markj99

Visited 20.03.25

After an unseasonable dry spell, I decided to return to boggy Balker Moor to locate the N cairn. Using the quoted OS Grid Reference, I managed to locate an earth bank with several kerb stones. I walked round the curve to locate further kerb stones on the E & W arcs. I estimated that the circle had a c. 45 foot diameter. A carpet of heather has colonised the interior of the circle, blending it into the landscape. Balker Moor N Cairn has been almost entirely destroyed except for an earth bank on the N arc. Further details are available on Canmore ID 61730.

Directions: Take the A77 Ayr road 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. 2.5 miles, past Craigcaffie Farm, then park up in a lay-by on the right at NX 1013 6501. Walk ESE across the moor parallel to the forest margin for c. 700 yards to NX 1072 6477, avoiding the boggiest ground. Walk c. 250 yards S from here to Balker Moor N Cairn at NX 10724 64545. Balker Moor S Cairn is located at NX 10767 64445, c. 110 yards SSE of the N cairn. My route can be seen on Balker Moor Cairns. Wellies and GPS navigation are essential.

Visited 19.03.25

When I revisited Ballach-a-Heathry Cairn on 19.03.25, the large field clearance stones had been removed, leaving a grassy plateau sloping S-N. The perimeter of the cairn was more sharply defined with steep edges. The cairn has an irregular elongated oval footprint. The measurements of the cairn were c. 57 feet on the NNW-SSE Axis and c. 33 feet on the ENE-WSW Axis with a height of c. 7 feet.

Ballach-a-Heathry Cairn is located in a grass field c. 180 yards SW of a gateway with adjacent parking available.

Visited 08.02.25

This is an improvement on my previous route to Drumwhirn Cairn: Take the A75 turn off to Newton Stewart at the large roundabout. Follow the town centre to the end of Victoria Street & bear left across the Cree Bridge. Turn L about 50 yards from the end of the bridge into Minnigaff. After 0.5 mile you will see a war memorial on your R.
Take the next L turn after 100 yards. This is a narrow country lane headed to Cree Woods. Follow this lane past Minigaff Parish Church, Boreland Wood and Boreland Farm. Around 0.5 mile after Boreland Farm a green lane protected by a deer gate starts at NX 39089 68355 on the R. There is room to park up in a passing place at NX 39082 68352. Open the deer gate and walk N up the muddy green lane for c. 300 yards to reach a Y junction. Take the left boggy path into the forest for c. 70 yards to reach a gateway. Walk NE up the field for c. 100 yards then bear N up the slope for c. 250 yards heading for the visible stony cairn. My walking route is viewable on Drumwhirn Cairn.

The path to Drumwhirn Cairn is boggy in places so wellies are essential in all but dry summer conditions.