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[Opposite page] Y.
18th Augt. 1911.
Parton Par. [Parish]
Little Merkland
[Margin] Nether Dullarg Fort.
Situated at the very edge of the moorland
about 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Little Dullarg is a
small fort surrounded by a single
horseshoeshaped trench resting at both
ends on the edge of a steep and rocky bank some
40’ in height. The general fall of the ground
is from N. [North] to S. [South] in the former direction
the fort is commanded by the rising slope
of the hill. The trench accordingly from N.W. [North West] to
N.E. [North East] is deep and the excavated material
has been piled up so as to form a ram:
:part above the scarp. Being for the most
part cut through rock it is clearly defined.
An entrance across the trench is situated
on the E. [East] where the ground assumes a more
level character. To the Southward of the
entrance the trench no longer apparently cut
through rock is shallower and the
growth of rushes over the bottom indicates
the presence of water. The width of the
trench, except where it diminishes on approaching
the bank, is 24’; its depth on the N. [North] 6’.6” and
on the SE. [South East] 3’. The interior of the fort is
very uneven. Down the centre towards the
SE. [South East] there lies a hollow having the steep
slope of the rampart rising some 15’ above
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[Continued from page 1]
it to the N. [North] and a flat topped rock extending
along the edge of the bank at a level some
5’ higher on the SW. [South West] Where the hollow rests
on the trench at its lower end there is a
mass of stones lying which possibly represents
the ruins of a wall for without some such
defence the interior would be exposed from
this direction. This interior has measured
about 119’ by 132’. The site is 500’ over sea
level. (Mr. Coles’ plan is accurate.)
Cairn Glenswinton
On a slight eminence about 150 yds. [yards]
to the E. [East] of Glenswinton farm is a large
circular cairn much delapidated and
probably excavated. It has measured
some 53’ in diameter and appears to
have rested on a base extending all round
from 6’ to 12’ beyond it.
21st Augt. 1911.
Kelton Par. [Parish]
Dildawn
In a grass park on the S. [South] side of the
Avenue to Dildawn and about 300 yds. [yards]
from the gate are the remains of a
small circular en:
:closure surrounded by a single
trench much diminished by ploughing
The enclosure has measured some 61’
in diameter and the trench some 16’
across. The situation is on low lying
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[Continued from page 2]
ground and the interior is not at all
raised above the surrounding level.
Kelton Par. [Parish] Kirkcormack Church
The ruined kirk of Kirkcormack is
situated within a wood in an angle
formed by a sharp bend of the river Dee
about 1/4 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West] of Mayfield farm. The
building which is almost reduced to its
foundations measures interiorly about 41’ by 19’.
Lying within the ruin at the W. [West] end is a
large flat slab, 5’.6” in length and 1’.10” in
breadth, broken in two at 2’.3” from the upper
end. Carved in high relief in gothic letters
around the margin is the inscription
“Hic jacet honorabilis Sir Patricius Mac:
:lellan qui obit anno domni. anno 34. [1534]
(see rubbing) At the head of the stone placed
sideways is a shield bearing arms a chevron
with a mullet in base while incised on
the lower part of the stone has been a
sword with a broad blade or scabbard
symmetrically pointed. At a late date
an inscription in modern lettering partly
translating the original inscription has
been incised across the flat surface of the
stone. |
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[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
Kirkcormack Mote
This Mote is situated at the bend
of the river Dee and adjacent to the ruins
of Kirkcormack church. It rises directly
from the edge of the river to a height of
about 20’ and from the bottom of trench
which surrounds it on the bank 14'. The
trench is some 20’ in width & has been considerably destroyed by field dykes on S & SE. [South & South East]. The summit
of the mound is a somewhat irregular
oval measuring 67’ in greatest length by
56' in width but as its edge is considerably
broken away towards the NE. [North East] its original con:
:tour was undoubtedly more symmetrical.
It is slightly concave.
Gillfoot of Nethirthird
In a region of numerous small
hillocks and about 1/2 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of Nethirthird
is one situated in the angle of a field which
appears to have been utilised as a small
defensive site. The hillock rises to a
height of about 10’ and has an almost
circular summit measuring some 53’
from E [East] to W. [West] by 61’ from N. [North] to S. [South]. Around
its edge except towards the E. [East] there
are the remains of a low summit rampart.
A spur for the most part natural projects
to the Southward and at 50’ outwards
has met two rampart mounds from SE [South East] &
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[Continued from page 4]
SW. [South West]. Both these mounds are probably partly
natural and are fragmentary. That on the
SW. extends for a distance of about 120’; its con:
:tour is rounded and artificial looking but
it runs straight and does not follow the
curve of the hillock.
Nethirthird
Within a wood which stretches along the
slope of the hillside for a 1/4 m. [mile] to the S. [South] of
Nethirthird and near its S. [South] end is situated
a small fortified site From a green grassy
hollow lying parallel with the highway
there rises a steep bank forming one
side of a narrow flat-topped ridge which
is bounded by a slighter hollow some 12’
below its summit on the E. [East]. But cutting
two segmental trenches across this ridge there
has been enclosed an irregular circular
area measuring 117’ along the
direction of the ridge by 99’ across it.
On the N. [North] side the trench is partially cut
through rock and 25’ in width by 7’.6” or
thereby in depth. On the S. [South] in which direction
the ground slopes, it is much shallower. The
trench on the N. [North] has not carried out to
the face of the bank on the E. [East] but a solid
area some 12’ broad has been left unexcavated
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[Continued from page 5]
forming a roadway to the interior. This
entrance gives into a slight circular hollow
within the enceinte around the outer edges of
which there are traces of a slight mound.
The whole area is overgrown with trees
and undergrowth and is consequently
difficult to examine.
Kelton. March Cleugh Fort.
Some [blank] yds. [yards] back from the steep
bank of the river Dee on its E. [East] side & about 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of the
spot marked as the site of Queen Mary's
Bridge is a small stone built fort greatly
dilapidated. Two outcropping and irregular
ridges of porphyry, rising about 12' above the surrounding level & bounding a grassy hollow
some 60' in length by 30' in breadth have
been utilised as the flanks of a fort, supple:
:mented along their crests by a stony ram:
:part or wall & returned across the ends of
the intervening hollow. The whole fort
appears to have formed a somewhat trapez:
:oidal figure measuring 88' from N. [North] to S. [South]
by 80' feet from E. [East] to W. [West] some [blank] yds [yards] to W. [West] of the fort is
an oblong nartural mound overgrown
with trees marked as a mote on the
O.S. [Ordnance Survey]. Along its base on the E. [East] at about 3'
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[Continued from page 6]
elevation is a level terrace some 8' to 10 ' in
breadth gradually merging into the slope of
the hillock on the N., [North] and evidently resting
on stonework. At the highest part of the hillock
at its S. [South] end there appears to be the foundation
of a small oblong structure with rounded
ends, of the dimensions of the huts found
on the sheilings. Elsewhere on the mound
are other remains which appear to be those
of buildings but I do not think connected
with any defensive scheme, or of that
character.
Kirkcudbright Park
Culdoach Huts.
Immediately to the S. [South] of Culdoach farm
house at the edge of a steep glen down which
there flows a small burn is a small circular
or sub-oval mote hill. It has its longest axis
N. [North] & S. [South] and measures on its summit 87 in length by 48' in
breadth. There is no parapet mound but
there is a slight ridge along the E [East] side for
2/3 of the length from the S. [South] end with a right
angled return towards the centre which seems
like a foundation. Towards the N W. [North West]
there remains a short segment of a trench some
17' in width which has terminated on the
W. [West] a few feet short of the sloping side of
the glen. When it existed on the N [North] & N E [North East]
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[Continued from page 7]
it has evidently been filled in. At the S. [South]
end of the mound the ground is mushy.
The elevation from the bottom of the trench
to the summit of the mound is 8'.
Tongand Church
Stopping at Tongland church I found
that the bell, & the carved wooden panels
in the porch had been examined & the
latter photographed by MacGibbon.
The three armorial stones illustrated by
Harper are built into the wall of the old
church on the E. [East] side of the doorway. Let
into the wall of the old Mill & facing
across the roadway to the river is the
fourth stone illustrated in the "Rambler"
It measures about 18"by 16".
Fort. S. [Site]
Kinnan's Isle
At Deeside, on the W. [West] side of the Dee about
1 1/2 mile N. [North] of Tongland is a rocky ridge
no doubt at one time an island & known
as Kennan's Isle. It is overgrown, with
a hazel thicket and a dense tangle of
bramble & whin. On the summit are
indications of circular hollows but the
present misalliance of the undergrowth
makes observation of the surface impossible.
I could not see on the flanks any trace
of defensive work. |
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[Continued from page 8]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
Tongland Stone Circle Park
situated on the ridge of Tongland Hill some
200yds [yards] W [West] of the farm steading at Park
and at an elevation of [blank] over sea level are
three boulders set upright in the ground which
appear to be the remains of a stone circle. As
they stand at present they form an almost
equilateral triangle of 16' and a few inches on
each side but the most northerly of the three stones
has been erected since a survey of the remains
was made by Mr F. R. Coles in 1895, when it lay
prostrate according to the plan in front of its present position. The
Westmost of the stones measures 3'.5" in height
and 5'.4" in circumference while that towards
the E [East], slightly tilted forwards, is 3'.2" high &
6'.1" in circumference. The re-erected stone
which is a similar boulder to the others
has a height of 3' and a circumference of
6'. Near the centre of the triangle there
is an oblong excavation but no sign of
a cist. (Though Coles marks on his
plan a number of stones as existing just
beneath the turf. I did not observe any
which I deemed without doubt connected
with the circle.)
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22nd Aug. [August] 1911.
Kelton Par [Parish]
I. Cona Hill
Nether Loch Dougan Fort.
On the summit of a rocky hill which
rises steeply above the road leading from
Gilston to Kirkcudbright just S. [South] of the cultivated
land, and about 1 1/2 m. [miles] S. [South] of Airieland are
the remains of a stone fort. The hill rises
to a height of [blank] above the roadway and
[blank] over sea level, rough & rocky toward
the E [East] and S. [South] but with an easier line of ascent
from the W. [West] The summit which has its longest
axis N. [North] and S. [South] culminates at each end in
a round flat topped mass of rock and has
a well defined edge
curving outwards
jointing these towards the E. [East] while on
the opposite flank the ground dips
to a hollow. Passing along the Eastern
crest and enclosing these rocks are the
remains of a stony rampart which after
crossing encircling the larger rock on the South ret:
:turns with an inward curve on the
W. [West] so as to form a somewhat kidney shaped
enceinte. The greatest length over all
is about 185' and the breadth across the
centre about 70' The rampart is much
dilapidated & shows no indication of building
Kirkcudbright Par [Parish]
& at. Little Sypland.
Contained in the sharp bend of the road
to Kirkcudbright about 1/4 mile. N E. [North East] of Little
Sypland and at the end of a long slope
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[Continued from page 10]
which runs down from [blank] hill are the
remains of a fort which has been much spoiled
by the action of the plough. It has been
an oval construction set with its Main
axis N N E. [North North East] and S S W. [South South West] Measuring interiorly
some 145'by 102' encircled by a trench
some 30' in width from crest to crest and
now about 3' in depth, with a mound above
the scarp. A ridge crossing the trench on
the W. [West] side towards the centre of the enceinte
indicates the position of the entrance. It
appears to be entirely an earthwork.
Whinnyliggets
Fort.
Close to the branch road to Kirkcudbright
from Whinnyliggate beside a cottage and about
1/4 m. [mile] S. [South] by W. [West] of WhinnyLiggate school is a
rectangular oblong fort
much destroyed
by cultivation. The site is on the sheltered
flank of a long slope down to the Balgreddan
Burn which flows Southwards about 1/4 m. [mile]
away. The Main axis of the fort lies
N [North] & S. [South] It has been surrounded by a
deep trench now only distinct at all along the E. [East]
side where from the crest of the scarp
to that of the rather faintly indicated
counterscarp it measures some 40' in
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[Continued from page 11]
width. Within the ditch
the N. [North] side only is complete while the E [East] and
W. [West] sides owing to the ploughing down of the
S. [South] end are somewhat indefinite in that direction
As far as measureable the dimensions
appear to have been 166' from N [North] to S [South]
by 122' from E. [East] to W. [West]
^ but if the highest point at the S.W. [South West] angle
indicates the original edge the S. [South] end has
been some 10' narrower than the N. [North] The
filling up of the ditch on the W. [West] may, however,
account for this apparent discrepancy.
The lines of the fort are straight & the scarps
regular. The scarp of the ditch
where best preserved along the E. [East] side has
a vertical elevation of 7' [feet] or 8' [feet] and lies at
an angle of about 38°. There appears to have
been a parapet mound above the scarp.
visible on the E. [East] side, some 12' broad at base
The angles are rounded and the mass of soil
at the N W. [North West] angle seems to indicate some
additional defence at this point. In the
interior the N [North] end for some 36' lies at a
considerably higher level than the rest. ^ There is no indication of an
entrance through either of the two sides
still fairly complete.
O.S [Ordnance Survey]
Moat
Meikle Sypland
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks the existence of a moat
about 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of Meikle Sypland. The
site is a rocky ridge enclosed by a wall
and planted but so overgrown with bracken
and bramble that observation is impossible
Fort
Meikle Sypland
OS. [Ordnane Survey] Moat
This fort occupies the summit of an
irregular rocky hill rising by an easy
gradient from N [North] and W [West] and with a
steep & somewhat rocky aspect towards
the S [South] and E. [East] (Around its base on the S E. [South East]
[Continued on page 13] |
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[Continued on page 12]
quadrant lie a series of rampart-like rocky
ridges) The fort which is irregularly circular
measures in diameter about 106' from N [North] - S [South] and
from E [East] to W [West] and has been defended by a trench
some 30' wide from crest to crest and 7' 6" in
greatest depth when measured on the N. [North] This trench is well defined
from N [North] by W. [West] to S E. [South East] but on the steeper sides of
the hill it is lost in the slopes. A slight mound
has existed along the top of the scarp. Where
the trench appears to have terminated towards
the N E. [North East] there has been an entrance and there
are indications of another entering the enceinte
from the W. [West] From the outer side of the ditch
at the N E, [North East] a broad bank runs down the slope
of the hill as if to flank the approach coming
up from that direction. (On the N. [North] the ditch
is crossed by a solid bank on traverse which
does not rise to the level of the scarp.)
(The compass mark in Mr. Coles' plan appears
to be wrongly placed.)
Bombie.
Fort .
This fort is situated at a sharp angle
on the upper side of the road about 1/4 m. [mile]
to the W. [West] of Bombie. The site is at the lower
edge of a plateau which intervenes between
the steeper slope of the hillside and the
sharp fall of some 50' or thereby to the
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[Continued on page 12]
glen of the Buckland burn and is somewhat
on a point projecting from the general N [North] & S. [South]
trend of the hillside. Like the fort at Whinny Liggate
it has been a rectangular oblong enclosure
surrounded by a single trench but has suffered
even more than it from the effects of agriculture.
Such ramparts as it had in addition are now levelled.
Its main axis is N W [North West] and S E. [South East] The N W. [North West] end
is measureable with comparative accuracy
and has been about 98' in length while
the sides, less definite from the almost total
obliteration of the S E. [South East] face, appear to have
measured about 120' The trench is fairly
definite at the N. [North] angle and along the
N W. [North West] face where it measures some 34' in width.
and at the angle the counterscarp seems
to have been banked up with the upcast in
order to give it greater resistance being - at the edge of
the slope. The corners are rounded. It is noteworthy that though the
fort is at the edge of a steep bank its N W. [North West]
front has been retired sufficiently to afford
room for the excavation of a ditch on the
upper level. The situation much resembles
that of the fort at Whinney Liggate except
for the steeper slope in front which does not
exist there. There is no indication of the
position of the entrance.
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[Continued from page 14]
[Opposite page 2 x photographs inserted]
Cup - & ring Markings
Rough tongue of Bombie
The field known as the Rough
tongue of Bombie occupies the
angle in a bifurcation of the road about 1/2 m. [mile]
to the E [East] of Bombie The existence of the sculp:
:turings is noted in the Proceedings of the Society
of Antiquaries of Scotland Vol [Volume] XXIX by Mr. J.R.
Coles who describes their position & also illustrates
them reduced to one twelfth. His survey was
made in 1895 and as I was unable to find
them it is possible that they have been overgrown
since then.
High Banks.
Cup & ring
Marks
A remarkable series of cup & ring marks
are to be seen on an exposed face of rock about
1/4 m. [mile] SE [South East] of High Banks. The rounded edge of the rock
is exposed for a distance of 97' facing WNW. [West North West]
and with a trend from NNE. [North North East] to SSW. [South South West] Over
the greater part of the exposed surface
are to be found sculpturings consisting
of cups and rings separately and in
combination, the peculiarity of the group
being the free use of the cup marks.
The most remarkable figure occupies
an oblong piece of rock measuring 3' 2"
by 2' slightly arched in the direction of its length. Some:
:what to the S. [South] of the centre is a cup & ring
mark consisting of a larger cup nearly 4"
[Continued on page 16] |
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[Continued from page 15]
in diameter, surrounded by a well-defined
ring measuring 6" across, while separated from this inner aisle by a flat
intervening space of 3" are two other concentric rings
apart. Entirely surrounding this symbol
and extending in both directions along the rock
are over 200 small cup markings of about [blank] in
diameter placed close together. Smaller groups of cups
appear on several other parts of the rock.
(See Proceedings Vols [Volumes] 9 20 3 and 29.)
Mr. Coles records several other markings at
the base of Galtway Hill adjacent to the above
but I failed to find them in the short time
at my disposal. I must take a day at them.
High Banks
Cairns
Some 200 yards W. of High Banks, in an old
pasture field and entirely overgrown with
turf is a large, circular mound measuring
52' in diameter and about 5' in height
evidently a cairn
About 150 yds. [yards] to the N E [North East] of the last is
another cairn also overgrown measuring
some 50' in diameter and 5' 6" in greatest
elevation.
Cairn
Galtway Hill
On the summit of Galtway Hill is a
cairn greatly reduced in elevation and
overgrown with grass measuring some 37'
in diameter. |
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24th August 1911
A wet day, the first we have had for
many weeks. This has been a most remarkable
summer. From the day I started work on the
5th of May we have only had two very brief
spells of broken weather. The amount of bright
sunshine has been abnormal but in this region
the heat has never been excessive. Rain is
now thoroughly welcome to help the water supply!
25th Augt [August] 1911.
Berwick Par [Parish]
Nether Linkens
Cup & ring markgs. [markings]
At the S. [South] end of a small wood situated some
[blank] yards to the north of Nether Linkens and on
the W. [West] side of the wall which separates the
cultivated land from the hill is a small
group of cup & ring markings They are
on the rounded side of a ridge of exposed rock
lying [blank]10' in length and exposed for
a height of 2', some 33' distant from the
dyke and concealed by ferns. The markings
are now very faint and difficult to discern
but in a drawing of them made by Mr.
Coles illustrated in the Proceedings of
the Soc. Ant. [Society of Antiquaries] for 1895. there are ten cup
marks each with one or more surrounding
rings. On a separate block some
5' distant from the S W [South West] end of the other is
a single symbol consisting of a cup with
five concentric rings around it. |
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24th Augt. [August] 1911
Went with MacGibbon to visit Threave
Balliol Castle & Glengappock
25th Augt. contd [August Continued]
The fort of Dungarry is formed around
the somewhat pointed summit of a Southern
spur of Ben Tudor at an altitude of [blank] above
sea level and commands a pass through
the hills connecting the shore of the Solway at
Auchencairn with the interior of the county.
From the N N W [North North West] a rocky elevated ridge leads to x
the summit from Ben Tudor. A rocky elevated
ridge leading to the summit from Ben
Tudor gives the hill a trend from N N W. [North North West] to S S E. [South South East]
It has a steepish slope as it rises for some
200' above the roadway on the W. [West] and towards
the N E, [North East] some 30' below the summit it is bounded by a
precipice overlooking a deep glen. Around
the summit forming an oblong enclosure
with rounded angles lies a great mass
of stones some 20' to 30' in breadth the ruins
of a wall whose estimated thickness was
some 10' or 12'. The base of this structure is
visible for a short distance on the interior
towards the N N W. [North North West] and the level top of the
ruin adjacent seems to indicate its width.
Surmounting the ruins of this wall are
the remains of a secondary dry built
[Continued on page 18] |
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[Continued from page 18]
construction comparatively modern erected to a height of 6' or thereby
on a base of some 3'.6", & gradually diminishing
upwards to the breadth of a single stone at a
height of 3' 6" or thereby. (The further details to be
required from MacGibbon's plan).
Ben Tultine Fort.
On a small natural level near the base of
the hill side about 1/4m. [mile] N E. [North East] of the shepherd's
house at [blank] is a small circular
fort. The site is sheltered by higher ground
on the N. [North] and N E. [North East] and is not particularly
defensible. The enceinte has been entirely of
stone and the wall now lies in a dilapidated
mass some 10' to 12' broad. There has
evidently been an entrance from the N. [North]
Interiorly it measures some 97' from N [North] to S. [South]
by 93' from E [East] to W. [West] but the ruined state of the
wall does not admit of accurate delimitation.
Against the outside towards the S. [South] is a
circular or suboval enclosure
measuring interiorly some 31' by 42' having
its longest axis E [East] and W. [West] and apparently
entering from the W. [West]
Wraithe Plantation Fort.
This fort is situated a short distance to the S. [South] of Collin Farm
It is enclosed by a stone wall, and overgrown
with trees and stands at the edge of a bank
which slopes down towards the Collin Burn.
The enceinte consists of a trench between
[Continued on page 20] |
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[Continued from page 19]
two stony mounds enclosing an area measuring
138 ft. [feet] from N. [North] to S. [South] by 123' from E. [East] to W. [West] Though
well preserved on the W. [West] half, the defences have
entirely disappeared on the steepish slope towards the
E. [East] The entrance has been from the S S E, [South South East], and
the trench as it drew towards it has widened
out, its breadth being 24' on the N W. [North West] and
40' on the S. [South]. These are traceable what appear to be the remains
of traverses connecting the ramparts and flanking
the entrance on either side, that on the W. [West] being
visible outwards for a length of 28' from the
inner rampart and that on the E. [East] being marked
by large stones. The ramparts appear to
have been surmounted by stone parapets
but the remains around the crest of the inner mound are probably secondary
Crossing the interior from E. [East] to W. [West] 38' apart are two somewhat in:
:definite lines of stones in which several
large blocks stand upright. One line
crosses the centre and the other nearer the
entrance.
