The Wells of the Rees are 0.75 miles NE of Laggangarn Stones within 100 yards of the Southern Upland Way. They lie in the grounds of the ruined churchyard of Kilgallioch, in an isolated pine forest in Dumfries and Galloway. Three dried up springs are capped by stone domes associated with offerings by pilgrims on their way to Whithorn.
According to Canmore ID 62493 (go to Links) the Wells of the Rees are named after nearby rees (sheep pens) said to have been built from the stones of Kilgallioch Church.
markj99
Visited 13.04.18
Watergate Stone is a recumbent stone which lies 1 mile WNW of Looe. It measures c. 6 feet long, tapering from c. 2.5 feet wide at the base to 1.5 feet wide at the top. There is a 30 degree angle on the base indicating a possible fracture plane. There are no other large stones close to Watergate Stone and no field clearance stones nearby. It would appear to be a broken Standing Stone or Boundary Marker.
I found Watergate Menhir by parking in West Looe Car Park then taking the footpath W into Kilminorth Woods. This path follows the line of the Giant’s Hedge. After c. 1 mile my GPS told me I had reached my target. Unfortunately I was still on the woodland path and no large stone was visible. I knew the stone was in a grass field so I turned L into the woods heading uphill. After c. 100 yards I reached a grass field. I did a visual search of the field, finding the recumbent six footer at SX 23454 54356 on the slope of a hill.
Ty’n-y-coed farm is on the path to Capel Garmon Chambered Cairn. Ty’n-y-coed Stone lies on a natural knoll c. 50 yards S of the farm. The massive erratic boulder measures c. 16 x 8 x 4 feet. Capel Garmon Chambered Cairn lies c. 150 yards S of Ty’n-y-coed Stone. It is possible that there was an ancient relationship between Ty’n-y-coed Stone and Capel Garmon Chambered Cairn similar to Shap Thunder Stone’s inclusion in Shap Avenue.
Visited 18.03.13
The OS Grid Reference given for Try Menhir on this page is wrong.
According to Historic England 1004626 (go to Links) the correct OS Grid Reference is SW4596434973. This corresponds to its position on OS Aerial Mapping.
If you search for SW460350 you will find Try Menhir.
Trewern Round is a walled iron age enclosure c. 500 yards ESE of Trewern Farm. The round measures c. 50 yards in diameter. Its boundary wall, up to 6 feet high, is well preserved with two entrances at the NW and SE. There are extended trackways from each entrance. When I visited (30.04.17) the interior of the enclosure was overgrown so it was not possible to discern any internal features.
Trewern Round is listed as Historic England 1004314 (go to Links).
Visited 21.03.13
Toldavas is a squat standing stone in a cultivated field 150 yards W of Toldavas Farm. It measures c. 4x4x2 feet, resembling an erratic boulder more than a menhir. It would have been difficult to move this massive rock so it may be in its original location. Toldavas Standing Stone is included in Google Maps.
Directions
Follow the A30 round Penzance continuing onto Drift. After another 0.75 miles take the B3283 Porthcurno/St Buryan L turn off. Travel c. 0.9 miles along this road to reach a crossroads. There is room to park on the L at Toldavas Farm Road. Walk c. 400 yards down the road. Toldavas Standing Stone is c. 30 yards into the field on the R. If the field is in crop you can walk down the field edge.
The Doon (Twynholm) is a ruined hillfort c 0.25 miles W of Twynholm. It lies within a circle of mature trees at the summit of Doon Hill. Canmore ID 64068 (go to Links) considers there to be an inner enclosure 24m across surrounded by an oval outer enclosure measuring up to a maximum of 65m on a N-S axis. The outer enclosure consists of a grassy rampart up to 2m high surrounded by a 9m ditch. No central features were observed.
Directions: Take the W road into Twynholm off the A75. Within 50 yards the 30 mph limit starts. Park at the gateway on the R within 30 yards. Walk along the edge of the field for c.100 yards to a gate into the adjacent field. Head W up the hill c. 200 yards to the obvious circle of large trees at the summit of Doon Hill.
Directions
Stroanfreggan Cairn is in the middle of nowhere so I have prepared a detailed account of how to get there from Dumfries & Newton Stewart.
Directions for Stroanfreggan Cairn: From S of Dumfries. Follow A75 through 3 roundabouts from edge of Dumfries. Turn R for Kilmarnock A76 on Glasgow Road Roundabout. (There is a McDonalds on the L at the first roundabout on the A76).
After about 16 miles reach Thornhill. Travel through Thornhill to N edge. Turn L for A702 Penpont/Moniaive. Stay on A702 for 8 miles to Moniaive. Stay straight through Moniaive. The A702 becomes the B729 a single track road with passing places. Stay on B729 for c. 10 miles until Stroanpatrick, a small hamlet. After passing a black tin hut on L park up at the first L about 400 yards further on. Walk down the Southern Upland Way for about 300 yards. Stroanfreggan Cairn lies c. 80 yards on your L in rough pasture.
Directions for Stroanfreggan Cairn: From Newton Stewart. Take A712 New Galloway on E edge of Newton Stewart. Drive around 18 miles on A712 to reach New Galloway via Clatteringshaws Reservoir. Turn L at the junction in New Galloway for A712 Crocketford. Cross over the Ken Bridge. Turn L for A713 Dalry/Ayr. About 4 miles later reach St John’s Town of Dalry. Take the R turn for A702 Moniaive up Main Street. After c. 500 yards take the second L turn at a crossroads in St John’s Town of Dalry. This is the B7000. Stay on this road past Kendoon Power Station for c. 6.2 miles to reach a junction with the A729. Turn R for A729 Moniaive, a single track road with passing places. After c. 2 miles you will see Stroanfreggan Mound on your R. Park at the junction with the Southern Upland Way. Walk down the Southern Upland Way for about 300 yards. Stroanfreggan Cairn lies c. 80 yards on your L in rough pasture.
