markj99

Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced restrictions and road closures on the single-track road from Innermessan to New Luce via Penwhirn Dam. The road is being upgraded for the construction of a large windfarm. These restrictions are scheduled to run from November 14th, 2022 to Spring, 2023.

Directions to Diddles Hill Cairn: Take the A77 Ayr E out of Stranraer. After c. 2 miles continue past the A751 Dumfries junction for c. 0.3 mile. Take the right turn onto an unsigned single-track road. Stay on this road for c. 4.6 miles. Park in a lay-by on the left at NX 1244 6896, opposite a mound at Penwhirn Reservoir. Diddles Hill Cairn is c. 250 yards SE in rough moorland. My route can be followed on Diddles Hill Cairn (go to Links).

Directions to Finnarts Hill Cairn: There is a minor crossroads on the A77 at Glenapp Church, c. 6 miles S from Ballantrae and 4 miles N of Cairnryan Take the unsigned road opposite Glenapp Church and turn immediately right onto a dead end at Glenapp Schoolhouse. Park up at NX 0743 7466 and follow the Ayrshire Coastal Path bearing right across the Water of App Bridge. Head SW and bear right up the ACP at NX 0671 7421. After c. 0.9 miles on this track there is a gateway at NX 05650 74224. Turn left over a stream, walk W up a fence line for c. 250 yards. Go through a gateway, head W for c. 100 yards to reach Finnarts Hill Enclosure, a rough circle c. 25 yards in diameter. Finnarts Hill Cairn is located c. 250 yards SW down the slope. It is a grassy cairn in heather, better defined than the enclosure. My route can be followed on Finnarts Hill Cairn. On your return by the reverse route if you head N for c. 400 yards from the gateway on the ACP you will find two low standing stones (listed as Finnarts Hill Standing Stones on TMA) W of the path.

Directions to Finnarts Hill Cairn: There is a minor crossroads on the A77 at Glenapp Church, c. 6 miles S from Ballantrae and 4 miles N of Cairnryan Take the unsigned road opposite Glenapp Church and turn immediately right onto a dead end at Glenapp Schoolhouse. Park up at NX 0743 7466 and follow the Ayrshire Coastal Path bearing right across the Water of App Bridge. Head SW and bear right up the ACP at NX 0671 7421. After c. 0.9 miles on this track there is a gateway at NX 05650 74224. Turn left over a stream, walk W up a fence line for c. 250 yards. Go through a gateway, head W for c. 100 yards to reach Finnarts Hill Enclosure, a rough circle c. 25 yards in diameter. Finnarts Hill Cairn is located c. 250 yards SW down the slope. It is a grassy cairn in heather, better defined than the enclosure. My route can be followed on Finnarts Hill Cairn. On your return by the reverse route if you head N for c. 400 yards from the gateway on the ACP you will find two low standing stones (listed as Finnarts Hill Standing Stones on TMA) W of the path.

Directions to Howmoor Dun: Take the B7023 at the roundabout on the W edge of Maybole. After c. 0.9 miles take the right turn at Enoch Lodge House for Ayr (B7024). After c. 0.9 miles turn left onto an unsigned lane at a crossroads. After c. 150 yards there is a 3-way fork. Follow the middle lane for c. 0.5 miles to reach a lay-by for a path to Dunure. Walk along the track towards a quarry. Pass by a large cow shed. At the entrance to the quarry bear NE up a grassy slope into a field. Follow the edge of the field SW for c. 200 yards to reach Howmoor Dun. My route is viewable on Howmoor Dun (go to Links).