Rerrick Par [Parish]
Auchencairn Fort
On the N E. [North East] side of the old track that leads through
a strip of plantation from Auchencairn to Auchenfad
& about ½ m. [mile] S E. [South East] of the former place one the
remains of a small circular defensive enclosure
consisting of a segment of a stony rampart
[Continued on page 21] |
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[Page] 21
[Continued from page 20]
towards the S [South] of the construction while the
the remainder is indicated by the position of a
dyke built along the line of it. The existing portion
is sone 5' in height and has been surmounted
by a wall about 3' in thickness at base, the founda:
;tion of which may be seen. The interior of the
construction has measured some 114' in diameter.
As at wraiths there is a line of loose stones
across the centre from which some larger boulders
crop up. The position is not particularly defensible.
Auchenfad Fort.
This small but oval fort greatly resembling
the last which is but 1 m. [mile] to the N. [North] of it, is situ:
:ated about 1/3 m. [mile] W. [West] of Auchenfad surrounded
by a stone dyke and planted with trees. It
has been engirt with a stone wall, now entirely
broken down, but estimated to have been about
12' in width, a small portion of the inner face being
visible on the E. [East] side. On the W.[West] the mass
of debris measures 25' across and is rounded
over the top with much the appearance of
rampart which is probably fortuitous & owing
to growth of grass which covers is. A mass
of stones near the centre with a diameter of about 12' is probably
of comparatively recent disposition. The
longest axis of the fort rises N E [North East] & S W [South West] & the
interior measurement along it is 108' & at right
[Continued on page 22] |
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[Page 22]
[Continued from page 21]
angles to it 83'.
Airds Hill Fort.
Airds Hill is a prominent landmark
to the S W. [South West] of Auchencairn Bay rising to
an elevation of [blank] above the shore line.
On the seaward side from the level plateau
above the cliffs it rises steeply but elsewhere
from landward by an easy gradient.
The fort on the summit has been surrounded by a stony
rampart or wall, and possibly by two on
the N [North] side where stronger defences were required,
but to such an extent have they been pillaged
foor stones that the original plan is no longer
evident. The interior is irregularly circular
measuring some 150' from N [North] to S. [South] by 127'
from E [East] to W. [West].
Cairn Auchencairn - Unnoted
In a cultivated field to the S W. [South West] of the
road between the schoolhouse and cemetery
at Auchencairn and some 80 yds. [yards] back
from it is a large circular cairn over:
:grown with grass measuring some 50'
in diameter & 5' in greatest elevation. There
is no sign of it having been excavated.
In the adjoining field & some 250 yds [yards] to
the Southward, crowning a slight eminence
is another likewise overgrown much re:
:duced in elevation measuring about
[Continued on page 23] |
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[Continued from page 22]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
80' in diameter and at most about 4' in eleva:
:tion.
About 100 yds. [yards] to the Westward there appears to
be a third, also overgrown, measuring about
60' in diameter and 5' to 6' in greatest elevation.
In a field to the S. [South] and about 200 yds. [yards] S. [South] of (No. 2)
there is a stony mound measuring about 27'
in diameter and 3' in height which may
possibly be another cairn but the presence of
outcropping rock in its immediate vicinity sug:
:gests the possibility of its being merely an uncultivable
area covered with gathered stones.
The country around Auchencairn is one of
the most beautiful parts of the Stewartry I have
visited. The shores of the Bay are finely
timbered, much of the land is under crop
with stooks all standing in the fields, for
this is a very early harvest, and at the head
of the Bay the ground rises sharply towards
the Screel Hill and the rugged mountainous
Ben Gairn.
27 Augt. [August] 1911.
Kirkbean Par [Parish]
Preston Cross
E. [East] Preston.
Situated some 30 yds. [yards] to the S. E. [South East] of the
farm steading of E. [East] Preston, enclosed
within a wall and set on a modern stepped
base of granite is a plain latin cross, oblong
in section with its angles chamfered, rising
[Continued on page 24] |
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[Continued from page 23]
from a roughly squared block of sandstone
similar to that of the cross. The shaft has
been broken & repaired. The extreme height of
the cross is 6'.3 1/2", and of the original base 1'.3 1/2":
The breadth of the shaft 1' and its thickness 7". This
is the cross of the burgh of regality of Preston a
township which has entirely disappeared.
McCulloch's Castle
Fort. Arbigland.
This small fort is situated on the shore
to the S. [South] of Borron Point and about 1/2 m. [mile]
E N E. [East North East] of Arbigland House. It has been formed
on the edge of a steep heugh some ? 75' above
the sea level by the excavation of a deep
semicircular trench some 34' to 36' in
width across the top and about 10' in depth,
the upcast being thrown up as a rampart
above the counterscarp. The interior measures
along the edge of the heugh some 64' and
across the centre radially 50'.
Colvend & Southwick
Standing Stone
On the slope below Kells and some 200 yds. [yards] E. [East] of
the E. [East] Lodge of Southwick House is a large
granitic boulder set on end, tapering
upwards and measuring in height 5'.3"
and in circumference at base 9'. somewhat
boatshaped in section with its flat faces looking
E [East] & W [West]. This has all the appearance
of a standing stone but I must make
[Continued on page 25] |
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[Page] 25
[Continued from page 24]
enquiries about it before I can be certain.
"The Brough" Southwick
Opposite the home farm at Southwick across the
road is a partially artificial mound bearing
the name of "The Broch" which shows no signs
of having borne any such structure but appears
to have been a mote hill. It is situated at
the edge of a plateau
which falls sharply to the roadway on the S [South] and to a
a small stream flowing
past below it on the E. [East] The mound,
the outline of which is rather irregular, is approx:
:imately oval with its longest axis N N W. [North North West] and S S E [South South East].
Above the plateau on the N [North] it has an elevation
of about 6' and at its base on that side there
is a faint indication of a ditch, while above
the bed of the burn its summit rises to a height
of about 25'. Towards the S. [South] it is some
14' in height above the gentler slope in which
the bank tails out. The summit is fairly
level, measures in diameter some 70'
by 60' and on the S. [South] retains a trace of a
parapet mound. From the N W [North West]
a somewhat artificial looking bank with
a flat top winds along the park in the
direction of the angle where the mound
meets the bank of the burn, terminating
[Continued on page 26] |
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[Page] 26
[Continued from page 25]
some 30 yds. [yards] short of it. This may possibly be
the remains of an approach.
Slewcairn Cairns
On the Slewcairn, a gently rounded tract of
rising ground sloping to the
Cuil Burn on the W. [West] and the Boreland Burn
on the E [East] are the remains of several cairns.
No 1 is situated about 1/2 m. [mile] above the junction
of the burns, some 250 yds. [yards] E. [East] of the Cuil burn
and on the 700' contour line It is much
delapidated and at its N. [North] end confusing its
original outline there has been constructed a
small enclosure within which are the ruins of
a small hut. In type the cairn appears to
be a long one though its length is somewhat
short being only 61'. It lies
with its longest axis N. [North] & S [South]: measures 42'
in breadth at the N. [North] end and 26' at the
S. [South] which is rounded. It has been greatly
reduced in elevation & though at several
places excavations have been made
neither chamber nor cist are exposed.
Mounds .
At about the same distance back
from the Cuil burn and about 200 yds [yards]
further up the slope is a group of about
a dozen small round domical mounds
overgrown with turf measuring some
[Continued on page 27] |
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[Page] 27
[Continued from page 26]
12' to 15' in diameter. There are no hut
circles visible in their neighbourhood.
Across the hill about the same level
and towards the Boreland burn are
many more mounds of the same character.
Cairn .
Some 300 yds [yards] W. [West] of the Boreland burn
and just above the 700' contour line is
a circular cairn, much delapidated and
with a hollow in the centre as if it had
been excavated. It measures some 30'
in diameter and about 3' in elevation.
A number of small mounds lie around it.
About 100 yds [yards] higher up the slope are the
foundations of a third cairn, which has been
circular with a diameter of 30' or thereby .
Hut Circle. O. S. [Ordnance Survey] "Fort."
On the W. [West] side of a small rill which flows
down a hollow into the Boreland burn
some 80' distant from the site is a circular hut circle
with an interior diameter of 23'. The sur:
:rounding bank, in the formation of which
many round boulders have been used, is some
5' in thickness. There is a clearly defined
entrance towards the SE. [South East] some 2'.6" in width
and on the bank to the E [East] of it lies a large
pointed boulder 3'.6" long by 1' & 1'.6"
which has probably formed a portal. The
[Continued on page 28] |
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[Page] 28
[Continued from page 27]
hut circle is on the W. [West] side of the burn and
on the level of the foundations of a cairn
surmounted by a modern cairn on the Slewcairn
just below the 800' contour line.
Abbey Fell Hut Circle & Mounds . (unnoted)
On the S W. [South West] slope of the Abbey Fell about 700' over sea level in the
angle formed by the Boreland burn on the
W. [West] and another stream flowing into it from
Boreland Hill on the E [East] is a hut circle much
worn away but distinguishable by its having
formed a small terrace, dug out of the upper
slope and levelled up on the lower side
Over all it has measured some 29' by 27'.
Some 60' distant higher up the hill an ancient
bank is traceable terminating at its lower
end in a sharp incurving return towards
the W [West]. Commencing some 50' to the
N. [North] of the site of the hut circle is a group of
about a dozen mounds measuring from
12' to 20' in diameter and the highest about
2'.6" in height. Immediately below the
lowest of these mounds some 70' distant
is another terrace dug out of the slope and
banked up in front which has evidently been
another hut circle. It has been dug out at
the back for a depth of about 2'. |
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[Page] 29
Clawbelly Hill
Mounds Unnoted
At the base of Clawbelly Hill towards the
E. [East] close beside the road to Southwick Station
and about 1 1/2m. [miles] from Auchenskeoch Lodge
is a group of small domical mounds of
about 12'-15' diameter. Some of them have been
dug into but no cists are exposed.
Southwick Old Church.
To the S. [South] of the ruin of the Old church
is a recumbent stone inscribed Hic jacet
Johanes Lindsay de Main qui obiit 26 Feb. 1665
Aged 42 et Isobella McLellan ejus conjugis
quae obiit 26 Jan. 1695. Aged 78. The
stone has at the upper end a shield
bearing arms, the Lindsay chequers with a
? mascule [sketch inserted here (circled diamond)] and something that looks like
a monogram on a chief.
Adjacent to it is a small upright stone
of red sandstone 1'.7" in height by 1' in
breadth on which is carved in high relief
a human skeleton and incised on the
margin Hodie mihi Cras tibi with no
other inscription.
Within the ruined Church at its E [East] end
and against the N. [North] wall lies a coped
stone broken into three parts 6'.4" in total
length 10" in depth, 1'.8" in breadth at the
head and 1'.5" at the foot, bearing on
[Continued on page 30] |
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[Continued from page 29]
its upper surface a sword with deflected
quillions and an ornamented trefoliated pommel.
In the N E. [North East] corner of the ruin lies a large
slab 6' long by 2'4" broad inscribed with boldly
cut characters in relief HERE LYETH ANDREW
DESEY OF GLENSTOKEN VHA DIED TE LAST OF AUGUST
1660 - Harper mentions another stone
bearing arms which I could not find.
28th Augt [August] Writing notes and surveying Parton Mote
29th August 1911
Rerwick Suie Fort
The group of hills of which Ben Gairn
is the most conspicuous member terminates
towards the S W. [South West] with Suie Hill a prominent
eminence risin to a height of [blank] above
sea level. Except towards the N. [North] where its
kindred hills are massed behind it, it com:
:mands a prospect over sea and land
extending for many miles in all directions.
Though its surface is not broken by regular
precipices as is that of Dungarry all around
at its highest levels it is rugged with
small crags and detached masses of rock.
Around the summit are the ruins of a
stone built fort much resembling that on
Dungarry but in a somewhat less ruinous
condition The fort consists of an oblong
enclosure on the top of the hill with its
[Continued on page 31] |
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[Page] 31
[Continued from page 30]
main axis N. [North] & S. [South] surrounded by a stone
wall which follows in slight fluctuating curves the
rocky contour. The length of the enclosure has
been about 249'. its breadth some 87' ^ an the rise in elevation from the S. [South] to near
its North end about 12'. The wall
which is almost entirely overthrown has been
very massive judging from the debris which
covers an area of about 30' all round. at
the S. [South] end some large blocks of porphyry which
have been at its base, may still be seen in situ
on the interior, and near the same spot on the
exterior a small portion of the outer face is
recognisable indicating a thickness of 13'.
Near the centre of the N. [North] face has been an
entrance, on the E. [East] side of which the base of the
wall is distinctly visible though on the W. [West] entirely
ruined. To flank the entrance the wall on the E. [East]
side has been carried directly forward some
30' to 40' across a grassy plot to rest on the
edge of a rocky escarpment which passes
Eastward to merge in the slope of the summit
On the W. [West] side from the outer face a wall passes
round to the Westward beneath the rocky summit slope enclosing in a loop
a plateau some 216' in length by 60' in breadth and some 12' below
the general level of the summit enclosure.
Near the
centre of the curve there has been an entrance
[Continued on page 32] |
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[Page] 32
[Continued from page 31]
into this annex and against the outer face
of the wall to the Northwards of it there appear
to have been a series of oblong enclosures formed
by an outer parallel wall and some 10' distant,
and cross walls between. The outer of these
two walls has been more slightly
built than the other walls of the construction
and may possibly be secondary. The inner,
or main wall, around the plateau has been measured
about 10' in thickness and its outer facing may be
seen towards the N.W. [North West] remaining to a height of over 2' for a dis:
:tance of 5' or 6' and evidently existing
further beneath the debris. Though the
superstructure has been removed its foundation
is visible at the S. [South] 24' out from the wall of
the summit enclosure to which it seems
to have returned at this point.
Nether Hazelfield Fort
On the crest of a low broad backed
undulation overlooking the sea at
Rosscarrel Bay and with a fine prospect
to the Northward part the E [East] end of Ben Gairn
is a circular fort. formed of a
stony ramparts and an intervening
trench. The interior which is very accurately
circular measures about 165' in diameter.
[Continued on page 32] |
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[Page] 33
[Continued from page 32]
There is a gap through the ramparts towards
the E [East] and as the inner mound is broader
on either side it is probably the original entrance
but as the interior and the trench are
regularly cropped this is uncertain. The
whole fort has suffered much from cultivation
and only towards the SE. [South East] does the outer
rampart any longer remain. Beside the
supposed entrance the inner rampart is 22'
in width, the intervening trench 8': and the
outer mound also 8': elsewhere these respective
measurements are 10', 12' and 11'. The height
of the rampart is inconsiderably. Though
the defences overgrown with grass have
the appearance of ramparts there is so
much stone exposed on them that they have
possibly been built.
Castle Muir Fort
This fort is situated about 3/4 m. [mile] S. [South] of Ros:
:carrel at the E [East] of Bartoces Bay on a
rocky flat topped point whose sides
rise precipitously from the shore to
a height of 80' or 100'. The defences consist
of a single segmental trench carried from
cliff to cliff 37' in width across the top & 23'
across the bottom, having an earthen
rampart surmounting the scarp with
[Continued on page 34] |
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[Page] 34
[Continued from page 33]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
in breadth at base of some 18'. On the E [East] side
there seems to have been
and entrance in the usual situation flanked
on one side by the edge of the cliff. Within
the interior some 18' back from the rampart
there is a faint indication of an inner mound
lying parallel but not carried forward to the
cliff by the W. [West]. The interior which is triangular measures
150' along the curve of the rampart and
154' and 70' respectively from the ends of the
rampart to the point.
Rerwick Churchyard
Lying in the churchyard at Rerwick to the
S. of the ruin of the church is a panel
within a moulding measuring over all
2' 6" by 1' 9" carved with an angel
blowing a trumpet towards a shield
bearing arms three ? goats heads cabossed
with a crescent at fess between the
initials I.T. On the frame is inscribed
Memento Homo es (see rubbing)
Near the centre of the churchyard stands
the socket stone of a cross 2' 9" high 2' x 1' 6"
at base with a rectangular hollow on the
top measuring 13" x 8" x 6",
A large table stone 7' in length by
2' 8" in breadth lying towards the E [East] end
[Continued on page 35] |
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[Page] 35
[Continued from page 34]
of the situ of the church bears an inscription
in raised lettering around the edge HEIR LYIS
JOHN CUTLER OF ORALAND DEPARTED TE 25 OF MAY
(1648 recut) AETATIS 38. On the surface of
the stone are two shields bearing arms &
initials ?E or IC - MC, (see rubbing)
Spouty Donnans Forts
About 1/2 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of the farm of Rerwick
Park on the edge of the Ovraland Heughs
are two small forts situated in close
proximity to each other separated only
a narrow ravine the bed of a small
stream which falling over the heugh gives
a name to the forts.
The Westmost of the two is a small semi:
:oval plateau the oval being divided longi:
:tudinally, resting on the heugh which rises to
a height of 80' or thereby above the wave washed
boulders at its foot. The chord a somewhat
irregular line, measures 187' from end to end
and the greatest depth of the
curve about 62'. On the landward side
the plateau is steeply scarped to a height
of 6' or 7'. Though no parapet remains its
strong foundation is traceable at various
points along the top of the scarp.
The East fort occupies an almost
[Continued on page 36] |
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[Page] 36
[Continued from page 35]
identical, but slightly larger site. The plateau is not
so level and the ground in front falls
to the hollow opening onto the ravine. The
curve of the outline is that of an
irregular semi oval with a chord of 198'
and a greatest depth of 58'. The scarp which
is to a great extent natural has a rise of
from 12' to 14'. There has been a rampart
above the scarp now only remaining for a
distance of 70' across the higher ground from
the edge of the heugh on the E. [East] its
site, however, is traceable around
the edge by a ragged outline of large
boulders. The width at the base of the remaining
portion of the rampart is 26'. Where it crosses
the higher ground on the E. [East] it has been
covered by a trench on the outside
The W. [West] end of the fort from on the front has
been considerably destroyed at some time
in the past probably by quarrying
Castle Yards Port Mary
At the end of the field bearing the name
of the Castle Yards which reaches to the
shore on the E [East] side of the little bay at
Port Mary and to the S. [South] of Rerwick Park is
a small fort. A Narrow promontory
flanked on the E. [East] by a ravine down
[Continued on page 47] |
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[Page] 37
[Continued from page 36]
which flows a small stream and on the
W. [West] the steep face of the heugh. A broad
rampart of stone and earth has been drawn
across the promontory at its landward end
forming a roughly triangular fort measuring
about 150' along the steep sides and 155' across
the front including in last measurement a
space of some 18' between the present end of
the rampart and the edge of the ravine on
the E. [East]. The rampart which has been considerably
broken into measures some 20' in thickness
at base and 3'. 6" in height. The ground
outside has been long under cultivation and
no definite trace of a trench remains.
31st Augt 1911.
Weather very uncertain when I started on
bicycle and broke down completely by 2 o'clock.
This is the first heavy fall of rain we have had
for a long time and it is much required as all
over the country the supplies of water are getting
low.
Kelton Par [Parish] Ingleston Fort
Situated on rising ground about 3/4 m. [mile] S. [South] of
Ingleston are the very indefinite remains of
a prehistoric fort. The site is a natural flat topped knoll at an elevation
of [blank] over sea level and commanding
a fine prospect to the N [North] & NW. [North West] but is over:
:looked by the hill country to the S. [South] and SE. [South East]
[Continued on page 38] |
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[Page] 38
[Continued from page 37]
The fort for the most part lies within a wood
but covered as to its defences with such a
jungle of trees& bracken that it is almost
impossible to determine its exact periphery.
Outside the wood the land has been under
cultivation and the details are still more indefinite.
It appears to have been an oval entrenched
earthwork a single trench now almost
obliterated, having in places a scarp about 6'
in height. The approximate dimension
of the interior (only given here to afford an
idea of the extent) seem to be 202' from N. [North] to S. [South]
by 116' from E. [East] to W. [West].
Dirnguile Fort
Dirnguile Fort occupies the top of a prominent
grassy hill rising to a height of [blank]
above sea level an outlier to the N [North] of the Bengairn
group. Strategically it commands a
pass that leads between Screel Hill and Polterland Hill from the head of Auchencairn
Bay to the fertile country around Castle
Douglas. The hill which is steeply sloped
all round consists of a rocky summit
with a fairly straight craggy face towards
the E. [East]
and to the
Westward at a general elevation some 10'
to 15' lower a plateau sloping by an
[Continued on page 39] |
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[Page] 39
[Continued from page 38]
easy gradient towards the W. [West]. The summit and
plateau have been defended by a triple line of
defences in irregular horseshoe form, the
terminations resting on the craggy face of
the summit towards the E. [East]. These defences
though traceable almost throughout their entire course,
are faint and difficult to follow. On
the N. [North] some 30' below the summit level is
a terrace while from the level of the end of the
hollow along the base of the craggy face some
20' lower in elevation there starts a second
and 20' or thereby still lower on the flank
a third. These terraces varying in breadth
and irregular in line are carried along
the N. [North] slope some below the level of the plateau
converging so they pass towards the W. [West].
Here the two outer lines take the form of
stony ramparts while the inner one still
a terrace, passes below the base of a rocky
outcrop & along the edge of a natural scarp.
At this point a space of 24' separates the
outer & intermediate defences while 50'
within the latter rises the rock behind the inner
terrace. Towards the SW. [South West] the lines are
less distinct. The upper one some 30' above the wire fence which runs along this side of the hill, seemingly follows
the upper edge of two slight circular
[Continued on page 40] |
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[Page] 40
[Continued from page 39]
depressions between two rocky ridges that run
divergently from the direction of the summit; the
second for a short distance is in the line of
the fence and thereafter runs parallel to it
some 8' or 10' distant & below it, while the third
continues parallel some 20' further out.