Visited 14.04.12
Stroanfreggan Cairn is a greatly reduced round cairn in a rural location c. 5 miles E of Carsphairn. According to Canmore ID 64370 (go to Links) it originally measured c 75 feet on a N-S axis. The extensive stone robbing has exposed a cist in the E half of the cairn. Canmore states that the cist measured 3 ft 5 ins x 2 ft x 2 ft 3 ins internally, beneath a cover stone, 5 x 4 ft. The massive capstone is especially impressive. The centre of the cairn has been entirely reduced to ground level except for a c. 4x3 feet boulder. The perimeter has also been extensively reduced to a maximum height of 5 feet on the S arc. Canmore states there was an intermittent kerb of c. 2 feet high boulders now reduced to 3 remaining stones.
Directions: Take the B213 Ivybridge turn off the A38. If you exit from the E, turn R, cross over the A38 and take the first L on the roundabout signposted for Cornwood. If you exit from the W, take the first L on the roundabout signposted for Cornwood. Follow the Cornwood Road for c. I mile until you reach a mini roundabout. Take the L turn onto a narrow lane for Cornwood. Stay on this road for c. 2.5 miles until you reach the Cornwood Inn at a crossroads in Cornwood. Take the R turn for Torr/Harford onto a lane. After 0.25 miles stay straight on the lane. After another c. 0.5 miles stay straight. After another 0.25 miles turn L up an un-signposted lane and bear R after a sharp corner. Follow this narrow leafy lane for c. 0.25 mile then take the L fork. The road will end c. 0.4 mile later just after Watercombe Farm. Park as close as possible and follow the track for c. 0.5 mile past the water treatment buildings reaching the open moorland of Stalldown Moor. When you are 100 yards clear of the buildings strike N uphill towards Stalldown Stone Row relying on GPS or Map Reading to reach the Southern Terminal 0.5 mile N at SX 63218 62074.
Directions: Take the B213 Ivybridge turn off the A38. If you exit from the E, turn R, cross over the A38 and take the first L on the roundabout signposted for Cornwood. If you exit from the W, take the first L on the roundabout signposted for Cornwood. Follow the Cornwood Road for c. I mile until you reach a mini roundabout. Take the L turn onto a narrow lane for Cornwood. Stay on this road for c. 2.5 miles until you reach the Cornwood Inn at a crossroads in Cornwood. Take the R turn for Torr/Harford onto a lane. After 0.25 miles stay straight on the lane. After another c. 0.5 miles stay straight. After another 0.25 miles turn L up an un-signposted lane and bear R after a sharp corner. Follow this narrow leafy lane for c. 0.25 mile then take the L fork. The road will end c. 0.4 mile later just after Watercombe Farm. Park as close as possible and follow the track for c. 0.5 mile past the water treatment buildings reaching the open moorland of Stalldown Moor. When you are 100 yards clear of the buildings strike N uphill towards Stalldown Stone Row relying on GPS or Map Reading to reach the Southern Terminal 0.5 mile N at SX 63218 62074.
There is a cluster of cairns in or near the Northern third of Stalldown Stone Row. Stalldown cairn circle (listed in TMA) is constructed a few yards to the E of the Stalldown Stone Row axis, a hiatus in the row of standing stones. Around 100 yards NNW in open moorland there is a small grass cairn measuring c. 30 feet across with a 4 feet earth bank. An intermittent perimeter of kerb stones c. 1.5 feet high define the edge of the cairn. There is a shallow hollow in the centre of the cairn suggestive of an excavation. It lies c. 30 yards E of Stalldown Stone Row.
A third cairn, Stalldown Stone Row Cairn NE lies c. 100 yards SE from here, on the E side of the stone row.
The concentration of several sites in a small radius suggests that it was the centre of ritual activities at Stalldown. The inclusion of Stalldown cairn circle into the stone row perhaps indicates that it was the focal point.
Historic England 1015806 (go to Links) has a full description of Stalldown Stone Row and its associated cairns.
There is a cluster of cairns in or near the Northern third of Stalldown Stone Row. Stalldown cairn circle (listed in TMA) is constructed a few yards to the E of the Stalldown Stone Row axis, a hiatus in the row of standing stones. Around 100 yards NE in open moorland there is a small grass cairn measuring c. 45 feet across with a 3 feet earth bank. There is a pronounced hollow in the centre of the cairn suggestive of a removed cist. It lies c. 50 yards E of Stalldown Stone Row.
A third cairn, Stalldown Stone Row Cairn NW lies c. 100 yards NW from here, on the W side of the stone row.
The concentration of several sites in a small radius suggests that it was the centre of ritual activities at Stalldown. The inclusion of Stalldown cairn circle into the stone row perhaps indicates that it was the focal point.
Historic England 1015806 (go to Links) has a full description of Stalldown Stone Row and its associated cairns.
The ruined cairn lies c. 250 yards S of the Southern terminus in Stalldown Stone Row. It has been reduced to a circle of rough uneven grassy lumps, measuring c. 10 yards across by 1 yard high. The dark green of the cairn contrasts with the light brown of the moorland.
Historic England 1012748 states that the centre of the cairn has a central hollow probably related to a past disturbance in search of a cist. It also speculates that the cairn may have been the original terminus of the stone row. The Stalldown area has been used for peat cutting in the past so some of the stones may have been removed or buried. In any case, the close proximity of the cairn to Stalldown Stone Row extends the area of the Stalldown Complex.
South Cairnweil Standing Stone is a triangular granite pillar reaching a rounded top at c. 7 feet. The basal cross-section of 3’3’’x2’4’’x8’’ is maintained until the last foot of the stone. According to Canmore ID 60446 (go to Links) the stone was removed sometime between 1911 and 1970. It was re-erected in its original position by the farmer in 1973.
