c. 22 yards in diameter and 1 foot high on pastureland 250 yards N of Roseannon Downs. The surface of the barrow is featureless, covered in tufts of grass with few stones visible. There is an earthfast stone in the SE Arc and a small cluster of stones breaking the surface in the W Arc.
Further details of Pawton Gate Barrow are included in English Heritage List Entry Number: 1004405.
Visited 19.02.23
There are 3 barrows in a E-W alignment on St Breock Downs c. 3 miles SSW of Wadebridge:
St Breock Downs NW Barrow (SW 97124 68370) measures c. 19 yards in diameter and 2 feet high and has a shallow ditch c. 1 foot deep surrounding the barrow. There is a central hollow measuring c. 6 yards in diameter and 1.5 feet deep, offset to the S by several yards. A plaque defining the barrow as a protected ancient monument is located on the S Arc of the barrow.
St Breock Downs N Central Barrow (SW 97244 68388) measures c. 35 yards in diameter and 4 feet high and has a shallow ditch c. 2 yards wide and 1 foot deep surrounding the barrow. There is an outer grassy bank measuring up to c. 6 yards wide and 2 feet high. A broken plaque defining the barrow as a protected ancient monument is located on the SW Arc of the barrow.
St Breock Downs NE Barrow (SW 97376 68449) measures c. 20 yards in diameter and 1 feet high. There is a central circular mound measuring c. 7 yards in diameter and 1 foot high with a shallow central hollow c. 6 inches deep. The perimeter of the central mound has a horseshoe of small earthfast stones from the NW to S Arcs.
Historic England List Entry Number: 1004404 has further details of St Breock Downs North Barrow Cemetery.
Visited 27.02.23
I visited Castlehowe Scar Stone Circle on my way back home from Cornwall. I was disappointed to see a feed ring in the centre of the circle (picture submitted). This is not a recommended conservation option!
Visited 19.02.23
I had difficulty in locating St Breock Beacon Kistvaen on my revisit. The thick vegetation lining the path to the trig point made an approach from here impossible. After some perseverance I found a way in from the road running W past Beacon Farm road end. Walk 40 yards W of the Beacon Farm road end to reach a vague path heading S into briars and gorse bushes. Head S towards a small gap between gorse and taller brushwood. After a 30 yard scramble through gorse and briars I reached a clear spot containing the ancient stones. The smaller E Stone is c. 7 ft long on a N-S Axis and the wedge-shaped W Stone is c. 9 ft long on a NW-SE Axis.
Visited 06.02.23
Drumduff Cairn is a sub-circular low mound, c. 4 miles S of Ballantrae in South Ayrshire. It is a green oasis in open moorland. A horseshoe of reeds delineate the cairn, leaving the W Arc clear. I estimated a diameter of 20 yards and a height of 2 feet. Canmore ID 60858 describes an “oval cairn measuring 19m by 17.5m and 0.6m in height”. There are no stones visible on Drumduff Cairn. The grassy surface is flat and featureless.
Visited 06.02.23
There is a ruined cairn on the summit of Carlock Hill, c. 3.5 miles S of Ballantrae in South Ayrshire. The remains of the cairn are located c. 0.5 miles NE of the N end of Glen App.
Carlock Hill Cairn stones were used to construct dry stane dykes in the 19th Century according to Canmore ID 60852. Canmore also states that “human bones of enormous size (Name Book 1856) were found” during the robbing.
A dry stane dyke, running on a NNE-SSW Axis, bisects the original footprint of Carlock Hill Cairn. The N & W quadrants of the cairn have been erased, leaving a grassy semicircle in the E & S quadrants. The semicircle, which measures c. 7 yards in radius is delineated by an outer grassy bank. This bank measures c. 3 feet wide by up to 1 foot high. The flat interior of the semicircle has patches of reeds on a grassy surface.
Visited 05.02.23
There is a round grassy cairn on the summit of Penderry Hill, c. 4.5 miles S of Ballantrae in South Ayrshire. Penderry Hill is c. 0.7 miles NW of Glenapp Church. The cairn measures c. 7 yards in diameter and 1 foot high. There are no visible stones on Penderry Hill Cairn. The green grass circle stands out from the brown moorland grass. An OS Trig Point has been constructed on the centre of the cairn. It is listed as Canmore ID 60859.