After crossing the stone dyke which runs
up the hill from the termination of the
wire fence the outer lines gradual converge
so they approach the E [East] & rocky face of the hill
while the upper line of terrace formation appears to open onto the hollow
as it slopes down to the S. [South]. Within the
defences the measurements are approximately
500' from N [North] to S. [South] by 360' from E. [East] to W. [West]. Below
the summit and between it and the com:
:mencement of the first terrace on the N. [North]
is a circular depression some 46' in
diameter which has a somewhat artificial
appearance. There are no definite remains
of constructions on the plateau or summit
though the various ridges of rock which
rundown from the latter have in places
the appearance of ramparts and a mound
across the lower end of the plateau might
prove on excavation to be less natural
than it seems on the surface. The
[Continued on page 41] |
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[Page] 41
[Continued from page 40]
upper terrace passes along the flank at an
elevation of at least 30' below the summit.
Ingleston Mote
Between the farm of Ingleston and the
road from Castle Douglas to Auchencairn
about [blank] yds. [yards] from the road is a natural
rocky hillock which has been adapted as a
mote by scarping the sides and levelling
up the summit. It is doubtful if it has
been entrenched as only for a very short distance,
and towards the ? NNE [North North East], is there any trace of
an outer bank to contain an entrenchment.
At the opposite end of the hillock a projecting
tongue of rock has evidently been levelled down
but obviously not cut through for a trench
or similar levelling has been effected on the
The hillock has a general height of about 18'
but with the fall of the ground towards the
(?) SSW [South South West] somewhat more in that direction. The
summit is a fairly regular oval with its
longest axis measuring 71' by
43'. Near the centre, is a low
oval mound with its longest axis identical
with that of the summit, measuring some
20' in length by 10' 6" in greatest breadth and
rising little if at all above the general level
but formed by the excavation of a shallow
trench around it from 4' to 7' wide, its
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wider portion being on each side of the central
disc at the SSW. [South South West] end and the narrowest at the
opposite extremity. At the SSW [South South West] summit
this hollow has been carried forward to the
edge of the bank with a width of about 4' 6"
and with the same width at the opposite
end it is traceable towards the edge for a
distance of 12'. Throughout it is only a few
inches in depth. The edge & sides of
the hillock especially towards the E. [East] & SE [South East] have
been much broken down by sheep and cattle.
St the SE. [South East] there is exposed extending downwards
from the upper surface for a depth of 18" or
thereby with an indefinite breadth, but not
exceeding a foot or two, a bed of discoloured
soil, containing much wood charcoal & a
few particles of calcined bone & a good deal of burned clay. From this
I recovered an iron nail square in section,
an iron bolt with a nut on it, and two
very tiny pieces of red ware with a brown
listrous glaze on them but really too small to dogmatise
about.
^ On returning to the Mote on 22nd Sept with permission to
examine the broken down material on the side I found
that the exposed section of discoloured soil measured
about 2' 7" in breadth by 2' 2" in depth. With a
space of 18" intervening there occurred a second
similar "patch" about 10" in breadth but less in depth
Entirely from the 1st, which I cleared out, I recovered
several pieces of pottery, one glazed and decorated
with moulded ornament, some six small glazed
"prunts" from a similar vessel, about a dozen nails,
an object like a padlock much corroded found
embedded 13" below the surface, small pieces of
wood, burnt bone & much charcoal, also many
pieces of burnt or compressed clay. Some of the
pottery was taken out of the section 4" below the surface.
[Opposite page sketch inserted here]
All the objects have been sent to Dr [Doctor] Anderson.
The pottery is of a fine red body. There was
also found a fragment of dressed sandstone
1st Sept.
Having to attend the enquiry in Kirkcudbright
regarding the death of the postman I went
then by the early train and passed the
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[Opposite page]
I raised a turf on the hollow on the summit &
found beneath it a fragment of the lip of a
vessel of white ware with traces of bright green
glaze on it. I also picked up a tiny piece of
the red ware on the scarp of the mound on
the opposite side to where the other objects were
found. No traces of occupation are to be seen anywhere else around the sides nor
have I observed them on any other mote
forenoon visiting the various objects of interest
in the town which have been examined by the
architects. The date on the town cross is
without doubt 1610 and the letters on it I E M
The old castle is in a shockingly neglected state
and will soon fall to pieces if nothing is done
for it. Ivy is growing rampantly over it and
inside it is full of dirt & decay. The
bells in the town steeple are very good also
the MacLellan tomb, of date 1597, in the
school opposite the castle.
The museum contains a very small col:
:lection of local antiquities. Some fragments
of a cinarery urn and a very small "incense
cup" with perforated decoration from a
"tumulus" at Whinnyliggate: three urns & food vessels beaker urns
from graves at High Banks, an all illustrated
in Harper. There is an iron sword of the
Viking period, much corroded, measuring
32 3/4" in extreme length with a straight guard,
4 1/2" from the pommel: the breadth of blade at
the guard 2 1/4". This along with a fine bronze
pin 5" in length, having a moveable annular
head, and a discoid bead of blue glass
was found in St Cuthberts churchyard.
There is a fair bronze age rapier blade
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25" in length 3/4" in breadth at 3" from the upper
end, found locally. A matrix of a seal
of Dundrennan also a curved panel part of
the pulpit of Anwoth church are in the
Glasgow Exhibition. The condition of
the wooden exhibits and the slight interest
which the residents appear to take in the collection
to judge from the infrequency of their visits,
are strong arguments against local museums
retaining any objects of national importance.
2nd Sept.
Wrote up notes.
4th Sept. 1911
Took the car to complete my survey of objects
beyond New Galloway.
Minnigaff Par. [Parish] White Cairn Rig of Drumwhar.
This has been a small circular cairn with
a diameter of some 40' but it has been almost
entirely destroyed and small sheep shelters
have been built out of its material on the site
It is probable that the interment has been
disturbed long ago.
Deils Dyke
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Map marks the Deils Dyke as
passing along the N. [North] side of the Rig of
Drumwhar on the line taken by the old
Edinburgh road to the bank of the Black
Water of Dee. The dyke appears to have been
adopted as the site of the road and an
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old stone wall which has been evidently connected
with the road its width at base being about 2' 6" has probably been formed from the
materials of the rampart. The road appears to
have been merely a bridle path. Only at rare
intervals does it appear to have deviated from
the line of the dyke and leaving unharmed
the original rampart & trench. On its coming
to within 1/2 a mile of the river the road has
followed the line now taken by a modern wall
running from WSW [West South West] to ENE [East North East] along the hill side
and for a considerable distance parallel with
this wall on the lower side and 30' away
there is traceable a trench varying from
6' to 10' in width with, in places, the remains
of a stony bank on the N [North] or lower side some
8' in width. On coming to within 30 yds. [yards] of the
spot where the modern dyke takes a sharp
turn to the Northward the old earthwork returns
towards the line of the road and is
again lost.
Where the old Edinburgh road has
crossed the Black Water of Dee the
abutment of the bridge is traceable on both
sides and the ruins of a pier are still
standing on an island rock in the centre of the stream.
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The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks "Bruce's Wa's" at Craigencaillie.
Before penetrating to that remote spot some
3 ms. [miles] further into the hills than where I was, I
made enquiry from some intelligent looking
shepherds and learned that "Bruce's Wa's" was
the name they gave to a park and that
there were no ancient remains about it.
The "pier stone" also on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey" is said to
be a natural "wonder".
Kells Par [Parish] Deils Dyke
The next place where the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates the
existence of the Deils Dyke is to the SW [South West]
and NE. [North East] of Upper Craigenbay - across the
flow from an island in the Black Water of Dee above Craignell, Passed Upper Craigenbay
and over the W [West] shoulder of the Bennans beyond.
Below Upper Craigenbay there is a large en:
:closure surrounded by a wall. It has
three facets towards the W. [West] the centre one
of which lies NE [North East] and SW. [South West] and is built
on the site of this dyke. Using this portion
of wall as a pointer the direction of the
earthwork across the flow may be easily dis:
:covered, at first by an irregular trail of
stones, the base of a wall or rampart some
4' 6" broad with a slight trench on the SE [South East]
side.
Occasionally the line of stone give place
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to a low strong rampart, and here the whole construction
measures some 14' across. At about 1/4 m. [mile] distant
from the wall of the enclosure it crosses a
low rocky hillock and here does not appear
to have been covered by a trench. The
foundation of the wall is about 4' 6" in width
and the amount of stone no where suggests
that the wall has been of any considerable height.
Above Craigenbay it is very difficult to follow
as there are numerous remains of walls of
old enclosures built with massive stones.
The line indicated on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] is that of a
fairly well preserved wall with a base of
only 2' 6" in width, and no sign of a trench.
Near Craigenbay, which passes over the shoulder
of the Berman & thereafter turns sharply to
the NNW. [North North West] in the direction of Clenrie.
Kells Churchyard
In the graveyard around the church
at Kells are a number of quaint and
rather interesting sculptured stones mostly
of 18th century date. One, recently recut,
is to the memory of John Murray who
died at Kenmore January 3rd 1777 erected
by one of the Gordon family. Sculptured
on the front is a ? pointer a gun & fishing rod,
a powder flask and a bird which
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[Continued from page 47]
[Opposite page Two photographs inserted]
most resembles a pigeon: On the back these lines
"Ah John what changes since I saw thee last?
[Margin] Omit
Thy fishing, and thy shooting days are past.
Bagpipes, and hautboys, thou canst sound no more:
Thy nods, grimaces, winks and pranks, are o'er.
Thy harmless, queerish, incoherent talk;
Thy wild vivacity, and trudging walk,
Will soon be quite forgot. Thy joy on earth,
A snuff, a glass, riddles, and noisy mirth,
Are vanished all: yet blest, I hope, thou art,
For, in thy station, weell, thous play'd thy part"
Southward of the West end of the church is a
stone 2' 4" high by 2' broad sculptures with
a representation of Adam & Eve in the garden
on either side of the tree of the Knowledge of Good
& Evil around which is coiled the serpent
a bird sits on its topmost branch.
It is inscribed on the back.
1707.
"Here ly's the corps of Agnes Herese spous
to Robert Corson also Mary, Agnes and
Marion, Margrat at one birth Robt. Andrew
James at one birth John Alexr Corsons
children to Rot. Corson Burgess in
Newtoun of Galloway & Agnes McPurnay
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[Continued from page 48]
his spouse". On the top of the stone are the
initials R.C. and A McB. The record of
the family is somewhat involved but it seems
to indicate marvellous fecundity!
[Margin] (See photo)
(?Another) stone has the same symbolical re:
:presentation of Adam & Eve (In the tree above
Eve's head is a skull laid on its back --- on the previous stone)
Another stone with a similar carving is
broken in half.
There is a monument having at the top two
cherubim reclining on each side of a central tulip-
-like flower blowing trumpets and beneath a
bordered panel bearing the following inscription
"I dyed in giving life I have
a life tho' lying in the grave.
I rest in hop here for to see
who purchased true life for me"
It is dated 1734 on the back, singularly, bears
to be the tomb of David Reid
An 18th century stone commemorates Adam
Macpwhan who being sick of a fever was taken
out of his bed and carried to Newtown of
Galloway and the next day most cruelly
and unjustly shot to death by the command
of Lieutenant General James Douglas brother
to the Duke of Queens Berry for his
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[Opposite page Two photographs inserted]
adherence to Scotland's Reformation Covenants
National and Solemn League 1685.
There is a stone, like all the foregoing situated
to the S. [South] of the church, bearing at the top a
shield charged with three cross cromlets between
three crescents ? for Kennedy - and beneath two figures - one male
in a wig holding scales, the other a female in
a gown to her ankles. The scales are slightly
depressed towards the latter. On either side
of the coat or arms is a cartouche containing
respectively the initials [DK] and [GE]
At the E [East] end of a railed in burial place
containing the tomb of John McCourtie of Fur:
:miston to the SE [South East] of the church is a stone
in excellent preservation with a representation
of Adam and Eve on either side of the tree
of Knowledge &c. around which is coiled the ser:
:pent. Above the tree is a shield parted per
pale; the dexter half bearing a hand holding
a dagger, the sinister half a chevron between
three boars heads erased. Beneath the
feet of Adam is a thigh bone and a skull
while Eve has an hourglass and another
thigh bone beneath her. The inscription
in relief between the lines runs:-
Here lye the corps of John, Grisel, Alexander
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Mary, Andrew, James, Elizabet, William
McNaught children to Roger McNaught
& Ann Gordon his spous 1706
Another displaced stone standing near bears
within a frame the inscription,
Deaths steps are sure
and yet no nois maks
His Hands unseen and yet
Most surely taks
It has marked the grave of someone of the
name of McGuffog in the year 174-.
On my way back I called at Ironmacanie
School house and was directed to the
so called cairn at [blank]. It is
a slight rocky eminence showing no trace
of either cairn or fort!
The "Cow clout" stone I also visited but attach
no importance to it in the belief that the
markings are natural. It is illustrated in
Harper's Rambles on p. [page] 285.
5 Sept 1911.
Tired of motoring I have taken once
more to my bicycle. Took the train to
Dalbeattie & thence proceeded Eastwards
to Kirkgunzeon.
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Kirkgunzeon Par [Parish]
Tarkirra Fort (Lower) no.
The lower of the two forts at Tarkirra is
situated in the N. [North] of the two angles formed
by the junction of the farm road with
the high way. It is low lying ground at
the base of a gradual slope and at an
elevation of [blank] above sea level. It has
been an irregular circular work with an almost rectangular point towards the E. [East] formed
by a trench some 30' wide at top, with a stony
rampart some 24' in breadth at base on the counterscarp, and an
inner mound above the scarp. The
fort has been much destroyed by agricultural
operations and towards the W. [West] two defences have been
entirely ploughed down. Interiorly from
N. [North] to S. [South] it has measured about 125'.
Tarkirra Fort (Upper)
This fort is situated at an elevation of
above sea level close to Tarkirra
Farm on the E. [East] The site is a natural
gravel ridge, or hillock which has been
steeply scarped all round and made
up where necessary with granite boulders.
There is a general rise on the ground
level from W. [West] to E. [East] and the fort, oval
in shape, lies with its longest axis in
that direction Its interior measurements
are 262' from E [East] to W [West] by 146' from N. [North] to S. [South]
and the elevation from base to the edge of
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the summit, on the N [North] 19' and on the S. [South] some 23'.
Around the hillock has been a summit rampart and near its base on the N. [North]
side, and 17' below the summit edge on the
S. [South], runs a shallow trench or terrace some 12' in
width, which gradually rises towards the
crest of the ridge on the E [East] where it is
only some 6' below the summit level
Here the trench has
been covered by a strong outer stony rampart some
20' wide at base, and above it the summit rampart
has
been more formidable than elsewhere measuring
along its sloping base 33'. Large granite
boulders have been freely used in the
composition of the ramparts. There
is a gap in the defences towards the
E. [East] and another towards the NW. [North West] both
probably secondary or enlarged to afford
access to the summit for the purpose of
cultivation. Dug out of the top of the scarp below
the trench on the SW [South West] is an oblong hollow
measuring some 17' by 5' showing a
small portion of built wall on its inner
face towards the NE. [North East] and other indications
of building around it. Along the N. [North]
side and at the W. [West] end the defences
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have been much broken down and quarried
for stones and a sand pit, still in
use, is eating into the interior from the SW. [South West]
Kirkgunzeon Churchyard
I examined this churchyard in passing
but found no sculptured stones of any interest.
Drumcoltran Tower
This tower which has been planned & photographed
by MacGibbon is an excellent example
of 16' century castellated architecture and
is being allowed to go to ruin though oc:
:cupied till within the last 12 years. It is
still roofed but the floors are in a dangerous
state and the walls need attention. I
understand that it belongs to a Mrs Bone
Drumcoltran Fort
This fine circular fort is situated on the
NW. [North West] slope of Drumcoltran Hill, sheltered and
overlooked by higher ground towards the
E. [East] but commanding a fine prospect round from
NW. [North West] to S. [South]. It has been formed by the excavation
of a deep trench, now quite obliterated on the
lower slope to the W. [West], but well preserved on
the upper side, where it measures 30' across
the top and 9' in depth. The upcast has
been piled up so as to form a massive
rampart above the scarp some 25' broad
at base and 9' in height above the level
of the interior behind it. The fort without
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levelling is formed on the natural slope of the
hill and from E [East] to W. [West] has a fall of 24' in
the interior. The defences on the East where
the interior was commanded by the higher ground
were on that account probably more formidable
than on the W. [West] where they have now been ob:
:literated. The interior measures 202' from
N [North] to S. [South] by 189' from E [East] to W. [West]. There is a
gangway 8' wide across the trench from
the NE. [North East] leading directly to an opening through
the rampart which appears to be the original
entrance and there is also a wide gap
on the S.[South] which is probably secondary. The
area of the fort is enclosed and planted.
It is recorded (Antiq. [Antiquities] 1893 p. [page] 104) that in the
trench where deepest there was found in 1837
a hoard of bronze weapons and in the
same trench in 1867 an 18 inch blade.
Cairn Drumcoltran
Of this cairn originally situated on the
hill above the fort I could not find
a trace!
Urr Par. [Parish] Edingham Mote
This fort situated about 1/4 ESE [East South East] of Edingham
Farm & close to the railway has been ob:
:literated beyond recognition. Some four
small stony mounds may indicate the
line of a rampart enclosing a very small
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area, but the remains are too indefinite to
afford correct estimate of the original character of the
construction.
Urr Par [Parish] Cairn
At the S. [South] end of the wood situated at the SW. [South West] end of
Little Firthhead the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a cairn. At
approximately the point indicated there is a triangular mass
of stones contained by the outer wall of the wood
and two other walls built against the mass. If
this is the cairn it has evidently been a large
one but what its condition was previous to the
stones being piled up in this enclosure it is
impossible to say.
Standing Stone Red Castle
The stone is situated at the ? E [East] side of a field
and about 1/2 E [East] by S. [South] of Redcastle farm.
It is a block of ref granite 8' 3" in height
above the ground, 8' 2" in circumference at base
and diminishing upwards. In section
it is trapezoidal, its broadest plane measuring
26" across and facing NNW. [North North West].
7th Sept 1911
Wrote notes in the morning and in the afternoon
bicycled with S. to Crossmichael. The churchyard
contains no monuments of interest of sufficient
Antiquity. There is an ancient burial vault
of the Gordons of Airds having on the
front of it above the entrance a shield
bearing 3 boars heads erased and the
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inscription William and Robert Gordon of Airds
1629. With the usual disregard of decency the
interior of the vault is exposed to the gaze
of the curious ans the bones of the Gordons
lying uncovered are visible within. In one cor:
:ner of this churchyard the walled in burial
ground of some spinster who had closed her
career some 80 or 90 years ago was being
used as an ash pit for the ashes from
the furnace to heat the church!
The bell of the church is said to date from
1611 but is not easily reached.
To the S. [South] of the E [East] end of the church is an
18th century slab inscribed: Here lyes William
Graham who making his escape from his
mothers house was pursued and taken
and instantly shot dead by a party of
Claverhouse's troop for his adherence to
Scotland's Reformation Covenants National
and Solemn League 1682.
6th Sept 1911
Train to Kircudbright taking S. with me
for his first expedition with his bicycle.
Rerwick Par [Parish] Castle Creavie
This fort is situated on the W. [West] side of the
farm road which leads to Castle Creavie
about 2 ms. [miles] NW. [North West] of Dundrennan and is formed
on an elongated natural hillock of slatey
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rock by the formation of a terrace along its slopes
and the erection of a rampart around the
edge of its summit. The fort is oval in shape
with its longest axis WSW. [West South West] and ENE [East North East].
measuring within its defences 206' x 114'. Towards
the WSW. [West South West] it has been much interfered with
in the course of cultivation and its defences
ploughed down, but along the S [South] side its lines
are well preserved. Here the hillock has an
elevation of some 26' and at 14' below
the summit occurs the terrace with a
width varying from 6' - 8'. As it approaches
the E N E [East North East] end of the fort the terrace rises
till it is only 10' below the crest of the summit rampart
and crosses the end of the hillock as a
trench cut through the rock 10' wide with
a rampart like mass of rock left to form
a counterscarp. Passing along the N [North] flank
it again dips to a level some 12' to 14' below
that of the summit & continues with an average width of 10'. The summit rampart
though traceable along the N. [North] side is only
prominent at the ENE. [East North East] end where it rises to
a height of about 3' above the interior. On
the summit there extends along the S. [South] side
for about two thirds of its length a rocky outcrop
rising to about 9' in height. The outer
rocky rampart at the ENE. [East North East] end has been cut
away on its SE. [South East] side to give space for a
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roadway 8' wide which leads up an incline from
the N. [North] and is flanked by the natural slope of the
hillock on the E. [East] before it merges into the terrace
From the W. [West] near the middle of
the N. [North] side there is visible another roadway
leading up to the terrace, and some 30' to the
W. [West] of the point where it opens on to it, there is a
broad gap possibly of secondary character caused by the levelling down of the
scarp from the summit.
A stony heap at the SW [South West] end of the summit may
be the remains of the rampart and stones cleared
from its site in cultivation.
Castle Creavie Fort (2)
This fort is situated at the N.E [North East] extremity of an area of rough hillocky ground
about 1/4 m [mile] E [East] of Castle Creavie farm at an
elevation of [blank] and about 1/4 m. [mile] SSE . [South South East] from
the last. The site is a rocky hillock rising
with a gradual inclination from the S W. [South West]
to a height of some 20' and thereafter dropping
sharply to a point towards the NE [North East] . The E [East] flank
is steep & rocky while the W [West] is by nature
grassy and accessible. The original lines of fortification are not very clear. Across the lower
end of the hillock at the S W [South West] has been dug
a trench some 6' in depth with the upcast forming a mound to the outside
carried along the W. [West] flank & seeming to terminate
where the ground becomes steeper below the highest
front of the hillock, while the rocky E. [East] flank
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does not appear to have been protected at its base.