Directions: Take the A77 Portpatrick out of Stranraer heading S. After 1.33 miles ignore the Portpatrick R turn staying straight on the A716 Drummore. After another c. 6.5 miles go past Sandhead, take the next R for Kirkmadrine Stones. After 0.4 mile turn R onto a minor road for Kirkmadrine Stones. After c. 0.45 miles you will see a small lay-by at NX 08654 48386 with a gate where South Cairnweil Standing Stone Path starts. The stone is about 180 yards S from this point beside the path.
Slewcairn NE is one of a pair of cairns situated c. 0.25 miles E of Slewcairn Long Cairn. It is a grassy cairn completely robbed of stones and hidden in the trees. It lies in a clearing c. 50 yards from the forest track. According to Canmore ID 65494 (go to Links) it measures c. 10 yards across by up to 1 yard high. There is a small mound on the apex, c. 2 feet high, covered in vegetation.
Slewcairn SW, its near neighbour, lies about 130 yards SW across the forest road in open ground.
I visited the Slewcairn complex on 12.05.12.
Slewcairn can be approached from the North, my choice of access. This involves 5 miles of forestry track which can be tackled by foot, bike or car.
By foot a 10 mile return plus up to 1 mile of deviation between 3 sites makes for a 11 mile walk.
By mountain bike the effort to travel 10 miles on a forest track is greatly reduced, my choice for my visit.
By car, preferably 4x4, 10 miles on a forestry track is reduced to 30 minutes travel at 20mph.
When you reach NX 92824 61374 (GPS navigation is essential) you are equidistant between Slewcairn SW & NE. Neither are easily spotted. Slewcairn NE is hidden in trees at NX 9284 6143. Slewcairn SW is on a rocky rig at NX 9276 6133. Slewcairn Long Cairn is 0.25 miles W along a forest ride starting at NX 92619 61592. Walk W on this narrow clearing for c. 300 yards to the end of the trees. Slewcairn Long Cairn is c. 130 yards S of this point lying in rough terrain at NX 9239 6142 The grid references for each cairn are as recorded in Canmore.
Take the A711 for Dalbeattie at Cargenbridge on the edge of Dumfries. Bear L onto a narrow lane in Beeswing 100 yards before the church. After about 3.75 miles on this road take the R turn for Solway Fishery. After c. 300 yards there is room to park on your R at NX 9370 6632. You can walk or cycle from here on continue on by car bearing SE at first for c. 5 miles along a forest track.
Slewcairn SW is one of a pair of cairns situated c. 0.25 miles E of Slewcairn Long Cairn. It is almost completely robbed of stones on a rig c. 60 yards SW of the forest track at NX 92824 61374. According to Canmore ID 65492 (go to Links) it measures 10 yards across and up to 1 yard high. It is heather covered with a small scattering of stones on top. A modern cairn c. 2 feet high has been built on top of the cairn.
Slewcairn NE, its near neighbour, lies about 130 yards NE hidden in the trees.
I visited the Slewcairn complex on 12.05.12.
Slewcairn can be approached from the North, my choice of access. This involves 5 miles of forestry track which can be tackled by foot, bike or car.
By foot a 10 mile return plus up to 1 mile of deviation between 3 sites makes for a 11 mile walk.
By mountain bike the effort to travel 10 miles on a forest track is greatly reduced, my choice for my visit.
By car, preferably 4x4, 10 miles on a forestry track is reduced to 30 minutes travel at 20mph.
When you reach NX 92824 61374 (GPS navigation is essential) you are equidistant between Slewcairn SW & NE. Neither are easily spotted. Slewcairn NE is hidden in trees at NX 9284 6143. Slewcairn SW is on a rocky rig at NX 9276 6133. Slewcairn Long Cairn is 0.25 miles W along a forest ride starting at NX 92619 61592. Walk W on this narrow clearing for c. 300 yards to the end of the trees. Slewcairn Long Cairn is c. 130 yards S of this point lying in rough terrain at NX 9239 6142 The grid references for each cairn are as recorded in Canmore.
Take the A711 for Dalbeattie at Cargenbridge on the edge of Dumfries. Bear L onto a narrow lane in Beeswing 100 yards before the church. After about 3.75 miles on this road take the R turn for Solway Fishery. After c. 300 yards there is room to park on your R at NX 9370 6632. You can walk or cycle from here on continue on by car bearing SE at first for c. 5 miles along a forest track.
On the Eastern edge of Dulnain Bridge, a village in Strathspey, there are some unusually shaped rocks known as Roches Moutonnees. The term describes rocks which have been shaped by the passage of a glacier. The characteristic shape is a smooth shallow slope in the direction of the glaciers advance with a steep edge in the lee of the glacier. About 18000 years ago Dulnain Bridge was covered by a vast ice sheet moving E and measuring up to 700m deep.
These rocks are small examples of the form which is found throughout the Cairngorm area. Ord Ban near Aviemore is a massive example, reaching up to 428 metres high.
Directions: There is a lay-by at NJ 0021 2497 on the E edge of Dulnain Bridge. A short path leads to the Roches Moutonnees.
Redhouse Standing Stones are c. 100 yards apart in adjacent fields. There is no line of sight between them and they are dissimilar types of stones. They lie at SW and NE on the compass.
Redhouse SW is a classic standing stone shape with a large cross-section tapering to a thin rounded top.
Redhouse NE is a broad thin earthfast slab. Bladup thought it was originally a capstone which has been erected upright. I would agree with this theory. It could be the only remaining stone of a ploughed out chambered cairn set upright as a rubbing stone.
Rangag West Standing Stone is erected c. 30 yards N of Rangag Farm on the A9, about 7.5 miles N of Latheron on the A9. The tall stone can easily be seen from the A9, 40 yards to the E.
The stone is a square pillar measuring c. 9.5 feet high with a 2.75 x 2.75 feet cross-section according to Canmore ID 8274 (go to Links). It has a c. 10 degree lean to the E. Some packing stones have been placed on the E base to support the heavy stone which is securely earthfast.