Craigbirnoch NW Cairn is located on a knoll in open boggy moorland c. 450 yards NE of a passing place (NX 17641 69180) on the New Luce to Barrhill single-track road in Dumfries and Galloway. The grassy round mound measures c. 12 yards in diameter and 5 feet high. The cairn is intact except for a quarry pit in the N half of the mound. There are only a few visible small stones on the surface of the cairn, embedded in the centre. Craigbirnoch NW Cairn is listed as Canmore ID 61367.
Craigbirnoch NW Cairn is one of a cluster of cairns E of Craigbirnoch Farm. Craigbirnoch NE Cairn is located c. 100 yards ESE of Craigbirnoch NW Cairn.
Craigbirnoch NE Cairn is located in open boggy moorland c. 500 yards NE of a passing place (NX 17641 69180) on the New Luce to Barrhill single-track road in Dumfries and Galloway. The grassy round cairn, which lies c. 80 yards W of the Cross Water of Luce, measures c. 20 yards in diameter and 2 feet high. The largely quarried cairn has an irregular grassy surface in the centre, with original cairn stones, covered in a patina of moss, preserved on the E and W Arcs. Craigbirnoch NE Cairn is listed as Canmore ID 61392.
Craigbirnoch NE Cairn is one of a cluster of cairns E of Craigbirnoch Farm. Craigbirnoch NW Cairn is located c. 100 yards WNW of Craigbirnoch NE Cairn.
Craigbirnoch Central NW Cairn is located c. 300 yards NNE of the junction of Craigbirnoch Farm Track with the New Luce to Barrhill single-track road. It is c. 80 yards N of a passing place (NX 17641 69180) on a sharp corner in open boggy moorland. Canmore ID 61403 states that a cist was exposed when Craigbirnoch Central NW Cairn was robbed for road metal in 1914. The cist was excavated in 1916, revealing evidence of a cremation. There are no visible signs of a cist in the remains of the cairn. The round cairn, which measures c. 14 yards in diameter and 2 feet high, survives as a grassy horseshoe bank with a central hollow. The outer bank varies from 2-3 yards wide around the perimeter with a gap in the NE Arc. The interior of the cairn is grassy with a group of embedded small stones in the N half.
Craigbirnoch Central NW Cairn is one of a cluster of cairns E of Craigbirnoch Farm. Craigbirnoch Central SE Cairn is located c. 70 yards SSE of Craigbirnoch Central NW Cairn.
Craigbirnoch Central SE Cairn is located c. 300 yards NE of the junction of Craigbirnoch Farm Track with the New Luce to Barrhill single-track road. It is c. 70 yards E of a passing place (NX 17641 69180) on a sharp corner in open boggy moorland. The round cairn, listed as Canmore ID 61402, measures c. 14 yards in diameter and 2 feet high. The W half of Craigbirnoch Central SE Cairn has an irregular grassy surface in contrast to the lower E half, which has scattered field clearance stones deposited on its grassy surface. A quarried hollow in the NE quadrant has been filled in with medium sized clearance boulders.
Craigbirnoch Central SE Cairn is one of a cluster of cairns E of Craigbirnoch Farm. Craigbirnoch Central NW Cairn is located c. 70 yards NNW of Craigbirnoch Central SE Cairn.
Craigbirnoch S Cairn is located c. 350 yards ESE of Craigbirnoch Farm junction with the New Luce to Barrhill single-track road, in Dumfries and Galloway. The round grassy mound, measuring c. 17 yards in diameter and 4 feet high, lies c. 150 yards down an E slope next to a low stone wall. There are no stones visible on the surface of the cairn. The centre of Craigbirnoch S Cairn has been quarried, leaving a roughly circular hollow measuring c. 5 yards in diameter. Canmore 61421 has details of Craigbirnoch S Cairn. It is one of a cluster of cairns E of Craigbirnoch Farm.