A natural outcrop of rock crosses the NE [North East] end of
the summit and along this has been erected
a stony rampart now for the most part torn out, forming the boundary of
the fort in this direction. The enceinte thus
completed has been an irregular oval meas:
: ing about 110' from SW [South West] to NE [North East] by 66' across.
Near the centre are some low outcropping
rocks beside which is a circular depression
with a somewhat artificial appearance.
and there are one or two similarly suggestive
sites on the NE [North East] point of the hillock.
West Kirkcarswell Fort.
About 1/4 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of West Kirkcarswell there is situated
on the E [East] end of a broad rocky ridge by the
roadside, a small defensive enclosure
It consists of a rocky summit irregularly
circular rising to a height of 10' or thereby above
the bottom of a shallow trench some 6' wide,
cut through the rock which surrounds it
in horseshoe fashion at its base, the ends
resting on the edge of the steep bank with which
the ridge terminates towards the NE [North East]. Around the
edge of the summit rises a stony rampart
with a height of 3' or 4' enclosing an area some 48' in dia [diameter].
A break in the rampart and levelling
up of the steep rocky scarp on the NNW [North North West]
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marks the position of the entrance which
has interrupted the trench some 10' back from the
edge of the bank on the NE North East].
West Kirkcarswell Fort.
This fort is situated at an elevation of [450 feet] above
sea level on high ground about ½ m. [mile]to the N. [North]
of West Kirkcarswell. Its site is a natural
flat topped elongated hillock
rising by a gradual slope from the
W SW. [West South West], steepish on the SE [South East] where it rises to an
elevation of about 20' above a broad natural
hollow; lower and somewhat less steep on
its NW. [North West] flank and terminating in an abrupt point
towards the ENE [East North East].
The fort formed hereon by the cutting of a
terrace along the flanks and the erection of
outworks at the more assailable end, is an irregular
oval with a slight inward curve on one side
measuring within the defences some 218' by 80'.
Along the SE [South East] side where the scarp is steep
the terrace is barely traceable, and its former
existence even doubtful, but on the opposite
side it is clearly defined some 8' above
the base of the hillock & 10' below
the edge of the summit, varying from 6' to
10' in breadth and having a slight mound
at its outer edge. For the most part it has
[Continued on page 62] |
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[Page] 62
[Continued from page 61]
been cut out of the rock which at several places
is exposed on the lower slope of the
scarp above it. As it approaches both ends of
the hillock it rises in elevation
to cross the crest. There the slight
mound which bounded it as it passed along the flank is in :
: creased to a formidable rampart while
at the WSW. [West South West] extremity it is further defended
by an outer segmental mound some 20' in
width at base with an intervening hollow some
10' across. The ramparts are stony and
appear to be formed of the rock excavated in
digging the terraces or trenches. Near the
centre of the W. [West] side of the enceinte is an
entrance leading across the terrace
& by an easier slope
on the scarp to the summit.
Barend Fort ( S [Site])
On the W. [West] bank of the Abbey Burn & about ¼
m. [mile] N. [North] of Low Barend rises a rocky irregular
hillock on the top of which are very fragmentary
remains of what appears to have been a stony rampart extending in a wavy line along the edge
towards the W. [West] for a distance of some 60'.
Kirkcarswell Mote.
On the lower Eastern slope of the valley
down which flows the Abbey Burn and
about ½ [mile] S. [South] by W. [West] of East Kirkcarswell
[Continued on page 63] |
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[Page] 63
[Continued from page 62]
[Sketch on left hand page]
is a mote hill. A rivulet flows by on the N [North]
towards the Abbey burn
and from the top of its bank some 6'-8' high
rises the hillock which has been erected on
a square plan and surrounded by a ditch
opening on the bank of the burn on either
side. The height of the mound is some
12 ft. [feet] on the E. [East] and perhaps a little more on the W. [West] in
which direction the ground level declines. The
summit measures 45' along two sides and
47' and 42' on the others, and is somewhat
broken down at the SSW [South South West] angle rendering
the measurement to that point rather
indefinite. The ditch, which is best preserved
on the E [East] side, but elsewhere traceable, has measured some 26' in
width across the top, and 5' to 6' in depth
On the N. [North] half of the summit is a semi elliptical
depression coming almost to the
edge of the scarp and measuring some
25' in depth, with a chord of the same
length.
8: Sept. 1911
To Kirkcudbright by train where I had
a meeting with Capt. [Captain] Hope of St. Mary's Isle
his factor, the provost, & Mr. Robieson, to advise
them concerning excavations on the
castle dykes mound in a meadow to
the W. [West] of the town. I have no doubt that
[Continued on page 64] |
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2 lines from bottom - castle dykes? - it does not look like a 'k' but see e.g. https://canmore.org.uk/site/64063/kirkcudbright-castle 'The Edwardian castle at Castledykes was excavated 1911-13' |
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[Page] 64
[Continued from page 63]
this is the site of an Edwardian Castle with
angle towers & curtain walls between. We
visited the old house of the Maclellans which
I suggested might be placed under the Anc. [Ancient]
Mon. [Monuments] Act. An idea which seemed to commend
itself to the proprietor, Capt. [Captain] Hope.
Twynholm Par. [Parish]
Kirkchrist Mote
The remains of this fort are situated about
¼ m. [mile] S W. [South West] of Kirkchrist on an oblong gravel
hillock rising with a slight inclination
from SSW. [South South West] to NNE. [North North East] gradually becoming steeper along
the flanks and terminating in a point in the
latter direction with a gentle fall of 20' or thereby
The hillock has been much under cultivation
and at the SSW [South South West] end the defensive lines have
been entirely ploughed down. The enceinte
appears to have been an oval with a steep
scarp around the summit, falling at
the NN E [North North East] end to a trench or terrace about 12' in width & some 6'
below, seemingly merging into the natural
slopes on the flanks. Along the edge of the
saddle backed summit there is also an indication of a
terrace dipping on either side towards the
SSW. [South South West] extremity. At the NNE [North North East] end is a stony mound probably the
last remnant of a summit rampart. The ploughing of the surface
has, however, rendered the original features
very uncertain. The fort appears to have
belonged to the same class as Crofts, Tarkirra &c. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-65 |
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line 1 - missing distance is 200 yards (see the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914)). |
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[Page] 65
Cumstounend
About [--] yds. [yards] to the E. [East] of Cumstounend
farm and a short distance to the N. [North] of
the road from Kirkcudbright to Gatehouse
is a long gravel ridge lying with its main
axis N E [North East] and S W. [South West] on which are the remains of
defences. On the N W. [North West] side the ridge has an
elevation of 15' and [a] steep slope from the top of
which the level dips across the summit to
the SE. [South East] flank which presents an artificially
steepened scarp some 10' in vertical height.
The N E. [North East] end of the fort has been formed by
the cutting across the ridge, for the most part
through rock, of a trench 10' wide measured
across the flat bottom
and 8' in depth below the crest
of the scarp. This trench opens on the steep
bank on the N W. [North West] side and does not seem
to have continued along the flanks. The
summit measures some 156' in length
by 78' in breadth. At its NE. [North East] end above
the trench is a broad stony rampart and
along the SE. [South East] side some 9' in from the
edge of the scarp & parallel with it there are indications
of a mound probably to counteract the
fall of the summit level in that direction.
Over the summit generally ridges may be
[Continued on page 66] |
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[Page] 66
[Continued from page 65]
seen indicating some indefinite construction.
At the S.W. [South West] end of the enceinte the defences
are indistinct.
Borgue Par [Parish]
Mote Hill Boreland.
This mote hill is situated about ¼ m. [mile] NNW. [North North West]
of Boreland farm, formed from one of the many
eminences which characterise the undulating
landscape of this region. From its summit
it commands a wide extent of country
all around except towards the NW. [North West] where
near at hand two higher hills obscure the view.
The rocky hillock which forms the basis
of the mote has been quarried and shaped
into a truncated cone, somewhat oval
on plan surrounded at base by a deep
trench with a formidable rampart on the
counterscarp. It has been steeply scarped
all round to an angle of about 45° with
the usual slight convexity on the slope, and
has a vertical height varying from 18' on the
N. [North] to 21' on the S [South]. The summit measures
118' from N [North] to S [South] by 80' from E. [East] to W. [West] and is
slightly concave to the E [East] of the centre.
At the N [North] end at the edge & directly opposite the highest point of the counterscarp of the ditch is a stony mound
rising a foot or so above the general level
and measuring 10' in diameter. The
surrounding ditch has a [an] average
[Continued on page 67] |
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[Page] 67
[Continued from page 66]
width across the flat bottom of 12' and 38' at
the level of the top of the counterscarp where the
latter is 12' in height towards the N [North].
The mound
which forms the counterscarp of the ditch
is to a great extent the outer slope of the
hillock. On the W. [West] where the ground level
falls some 12'- 14' there is a gap for a
distance of 27' or thereby the rampart
sloping gradually down to it from N [North] and
S. [South] elsewhere it is singularly complete except for
a gap on the NE [North East] made to gain access for
the cultivation of the trench . ( Mr. Coles plan
is accurate but his N. [North] is Magnetic.).
Boreland Fort.
Some 300 yds. [yards] due N. [North] of the mote hill on a
round backed hillock, surrounded on the
E [East] side by a bog, are the remains of a
curvilinear fort now much destroyed by cultiva:
:tion. It has been formed by a broad
& deep trench dug across the neck connecting
it with the higher ground to the E. [East], carried
to the bog at both ends. The scarp of this
trench is steep and has a vertical height of
about 10' while the counterscarp has
been almost entirely ploughed down.
Whatever other defences the fort may
[Continued on page 68] |
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[Page] 68
[Continued from page 67]
have borne are likewise obliterated by
agricultural operations. The interior appears to
have measured some 200' by 140' with its longest
axis NNE. [North North East] and SSW [South South West].
Borgue Par [Parish]
Mote Hill Conchieton (Site)
This site noted by Mr. Coles close to the high
road to the NE. [North East] of Conchieton has been so
reduced in the course of cultivation as to render
it quite indescribable. Facing the roadway on
the N. [North] is a curving bank which has a
somewhat regular & artificial looking scarp
some 6' to 8' in height but elsewhere all signs
of defences have been obliterated.
Twynholm Par. [Parish]
The Doon.
The Doon is a fort now very indefinite
occupying the S. [South] end of the summit of a
prominent hill situated ¼ m. [mile] W. [West] of Twynholm
village & 325 ft. [feet] over sea level. There is a central disc with a
slight bank around it measuring some 78'
from N. [North] to S. [South] by 82' from E [East] to W [West]. Towards
the S. [South] of this there are faint indications of a
double trench with an intervening rampart
the whole measuring 101' across , while
towards the N. [North] there are the remains of a
trench about 30' wide. Around the edge of
the summit from S [South] to S W. [South West] is a well defined
scarp some 6' in height. An old dyke and
trench cross the centre of the summit from
[Continued on page 69] |
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[Page] 69
[Continued from page 68]
N. [North] to S [South]. The features of the fort are fragmentary
and obscure.
The weather is still very warm and no
rain falls though daily the clouds gather
as if rain was imminent. All the crops
have been gathered in.
11th Sept. 1911
A very wet- looking morning trained to Castle
Douglas fully prepared for rain which again
disappointed us.
Kelton Par [Parish]
Ernespie Stone Circle Remains of
In the park some 400 yds. [yards] SSW. [South South West] of Ernespie
house are two monoliths standing 6'.10"
apart the remains of a stone circle. Each
stone measures about 4'.6" in height, the
Westmost 8'.4" in circumference at base
and the other 7'.9". The Eastmost stone is
triangular in section with its apex pointing
directly towards the other which is a four
sided block. The former position of the
other stones of the Circle is not ascertainable
(See Coles.)
Buittle Par [Parish]
Mote Ernespie.
About ½ m. [mile] SE. [South East] of Ernespie is a knoll
rising from a low wet looking hollow
marked mote on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] It [In] form it is
an irregular oblong lying E NE. [East North East] & WSW [West South West]
and expanding somewhat in the latter
direction Its greatest height from base
[Continued on page 70] |
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[Page] 70
[Continued from page 69]
to summit is about 12' and its slopes are not
uniform in their gradient which is [in] all cases
an easy one. The contour is irregular and
there are no sure indications of defences.
It is a doubtful site though its summit at the
broad end looks as if it had been levelled.
The extreme length is 82': the breadth at the
ENE [East North East] end 32' and at the W SW [West South West] 50'.
Buittle Par [Parish]
Meikle Knox Fort.
The site of this fort is on a shoulder slightly
to the N. [North] of the summit of a broad backed
hill to the N. [North] of Meikle Knox farm. The fort
has been much destroyed by cultivation
but appears to have consisted of a double
segmental entrenchment with an intervening
rampart probably resting at either end on a steep
bank with a long slope to the NW. [North West] but not
now actually traceable to it.
The construction is too
fragmentary for measurement.
Buittle Courthill
Kirkennan
In a dense wood at the N. [North] end of the Ramshaw
wood at Courthill the O. S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates a fort.
Though at one spot there is a slight stony
mound which might be the remains of a ram:
:part & here & there a suggestion of a terrace
there are no definite remains. |
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[Page] 71
[Margin] Buittle Par [Parish]
Nethertown of Almorness Fort.
At the landward end of the promontory termin:
:ating in Almorness Point, and dividing Orchardton
Bay from the estuary of the Urr, lies a group
of low rocky hills rising from a wide en:
:circling base. The name 'Castle hill' covers the
group. Immediately to the NNE. [North North East] of Nethertown
of Almorness on the summit of one of these
rocky eminences which has an elevation of
[300 feet] above sea level are the ruins of a stone
built fort. The hill lies with its longest axis
NW. [North West] and SE. South East], rises by a gradual slope from
either end over a surface broken by ridges
and terraces of rock, and is very steep on both
flanks for the last 30' to 40' below the summit.
The summit, which is fairly level has been
encircled by a wall of boulders, now entirely
broken down, measuring some 7' in thickness
at the ends and somewhat less along the sides
enclosing an area oblong in form with
rounded ends, 78' in length by 56' in breadth.
Both ends have been defended with outworks.
At the NW [North West] where a somewhat level plateau extends
beyond the actual summit the outer lines
consist of a wall some 10' to 11' thick, parallel
along the front & with the inner wall, 14' distant from it
and returned sharply at the
[Continued on page 72] |
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[Page] 72
[Continued from page 71]
[Opposite page sketch inserted]
E [East] side, and an outer wall
resting on the last at its E. [East] end and
curving round the plateau with a radius
at the centre of 33'. These walls at the W. [West] side are connected
with each other and with the front wall of the main
enclosure with short traverses and are carried
Westward to a rock face at the edge of the
summit. An arrangement not indicated on
Mr. Coles's plan. At the S [South] end of the fort
at 12' from the inner wall is a terrace supported
on a built scarp some 5' in height, while
14' beyond it is an outer segmental stony
rampart curving from flank to flank.
Along the W. [West] side is a terrace 11' below the summit at the
N. [North] end and gradually rising Southwards even:
:tually merging into the natural slope. All
along the W. [West] side there lie many boulders
just protruding from the slope and it is
difficult to discriminate between building
and natural outcrop. ^
^ On the E. [East] side a steep slope with an elevation
of some 40' to 50' from the face of the inner enclosing wall, has probably enabled terracing
to be dispensed with.
The position of
the entrance is not apparent. In the
interior close to the S. [South] end are two irregular
circular foundations not clearly visible by
reason of the bracken.
[Margin] Orchardton Tower.
This is a charming circular keep, floorless
above the vaulted basement but with its
[Continued on page 73] |
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[Page] 73
[Continued from page 72]
stair intact to the top and well looked after.
On the 1st. floor is an ambry with nice cusped gothic
arch. There has been a connection through a
door on the 1st. floor level with a range of buildings
to the ? E [East] now demolished.
[Margin] Buittle Par [Parish]
Castle Gower Fort.
This fort is situated about 1/2 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of the
farm of Castle Gower from which it is
most easily approached. It occupies an isolated
rocky eminence rising to a height of 80' or thereby
from its base to its summit and lying with its
longest axis NW. [North West] and SE [South East]. Steep and in places
precipitous on the W. [West] side it rises with
a gradual inclination from SE. [South East] while
its E. [East] flank like the W. [West] is steep but grassy.
The summit is an irregular oval measuring some 152' by 56'.
The lines of the defences are not very clear. Towards
the NW. [North West] some 15' in elevation below the summit
there is a terrace cut across the steep ter:
:minal ridge some 15' in width which appears
to be traceable, but by no means definite, round
by the E. [East] to the S. [South] end of the hill. Some 10'
above this also at the NW. [North West] is a shelf like
area apparently levelled out of the rock
measuring some 30' by 37' above which
some 5' in elevation commences the actual
summit which rises with a slight inclination
towards the SE [South East]. Along the higher portion of
[Continued on page 74] |
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[Page] 74
[Continued from page 73]
the summit, especially towards the E. [East] there
are distinct traces of a summit rampart or
wall now in the main either pulled out or over:
:grown with thick turf. At the SE. [South East] end the
summit terminates in a scarp some 12' in
height below which the terrace traceable along
the E [East] flank terminates in a crescent shaped
expansion 24' in depth. at the centre of the
curve. Down the ridge at this end as the
hill dips to its base a series of
rampart-like ridges cross it with hollows
opening up from the steeper western slope
all of which appear to be natural.
On the summit resting on the steep W. [West] flank
is a broad semi circular hollow with a
chord of about 90' around which the level
rises with, in places, a suggestion of building.
On the E. [East] side where the remains of the
summit defence are exposed to a very
small extent, vitrifaction causing
aglutination [agglutination] of the stone is visible . It is
noteworthy that this appears firmly embedded
on what must be the base of the structure
but its extent can only be ascertained
by excavation.
This has been one of the hottest days this autumn. |
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[Page] 75
[Opposite page sketch inserted] ROAD
12th Sept. 1911.
Train to New Galloway station thence S'ward [Southward]
on bicycle. This mode of progress I much pre:
:fer to the motor car and unless the objects to
be visited are far distant from each other or from
a railway station I can over [cover] as much
during the day at a much smaller expense.
[Margin] Balmagie [Balmaghie] Par [Parish]
Little Duchra [Duchrae]
In passing I again visited this fort but
found the interior still impossible to examine
on account of the brackens. Presuming that
the fort presents a single facet to the road
the whole forms a pentagon, the four sides
along the ditch being very clearly marked.
The measurements should be in the previous vol. [volume].
[Margin] Craig Hill
Lochengower (Fort)
About 1 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of North Quintespie [Quintenespie] and 1/4 m. [mile]
to the SE. [South East] of the branch road from Lauriston [Laurieston] to Craig
from which it is easily approached this fort
is situated. It occupies a small rocky emin:
:ence lying just to the SW. [South West] of the higher Meikle
Dornell and overlooking a small sheet of
water, Lochangower [Lochengower], on the E [East]. Though in
no direction abrupt in its ascent the slopes all
round are rugged with outcropping rock
& boulders and on the NW. [North West] in close proximity
stands a rocky top of equal elevation.
Around the summit forming a flattened
elipse lie the ruins of a wall now
[Continued on page 76] |
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[Page] 76
[Continued from page 75]
merely a structureless mass of debris mostly small
angular stones the larger blocks having been
probably removed long ago for dykes. The
circle is continuous except across a hollow
on the N. [North] where for some reason, not evident,
the stones are no longer visible. The area en:
:closed measures about 105' from N [North] to S. [South] by
100' from E [East] to W. [West] and is singularly uneven
being traversed from N. [North] to S. [South] by a jagged mass of rock.
There is an indefinite suggestion of an entrance
near the centre of the S. [South] arc. The surrounding
wall appears to have been about 10' in thickness
and over most of its course there is apparent
a grass covered ridge on the inner face separated
from the mass of debris by a hollow some 3' in
width. The outer face is visible
at one spot on the S. [South] front. There is
no indication of a well but rushes are growing
freely in the hollow to the SW. [South West] of the rocky
central ridge. (Coles's plan seems fairly correct).
[Margin] Mote of Dunnance
This is a natural rocky hillock situated at
the S. [South] end of a wood about 1/4 m. [mile] S. [South] of Dunnance
and the same distance to the W. [West] of the road
from Laurieston to Ringford. It is very
steep on all sides except towards the W.SW. [West South West]
where at the base of an 8' slope a neck
[Continued on page 77] |
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line 4 - 'indications' seems to have been scored out, but nothing has replaced it and it doesn't make sense without it. |
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[Page] 77
[Continued from page 76]
which may have been slightly hollowed connects
it with a larger flat topped hillock beyond. The
summit is oval & flat measuring some 50' by 28'.
Around the edge are slight [indications] of a stony
parapet and at the upper edge of the slope, es:
:pecially apparent towards the NW [North West] there are
signs of stone-work, probably to sustain
the edge of the summit, which may have been
levelled up at this point. On the NW. [North West] face
some 12' below the summit there is traceable
for a short distance a supported terrace some
5' to 6' wide but which appears to merge into
the steep N. [North] slope of the hillock. On the SE. [South East]
some 22' below the summit there is another
terrace which passes across the neck leading
into a trench which separates the two hillocks
on the W [West]. How much, if any, of these latter
features are artificial it is hardly possible
to determine without excavation.
[Margin] Edgarton "Mote"
This interesting defensive site lies about 1/4
m. [mile] E [East] of Edgarton farm and nearly 1/2 m. [mile] W. [West] of
the road from Laurieston to Ringford
It occupies a natural and prominent rocky
[Margin] Try to check height from O.S. [Ordnance Survey] 25"
hillock rising to a height of 50' or 60' at the S. [South] end of a long serpent:
:tine ridge running down from the higher
ground to the N [North]. The hillock has a steep
[Continued on page 78] |
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[Page] 78
[Continued from page 77]
contour all round especially so on the W. [West] where it
presents a precipitous face of rock and its most
gradual inclination has been from the S [South]. To isolate
it from the Northward continuation of the ridge a
broad trench some 16' wide and 9' to 10' in
depth has been cut through the rock, opening
at its E. [East] end into an earshaped expansion with a curve
round the base towards the SE. [South East] and measuring
some 54' by 20'. The W. [West] side of the hillock
is so steep as to render artificial defence unnecessary
but from that side a track or roadway passes
up diagonally towards the lower end of the
summit. At the extreme S. [South] end across the
tail of the ridge has been excavated a deep
trench varying in breadth from 14' to 19'
and measuring in depth 12' below the steep scarp
and 4' below the counterscarp. Contained behind
the rocky scarp of this trench & 30' below the summit is an enclosure also
earlike in shape formed partially by quarrying
and partly by building on the top of the
wall of rock which curves round it from
the S W. [South West] end of the hillock. Its longest axis
lies across the base measuring
some 54' while the contrary axis measures 28'.