My visit was in 2012 however it is still visible on Google Maps Street View so I assume the leaning Rangag West Standing Stone is still standing.
Rangag East lies 0.5 mile E up the track which starts at Rangag Farm. It is listed under Canmore ID 8222 (go to Links) as Rhianacoil.
Directions: The stone is on the A9 7.5 miles N of Latheron beside Rangag Farm. There is room to park near the farm to take a closer look. To reach Rangag East follow the straight track at the N end of Rangag Farm for about 0.5 mile. Rangag East is within 10 yards of the track on the right c. 30 yards before a fork in the track. (I haven’t visited Rangag East. The directions were taken from OS mapping using Canmore’s Grid Reference.)
I visited Mulchaich Cairn in 2012 after a clean up in 2011 detailed in Canmore ID 12763 (see Links). A survey plan of the cairn is available on the site.
Mulchaich Cairn is constructed on top of a gently rising natural knoll, with fine views all round. The unusual feature of Mulchaich is the double kerbs. The inner kerb is on the crest of the mound and the outer kerb is on the slope.
The circular inner kerb has a c. 60 feet diameter and the oval outer kerb on the slopes of the mound has a maximum diameter of c. 150 feet in the NW-SE axis.
Mulchaich Cairn has been severely robbed. The interior of the cairn has only one upright stone, an earthset slab c. 3 feet high by 3 feet wide. There are several 6-8 feet slabs nearby suggesting there was a cist or passage in the cairn. The inner kerb is intermittent with some large earthset stones measuring 5-6 feet still in situ. The band between the kerbs is largely grassy, measuring from 30-45 feet across with some small earthset stones exposed. The outer kerb has large gaps with short stretches of 1-2 feet stones left to define the perimeter.
Like Hob, I was frustrated to find out about the cup marked stone after my visit.
Mossyard 6 is a Cup and Ring marked stone laid on a dyke in Mossyard Caravan Park. The stone is rectangular measuring c. 3 x 1 foot in cross-section, tapering from 9 to 1.5 inches thick. It is set on top of a stone dyke in front of a static caravan near the centre of Mossyard Caravan Park. I have posted a picture taken by the late Jan Brouwer which gives the exact location. It was still in situ in 18.02.17 when I visited the Mossyard sites.
There are four Cup and Ring Marks on the exposed top of the stone. There is a central line of 3 cups with a single ring measuring up to 4 inches across and a cup with two rings measuring c. 6 inches across on the NE corner of the stone. There is also an oval depression in the SW corner, measuring c. 3 inches across and 1 inch deep, which may be natural.
Mossyard on BRAC (go to Links) contains superior images of Mossyard 6 and other Mossyard Rock Art Sites.
Directions for Mossyard 6: Take the Mossyard road off the A75. After c. 0.5 mile turn sharp L at Mossyard Farm them sharp R to Mossyard Bay car park. Walk back along the road to Mossyard Caravan Park. Take the R fork into the park then follow the L fork for 130 yards. When the road bears R turn L onto a short row of static caravans. Mossyard 6 is on a wall on the N side of the second static caravan (see Images).
Mossyard 1 consists of two cup and ring marks on a 12 foot wedge of exposed rock on the coast at Ringdoo Point in Dumfries and Galloway. It lies 700 yards SW of Mossyard Caravan Park.
There are two distinct panels, 1a and 1b. Each panel has a line of natural depressions running down the centre.
Panel 1a is adjacent to a dry stane dyke. It has a single cup with 5 rings in the W quadrant. Canmore ID 63710 (go to Links) discusses the possibility of a carved double groove cartouche around the cup and ring carving. It is apparent in two images, Panel-1a 2004 taken by rockartuk, see Mossyard on BRAC (go to Links).
Panel 1b, which lies immediately NE of 1a, is badly eroded, a cup with 3 surrounding rings. It also is carved in the W quadrant of the panel.
Directions for Mossyard 1: Take the Mossyard road off the A75. After c. 0.5 mile turn sharp L at Mossyard Farm them sharp R to Mossyard Bay car park. Walk back along the road to Mossyard Caravan Park. Take the R fork into the park then the R fork SE parallel to a row of static caravans. After c. 120 yards a faint track heads SW across a field for c. 350 yards to reach a gateway. Turn L following the field perimeter for c. 130 yards, turn R, following the field edge for c. 160 yards. Follow the field perimeter R for another 100 yards looking out for the large glacial erratic ahead. If you hug the dry stane dyke you will find Mossyard 1 c. 20 yards N of the boulder.
In my experience Rock Art is the most frustrating of all the categories (except possibly Burnt Mounds). It is hard to find due to erosion, being covered by turf or a 6 figure grid reference accurate to 100 square metres. I walked past the Clarksburn Wood stone several times in dry weather only to see the cup and rings marking appear on a rainy day.
Rockartuk were Rock Stars in the Rock Art world. Gus van Veen and Jan Brouwer travelled the length and breadth of the United Kingdom unearthing hidden gems, cataloguing sites and taking exceptional pictures of Rock Art.
Sadly, Jan Brower passed away in 2011. The last post of Rockartuk on TMA was on 29th January 2011 . The free archive of photos had to be rescued due to Fotopic.net’s demise. They are now available on UKRA.net (go to Links).
Mossyard was investigated by Rockartuk and they found 6 separate sites in the location. I was only able to find Mossyard 1,3 and 6 on my visit in 2017 but 50% is a good result in the search for Rock Art.
I have just notice that the grid reference for this site is rather closer to Mossyard 1 than Mossyard 3. The officially recorded grid reference in Canmore ID 63739 (go to Links) is NX 5469 5204 for Mossyard 3.
