markj99

It has been my experience that a six figure OS Grid Reference is inadequate for locating Cup & Ring Marked stones: It defines a square measuring 100m by 100m. It can be frustrating to find one stone amongst many. Canmore ID 62758 gives a ten figure OS Grid Reference, NX 37193 41422 for Blairbuy 1 Carved Panel. This locates the site to a 1m by 1m square. In my opinion, all Cup & Ring Marked stones should have ten figure OS Grid References.

Directions to Auchmantle Fell (The Wee Cairn): Take the left turn to Stranraer at the N end of Main St in New Luce. Follow the road for c. 2 miles to reach the track to Auchmantle Farm at NX 1539 6259. I decided to park at the abandoned Auchmantle Farm due to the lack of parking spaces on the road.

The route starts at Auchmantle Farm. Follow the track N then NW for c. 0.5 mile to the end of the track. Head W across the field for c. 200 yards to a gateway. Go through the gate then head NW across the field for c. 250 yards to a standing stone in front of a gateway. Go through the gate into rough pasture. Head N for c. 50 yards then NW for c. 50 yards following a rough path. Head W from here to a large modern cairn on Auchenmantle Fell (The Muckle Cairn) at NX 1454 6365. Head S from here for c. 135 yards to reach Auchenmantle Fell (The Wee Cairn) at NX 1452 6353. This cairn is hidden in boggy moorland. Look for a green patch in brown moorland with a prominent NW earth bank and a shallow central grassy rectangular cist beside a clump of moor grass. My walking route is available as Auchmantle Fell Cairns on OS Mapping.

Directions to Auchmantle Fell (The Muckle Cairn): Take the left turn to Stranraer at the N end of Main St in New Luce. Follow the road for c. 2 miles to reach the track to Auchmantle Farm at NX 1539 6259. I decided to park at the abandoned Auchmantle Farm due to the lack of parking spaces on the road.

The route starts at Auchmantle Farm. Follow the track N then NW for c. 0.5 mile to the end of the track. Head W across the field for c. 200 yards to a gateway. Go through the gate then head NW across the field for c. 250 yards to a standing stone in front of a gateway. Go through the gate into rough pasture. Head N for c. 50 yards then NW for c. 50 yards following a rough path. Head W from here to a large modern cairn on Auchenmantle Fell (The Muckle Cairn) at NX 1454 6365. Head S from here for c. 135 yards to reach Auchenmantle Fell (The Wee Cairn) at NX 1452 6353. This cairn is hidden in boggy moorland. Look for a green patch in brown moorland with a prominent NW earth bank and a shallow central grassy rectangular cist beside a clump of moor grass. My walking route is available as Auchmantle Fell Cairns on OS Mapping.