The enclosing rock rises to a height of 8' above
the bottom on the W. [West] & gradually decreases
[Continued on page 79] |
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[Page] 79
[Continued from page 78]
in elevation as it approaches the E [East] end where
there was probably an entrance. Along the
E [East] flank of the hillock, continued from the
trench at the S. [South] end, there appears to have been
a terrace some 10' above the base, below
which for a distance of 70' at the lowest level
there lies a structureless mass of stone very
largely overgrown with turf. Approaching
the actual summit from the S. [South] at
an elevation of 6' below it, there is an irregular
terrace 6' wide onto which the track up the W. [West] slope
would, lead and which merges into the
steep slope of the E. [East]. The summit
is an irregular oblong with many inequalities
on its surface and a general dip from
W [West] to E. [East] measuring 78' from end to end
and 47' across: At the S. [South] end there are
indications of banking up and building
but the whole is overgrown with grass and
evidence of structure are vague.
Along the line of debris at the base on the
E. [East] are to be seen pieces of fused stone
and one fragment was picked up on
the level of the terrace above it, but it
is impossible to state without excavation
whether this has come from a wall on the
summit as seems probable or not. ( Coles's plan will do.) |
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[Page] 80
[Margin] Cairn Bargratton
At the edge of a field about half way between Bargratton
and the W. [West] end of Bargratton Loch is a large
circular cairn measuring in diameter
some 60' and in elevation, at highest 8'.
A considerable amount of stone has been
removed from the top of it but neither cist
nor chamber are exposed.
About 1/2 m. [mile] to the S. [South] of Bargratton farm
and 175 yds [yards] WNW [West North West] of the cairn (no. __) is a
circular enclosure with a diameter of 60', surrounded by a
bank of earth & stone some 14' thick and
1'- 2' in height on the exterior according to the
level of the ground. Near the centre lies a
stony mound, elliptical in shape, with its
longest axis N [North] & S. [South] measuring 25' by 20' and
of about equal height with the surrounding
bank. There is a slight dip in the contour
of the bank towards the NE. [North East] which may
possibly have been an entrance. (The only
other construction resembling this that I
have seen was at Pullyhour, Caithness No. 147.
What these constructions are I do not know.)
This one is wrongly placed on the 1" O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map.)
[Margin] Bargratton Loch.
Foundations (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Fort)
Near the centre of the E. [East] shore of Bargratton
Loch is a small island separated from the
shore at its nearest point by about 12' of shallow
[Continued on page 81] |
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Bargratton should be Bargatton |
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[Page] 81
[Continued from page 80]
traversed by a rough causeway. Somewhat to the
N. [North] of the highest point of the island are the re:
:mains of an oblong building with rounded corners
measuring over all some 36' by 20' with walls
3' in thickness. At no point is the wall more than
two stones in height and there are not sufficient
stones lying around to indicate that the stone
work of the superstructure had been much higher. In the S W. [South West] corner
in the inside there is more building material
than elsewhere as if this had been the position
of the chimney. Adjoining this site and parallel
are the remains of a small enclosure probably of
turf on a stone foundation, while a few yards
further down the slope to the N. [North] is another
small elliptical foundation measuring over
all 28' by 14'. The whole island is overgrown
with bracken but as far as ascertainable there
is on it no trace of defensive works.
13th Sept. 1911.
Wrote notes & in the evening visited the Bore:
:land of Parton Mote which I found to be
of interest sufficient to warrant a plan.
It is of the true mote type on a natural site.
A hillock washed at its base along one
side by the Boreland burn and enclosed
by a trench cut through rock opening on
the bank of the burn at one end and at
[Continued on page 82] |
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[Continued from page 81]
the other stopping some feet short of it so as to
leave a passage way. Outside the trench on
the counterscarp rises a mound which ap:
:pears to have been carried beyond the termina:
:tion of the trench at the entrance, or else the
heap of soil etc in this position is due to what appears to
have been an excavation in the actual end of the
mound opposite the termination of the trench .
Beneath the defences at the entrance is a small
base court on the lower end of the hillock formed by an outer trench, seemingly
deepened from a natural hollow, which passes
into the edge of the burn beyond the end of the
hillock (Write description from Mr McGibbon's plan.)
14th Sept. 1911.
Rerwick Par [Parish]
Newlaw Hill
Cup & ring Marks
Unnoted.
Took Mr. Keith Murray out in his car to introduce
him to the study of Archaeology.
On the lowest shelf or plateau on the N. [North] side
of Newlaw hill, & about 1/2 m. [mile] due S. [South] of Auchengool
House , and equidistant some 50 yds [yards] from a
ditch which crosses the rough land E [East] and W [West]
to the Northward and a rivulet coming down
the hill on the E. [East] is a group of cup & ring mark:
:ings on a sloping rock surface facing towards
the NNW [North North West]. The rock is exposed for a distance
of 9' with a breadth of about 5'. At the E . [East]
end a portion measuring some 4'.8" by 3'
is divided by natural fissures into two quasi
[Continued on page 83] |
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[Continued from page 82]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
rectangular compartments. In the upper division
is a figure 1'.10" in diameter formed of five concentric
incised rings surrounding a cup mark 21/4" in
diameter and traversed by a radial groove
from the innermost ring to a fissure in the
rock 10" beyond the outermost ring. The sur:
:face of the rock around this figure is entirely
covered with small shallow cup marks each
about 3/4" in diameter. The lower division
contains three figures. At the upper edge
and partially cut by the transverse fissure
is a series of three rings surrounding an
oval hole 4" in depth, and measuring at the
surface 61/2" by 5". which seems in part at least
to be artificially deepened . From the lower edge
of this hole a groove runs down the slope to
the edge of the rock & almost at right angles to it. On
one side and meeting it tangentially is another
double ringed figure with a cup in the centre
measuring across the surface 51/2" by 4"
and in depth 11/2", showing on the sides of
the concavity a number of small pit
marks. Below the first figure in this
division is a double concentric ring around
a small cup mark 2" in diameter. As in the
upper division the surface of the rock around these symbols is covered
[Continued on page 84] |
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[Continued from page 83]
[Opposite page sketch inserted]
with small cup marks. To the W. [West] another
portion of the rock bears two other cup marks
surrounded respectively with three and four
concentric rings ; and on an adjacent
surface is a small double ringed figure.
At a slightly higher elevation some 50 or 60 yds. [yards]
to the S W. [South West] there is a single double encircled cup
exposed on a rock, and much worn.
High Barend.
Carved grave slab.
Built into the wall above the mantelpiece of
the cottage nearest the road at High Barend
is a stone, presumably from a tomb in the
adjacent Abbey of Dundrennan, on which is
incised a double edged sword 3'.10" in extreme length
with a grip & pommel 6" long . The latter
[Margin] a five-lobed pommel
lobes
broadens out into a fan shape divided into five radiating
sections. The quillons curve downwards. An identical sword is on a coped
stone in the Abbey. This stone was
concealed beneath the wall paper but
the old woman who occupied the house
had no hesitation in stripping that off to satis:
:fy my curiosity saying she had lots of
pieces of the same paper and would soon
patch it again.
The jambs of the fireplace in this cottage
are also ancient. Mr. MacGibbon thinks they
are 17' cent [century]. I fancy they are older. |
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[Page] 85
[Opposite page sketch inserted]
Dundrennan Matrix of a brass .
In the SW. [South West] angle of what I take to be the refectory
of the Abbey lies the broken bed or matrix of
a brass broken but measuring when intact
some 9'.6" by 4'.8". The brass has been of two
mail clad figures the heads of which are sur:
:rounded with floriated Aureoles cut out of the
stone.
In the S E [South East] corner of the S. [South] transept lies the
matrix of another brass _ smaller and of
indeterminate design.
Glennap Fort.
This fort is situated on a rather large
hillock of rock which lies on the S [South] side of
the Netherlaw burn and about 11/4 m. [miles] above
Burnfoot. The hillock rises by an easy
gradient from the S. [South] towards the NNW. [North North West] and
is nowhere very steep. & has an elevation of from 40'-50' at most from base to summit. Its summit is an
irregular oval with its longest axis NNE [North North East] and
SSW. [South South West] measuring 243' by 165'. It is divided
longitudinally by the gradual rise of the level
along the W. [West ] half into two unequal parts
the one about 12' higher than the other at the
highest point. Around the edge has been
a stony parapet and about 12' below
rising to 9' at the NNE [North North East] end where it crosses the ridge
there runs a terrace measuring some 10' in
breadth. Where it has been cut through
the rock there remains on the outside
[Continued on page 86] |
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[Continued from page 85]
a rocky counterscarp but elsewhere there
is no very definite indication of an edging
mound though there is a slight hollow
on the level of the terrace. Towards the
SE. [South East] there is a gap in the defences and the
scarp is levelled down somewhat as if to
form a roadway. This is probably the original
entrance enlarged to afford access to the
interior for the purpose of cultivation.
The defences on the S. [South] have been almost
entirely obliterated and the whole fort
has recently been planted with young
trees which in time will cause much damage.
Craig Raploch Fort.
This fort is situated overlooking the sea
on a spur of Wall Hill about 1/4 m. [mile] S. [South] of
Craigraploch Farm and the same distance
up from the shore at an elevation of [--] The work is a curious
irregular construction lying with its main
axis along the summit of the spur in
direction WNW. [West North West] and ESE [East South East]. The flank of the
hill is very steep & rocky on the W. [West] and is
somewhat less so on the E. [East] where cultivation
has been carried to a high level. The
surface of the summit is very uneven and
the general contour of the fort very difficult
of discernment but it appears to be in
[Continued on page 87] |
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[Continued from page 86]
form an ellipse measuring interiorly some 192'
by 142'. It has been surrounded by a trench
with apparently a wall formed of large blocks
above the scarp and a stout rampart on the
counterscarp. The trench has a breadth at bottom
of from 10' to 12' and along the steeper W. [West] side
it has a steep scarp varying in height to
about 12' at highest. Where the lines cross
the summit at the S [South] end they are somewhat
difficult to determine. At the N. [North]
end the building above the scarp is clearly traceable
At this end about 40' in front of the main
defence there is a hollow lying parallel
which appears to be an out-work and another
somewhat similar hollow is carried along the
edge of the summit in continuance of the
line of the trench indefinitely beyond the main enclosure.
Over the interior occur a number of
hollows, circular and irregularly oblong,
from 1' to 2' in depth and varying in dimensions,
a typical circular hollow measuring some 15' in
diameter, and an oblong one 30' by 13'. Most
of these show signs of building on the sides
and have probably been habitations .
Commencing about 50' to the S. [South] of the
S. [South] end of the vallum on the W. [West] there
[Continued on page 88] |
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[Continued from page 87]
is a trench about 8' in width, 6' below the scarp
& 3' below the counterscarp which winds S'wards [Southwards]
for some 60' terminating in an oval hollow
measuring 20' by 15', from the end of which a
narrower passage some 20' in length leads out
to a plat on the hill side. The whole ap:
:pearance of the summit seems to suggest
a continuous occupation.
15th Sept. 1911.
Colvend & Southwick Par [Parish]
Heugh of Laggan Cairn. (Site.)
Train to Dalbeattie & bicycle to the coast. A
lovely day and very warm.
Somewhat less than 1/4 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of Heugh of Laggan
farm, near a burn and in a small cultivated
field is a small circular cairn. It is very
regular in shape but the rabbits have turned
up yellow sand on the top of it which makes
me doubt its sepulchral character. In any case
it is low in elevation and of no importance.
The cairn by the road side below the farm
is a mere "site". The farmer told me of
its having been explored long ago but
with no result.
Porto'warren Fort.
On the E [East] side of Portowarren Bay a small
spit of rock projecting from the face of
the heughs at an elevation of some [--] ft. [feet]
above the sea level has been formed into a
triangular fort by cutting a trench segmentally
[Continued on page 89] |
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3 lines from bottom - missing elevation is 100 feet (see the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914)). |
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[Page] 89
[Continued from page 88]
across the landward base and throwing up a
rampart on either side of it. The diameter from
the crest of the inner rampart to the apex of the
triangle is 78' and the length of the base measured
along the inner rampart on 70'. The defences
have been formidable measuring some 70' over
all. & the ditch still has a depth of 5' or thereby . The outer rampart has been considerably
ploughed down
Boreland of Colvend.
About 1/4 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of the farm of Boreland of
Colvend there is an oblong natural hillock rising
from what has been marshy ground. At the
S. [South] end the scarp appears to have been steepened
and the SE. [South East] and SW [South West] angles are regularly rounded
but the whole hillock has evidently been ploughed
over and built upon to such an extent that
it bears little more than a general resemblance
to a mote hill . A ruined cottage stands at
one end and to the N. [North] of it are foundations
believed to be those of farm buildings. A
wall which appears at the upper edge of the
bank on the NE. [North East] I am sure is not ancient.
Colvend Churchyard
Lying some 30 yds. [yards] S. [South] from the W. [West] end of
Colvend church is a slab measuring 5'.6" in
length by 1'.10" in breadth the inscription on
which is effaced but which is probably of late
17th Century date. At each end of the stone
[Continued on page 90] |
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[Continued from page 89]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
is a square compartment containing carvings
in relief. That at the upper end is a skeleton re:
:presenting Death holding in his right hand a
bell and in his left an hour glass, while
that at the lower end shows within a rope
[Margin] an extremely rare emblem in Scottish grave-slabs
moulding a pelican pecking her breast to feed her
young emblematic of the church.
A few feet to the S. [South] lies another slab also
probably of late 17th century date measuring
6'.3" by 2'.4". Beneath the inscription and at
the base is carved on one side a skeleton,
representing death ,holding in its ? right hand
an open book with an hour glass above
and a bell below ,while on the opposite
side is a coffin surmounted by a skull.
W. [West] Barcloy Fort.
The land which bounds the estuary of the
Urr on the E [East] terminates at the open water of
the Solway in a promontory rising some [--] ft. [feet]
above sea level, and some ?25' above the almost
level ground which stretches Northward from its
base in the direction of Rockcliffe. Except
to landward the cliffs of the promontory are
steep all round. On this site a fort has
been constructed by tracing in a curve
Across the land at its base, a trench some
23' ft [feet] in width from crest to crest, and 6' & 4'
[Continued on page 91] |
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[Continued from page 90]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
in depth below the scarp and counterscarp respectively
with a broad stony rampart on the latter.
Within this trench the promontory rises with an
easy gradient for a distance of about 45' to a
terrace-like level some 10' in width in rear of
which is a massive stone wall passing from
cliff to cliff almost concentrically with the outer
defences. This wall, which is partially exposed for a
distance of 63' on the E [East] half of its course with at
highest a height of 4', has been faced with large
square blocks laid in courses & without mortar.
Its inner face is nowhere exposed but the wall appears
to have had a thickness of about 10'. Towards
the W. [West] it is overgrown with turf and its position
is not clearly defined. The summit within
the wall is fairly level with a slight rise to
Seaward. In form it is ? trapedzoidal [trapezoidal] measuring
from N. [North] to S. [South] 84' and from E [East] to W. [West] as far as ascertainable 132'.
There is an approach from 9' to 10' wide to the interior through the
outer mound and over the trench some
80' from the W. [West] end, which is passing up the
slope diagonally to the left leads to an entrance through
the wall some 76' from the cliff on the W [West]. The W. [West] side
of the entrance faced with a slab
& the stone forming the outer angle is preserved for a
distance of 5' inwards . |
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[Page] 92
Mark Mote
The rocky hill on which this fort is
situated rises straight from the foreshore
to the W. [West] of the village of Rockcliffe and almost
due North of Rough Island in the centre of the
estuary of the Urr. Mark Hill and [Shiel]
Hill screen it on the NNW [North North West] and N. [North] while higher
ground obstructs its outlook towards the E. [East],
but it commands the whole estuary and holds
in view the hill-tops on the W. [West] from Ben Gairn
to Airds Point. The hill lies with its longest axis
NW. [North West] & S E. [South East] and all around its sides are very rough & steep
and in places precipitous. It rises to an elevation
of 149' above sea level. The summit on which
the fort has been situated, in outline has much
the shape of a human foot with a toe
-like projection, at a slightly lower level, towards
the NW [North West]. At each end is a flat topped rocky
eminence, that at the NW. [North West] being the higher and
having a spur running out towards the other
terminating some 35 ft. [feet] distant from it leaving
a hollow between which broadens out to
the edge of the summit. Along the edge
of the hill there has been erected a stony wall
or rampart represented now & only in certain
places by a low grass covered ridge
and also by masses of displaced stones
[Continued on page 93] |
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[Continued from page 92]
from the point at the N . [North] round to the E [East].
On the line of this wall on both sides of the summit
pieces of fused granite may be found and on the
W. [West] below the higher rocky eminence vitrified matter
may be observed firmly embedded in situ. The
extent of the vitrifaction , however, it is not possible
to guage [gauge] without excavation . The side of the
hill is less steep than elsewhere on the N E. [North East] and
here some 12' from the top judging from
the mass of stones on the lower slope there has
probably been a second wall. The total length
of the enceinte on the summit has been about
271' and the breadth some 56' at the SE [South East] end.
and 105' across the highest point above the
projection at the opposite extremity. In the
hollow between the rocks on the summit
there is plentiful evidence of occupation in the
discoloration [discolouration] of the soil and the animal bones
that are exposed in it.
Of all the districts in the Stewartry this is one
of the most attractive. The estuary is encircled
by hills rising by steps to the mass of Ben
Gairn, rugged & majestic in the back ground.
The brackens now a rusty red strike a bright
note of colour against the grey rocks & dark
heather slopes. Yachts were racing about the
[Continued on page 94] |
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[Page] 94
[Continued from page 93]
mouth of the river and we met many bathers regardless
of appearances making their way down to the water
from the villas on the higher ground. Across the
Solway the Cumberland Hills were quite clear to view.
16 Sept. 1911.
Wrote up notes & paid a visit to Boreland of Parton
Mote which I must describe from Mr. McGibbon's
plan. It is a natural rocky hillock entrenched
& ramparted . The trench which starts at the edge
of the steep bank above the burn encircles the
hillock terminating some [--] ft. [feet] back from the
bank. The rampart on the outside forming the
counterscarp appears to have been dug into at
this end of the defences where there is a circular
hollow, but beyond the hollow towards the
edge of the bank there is a slight mound
which seems to indicate that the rampart was
here carried onwards beyond the termination
of the trench probably leaving a comparatively
narrow space between it and the edge for
an approach. The trench does not follow
the base of the hillock as it falls away to:
:wards the ?S. [South] but curves round cutting off a portion as if for a base court at the
lower end which has been protected by
an outer trench starting in what may have
been a natural hollow where the level of the
mound begins to fall, & beyond the main
[Continued on page 95] |
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line 10 - missing distance is 28 feet (see the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914)). |
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[Page] 95
[Continued from page 94]
[Opposite page sketch inserted (Stone Circle, Lairdmannoch)] Scale 1" = 4'.
defence & turning in towards the burn on the low
ground.
18th Sept. 1911 .
Tongueland Par [Parish]
Lairdmannoch Cairn
On the top of a ridge at the N. [North] end of Laidmannoch
Loch is a large circular cairn measuring
some 66' in diameter and from 4' to 6'
in elevation. A concavity on the top indicates
an excavation but neither cist nor chamber is
exposed.
Stone Circle Lairdmannoch.
Some 80 yds. [yards] to the SE [South East] of the cairn on the summit
of a slight plateau about 12' in elevation above
the level of the loch and 30 yds [yards] distant from it
is a stone circle . The ten stones of which it
is composed are all almost entirely sunk beneath
the surface but it is discoverable by a large
granite block, irregularly foursided & pointed to
one end, measuring 5'.4" in length by 2'.3" in
breadth, now lying prostrate near the centre
but which evidently originally stood erect.
The diameter of the circle is very regular at 22'
and the distance from centre to centre of each
stone as far as ascertainable is on an average 6'.8".
Carved Stones Kirkconnel Farm
Above the window on the ground floor at the W. [West] end of the front of
Kirkconnel farm house is a
carved stone built into the wall bearing
between the initials W. G. a shield charged
with 3 boars' heads erased, the arms and
[Continued on page 96] |
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[Page] 96
[Continued from page 95]
and initials of William Gordon of Kirkconnel
In the S. [South] front of the implement shed behind the
house is another stone also bearing a shield
between the letters M and L, charged with a
[--] bearing a lion passant between two
stars of five points all between three similar stars.
The stones are about 14" square.
Both stones are illustrated from photographs
in the Rambles p. [page] 136 & 7.
Giants Dyke Barstobric Hill
Barstobric Hill is a conspicuous rocky
eminence with an elevation of [--] ft. [feet]
above sea level and commanding an
extensive prospect in all directions. Its
main axis lies NE. [North East] and S W [South West]. Though fairly
steep all round it is especially so on the
SE . [South East] side where it is rocky and precipitous
Around the irregular outline of the summit
with its ends resting on the steep face
there lie the structureless ruins
of a dry stone wall ,- a mass of rubble
from 18' to 20' in breadth at most places and
several feet in thickness. The wall curves
and winds around the summit taking
advantage of the rocky ridges and dipping
to cross the hollows containing an area
measuring [--] ( O.S. [Ordnance Survey] measurement.)
This construction much resembles that on the
[Continued on page 97] |
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[Page] 97
[Continued from page 96]
Moyle at Barnbarroch with the distinction that
there are no inner enclosures visible here.
Cairn Kirkconnell Moor .
On Kirkconnell Moor and under the shadow of
the hill-top known as Kirkconnell Towers which
rises to the W. [West] of it is a circular cairn measuring
in diameter about 48' and in elevation about 6'.