Middleton Standing Stone is a granite standing stone erected in a field WNW of Barrapol, Isle of Tiree. It has a broad base c. 1.0m x 0.7m according to Canmore ID 21473 (go to Links) rising to a broad point at 1.6m. The stone is 200m NW of Clachan Dubh, a thatched roof house in Barrapol.
Directions: From Scarinish, the largest village in Tiree, take the B8065 coast road heading W for c. 5 miles until you reach a junction with the B8066. Turn right for Heylipol. After c. 130 yards bear sharp left avoiding the B8066 Cornaig. Continue on the B8065 through Heylipol for 1.25 miles until you reach a crossroads. Go straight on following the B8065. Continue through the sparse community of Barrapol for c. 1.1 miles until you reach a thatched cottage, Clachan Dubh, on the right. There is room to park at the croft buildings adjacent to the cottage. A farm track starts just W of the cottage. Follow parallel to the road for 70 yards then turn right following a farm track NW for 150 yards. Middleton Standing Stone is 20 yards W from this point.
Mid Float W is a standing stone c 100 yards N of Mid Float Farm. It is a roughly conical stone up to 15 feet round at the base tapering to a rounded top at c. 4.5 feet.
Canmore ID 60457 (go to Links) considers it to be an earthfast glacial erratic. This seems likely as the stone doesn’t conform to the usual standing stone pattern.
Directions: From Stranraer follow the A716 Drummore for 6.5 miles until you reach Sandhead. Turn R onto the signposted B7042 Portpatrick road for 0.3 miles. Turn L onto the unsigned road at the end of the wood. Follow this road for 1.4 miles until you pass Auchentibbert Cottage on your R, then turn L after 100 yards. Follow this narrow lane for 0.7 mile to the next junction. Turn L for 0.25 miles to reach a gateway with room to park just before Mid Float Farm. Mid Float W is c. 70 yards NE of the gate.
Mid Float W is 250 yards W of Mid Float E.
Mid Float W is not on OS mapping.
Mid Float E is a standing stone 250 yards NE of Mid Float Farm. The base of the stone is triangular c. 3x3x3 feet in cross-section. It rises to a rounded point at 5.5 feet. The flat SW face shows signs of cattle rubbing. The E face is flat and irregular. The N side of the stone is angular with sheared faces.
Canmore ID 60456 (go to Links) suggested there were 4 cup marks on the SW face in 1970 however a later visit in 1984 came to the conclusion that they were probably natural.
Canmore also proposed the stone may be a glacial erratic which was placed in a vertical position, presumably as a rubbing stone. However the shape of the stone and the fact that it is has a footing in the ground leads me to think it may be prehistoric. If we consider the nearby, now recumbent, standing stone at Whirlpool c. 550 yards N, it is possible there may have been an alignment.
Directions: From Stranraer follow the A716 Drummore for 6.5 miles until you reach Sandhead. Turn R onto the signposted B7042 Portpatrick road for 0.3 miles. Turn L onto the unsigned road at the end of the wood. Follow this road for 1.4 miles until you pass Auchentibbert Cottage on your R, then turn L after 100 yards. Stay on this narrow lane for 0.6 miles observing the 3 wind turbines on Whirlpool Farm on the R. You can park at a double gate at the base of a hill. Turn R in the field following the field perimeter SE for c. 0.33 mile until you can see Mid Float E on your R in an adjacent field.
Mid Float E is 250 yards E of Mid Float W.
Mid Float E is not on OS mapping.
There is a standing stone in a field NW of Mayon, a hamlet adjacent to the N edge of Sennen. The stone is a rough slab c. 5 feet high. The cross-section is c. 2 x 1.5 feet at the base tapering to a broad point at the top. The N face is flat and the S Face is rounded with a patina of yellow lichen.
Mayon Standing Stone has the look of an ancient stone but it is not included on OS maps.
Directions: On the way to Lands End the A30 passes through Mayon. A public footpath heads NW 50 yards after the Mayon Garage. Parking is available on the street near the Spar Shop. Follow the path for 100 yards and Mayon Standing Stone will appear on your left, 30 yards from the path.
While on an annual trip to Cornwall in 2019 I attempted to find the Manor Common Barrows. I found a possible candidate for Manor Common Barrow N but failed to find anything at the Manor Common Barrow S grid reference.
My proposed Manor Common N Barrow is located at SX 1293 7433 adjacent to a path on Manor Common.
The barrow measures c. 20 yards across with an intermittent kerb 3-4 feet high. One possible kerb stone measuring c. 3 feet high by 4 feet wide is earthfast in the N perimeter of the barrow. There is also a Recumbent Slab measuring c. 4 feet by 2 feet lying c. 5 yards NE of Manor Common N Barrow. The barrow is grass covered with a hollow centre.
Directions: At the Temple/St Breward junction of A30 take the St Breward turn off. After c. 0.6 miles park in a large passing place beside a body of water at SX 1311 7435. Walk 50 yards N on the road until you reach a path heading E into Manor Common. Stay straight on this path following an ESE bearing for c. 130 yards. At this point take a faint path heading SW for 20 yards. Manor Common Barrow is on your left.
I visited Mains of Kilcoy in 2012 after visiting Carn Glas (Mains of Kilcoy). Mains of Kilcoy NW is c. 200m SE of Carn Glas. The field was ploughed and the Mains of Kilcoy cairns were verdant islands in a dark sea.
Mains of Kilcoy SE is the more impressive of the pair, looking like a long cairn. However only one cist was visible on the surface, an off-centre shallow cist measuring c. 1m x 0.5m. According to Canmore ID 12840 (go to Links) the centre of this c. 30m cairn was excavated but no cist or chamber were found. It does seem to be a contradiction; all this construction for one shallow burial.
Mains of Kilcoy NW was excavated in 1961 by AA Woodham (Canmore ID 12836 (go to Links)). He found a large cist, 8 feet by 2 feet containing traces of cremated bone. However, his restoration of the cairn was incomplete, leaving a trench 4-5m wide bisecting the cairn. No remnants of a cist were found in the trench.
I visited this site in 2012. It was in a poor state with still impressive exposed chambers. The site was not being maintained. This changed in February 2014 with the vegetation being cleared by local volunteers. A Brookes photos in late 2014 reflect the improved condition of the cairn at this time.
Subsequent to this it was decided to partially restore the chambers of Carn Glas (Mains of Kilcoy). Between November 2014 & September 2015 work was carried out on the chambers by the Adopt-a-Monument team. The chamber floors were then covered with chipped stones, and a new display board erected on the edge of the cairn. Further details of the restoration can be found in Canmore ID 12837 (go to Links).
No pictures of the restored cairn have been submitted so we will see if it has been a sympathetic restoration all in good time.
Dranigower Hut Circles lie on unimproved moorland 1 mile E of New Luce just off the Southern Upland Way (SUW). The ground is wet and tussocky so wellies are strongly recommended. Watch out for Beef Cattle in the area within 200 yards of the Hut Circles.
Dranigower Hut Circle E is smaller and less defined than its companion. It is around 7 yards internally on a N-S axis with a surrounding stony earth bank up to 2 feet high & 4 feet wide. The earth bank is intermittent and covered in ferns. The interior of the circle is also covered in ferns. On the E arc there is a large scatter of stones which Canmore ID 61638 (go to Links) has interpreted as the remains of a small hut or pen.
Dranigower Hut Circle W lies 75 yards W.
Directions: At the S edge of New Luce, beside the church, take the un-signposted turn up the hill. Stay on this narrow lane for c. 1.1 miles until you reach the sign for the Southern Upland Way (SUW) at NX19106500. There is room to park here. Follow the SUW path for c. 0.5 miles to reach a SUW Post halfway up Knockcraven Wood at NX1937564690. Head W for 70 yards from this point to reach Dranigower Hut Circle E. Walk 75 yards W from here to reach Dranigower Hut Circle W.
Dranigower Hut Circles lie on unimproved moorland 1 mile E of New Luce just off the Southern Upland Way (SUW). The ground is wet and tussocky so wellies are strongly recommended. Watch out for Beef Cattle in the area within 200 yards of the Hut Circles.
Dranigower Hut Circle W is slightly larger and better defined than its neighbour. It is around 9 yards internally on a N-S axis with a surrounding stony earth bank up to 3 feet high & 4 feet wide. There is a 4 feet gap in the bank in the S quadrant denoting a probable entrance according to Canmore ID 61638 (go to Links). The SE perimeter has many exposed stones and there is a large earthfast stone incorporated into the SW bank. The interior of the hut circle is relatively flat and clear of vegetation however the S arc is partially obscured by ferns.
Dranigower Hut Circle E lies 75 yards E.
Directions: At the S edge of New Luce, beside the church, take the un-signposted turn up the hill. Stay on this narrow lane for c. 1.1 miles until you reach the sign for the Southern Upland Way (SUW) at NX19106500. There is room to park here. Follow the SUW path for c. 0.5 miles to reach a SUW Post halfway up Knockcraven Wood at NX1937564690. Head W for 70 yards from this point to reach Dranigower Hut Circle E. Walk 75 yards W from here to reach Dranigower Hut Circle W.
Lamford Burn Cairn is a cairn in Dumfries and Galloway c. 1 mile from the border with East Ayrshire. According to Canmore ID 63853 (go to Links) in 1963 it was a ‘cairn 48 feet in diameter and circa 6 feet high.’ A subsequent report from 2004 gave the following detail: ‘The Scheduled Lamford Burn cairn was substantially damaged in July 2004. Unauthorised excavations at the cairn had left it severely truncated.‘
When I visited in 2012 I found the cairn razed to ground level on the N hemisphere and up to 1 foot high on the S hemisphere. There was a perimeter of earth and stones delineating the original footprint of the cairn with a stripped interior on the N side and scattered stones on the S side.
Glenesslin Schoolhouse Cairn is a small cairn located in a narrow wood 2 miles W of Dunscore. The cairn is c.100 yards SE of Glenesslin Schoolhouse in a patch of woodland beside the road. It measures around 50 feet across by 5 feet high. It is covered in vegetation with 2 mature trees sprouting from the summit.
The cairn is listed as Canmore ID 74892 (go to Links).
Directions: From the centre of Dunscore take Kirkgate which leads onto Black Brae at the outskirts of Dunscore. Keep on Black Brae for 1.5 miles then take a R turn to Corsock after a row of cottages. Go through a crossroads after 0.6 miles, continue straight for 500 yards until there is a narrow wood on your L just before a dead end R turn at Glenesslin Schoolhouse. The cairn is in the wood 50 yards back from the junction.
Arden Fort is an oval fort 0.5 miles W of Twynholm, a village in Dumfries and Galloway. It is situated on a natural hillock covered in gorse and hawthorn. The interior measuring c. 25 by 10 yards is protected by double ramparts and ditches and an elevated location. The fort measures c. 60 yards on the NE-SW axis and 40 yards on the NW-SE axis.
Canmore ID 64045 (go to Links) describes Arden Fort in more detail.
Directions: Take the A75 then turn off into Twynholm. From Twynholm Main Street take the minor road to Kirkcudbright on Burn Brae beside the Star Hotel. Stay on this road for 0.25 miles passing a church to reach the crossroads on the edge of Twynholm. Turn R into Arden Road. After 0.25 miles you pass the last house on this lane to reach the 60 mph speed limit. Around 250 yards later there is a wide gateway on the L with room to park. Arden Fort lies around 200 yards SE of the gateway, hidden under gorse and hawthorn.