A passage in from one side and a concavity
near the centre show an attempt to excavate it
but there is no record of the result.
Some 30 yds. [yards] SE [South East] is a small cairn-like heap
of stones measuring about 12' in diameter &
adjacent to it another which has been ex:
:cavated.
Castle Hill Bar Bill.
Tongland.
The site of this fort is a rocky hillock a spur of the Bar Hill on the
E [East] side of the railway about 11/2 m. [miles] S. [South] of Tarff
Station. It is now such a perfect labyrinth
of aged thorns, brambles, etc . that detailed
observation is quite impossible. Mr. Coles
after frequent examination of it in 1893
describes it in the Proceedings of S.A. [Society Antiquaries (of Scotland)] for that
year p. [page] 150. & may be quoted.
I had S. out with me on bicycle all day. He is
interested & helpful. We went on to Kirkcudbright
& got the train home. Daily it looks like
rain but the longed for showers never come. |
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[Page] 98
19" Sept.1911.
Urr Par. [Parish]
Little Richorn
Abutting on the left bank of the Urr just
where the stream takes a right angled bend
to the right and to the W. [West] of the farm of Little
Richorn is a mound on which some excavation
was done in 1891 and reported in the Trans. [Transactions] Dumfries
& Galloway Nat. Hist etc Soc. [National Historical Society]1892 The mound with
a straight Base to the river is in form a
? truncated ellipse surrounded by
a trench some 40' to 50' wide across the top
running from the NW. [North West] at the river bank round to the
SE [South East] the remaining S. [South] quadrant being now the bed
of a burn but originally most probably a continu:
:ation of the trench. The height of the mound
above the bottom of the trench is about 9'
and the length of the slope from the river
bank 66'. The summit slightly convex.
Measures 70' from E. to W. [East to West] by 50' from N to S. [North to South]
In no direction does it slope downwards at a
greater angle then 18 [degrees]. The only constructive
feature exposed by the excavation was an
outward and downward sloping strip of
roughly hewn granite blocks. etc. see Coles
Antiq. [Antiquary] 1893 p.102
Colvend & S'wick Par [Parish]
The Moyle
Barnbarroch
Moyle Hill is a conspicuous rocky
eminence rising to a height of [--] ft above
sea level to the E. [East] of Upper Barnbarroch
[Continued on page 99] |
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[Page] 99
[Continued from page 98]
Farm. Its summit at the N. [North] end
rises but little above a long irregular plateau
which lies to the S [South] of it. Around the whole
area comprised by these two main features
are the ruins of a massive dry-built wall of
circumvallation curving for the most part
along the edge of the steeper ground but
occasionally seeming to avoid a defensible
rock ridge to contain a hollow at its base.
The length of this enclosure (O.S. Measurement [Ordnance Survey])
is [--] and its greatest breadth [--].
Through the centre from N. to S. [North to South] runs a broad
well defined hollow with rocky ground
to E. and W. [East and West] of it. The ruins of the wall vary considerably
in extent but have an average width of
from 12' to 15'. Towards the S. [South] end, where
the surface is less rocky, the wall almost dis:
:appears suggesting at this point a turf
superstructure and along the rocky N. [North]
end it has also been slighter. At the S. [South] end
of the higher summit there is a wall traceable from
the W. [West] side crossing the interior
into the central hollow, where it disappears,
often consisting of single slabs set on edge.
Along the E. [East] side at several points low
ridges of rock running towards the wall
[Continued on page 100] |
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[Page] 100
[Continued from page 99]
from the interior carry on their crests remains
of slight walls and at several places close to the E. [East] side there
are ruins of small circular hut-like enclosures.
At the extreme S. [South] end on the W. [West] slope of a lateral
hollow which here opens on to the central one
there is an oblong enclosure
measuring some 76' [feet] by 45' [feet] having a smaller
parallel enclosure abutting on its N. [North] wall.
The walls of these enclosures are also entirely
ruined. This construction can hardly be
termed a fort nor can the small interior
enclosure be so termed either but it has
probably been formed as a refuge for all
the flocks & herds of the district during
periods of danger and invasion. To defend
such an enceinte an army
would be required! The wall also is not
visible all around from any central position
nor are the sides within sight of each other.
Defensive it is to some extent but that
consideration has not been the primary one
in the selection of the site. A very
similar construction is the Giants' Dyke
at [Baistobui ?].
Being close to Orchardknowes I turned in to
lunch there - a change from the daily pic-nic.
Thereafter I bicycled to the N. [North] of Urr Parish to
[Continued on page 101] |
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[Page] 101
[Continued from page 100]
look at the Horse Ring on West Glenarm which
Dr. [Doctor] Frew said I ought to look at. It was a
long stiff ride with a head wind and my
labour was rewarded by finding nothing!
The hill is just such a one as would have
been surmounted by a fort at one time but
centuries of cultivation have long since
obliterated the traces of it.
Camp Hill
Milton Park
(Site)
The O. S. [Ordnance Survey] marks the site of a Camp at
Milton Park, about 1 m. S. [1 mile South] of Haugh of Urr.
The hill on which it is indicated has long
been under cultivation. In Mr Coles description
of the "camp" in 1892. he says "Here is a
nearly circular depression; but how once
trenched it is impossible to say."
Hopehead
Here the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a fort on the summit
of a round grassy hill. I could see
nothing of the kind. There was a deeply
entrenched circular summit but the trench
was formed as a dyke, probably originally
for a plantation, and similar ditches
radiated from it alongside of the hedgerows
down the hill.
The Ditch
Boreland of
Gelston.
In a hollow to the W. [West] of the farm house
and about 100 yards distant from it is an
oblong entrenched enclosure lying N. & S. [North & South]
[Continued on page 102] |
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[Page] 102
[Continued from page 101]
very much reduced by ploughing the scarp on
the W. [West] being now hardly traceable. The ditch
said to have been filled in, now about 3'6" in
depth appears to have been from 30' to 40' in
width but its original delimitation is now very
uncertain. The E and S. [East and South] sides of the mound
which are best defined measure respectively
146' by 104'. It lies in a hollow with
higher ground immediately overlooking it on
the E and W. [East and West] and commands no prospect
whatever. To the N, [North] at the same level and adjacent
was formerly another smaller construction, now
unmeasurable.
We had several very heavy showers today
during our examination of the Ingleston Mote.
Mr Keith R. Murray took me out in his car and
assisted in our search for relics. (see p. 41a)
23rd Sept. 1911
Train to Dromore taking S. with me & bicycled
down the valley of the Fleet to Gatehouse. This
is one of the most beautiful vales in the S. [South] of
Scotland. The hills rise steeply all around
it from a densely wooded glen at the
foot of which nestles the little town of Gatehouse
with the Solway beyond. Dromore is the
nearest railway station 61/2 miles away & high
up on the moors some 500 or 600 ft. above the town. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-103 |
[Page] 103
[Opposite page - photograph - Rusko Castle]
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a "Picts Kiln" in a field at
upper Rusko. No trace of it remains nor had the
farmer ever heard of it busy as he was ploughing
up his potatoes on the site.
Rusko Castle
This is a charming example of an early
16th century castle with some of the outbuildings
still standing beside it. It was occupied until
18 Years ago by farm labourers and
though some money is evidently spent on its
upkeep its condition leaves much to be
desired. Cattle frequent the courtyard and
their manure lies ankle deep over it in
a disgusting manner. This cannot be beneficial
to the foundations. There is one fine fireplace
on the first floor, in an excellent state of
preservation, with moulded jambs.
The floors are in a bad state & the upper
one dangerous. The situation is very beautiful on a
natural terrace above the fleet with fine old
trees growing on the bank above it forming
a background. The arms over the
entrance on the basement are much
effaced. The upper arms are the Royal
Coat & supporters, with, in the left hand
top corner of the panel a letter I &
before it another letter, partially broken off
[Continued on page 104) |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-104 |
[Page] 104
[Continued from page 103]
but commencing with a vertical stroke and
probably a K. In the opposite corner is a
figure [ ] which I interpret as the Arabic 4.
The coat below the royal arms is no longer
decipherable. At the entrance to the court of the
outbuildings ? lying on the top of the wall is
another shield with a concave surface
bearing arms 3 spur rowels with a crescent
in fes. The castle belongs to Mrs Murray Stewart.
Castramont Ho. [House]
Fort. at.
The remains of a fort here are now hardly
distinguishable and are confined to a bank
curving from the W. [West] side of the house in
almost a semi-oval to the edge of the carriage
drive on the E. [East] The house and garden have
both been formed on the site and the incid:
:ental paths, buildings & plantings have all
helped to obliterate the remains. Mr Coles
may be quoted: In the garden is small
circular a slightly terraced mound some
6' in height referred to by Mr Kerrlie as
the remains of the "proetorium" Mr Cole's
explanation of it as the ruins of a cottage
are borne out by the stones & modern mortar
exposed where a recess has been cut in it
for a garden seat!
[Continued on page 105] |
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[Page] 105
[Continued from page 104]
[opposite page - pencil sketch]
Rusko House
Heraldic Stone
Built into the front of the porch of Rusko House
is a small square stone panel containing a
shield bearing arms. Quarterly 1st and 4th 3 boar's
heads erased 2nd & 3rd three crescents.
The boars' heads are arranged in a peculiar man:
:ner the proper term for which I do not know. The
stone which bears no date nor initials was found
recently built into the old house.
Polehue Mote
On the W. [West] or right bank of the Water of
Fleet about 1/4 m. [mile] ENE. [East North East] of Polehue farm house
and just where the river takes a sharp bend
to the E. [East] is situated a mote hill which has
been formed on the end of a high bank
rising some 35' above the margin of
the river. A short level space intervenes between
the foot of the bank and the river. The Mote
itself appears to have been constructed out of
a slight eminence by the excavation of a trench around
it on three sides, resting at either end on the
face of the bank, and by levelling the summit.
It is roughly rectangular with rounded corners the side along the
high bank of the NE [North East] measuring 69' and the other
three sides on the SE., SW. and NW. [South East, South West and North West] measuring
respectively 64', 60' and 66'. The natural rise
of the ground is from the E [East] and here the
depth of the ditch nearly the same below the
[Continued on page 106] |
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[Page] 106.
[Continued from page 105.]
[Opposite page - annotated rough sketch]
edge of the summit and of the crest of the counter:
:scarp, is from 8' to 9', and its width 35' across the
top 12' across the bottom. As the trench passes
round towards the opposite side following the
natural levels it declines below the crest of the
scarp to 18' at the N. [North] angle where it debouches
on the bank. At the W. [West] angle where the ground
falls rapidly beyond the mote there is no
counterscarp but it reappears in the natural
extremity of the eminence cut off towards the N.W. [North West]
Mote Anwoth
(5)
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a mote at Anwoth behind a
cottage & close to a pond. It is a natural
hillock showing no sign whatever of man's
handywork in its shaping.
Anwoth
Churchyard
Lying just to the S. [South] of the W. [West] end of the old church
is a table stone measuring 5'.8" by 2'.9" com:
:memorating in doggerel rhyme John Bell of
Whiteside. The inscription runs thus:-
Here lyes John Bell of Whitesyde who was bar:
:bourously shot to death in the paroch of Tong:
:land at the command of Greir of Lag anno 1685.
This monument shall tell posterity
That blessed Bell of Whitesyde here doth ly
Who at command of bloody Lag was shot
A murther strange which should not be forgot
[Continued on page 107] |
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[Page] 107
[Continued from page 106]
Douglas of Morton did him quarters give
Yet cruel Lag could not let him survive
This martyre sought some time to recomend
His soul to God befor his dayes did end
The Tyrant said what dev'l ye've pray'd enough
This long seven yeare on mountain and in cleugh
So instantly caus'd him with other four
Be shot to death upon Kirconnel Moor
So thus did end the lives of these deare sants
For there adherence to the Covenants."
The inscription has been recut and is probably
much later than the event it commemorates.
See p. [page] 169a
In the S. [South] wall of the old church built into the
outside below a tomb of a John Bell of Archead [?]
is a representation of Death stabbing with a
spear a man in bed. I tried to get a photograph
of it. The monument within the
Church to three virtuous ladies - Lady Cardyres [,]
the goodwife of Ardwell, and the goodwife of
Cullindach, is a very handsome monument of
which MacGibbon has got an excellent photo.
I have copied into my scroll note book, the
epitaph for comparison
Cardoness Castle
This is a fine keep placed on a slight rocky
height overlooking the mouth of the Fleet. It
seems to be Cared for. Externally it shows less
[Continued on page 108] |
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[Page] 108
[Opposite page]
Today I said goodbye to my assistant for the last
two months, John Stewart, a Glasgow medical student
and son of a schoolmaster at Clarebrand. The
advantages of an educated assistant who takes
and intelligent interest in my work are obvious
and I enjoyed them to the full with Mr Stewart
besides finding in him a pleasant companion.
[printed cutting]
FAREWELL TO SUMMER
Summer, if now at length your time is through,
And, as occurs with lovers, we must part,
My poor return for all the debt, your due,
Is just to say that you may keep my heart;
Still warm with heat-waves rolling up the sky,
Its melting tablets mark in mid-September
Their record of the best three months that I
Ever remember.
I had almost forgotten how it felt
Not to awake at dawn to sweltering mirth,
And hourly modify my ambient belt
To cope with my emaciated girth;
It seems that always I have had to stay
My forehead's moisture with the frequent mopper,
And found my cheek assume from day to day
A richer copper.
Strange spells you wrought with your transforming glow!
O London drabness bathed in lucent heat!
O mansions of the late Queen Anne, and O
Buckingham Palace (also Wimpole Street)!
O laughing skies traditionally sad!
O barometric forecasts never "rainy"!
O balmy days, and noctes, let me add,
Ambrosianae!
And if your weather brought the strikers out
And turned to desert-brown the verdant plot;
If civic fathers, who are often stout,
Murmured at times "This is a bit too hot"!
If the slow blood of rural swains has stirred
When stating what their views about the crop is,
Or jammy lips have flung some bitter word
At this year's wopses;-
What then? You may have missed the happy mean,
But by excess of virtue's ample store,
Proving your lavish heart was over-keen,
And for that fault I love you all the more;
Nay, had you been more temperate in your zeal,
I should have lacked the best of all your giving -
The thirst, the lovely thirst, that made me feel
Life worth the living.
O. S.
[Sir Owen Seaman, Punch, September 20, 1911]
[Page 108. Continued from page 107.]
refinement than Rusko and is of earlier date.
15th century or early 16th at latest I fancy. S.
thoroughly enjoyed wandering through these old keeps.
Cairns
Gurthorn Park
Upper Drumwall
I just had time to push out to Townhead and
look at two cairns formerly inaccessible on
account of the growing corn. They have long
been reduced to mere foundations and may
be treated as sites.
23rd Sept.
Today it has poured as it has not done since
May. It is also the first completely wet day we
have had since July. Such a summer in the
British Isles than has not been in the memory of man.
Water is very scarce everywhere & prices of milk
etc. have risen greatly.
25th Sept.
Went into Castle Douglas - called on Mr Gillespie
regarding the Kirkland of Parton Mote which
I desire to see placed under the care of H. M. [Her Majesties]
Office of Works. He seemed to consider such a
course feasable. I also saw Mr. Hewits who acts for
Mrs. Bone owner of Drumcoltern to see if the
same course could not be adopted in the case
of that castle. A fair-day in Castle Douglas
& the street crowded with people rapidly dimin-
ishing in sobriety. As we rode home on our
bicycles rain came down in torrents and
continued doing so all afternoon. |
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[Page] 109
[Opposite page 109]
In the park in front
The bell of Crossmichael church "hingand"
in the steeple is dated 1611 and bears
the legend IAN. BVRGERHVYS. ME. PECIT. 1611.
It has a diameter of 13 1/2 ins. [inches]
[Photograph of church]
[Page] 109.
Crossmichael Par. [Parish]
Greenlaw
?Cairn
In the park in front of Greenlaw
House and a short distance back from
the railway is a grass-covered stony
mound which is probably a cairn. It is
elliptical in outline with its longest axis
NNE [North North East] and SSW [South South West] and measures diametrically 70' by 55'
with an elevation of about 5'.
26 Sept. 1911.
Gave up the Manse at Parton with no
feelings of regret. It lies too low to obtain
much advantage from the picturesque region
it is situated in, and the water supply
insufficient I should imagine in a normal
year was hopelessly so in this. S. going back to
school and the household scattering I
came on alone by the morning train to
Kirkcudbright where I have taken up my
abode in the "Selkirk Arms" an old established
Inn in the centre of the town. Very unpretentious
but clean & rendered externally attractive by
the bright window boxes which fill the window-
-ledges of its white gable standing end-on
to the street. There is an air of homely
comfort within which augurs well for my
prospects.
The landlady having secured a youth with
a bicycle in advance I was off within a few
[Continued on page 110] |
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[Page] 110
[Opposite page 110 Photograph inserted]
[Page 110]
[Continued from page 109]
minutes of my arrival
Rerwick Par. [Parish]
Balig.
Fort
On a round topped swelling hill about 1/2 m. [mile]
N. [North] of Balig farm is a circular fort which
commands a fairly extensive landscape and
also looks out on some miles of sea SW. [South West] to
the mouth of the Solway. It has been formed
by the excavation of a broad and somewhat
shallow flat-bottomed trench, in places cut
through rock with, at the N & S. [North & South] ends in the
main direction of the hill, a strong earth and
stone rampart to the outside, diminishing
in size as it passes along the flanks. Where
a tongue of rock rising above the surface level
has extended beyond the rampart it has been
cut through so as to prevent its forming a pied
a terre to mount the rampart from. Within the
defences the interior measures from N. to S. [North to South]
170' and from E. to W. [ South to East] 165'. The enceinte
is under cultivation and on the E. [East] side
the defences have been much ploughed
down. They are however well preserved
on the S. and N.. [South and North] At the latter extremity
the trench measures 24' across the top & 8'
across the bottom, being narrower here
than elsewhere, while the rampart beyond
has a breadth at base of 32' and a height
(Continued on page 111) |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-111 |
[Page] 111
(Continued from page 110)
to the exterior of 7' to 8'. Along the W. [West] side
the trench varies from 18'-24' in width, & the outer mound
slight. At the S. [South] end the trench is 27' wide & very
flat, the scarp cut to a vertical height on the rock
of some 3' 6", the mound outside 23' wide at base
6' high and formed of flakes of stone & earth.
Though this fort is circular and the interior has
but a slight rise above its encircling defence it
appears to belong to the same class as the
oval terraced mounds of the Crofts type
with strong ramparts at the ends and slighter
defences on the flanks.
K'cudbright Par. [Parish]
North Milton
Fort
Somewhat less that a quarter of a mile to
the NE. [North East] of North Milton farm at the termina:
:tion of a long slope from the Southward and
overlooking a low wet looking meadow is a
small fort. The slope ends abruptly in a rock with a
fall of 12' to the ground below probably
to some extent cut back to a steeper angle
than nature gave it, and the fort has been
formed by entrenching this rocky terminal.
The trench now only exists on the higher
ground but as it slopes down to the low
level at the foot of the rock and fades
away without sign of a traverse it originally
no doubt was carried right round with an
(Continued on page 112) |
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[Page] 112
(Continued from page 111)
outer mound on the low ground. The interior
is a somewhat irregularly five sided with its
longest axis E. [East] and W. [West] along which it measures
76' while from N to S. [North to South] it measures 69'. The
trench is best preserved on the E. [East] side where it
has a width of 18' across the top and a
greatest depth of 5'. The entrance has seemingly
been from the S. [South] along the easiest line of approach.
North Milton
Upper Fort.
This fort is situated at an elevation of
above sea level on the extreme SSW. [South South West] end
of a broad ridge of high ground which lies
about 1/2 m. [mile] W. [West] of Galtway Hill and about
1/4 m. N. W. [1/4 mile North West] of North Milton. It has been much
destroyed by ploughing and its lines are
now by no means definite but enough remains to show that it has been
a small rectilinear construction, oblong in
shape lying with its main axis W by S [West by South] and
E by N. [East by North] & measuring 117' by 64'. It appears to have been enclosed by
a ditch, now only a slight hollow some
18' wide, above which the higher part of the
interior rises to a height of from 5' to 6'
with probably a double rampart and
intervening ditch beyond, but the outer
mounds & ditch are only now visible
on the NE. [North East]. At the E. [East] end the inner trench
seems to have been diminished to 12' in width
(Continued on page 113) |
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[Page] 113
[Continued from page 112]
while the mound beyond it has a breadth at base
of 15', the outer trench a width of 14' and the outer mound
no definite measurement. The interior is not
very level but rises somewhat towards the E. [East]
Towards the NE. [North East] there is a filling of the outer
trench either to form a gangway, in which case it
would be the line of the entrance, or a traverse.
The line of the outer rampart to the W. [West] of it is very
faint and only traceable for a distance of some
30'. Except where a slightly higher and adjacent
elevation blocks the view on the NE, [North East] the situation commands an
extensive panorama.
Milton Cottage.
Some yds. S. [yards South] of Milton Cottage on
the termination of a long low ridge running
from S. to N. [South to North] & overlooking a swamp a small
circular fort has been constructed
by cutting through
the rock on the ridge and joined by the heaping up of a
mound where the slope becomes [accute] & in the low ground across the front.
The rocky face on the N. [North] has an elevation of
20'. The trench varies in width from 15'
to 18' and from either side of the entrance
on the natural level towards the S. [South] slopes
down along each side. The entrance cros:
:sing the trench on unexcavated ground is 5'
in width where it passes into the interior.
[Continued on page 114] |
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[Page] 114
[Continued from page 113]
There has been a parapet mound all round
the enceinte still clearly defined, behind which
the interior forms a saucer-shaped hollow
measuring 66' in diameter.
This fortlet is exactly analagous to the one
at North Milton and also to the lower fort at
West Kirkcairswell (p.60.)
Rock Sculptures Gallway Hill
I spent a considerable time today looking
for these markings described & illustrated by
Coles but was unable to find them. His location
is very indefinite and no one seems to know their
position. His description etc. must serve.
Dunrod Fort.
This small rectilinear fort lies in a lone situation
about 80 yds [yards] to the S [South] of the ruins of Dunrod Church.
It is overlooked by higher ground close to it on
the S [South] and has no outlook beyond the near
encircling hills.
The fort is an irregular oblong lying with its
main axis N & S [North & South] measuring interiorly 122' in
length, 84' in breadth at the N [North] end and 117'
at the S [South]. It is surrounded by a single trench
with an average width of 20', & depth of 3'
cut through rock at the SW [South West] corner. There
are traces of a parapet surmounting the
scarp on which a number of flat stones are visible, and also of a mound above the
counterscarp. The E [East] on the interior is considerably
[Continued on page 115] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-115 |
[Page] 115
[Continued from page 114]
broken down. The lines are not regular and
neither their appearance nor the situation
of the fort suggest a posibility of its being Roman.
Dunrod Churchyard.
There are no tombstones of any interest here .
27th Sept. 1911.
Rock Sculptures Milton Park Townhead.
In a grass park which runs Southward
from the E [East] side of the cottage by the roadside
some yds. [yards] E. [East] of Townhead farm are a
number of groups of rock sculptures with one
exception noted and illustrated by Mr. Coles.
The first group is situated on the top of a
lumpish rock about 250 yds. [yards] S by E [South by East] of the cottage
and some 200 yds [yards] back from the hedge at the
roadside. It shows one large figure con:
:sisting of a ringed cup surrounded by three
other concentric & penannular rings past the
open ends of which runs a straight groove to
another small cup. A third cup lies between
the two outer rings, and a short distance away
from this figure is a fourth cup surrounded
by a single ring
On a rock facing towards the E [East], some
40 yds. [yards] to the W. [West] of the last group is another
remarkable set of concentric rings around cup
marks with grooves running from them.
About 120 yds [yards] S. by W.[South by West] of the first rock is
[Continued on page 116] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-116 |
[Page] 116
[Continued from page 115]
another outcropping mass some 18' in length exposing
a series of narrow planes at its E [East] end on which
of very faint markings consisting of cups & rings . One
small central cup is surrounded by three
rings and has 4 or 5 small depressions wrought
on the surface beside it.
On the W. [West] side of the dyke which forms the W. [West]
boundary of the park, & at its base is exposed
a flattish rock, part of a high ridge running E [East]
and W. [West] about ¼ m. [mile] from the cottage. On
this rock are incised the symbols shown in
the illustration (Proceedings [the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland]1895. p [page] 78. fig. [figure] 17 ) These
figures are very distinct.
Low Milton
Mr. Coles also notes two sets N. [North] of Low Milton
on a rock facing westwards.( figs [figures] 18.)
The Grange
In the S W. [South West] corner of the Dam park at the
Grange is a long prominent rocky ridge of
whinstone on which grow clumps of whin &
a few thorn bushes. Here in 1892 on removing
several square yards of turf Mr. Coles brought
to light the sculpturings shown on figs. [figures] 10. 11 & 12
of Proc. [Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Vol. 29, pp. 74-75] 1895. They are peculiar in that they
consist for the most part of cups surrounded
by single rings, or single ringed cups
contained within ellipses. The cups were
large and deep. There were also observed
[Continued on page 117] |
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[Page] 117
[Continued from page 116]
and noted on the illustration (fig [figure] 12 ) a peculiarly
distinct pick-marked groove (G.G') carried down
the slope, then up and round, encircling one
cup and almost entering another. & also A second
groove, likewise pick-marked carried downwards
from F' to F.
Blackhill Cottage.
About 1 m. [mile] up the road from the Grange towards
Townhead School, in a high field some yds [yards]
[--] of the road stands Blackhill cottage
and on a solitary uneven lump of whinstone
some 50 yds. [yards] to the SE [South East] having one fairly flat face a little more than 3' square occurs the group drawn
& described by Mr. Coles ( fig [figure] 13 ) The rock surface
is greatly weathered and its inequalities suggest
that originally there have been additional markings
now worn away
Gilroannie [Gillroanie]
" Near Gilroannie, in a field to the SE [South East], close on
the edge of a quarry there are the two cuttings
shown in fig [figure] 14 - an oval and a horse-
-shoe shape, the latter enclosing a small cup.
The rock slopes steeply to the NE [North East]."
28th Sept. 1911.
Drummore Fort.
O. S. [Ordnance Survey] D.re [Drummore] Castle .
This finely preserved and important fort
occupies a conspicuous site at an elevation
of [--] over sea-level and holds in view
a great extent of land and sea from
Netherlaw point some miles to the
Eastward to the distant Burrow Head on
[Continued on page 118] |
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[Page] 118
[Continued from page 117]
[Opposite page text inserted in main body where indicated]
the Wigtownshire coast. The form is an
irregular oval, having its longest axis N E. [North East] and S W. [South West]
pointed towards the SW [South West] and somewhat straight.
along the E [East] side.
The greatest
diameter of the interior, allowing 14' for the parapet mound
removed at the NE. [North East] end, is 192', and the
breadth from the E. [East] edge to the inner base
of the mound opposite is 132'. The defences
have consisted of three ramparts, the inner
one a parapet mound, and two intervening
trenches , except for a short distance near the
centre of the N W. [North West] side where the intermediate
mound has been dispensed with, and the
outer drawn inwards. [inserted text] Passing onwards to the N. [North] the triple lines again
appear the inner space broadening so as to
contain a platform at the base of the inner
scarp, probably a rock levelled down. Along the SE. [South East] side
there now only remains an uneven scarp
some 13' in vertical height & with an easy
gradient so that it is not possibly to speak
definitely of the original scheme of defence
on this flank. At one or two places towards
the top of the scarp at the SW. [South West] end the slope
is reveted with a building of small flat
stones. The inner trench has an average
width across the top of 27' and across the
flat bottom varies from 8' to 14'. while at the
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[Continued from page 118]
S.W. [South West] end where best preserved it has a depth of 7'
below both scarp & counterscarp. The
outer trench measures some 25' across the top
and 8' at the bottom - and, also at the S W. [South West] end,
has a depth of 7' below the crest of its scarp
and 5' to 6' below that of the counterscarp.
The parapet mound around the interior is
formidable and at highest presents a steep scarp
to the ditch 12' in height. The entrance has been
through the defences at the NE [North East] end . The
interior surface is broken on one side by low
outcropping rock and does not appear to have
been levelled. In the S. [South] corner at the base of the
rampart is a hole in which nettles &c are growing,
with a diameter of 8', and it has somewhat the
appearance of a well filled with stones. A
similar hollow lies at the base of the outer
mound beyond it with a diameter of about
6'. The ramparts are partially of rock left
in the excavation of the ditches or of stones and
earth. Across the inner ditch at the S W. [South West] end
& some 80' from the S. [South] angle a mass of rock
has been left forming a foot track or gangway onto the
inner rampart.
I never saw so many hares as I do in this
district. In one field which I merely crossed I saw 12 on foot at once! |
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[Page] 120
[Opposite page text inserted in main body where indicated]
Stone Circle Drummore.
In a cultivated field within sight of Drummore
fort to the Northward & some [--] & yds. [yards] distant
from it , are four large boulders all displaced
the remains of a stone circle the details of the
destruction of which are given by Coles ( q.v. [quod vide])
I made a correct survey of the setting as it
appears now. The stones measure from 3'.7" to
5' in extreme length respectively.
Little Balmae
Coles records the existence of a stone circle
near this farm but I could obtain no infor:
:mation about it at the farm nor see anything
resembling it in the direction indicated.
Ross View Balmae
Cup & ring Marks
Due W. [West] of Little Balmae about ¼ m. [mile] and
reached by a track through the fields is
the ruined cottage of Ross View. Masses
of grey rock outcrop in close proximity to
it and over the field to the Westward.
On a rock inclining slightly towards the West
about 100 yds [yards] S. [South] of the Cottage are two ill-formed
concentric rings 17" & 10" in diameter & much worn down, noted by Mr. Coles . (fig [figure] 1)
[inserted text] On a small rock a few yds. [yards] to the N. [North] is another
figure also much weathered consisting of a central cup mark
with three surrounding rings with a second
cup resting on the outer ring .( fig [figure] 2.)
On a flat rock some 20 yds. [yards] to the N. [North] of the
ruined cottage are the markings shown
in figs [figures] (3 & 5 Coles ). They both show a departure
from the concentric circle figure . Fig [Figure] 5
which is at the W. [West] end of the rock is a
double circle approximately concentric
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[Page] 121
[Continued from page 120]
[Opposite page text inserted in main body where indicated]
with an outer segmental groove, containing
in the interior two cups neither of which occupies
the centre, from which run short straight
channels one of which opens on the inner
circle. [inserted text] see also Antiq. [Antiquaries (of Scotland)] IX p. [page] 157. The group at the E [East] end of the
rock, some 30' distant, discloses the same
combined cups and grooves. In the central
design, is a central ringed cup
with a connected groove and
two outer cups which an outer circle
curves eccentrically to enclose. (Mr. Coles's
drawing of this figure is not complete and
it may be corrected from my rubbing.
Somewhere to the E. [East] of the last Mr. Coles notes
two overlapping rings . The rock surface on
which they occur is "much split up by sharp,
deep fissures and its general direction is S W. [South West] (fig [figure] 4)
To the Westward of the above group and
some "300 yds. [yards] SE. [South East] of Balmae House" on a
smooth rock sloping "to the W. [West] at an angle
of 40°. are two sets of concentric rings, one
with five rings surrounding a central cup
and the other with four rings enclosing
a plain centre ( fig. [figure] 6 )
"A rock immediately below, also having a
like inclination to the W. [West] bears a group of
five concentric rings, the outer one being 18"
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[Continued from page 121]
in diameter"
"To the N. [North] of Balmae House, on the home-fields
is a very much worn cup and partial ring.
The centre of the cup is 13" from the upper or
NE. [North East] corner of the rock. The cup measures 5" across
and the ring must have been about 7". "
"Farther N. [North] and W. [West], and higher up, is a single cup
on the corner of a rock, in much the same position
as the last. It is 2" wide, 1" deep, very clear and
well defined.
Knockshinnie
On the summit of Knockshinnie to the N. [North] of
Balmae and some 300' above sea level, facing
NE . [North East] is an extremely weathered group of cups
and rings. (fig. [figure] 7.)
? Stone Circle Balmae.
This setting of stones lies on rough pasture
some [--] yds. [yards] below the road passing to the
SW. [South West] of Knockshinnie and about ¼ m. [mile] E.NE. [East North East] of
Balmae . It consists of four granite blocks
the highest standing about 11/2' above ground
placed on an arc with a chord of 76' and
depth at centre of 21'. The stones are placed
at irregular distances on a sloping bank
so that the lowest stone is at 8' lower eleva:
:tion than the upper one. Two other displaced
boulders and a number of smaller stones
lie in a heap to the N W. [North West] and the beds of
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[Page] 123
[Continued from page 122]
[Opposite page 2 x photographs inserted]
stones which have been removed from the setting
are visible. Though the boulders have been
placed in position by man's hand it is doubtful if they
have ever been part of a stone circle and I
am inclined to think from their situation on
a slope below a plateau that they represent the
line of an old dyke.
Torrs Rock Sculptures
Some 18' to 20' N. [North] of the N. [North] gable end of Torrs farm
steading and in the adjoining field is a
group of cup marks some of which are enclosed
and others in contact with with curving channels.
The rock surface is almost flat and measures
over all 30" by 18". The outer channel opens
on the edge of the rock at m. m in the diagram.
(fig. [figure] 8.)
(Take in 4, & 5. of Coles's paper .Antiq. [Antiquaries (of Scotland)] 1895 p [page] 72)
No . 6 . also. This is now covered with soil .
No. 7. (fig [figure] 9) is situated on the same
mass of rock as the last, and 86' to the E. [East] of
the figure first described. It consists of
three encircled and connected cup marks.
From the outer circle of one there runs across
the space that separates the second & third
a straight groove terminating in a small
cup , while the channel connecting the
two latter is bent so as to avoid contact
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[Continued from page 123]
with this projection. All three figures have
four rings around them but while those of
the first and third are concentric and
complete the two outer rings of the second
in horseshoe form rest on the outer ring
of the first. (fig [figure] 9.)
" On the Well Hill is a mass of rock, measure:
:ing 9' by 3', W. [West] of and not very far from
the Ewebughts. The much worn condition
of the sculpturing renders examination very
difficult but it appears to consist mainly
of shallow cups 1" wide, very numerously
scattered about; a groove follows the edge
of the rock and connects two cups, one of
which is surrounded by a ring. The rock
has a slight inclination Eastwards."
"The Battery" W. [West] Torrs
Fort Site .
The irregularly circular mound of fine sand
& gravel which bears this name is situated
in a low lying meadow about 1/2 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West] of
West Torrs farm. It is now quite featureless
as a fort but Mr. Coles says of it that previous
to 1889 it consisted "of a circular rampart 3' to
4' high, surrounding a flat mound lower
than itself, the diameter E [East] and W. [West] being 120'.- --"
My personal impression was one of scepticism
regarding this ever having been a fort. |
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[Page] 125
29th Sept. 1911.
The Doon Nun Mill
Twynholm Par. [Parish]
This fort is situated on the top of the steep
wooded bank which rises above the road from
Kirkcudbright to Senwick just to the Westward
of Nun Mill. From an elevation of some
90' above the low meadow, which intervenes
between the bank and the foreshore, the fort
commands the mouth of the Dee as the river
opens into Kirkcudbright Bay. A double
entrenchment with an intervening mound
and a second mound to the outside
in horseshoe form, resting on the edge of
the bank has enclosed an area with a chord of
some 179' and a radius at its greatest depth
of 154'. On the E. [East] the defences have been
considerably effaced but elsewhere they are
unusually well preserved. The inner scarp
which is sloped. to an angle of some 40° varies
in height up to 14' while the trench
from crest to crest measures from 30' to 40'
in width: the intermediate mound is promin:
:ent and well formed: the outer trench has a
width of 24' to 30' with a steep scarp as high
as 8' and a counterscarp of 3' to 4'. Along
the crest of the intermediate rampart are traceable
the foundations of a narrow wall some 2'.6"
in width which has occupied the flat top .
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[Continued from page 125]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
A broad gap through the middle rampart
towards the W. [West] and a slight depression on
the innermost scarp seems to indicate the position
of the entrance. The ramparts are of earth
and stone.
Borgue Par. [Parish]
Clauchandolly Rock Sculpturings.
On a very low and rather flat rock which lies near the
W. [West] end of a long hollow running down from
the direction of Clauchandolly smithy and
about 40 [yards] distant from the dyke which crosses
the field is the group of rock sculptures shown
on fig [figure] (28) Certain features in this group
call for special remark. The centre of the
four-ringed figure to the left is not an ordinary
cup, but a hollow disc, and there is a
straight, clean cut groove between the sharply
defined points of the incomplete rings. In the
middle group, none of the five rings are complete
a blank space being left between their open
ends, while a similar space in the figure to
the right is occupied by a cup and is
bounded by the outermost ring. Both the
latter figures are partially encircled by
cup marks very regularly placed. The groove
around the oblong hollow is peculiar .
To the N. [North] of the hollow in the same field
and nearer the centre there protrudes only a
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[Page] 127
[Continued from page 126]
[Opposite page 2 x photographs inserted]
few inches above the surface a small convex
pointed rock 1' in breadth at its broadest. Where
the convexity is greatest there is a single cup
mark which has been surrounded -. (see sketch
& photo. )
On the S. [South] side of the hollow lies a long pro:
:minent rocky ridge and near its E [East] end
some 30' S. [South] of the highest point there is exposed
a group of sculptures much worn consisting
of a hollowed disc 2" in diameter, cut with very
straight ? wall side to a depth of 1/4" and surrounded
by 5 concentric rings. The whole figure measures
10" in diameter. A few inches distant, higher
up the slight slope of the rock, is a single cup
with one encircling ring. (see rubbings & photos.)
The field in which these sculpturings are to
be found is next but one to the W. [West] of the Smithy.
Mr. Coles gives other three sites in this neighbour:
: hood which I did not visit but which may
be described from his text. (p. [page] 88. Antiq. [Antiquaries (of Scotland)] 1895.)
Little Ross Island.
Mr. Coles in a foot note incidentally mentions
the discovery of some cup & ring markings "on
rocks below high-water mark on the island called
Little Ross." As he gives no more detailed
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[Page] 128
[Continued from page 127]
location I hailed a man from the island who
brought over his boat & questioned him. He had
been about it fishing for 20 years but had never seen
or heard of anything of the kind . With no further
information a search was hopeless so I did not
make a voyage.
Manor Castle Site of.
The site of this castle about which nothing
appears to be known is on a grassy plateau
or terrace with high ground above and the
shore rocks below on the S. [South] point of Ross Bay .
Mr. Coles gives a plan and sections of the
deep trench which bounds the site on the W. [West]
and of the indications of structures on the
plateau itself.
Slack Heugh
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey], following Coles, marks a fort on the
very edge of the Slack Heugh a precipitous cliff
with an altitude of 150' on the Southern face
of Meikle Ross promontory. The lines on the
surface running parallel with the cliff edge
have a certain semblance to artificial structures,
they are, however, only protruding strata. The
situation on the edge of such a cliff with high
ground overlooking it immediately in it rear of it
would render it quite unsuitable for either
domestic occupation or a fort. |
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[Page] 129
South Park Fort.
On the summit of a round back ridge com:
:manding a fairly extensive view and about
1/4 m [mile] to the Westward of South Park farm there
remains a segment of a rampart some 114' in
length which has been the north arc of
an oval fort the remainder of which
has been obliterated by the plough.
Borness Batteries 'Fort'
This interesting fort is situated above the cliffs
about 3/4 m. [mile] SSE. [South South East] of Borness and about 1/4 m . [mile] to the
E [East] of Borness Point. It is an almost triangular
enceinte with its apex to seaward contained by triple ramparts with inter:
:vening trenches whose ends rest on the steep
cliff faces. Along the curve the inner rampart
measures 209' and the longest diameter within
it to the outer point is 188'. The ramparts
are bold and regular _ the inner one rising to a
height of 11' above the ditch and the intermediate
one about 6' . - and the trenches measures 30' and 20'
in width The inner mound has been sur:
:mounted by a narrow stone parapet a small
portion of which remains visible to the N. [North] of the
entrance and from the top of the intermediate
mound on the SE [South East] arch may be seen protruding
at an average distance of about 11' from each
other five upright stones firmly embedded evidently
the remains of some construction on the crest.
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[Page] 130
[Continued from page 129]
An entrance 10' in width passes directly to the
interior over the trenches and through the ramparts
at 77' distant from the cliff face on the S [South].
Towards the point of the cliff in the
interior may be seen a circular depression with
a diameter of 20'. possibly a hut circle.
(Mr. Coles plan shows this fort well .)
Bone Cave Borness.
A short distance to the E. [East] of this fort at the
head of an inlet at the base of precipitous cliffs
and very difficult of access from the upper level
is the cave excavated in 1872 from which
numerous Iron Age relics were recovered . It
is fully recorded in the Proceedings.
I visited today both Senwick and Borgue
Churchyards but saw no memorials in either
worth recording.
30th Sept. 1911
Font St. Mary's Isle.
Wrote up notes. In the afternoon walked
to St. Mary's Isle where I saw a beautiful
font standing at the corner of the house. It
is illustrated & described in Mr. Russel Walker's
paper in the Proceedings
1st Oct. 1911.
Spent Sunday morning with Mr. Hornel, the
Artist _ who owns the old town house of
the Murrays of Broughton a picturesque
Georgian edifice. Mr. Hornel is a collector
& I thoroughly enjoyed seeing his furniture
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[Page] 131
[Continued from page 130]
pewtar, brass etc. He has the broken pieces
of a small green glazed money pot of the
usual onion shape which filled with coins
was dug out of the clay floor of an old house
across the street. The coins were mostly of the
reigns of Mary and James V: The latest date
I observed being 1559. We had a stroll
round the Castle Dykes - the site of the Edwardian
castle. Capt. [Captain] Hope has permitted just enough
excavation to be done on the mound to show
that the plan is still traceable. I hope he will
go further & lay it bare . It occupies a fine
site at the mouth of the Dee looking down the
estuary. The actual site has been circumscribed
by a deep ditch and there are traces of an
outer mound & ditch forming a bailey from
the centre of which has risen the castle.
Both yesterday & today I visited St. Cuthberts
Church Yard on the hill overlooking the town.
On the left of the entrance is the Ewart tomb
a very fine 17th Cent. [Century] Monument: there are also
two or three finely inscribed slabs.
2nd Oct. 1911.
Bicycled to Cumpstoun, a handsome modern
house with the ivy clad ruins of the old
castle to the W. [West] of it. The deep window
recesses remind me of Braol [Braal] castle and
[Continued on page 132] |
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[Page] 132
[Continued from page 131]
as far as I can judge from the remains, the building
is 15th Century.
? Mote Cumstoun. House .
At the edge of the Glen to the NE [North East] of Cumstoun
House there is a somewhat irregular four
sided earthwork formed on the edge of a
high bank by the excavation of a trench
around three sides. On the W. [West] this trench
is well defined with a width at
the top of 25' and a depth of 11' and appears
to have borne a mound above the counter-
-scarp: Along the N. [North] side it is still traceable
but on the E. [East] it has been almost obliterated.
On the summit there is a peculiar oblong
hollow lying WSW. [West South West] and ENE. [East North East] measuring some
60' in length by 34' in breadth and about 4'
in depth the sides of which are well defined all
round except towards the S [South] . The position
of this mound rising above a steep bank is
suggestive of a mote hill but the
elevation of the mound itself is rather low. The
meaning of the hollow is not obvious .
Miss Maitland had done a little excavation
in this hollow but found nothing . She kindly
procured a labourer who cleared out the
pits previously dug but the sections exposed
showed no indications of building or ruins .
[Continued on page 133] |
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[Page] 133
[Continued from page 132]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
Standing to the right of the front door of Cumstoun
House is the basin of a small font which
is said to have been brought from Dundren:
:nan Abbey. It measures, in diameter over all
2'.1": across the basin 1'.4 1/2": in depth on the
exterior 1' and in the interior 7". It is formed
with eight segmental mouldings placed vertically
around it, each 7" broad at base .