Hough Cairn is a cairn on the Isle of Tiree. It lies within 10 yards E of the edge of Hough Stone Circle S. It is a small robbed-out cairn measuring around 7 yards across by up to 0.5 yards high. There are two large stones exposed through the turf which covers the cairn. One stone is in the W kerb, the other in the E of the interior of the cairn. The grassy interior of the cairn has a lumpy profile probably concealing underlying stones. The incomplete perimeter has a kerb measuring 1.0 feet high by 2 feet wide running from NE to SE and a kerb measuring 1.5 feet high by 2 feet wide running from W to N.
Hough Cairn is described in Canmore ID 21433 (go to Links).
I have added Glenterrow Cairn, an almost destroyed cairn 50 metres SE of Glentirrow/Glenterrow Stone circle to TMA. All signs for the stone circle have been removed so after some trial and mostly error I would recommend the following route for visiting Glentirrow/Glenterrow Stone circle.
Directions: Take the New Luce turn off the A75 at the E end of Castle Kennedy village. After 3.5 miles there is a gateway on the L at NX 1478 6240. I would be cautious if there are beef cattle in the field as they can be dangerous. There is a farm track leading N at first then bearing NW into a gateway at a boggy corner. Go through the gate and head SW up the field parallel to the fence for 350 yards. Glenterrow Cairn is in the SW corner of the field. Glentirrow/Glenterrow Stone circle lies 50 metres NW in rough moorland and can be seen from the field corner.
There are few things in life as welcome as an unexpected cairn. I was searching for an enclosure in moorland and daylight was running out when a cairn shaped mound lit up the gloom. I had accidently stumbled upon Hardcroft Cairn. It was then that I discovered that my phone had died and daylight was running out. I plugged in my charger hoping that the camera would work before the light disappeared. Fortunately my phone only took 5 minutes to recover so I was able to capture Hardcroft Cairn in the fading light.
Hardcroft Cairn is a turf covered cairn measuring 20 yards across with an earth bank perimeter up to 4 feet high and 4 feet wide. The interior is a robbed-out hollow with little original structure. It lies around 500 metres SE of Hardcroft Farm on the edge of moorland.
Canmore ID 61593 (go to Links) provides further details of this site.
Glenterrow Cairn is an almost destroyed cairn 50 metres NW of Glenterrow Four Poster. It is in the SW corner of a rectangular field on the edge of moorland. The cairn, 20 yards across, has been reduced to ground level with the exceptions being a 1 foot high earth bank running 90 degrees from SW to NW and a 2 feet high earth bank running 45 degrees from E to SE. The cairn has been stripped of stones except for a clump of stones at the NW point of the bank. There is a large boulder measuring 0.9 x 0.8 x 0.4 metres, a possible kerb stone, with three smaller stones.
It is only a matter of 50 metres SE to Glenterrow Four Poster lying in moorland beyond the fence. This is the easiest and driest route to Glenterrow Four Poster which is now un-signposted and unloved.
The real significance of this cairn is not its condition but its location. Its proximity to the four poster raises the question of the relationship between the two monuments. Were they built at the same time or do they represent different phases of occupation?
A Canmore search for Glenterrow produces Glenterrow Cairn as Canmore ID 61689 (go to Links) as well as two other destroyed cairns within a 500 metre radius.
This changes Glenterrow Four Poster from an isolated site to a site surrounded by other monuments.
Directions: Take the New Luce turn off the A75 at the E end of Castle Kennedy village. After 3.5 miles there is a gateway on the L at NX 1478 6240. There is a farm track leading N at first then bearing NW into a gateway at a boggy corner. Go through the gate and head SW up the field parallel to the fence for 350 yards. Glenterrow Cairn is in the SW corner of the field.
The Glaid Stone is a natural erratic stone deposited on top of Barbay Hill, 2 km N of Millport. It is c. 12 feet long with a 4x4 feet cross section. The Glaid Stone is quite impressive however the panorama from the summit is more impressive.
Barbay Hill is the highest point on Great Cumbrae at 127 m above sea level.
A minor road from Millport winds past the Glaid Stone completing a picturesque 7 km circuit back to Millport.
Finnarts Hill Standing Stones are a small pair of stones on the Ayrshire Coastal Path (ACP) between Glen App and Ballantrae. Finnarts Hill lies on the Loch Ryan coast. The standing stones are small, 1 yard and 0.5 yards high respectively. The stones are 15 yards apart in a N-S alignment. They are situated in wet moorland adjacent to the ACP.
Canmore ID 60914 speculates that the smaller stone may be a stump of a taller broken stone. The top of the stone has a possible c. 30 degrees shear plane. However there are no other stones within a 10 yard radius.
Directions: Opposite Glenapp Church on the A75 there is a small car park at the start of the ACP. Follow the road S for over 0.5 miles until the ACP veers R off the road uphill onto a rough rocky track. After ascending for c. 1 mile the ACP reaches a pass between Finnarts Hill and Sandloch Hill. Finnarts Hill Standing Stones are on the L side around 20 yards from the track.
Elephant Rock is a large boulder balanced precariously on two flat rocks around 250 yards S of The Beacon summit on Hendra Downs. The delicate balance of the rock may be an optical illusion as it has survived longer than many logan stones however I elected not to test this hypothesis. I wanted to preserve Elephant Rock for fellow TMAers.
Dun Boraige Beag is a ruined dun on Balevullin Bay in Tiree. It is sited on a rocky promontory barely above sea level. A course of large stones remains on the SE arc of Dun Boraige Beag. There is a gap in the outer wall on the SW quadrant, possibly the entrance to the dun. The grassy interior is around 10 yards in diameter, uneven ground with no obvious features save a large central stone. The purpose of this boulder measuring c. 5x3x3 feet is unclear.
Canmore ID 21447 (go to Links) furnishes further details on this site.
Directions: From Scarinish head N on the B8065 for around 7 miles until you reach Balevullin. At the road end follow the Baile a Mhuilinn sign R then 250 yards later turn R down a narrow lane signed with a blue parking sign. You will reach the car park in 500 yards. A rough track heads NW out of the car park. Follow this track round the coast for around 300 yards and look N for a low lying promontory with a line of large stones on the coast. Dun Boraige Moire is around 300 yards W of Dun Boraige Beag on a natural knoll 100 yards from the shore.
Drumuie Standing stone, c. 6 feet high, is erected 2.5 miles N of Portree on the Isle of Skye. It can be viewed from the A87, the road to Uig. However it is easier to take the L cul-de-sac signposted to Drumuie.
There is a passing place down this road allowing easy access to the standing stone.
Directions: approaching Porteee from S take the A87 Uig L on the edge of town. Follow this road uphill for 2.5 miles until reaching the L cul-de-sac Drumuie Junction. Park in a passing place 100 yards down this road to access Drumuie Standing stone.
Drumacissock South Cairn is one of a pair of robbed out cairns on moorland 0.75 miles S of Penwhirn Reservoir. It is 20 foot across, reduced to ground level with a 4 x 5 foot scatter of stones on top.
According to Canmore ID 62509 (go to Links) these stones may have once been a small pen or shelter, now ruined. It lies 50 yards E of the minor road between Craigcaffie and Penwhirn Reservoir.
Its companion, Drumacissock North is 100 yards N, parallel to the road.
Directions: From Stranraer follow the A77 Ayr road. After passing the A751 Innermessan junction take the next R 500 yards later into an unsigned single track road. Follow this road for 3.5 miles to reach the bombed factory site. Cross the cattle grid, proceed for 0.33 miles to a passing place and look R into the moorland to locate Drumacissock North Cairn 50 yards E of the road.
Drumacissock North Cairn lies 50 yards E of the minor road between Craigcaffie and Penwhirn reservoir. It is a robbed out cairn around 15 yards across reduced to ground level with an incomplete arc of stones. It is difficult to spot Drumacissock North Cairn from the roadside in its moorland location.
Canmore ID 61510 (go to Links) gives further information on Drumacissock North Cairn. As the name implies there is a Drumacissock South Cairn. It is 100 yards S of Drumacissock North Cairn parallel to the road.
Directions: From Stranraer follow the A77 Ayr road. After passing the A751 Innermessan junction take the next R 500 yards later into an unsigned single track road. Follow this road for 3.5 miles to reach the bombed factory site. Cross the cattle grid, proceed for 0.33 miles to a passing place and look R into the moorland to locate Drumacissock North Cairn 50 yards E of the road.
Laigh Sinniness Fort is on the Luce Bay coast between Stairhaven and Auchenmalg. Its main axis run from NE to SW. The fort is naturally protected by a cliff on the E & the coast to the S. A substantial 7 foot earth rampart protects the N & W landward sides.
Canmore ID 62239 (go to Links) states there was an internal stone wall but it has now been reduced to a flat scatter of stones 20 x 10 yards in area. A ruined dry stane dyke overlies the stone scatter on the SE.
Canmore names the fort as Garliachen, however, since the name is not in current use Laigh Sinniness farm, 300 yards N of the fort seems a more appropriate reference point.
Directions: Directions: At the top of the A75 Glenluce Bypass take the A747 Port William road. After 3.5 miles you reach Auchenmalg. Around 500 yards later The Cock Inn car park is a convenient starting point or the grassy bank on the coast 500 yards further on if that is busy. Head onto the beach and walk W past a house with a picket fence. Around 200 yards later there is an obvious cutting on the R which leads up to a private farm road. Follow this road W round a corner up to the Stairhaven Coastal Path which cuts off L up a slope. This path is roughly defined through overgrown vegetation and walking boots are recommended. Follow this path for 1.25 miles until you see the fort on your L and Laigh Sinniness farm on your R.
Court Cairn, The May was an important cairn where criminals were brought to trial according to Canmore ID 62914 (go to Links). However the cairn has been robbed out and only a low grassy mound remains on the top of a natural knoll adjacent to The May farmhouse. The cairn is around 10 yards in diameter and I yard high with the unwelcome addition of a 2 foot modern cairn on top. Some large field clearance stones have been dumped on the cairn, adding insult to injury.
I found a flat dressed stone, 4 x 2 x 0.5 feet 20 yards W of the cairn, which may have been a kerb stone.
Court Cairn is one of a small cluster of cairns at The May consisting of Court Cairn, The May and Lang Rigs.
Directions: At the top of the A75 Glenluce Bypass take the A747 Port William road. After 3.5 miles pass through Auchenmalg continuing along the coast to the Rocks of Garheugh, a series of sharp corners uphill. Take the next L signposted as B7005 Wigtown. After 2.5 miles turn L at Culshabbin for Kirkcowan via Drumwalt. Court Cairn, The May is 0.4 miles on the L at The May farm. There is room to park in a gateway adjacent to the field.
Cairn Buy is one of a pair of cairns sited on moorland above Rocks of Garheuch (known locally as Rocks o’ the Garchy) on Luce Bay. It lies c. 400 yards W of Green House Bridge Cairn which is listed separately in TMA. Cairn Buy is c.10 feet high by 45 feet across. It is almost intact except for a small excavation on the summit of the cairn. There is a thick moss carpet on the cairn lending it a patina of antiquity. Cairn Buy is listed under Canmore ID 62202 (go to Links).
Directions: At the top of the A75 Glenluce Bypass take the A747 Port William road. After 3.5 miles pass through Auchenmalg continuing along the coast to the Rocks of Garheugh, a series of sharp corners uphill. Park in the lay-by on the L 100 yards around the first corner. Walk back W for c. 300 yards to reach a gateway into a narrow field. Head E over stepping stones in a stream near the gate and keep E up a rough slope. After a few minutes the ground flattens into extensive moorland and Green House Bridge cairn should be visible ahead. Around 20 yards W of Green House Bridge Cairn there is a fork in the path at a boulder. Take the fainter L track heading W to Cairn Buy on the horizon.