Kirkcudbright Tongland
Carse Moat.
This fort is situated about 1/4 m. [mile] to the E [East] of
Tongland Bridge a short distance to the
S W. [South West] of the farm of Upper Carse. It lies
towards the NE. [North East] end of a broad flat
ridge which overlooks the river and atop
of a wooded bank which slopes for some
30' to the meadows which intervene between
it and the river Dee. The construction is
ellipsoidal in form with its main axis
[--] and [--] levelled and steeply scarped
all round
to a height varying from 5' to 10'. The
interior measurements are 165' from ? N [North] to S. [South]
by 140' from E [East] to W [West]. The scarp has evidently
been surmounted by a stony parapet
traces of which may be seen at the NE [North East]
angle. At the N [North] end, some 21' out from
the base of the scarp there are the remains
of a rampart 12' wide at base, and some
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[Page] 134
[Continued from page 133]
3'.6" in height which has crossed the ridge
but is now obliterated on the E [East]. At the S. [South] end
all trace of an outer defence has disappeared.
On the E [East] side somewhat to the N. [North] of the centre
a break in the regular slope of the
scarp and a track leads diagonally upwards
probably mark the entrance
St. Cuthbert's Churchyard Kirkcudbright
Lying at the base of the sloping bank on
the S. [South] side of St. Cuthberts Churchyard
are two inscribed table-graveslabs both bearing
heraldic achievements _ said to have been brought
from the old churchyard near the harbour about the year ?1835.
1. The Westmost of the two stones is now very
black. It measures 6'.6" in length by 2'.6" in
breadth and on a surrounding border
bears the inscription Hic jacet Andres Carsane
marcator vivens morins et sesurgens in
chirto, with the date 1626. Occupying the
greater part of the surface of the stone
within this inscription are two orna:
: mental armorial shields placed the
one above the other and
looped together.
The upper shield between initials A and C
bears quarterly 1st and 4th three boars' heads
erased and 2nd and 3rd three crescents.
While the lower shield between the initials
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[Page] 135
[Continued from page 134]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
I. B. bears a chevron couped between
three fleur de lis . Beneath the shields
is an oblong panel whereon is incised
By faith in Christ (I) lived and died
In hope have laid my bode doun
My saul is ascendit to adore
Hir saviour in celestial glore
With quhom she sal cum and recal
These bones agane out of thir grave
and then injoy triumphantlie
Devine delight perpetuali.
The second stone is as light in colour
as its neighbour is dark. It measures
4.9" in length by 1'.8" in breadth.
At the upper end is a stag couchant beneath
a holly tree between the initials R. and M.
while beneath it, ornamentally treated, are
two conjoined shields, the dexter charged
with three crescents and the sinister with
three boars' heads erased. the letters I and C.
being respectively in the adjacent corners of each
shield. Beneath in relief runs the inscription
Here lyes Isobel Maxuel doughter to Robert
Maxuel of [Hazle] Hazelfeild and Isobel Carsan
his spous who departeid this life the
7th of Novmr 1627 Aged 11 mounths and
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[Page] 136
[Continued from page 135]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
14 dys. At the base of the stone are two
cross bones round which in a semi:
: circle runs the legend memento mori .
On the N. [North] side of the graveyard near the
centre and in front of tombstone to the
memory of one George Pottie is a square
block of stone measuring 1'.81/2" in breadth
by 1'.2" in height. The upper half of the
stone has been cut back and is sur:
:rounded at its upper edge by a promin:
:ent moulding supported at the angles
by human masks. In the centre of the
upper surface is a socket into which
has been inserted the head of a coped
grave slab bearing within a circle a
small equal limbed cross voided in the
centre.
Just to the E. [East] of the centre of the graveyard
on the N. [North] half is an upright stone 2'81/2" high
inscribed . Here lyes John Hallum who
was wounded in his takeing and by
unjust law sentenced to be hanged all
this done by Captane Douglas for his
adherence to Scotland's Reformation
Covenants National and Solemn League.
To the S. [South] of the central path some 30 yds. [yards]
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[Page] 137
[Continued from page 136]
from the gate is a slab measuring 6' by 2'.5"inscribed in relief
in bold lettering " Heir lyes Johne Shawe who
departed the XI day of March 16(20)" The year
numerals have been incised at a later date.
It bears a shield charged with three [--]
and a latin inscription partly ob:
:literated. INNOCVÆ TE GITUR IVVENIS SUB MNE
MATE.○ V TE• CO(R)PVS○ SOLΛ •PATRIS• SPES○ BONA○
MATRIS AMO(R) ÆTAT(15) 28.
As the rain came down in torrents ere
I had finished noting all the monuments of
interest I relinquished my work and
called on Mr. M'Kie an aged and
noted local Antiquary . He had excellent
photos of the two stones in Minnigaff
church and of three at Bargaly, one
of the latter a tombstone bearing two
coats of arms of which I have no note.
These will be at my disposal for reproduc:
:tion if I wish them.
3rd Oct. 1911.
Some 3/4 m. [mile] due. E [East] of the town of Kirkcud:
:bright and to the S. [South] of the farm house of
Loch Fergus is a low lying meadow from
which rises a mound to a height of 12'
to 14', overgrown with trees. This mound
is known as the site of Castle Fergus.
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[Continued from page 137]
It is an oval hillock lying N and S. [North and South] rising by
an easy gradient at the base and steeply
towards the summit. Along the
S. [South] arc of the summit periphery are the distinct
traces of a parapet mound and a little to
the S. [South] of the centre bisecting the plateau
is an oblong hollow measuring interiorly
some 45' by 18', evidently the site of a building.
but showing no remains of ruins. The low
bank which surrounds it is about 4' thick
and appears to have been constructed of
small angular stones laid without mortar
A small depression at the SW. [South West] angle
has probably been an excavation.
"Moat" Brockcleugh
The farm of Brockcleugh stands on the top of
a high bank on the S. [South] of the road about
11/2 [miles] to the ENE. [East North East] of Kirkcudbright and opposite
the 25th milestone from Dumfries. The
O.S. [Ordnance Survey] notes it as occupying a mote.
The farm buildings cover a considerable
part of what appears to be an artificial
eminence raised at a point of the steep
bank facing the roadway. On the W. [West]
beyond the buildings is a plateau extending
for some 112' from N to S [North to South] divided into
two divisions by the slightly higher
[Continued on page 139] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-139 |
[Page] 139
[Continued from page 138]
[Opposite page sketch and photograph inserted ]
elevation & greater diameter of the N. [North] half. This area is some
26' broad at the S. [South] end and at the N. [North] where
it extends past the front of the farm cottages
about 50'. Along the W. [West] side there is a
fairly regular scarp increasing in depth
from about 6' at the S. [South] to 12' to 15' at the
N. [North] where it drops to the falling gradient
of the bank. From the E. [East] where the farm
now stands there is but little rise. The
summit appears to have been artificially
levelled but the interference which the site
has met with prevents its accurate definition.
Little Stockerton - Cup & ring Marks.
This group of cup and ring markings is
to be found in the large park at the E. [East]
side of which the Brockloch
plantation terminates by the side of road leading
from Kirkcudbright to Dalbeattie. The
sculpturings are upon a sharp edged ridge
of rock lying N. and S. [North and South] rising to a height of
some 7', and situated some 200 yds. [yards] to the E. [East]
of the dyke running N and S. [North and South] forming the W. [West]
boundary of the park and some 60 yds [yards]
S. [South] of the N. [North] boundary dyke. There are four
inscribed faces inclined at a somewhat
steep angle . On the highest face is a figure
formed by two concentrically encircled cup
[Continued on page 140] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-140 |
[Page] 140
[Continued from page 139]
marks, meeting tangentially and further con:
:nected by a segmental curve, containing a
cup mark in the enclosed angle. Both
sets of circles are interrupted by a radial
grooves that from the upper circle taking a
right angled bend to a small cup mark on passing
beyond the outermost ring. A number
of other cup marks, unconnected are placed parallel
to one quadrant. On one of the other faces
are a number of cup marks surrounded
by single rings with channels running from
the two adjacent rings to a fissure in the rock.
Galtway Cup & ring Markings
On a flat topped outcropping rock some 200
yds [yards] E. [East] of the NE. [North East] point of the wood in which
is situated the old churchyard of Galtway are
incised on separate planes four cups
surrounded by concentric rings. In two
instances the continuity of the rings is inter:
:rupted by an open space untraversed by a
radial groove. In one case such a
groove is traceable and in the fourth
the surface is too much worn for observation.
The surface of one figure recently un:
:covered is marked with numerous small
pittings. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-141 |
[Page] 141
[Continued from page 140]
Galtway Churchyard
Within a central enclosure in the old
churchyard and against the S. [South] wall of it
lies a slab 5'.7" in length by 1'.3" in width
inscribed in Gothic characters along one side
and both ends. The inscription is much
worn but as far as decipherable reads
[--]
In the centre of the enclosure lies a large flat
slab on four pillars on which is sculptured
a shield charged with a chevron and
the inscription Hic jacet Thomas Lidderdale
Sanctae insulae Mariae dominus qui
obiit decimo die Februarii anno 1687 aetatis
The lower end of the stone has been cut down
and an inscription to his son incised on it.
Kirkland Fort.
This fort is situated by the road-side
about 1/2 m. [mile] to the E. [East]
of the town of Kirkcudbright on the top
of an elongated hillock not commanding any
particular prospect or strategic position.
It is ellipsoidal in form fashioned from
the hillock by cutting a trench right across to
form the N. [North] end and partially to form the S. [South]
leaving a space of 21' in width at one
side to form a roadway. There has been
a parapet mound around the interior
[Continued on page 142] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-142 |
[Page] 142
[Continued from page 141]
considerably increased in bulk at the N. [North] end
where it has a thickness at base of 17'. In this
rampart at the NE [North East] angle there is a small circu:
:lar depression measuring 6' in diameter.
The trench at the N. [North] end has a width of some
20' and a general depth of about 6' below the scarp
falling away to either end. At the S. [South] end the
trench is some 27' in width, 9' in depth below
the scarp and 3' below the counterscarp
and is flat bottomed. The interior meas:
:urements are 92' from N to S. [North to South] by 86' from
E to W. [East to West]. The mound rises steeply on the
W. [West] side to a height of about 20' and somewhat
less on the E [East].
St. Cuthberts Churchyard. The Ewart Tomb.
I have made in my scroll note book a copy
of all the inscriptions on the tomb both
back & front. but shall leave the description
to Mr. MacGibbon.
In front of the Ewart Monument is the
tomb of John Ewart of Mullock, much
weathered and bearing the date 7th October
1622. A shield at the top bears a chief charged
with a heart and a right hand appaume'
in base with a saltire over all. Mottoe:-
Nemo vincere potest.
The Ewart Monument bears the following
[Continued on page 143] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-143 |
[Page] 143
[Continued from page 142]
[Opposite page sketch inserted] Key to inscriptions opposite
inscriptions
1. Welcom soft bed my sweit Repose
And so for Christ from hence I rose
Welcom sweit sleip from the I wake
of endless joyes for to partake
Welcom fair night thy fairest morrow
Drives from mine eyes eternal sorrow
Welcom soft bed sweit sleip fair night to me
Thrice welcome Christ who has sanctified you thrie.
2. IE. obiit 15 KAL.FEB AN.DOM 1642 ÆTAT (□)24
3. Johan Hewart Kirkcub Consul
Hoc struxit Monumentum.
4. Mors sua sceptra tenet toti Communia Mundo
Propirat cursu vitagitale. Vive Memor Lethi.
5. Repent in tym youre lives amend
[1644] That in Christ Jesus Yea May end /IE /HE/
6. Inclusus lapide hoc quiescit eheu
Eheu flos juvenum Andreas Havartus
Nuper Kirkcubriae jubar coruscum
Nunc novae Solymae jubar coruscans
Quod mortale fuit pater sepulchro
Huic dedit lachrymis terens senectam his
Mole sub hac lapidum juvenem te maestus
Qui me debueras humavi ulasse senem.
[below humavi] contum
7. I goe to grave as to my bed to sleep and ryse again
I lived in Chryst I died in Chryst I must not heir remane.
[Continued on page 144] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-144 |
[Page] 144
[Continued from page 143]
[Opposite page photograph inserted (inscription]
On the back . "Our tyme runnes fast as we may sie
"which being spent then must we die."
6th May 1912.
Returned this day to the Stewartry and
have taken up my abode in a small un:
:pretentious tavern called "The Crown" in
Newton Stewart as I have some seven days
work in this neighbourhood The weather
has been abnormally fine hitherto, April
having been the driest April on record,
so I must be prepared for some wet weather.
7th May.
A wet morning - soft soaking rain, and
as I purposed going into the hills I post:
:poned my start till 11:30. The youth I
have secured is a grocer's assistant
out of work, but he is well mannered,
sturdy and knows the district well .
Hired a trap and drove up the left bank
of the Cree to Drannandow. It is good to
be out in the country on a warm moist
morning in the sweet o' the year. Driving
through the woods the scent of the birches
fills the air and beneath the trees there
is a blue carpet of hyacinths with here
and there a cluster of wood anemones.
[Continued on page 144A] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-145 |
[Page] 144A
as we left the main road and passed
upwards to the shepherd's house in a
meadow among the trees I counted
twelve old black cock and a couple of
hens feeding. The shepherd, Pringle by
name, had been on the herding for 25
years but had never heard of the "ancient
subterranean habitations " referred to in
Harper.
Minnigaff.
Drannandow
(This may be the Drumfern Cairn)
On the open moorland about 1/4 mile to
the ? NE [North East] of the sheep rees at the upper edge of the
enclosed land above Drannandow is a
cairn low in elevation and overgrown but
surmounted by a comparatively recently
erected pile of stones. In diameter it
measures about 22'. There is no evidence
of its having been excavated .
Between it and the corner of the enclosed
land to the S W . [South West] lie a number of small cairns
Some 70 yds. [yards] to the E. [East] of it is another cairn,
also reduced to a low elevation, with a diameter
of about 20'. In its vicinity are the remains
of what appear to be ancient sheep rees -
and ruins of walls of larger enclosures.
The rees are somewhat bean-shaped
narrowing a little to one end where also
[Continued on page 145]
[Page] 145
[Continued from page 144A]
the wall of one side is carried onward so as to
cover the entrance . This projection would
[Sketch inserted]
shelter the entrance and assist in
directing the sheep to the fold.
Here and there are the foundations of
small elliptical structures - probably
shieling bothies .
Some 30 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the last cairn there
seems to be the remains of another adjacent
to a sheep shelter. Various heaps of stone
still further S [South] between two lines of old enclosing
walls seem more like "cloddings" than sepulchral
cairns .
Stone Circle (unnoted )
Some 84' NE [North East] by E . [East] of the first above described
cairn are the remains of a stone circle .
on a plateau whence the ground falls away to the Staminnar burn.
Five stones remain in situ, two others are
prostrate and at one spot a collections of boulders
marks the site of another. ( I made a careful
plan by triangulation and the details may
be taken from it.) The stones are medium
sized boulders, the highest extending 2'.8" above
ground, and they are set with their broad
faces in line of the circumference. Adjacent
to the circle lie a number of similar stones
probably the other members which have been
uprooted.
[Continued on page 145A] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-146 |
[Page] 145A
[Continued from page 145]
Cairn ? Drumfern.
About 1/2 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of the sheep rees just at the
base of a steep slope and some 300 yds. [yards] due
N. [North] of the cairn beside the stone circle is
another cairn larger and more prominent
than the foregoing. It measures some
34' in diameter and about 4' in elevation
There is evidence on the top that in the past
some excavation has been done on it but it
is doubtful if the interment has been reached.
Small cairns
About 80 to 100 yds. [yards] up the slope to the NE [North East] of
the last is a considerable group of small
cairns with diameters of from 12' to 16' & elevation of about 2'. One
oblong heap of stones measured 19' by 7' and
had an elevation of about 11/2'. The sepulchral
character of the last is doubtful .
Chambered Long Cairn The Nappers.
Immediately in rear of the shepherd's cottage
and garden at "the Nappers", a rocky ridge
forming the highest point of the moorland, are
the remains of a chambered long cairn.
It lies with its main axis (E and W.[East and West] magnetic) almost E SE [East South East] to WNW [West North West].
In form it appears to have been
elliptical measuring 80' in extreme length,
about 37' in breadth at the W. [West] end, 44', near the centre and
as far as ascertainable from 30' to 35' at the
E [East] end. From the E [East] extremity inwards for
some 40' it has been greatly pillaged for
[Continued on page 146]
[Page] 146
[Continued from page 145A]
stones and in consequence its outline in that
direction is not ascertainable with accuracy. At
some 8' inwards from the presumed Eastern ter:
:mination set in the mesial line are two par:
:allel rows of slabs, 2'.4" apart with fair regul:
:arity which have formed the sides of a chamber.
10'.8" in length. The N. [North] side is formed of two slabs
6'.5" and 3'.1" in length respectively, and the S. [South]
side of three slabs the longest of which is 5'.3".
The greatest height exposed above ground is
2'.8". and the thickest slab measures 1'.3" in thickness.
At 16' further on into the cairn, almost at the
centre, and at right angles to the main axis
are indications of other two chambers in align:
:ment. On the N. [North] side Three protruding slabs, two on one side
and one on the other are set 2'.3" apart and
indicate a chamber about 10' in length com:
:mencing some 8' in from the edge of the cairn
and extending inwards across the mesial line.
The chamber entering from the S. [South] side is
evidenced also by three slabs, the edges of
which just project above the debris ,
two on one side and one on the other 2' apart.
The indicated length of this chamber is also
10' and the first visible slab occurs at 5'
in from the edge of the cairn.
[Continued on page 146] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-147 |
[Page] 146A
[Continued from page 146]
[Opposite page photograph inserted] "The Thieves' Stanes" Dranandow.
[Page] 147
[Continued from page 146]
Some 16' still further W. [West] and 18' from the W. [West]
end on the S. [South] side the edges of other two slabs set parallel at
2' apart are visible indicating a fourth chamber
and like the two last mentioned placed at
right angles to the main axis of the cairn.
The greatest height of the cairn, towards the
W. [West] end, is 6'.
? unnoted
Some 7' to the S. [South] of the W. [West] end there lies
evidently broken off at ground level a large
rectangular block of whinstone, some 5'.91/2"
in length and 1'.9" in breadth across the upper
surface which alone is fully exposed.
Some 200 yds [yards] SSW. [South South West] of the last is another cairn,
circular in form measuring some 40' in
diameter. Its elevation to the base of a
small modern cairn which surmounts
it is about 3'. There is no indication
of its having been excavated.
Stretching for some 250 yds. [yards] to the Southward
is a group of small cairns measuring
about 12' in diameter and 2' in height and
crowning a small hillock which overlooks
the marshy ground to the Southward is
the site of a larger cairn the centre of
which has been entirely cleared out.
For some 250 yds. [yards] NNW. [North North West] of the most Westerly
[Continued on page 148] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-148 |
[Page] 148
[Continued from page 147]
point of the Knockman Wood between 400 & 500' above sea level, occur numerous
cairn-like heaps of boulders with occasional
ruins of ancient walls running among them
The largest "cairn" noted, and that near the upper
side of the group measured over all some
23' by 20'. The sepulchral character of these
remains is open to doubt as they may be
merely "cloddings" from ancient cultivated areas
no longer distinguishable on the moorland.
8th May 1912.
Situated on the top of a slight undulation
which rises on the lower slope of the Moor
of Barclye at an elevation above sea level of
some 250' is a long cairn known as the
Drumwhirn Cairn. It lies with its
longest axis from 18° W [West] of N. [North] to 18° E. [East] of S. [South] with
its prominent end towards the
former direction. In length it has measured
originally about 135' but for a distance of
some 92' from its Southern end the stones
have been almost entirely removed and
considerable pillage has occurred all
around the remaining portion. In form
it has been (somewhat of tadpole shape) with
a large prominent extremity measuring
some 73' in diameter across the main axis
and diminishing at 43' from the 7' end to 48' at 25' from the S . [South] end
[Continued on page 149] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-149 |
[Page] 149
[Continued from page 148]
[Opposite page sketch inserted]
which appears to have been rounded. The greatest
elevation to the base of the modern apical cairn
is 12'. There are no indications of the chamber
nor remains of a frontal semicircle. By drawing
down the stones so as to form walls a number
of small enclosures or folds have been formed
the remaining portion.
Boreland Cairn. (planned)
This cairn is situated at an elevation of
about 450' above sea level, about 3/4 m. [mile] higher up the hillside than the last, in the Boreland Plan:
:tation which lies about 11/2 m. [miles] Northward of
Minnigaff church. It is also a long
cairn lying with its main axis almost S [South] by E [East] and N. [North] by W. [West] measuring in extreme length about
70', in breadth at the N [North] end some 27' and at
the S. [South] end about 44'. with a general elevation
throughout of about 6'.6". At the S. [South] end are
the remains of a frontal semicircle or rather crescent of standing
stones, consisting of two squarish boulders of
2'.6" elevation placed 2' apart in the centre
and evidently forming the entrance to a
passage with on the W. [West] quadrant, & contiguous
to the portal stone on that side a massive
upright slab pointed at the top measuring
5'.9" in breadth, 5'.6" in height above ground
and 1'.6" in thickness and with a gap
of 9' a boulder the upper part of which has
been broken off . 3'.3" in breadth 2'.6" in height
[Continued on page 150] |
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[Page] 150
[Continued from page 149]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
and 1'.9" in thickness. On the E. [East] quadrant ad:
:jacent to the portal stone on that side is an:
:other large slab tilted forward measuring
4'.7" in breadth, 4' in length and 1' in thickness
while 22' beyond lies a pointed stone overturned 4'.8"
in length by 3' in breadth towards its centre
which has in all probability stood originally in
the crescent or on the outer side
of the horn. At fairly close intervals along
the side of the cairn as shown on the plan
have been placed large stones many of them
pointed. and now for the most part tilted
outwards or fallen forwards.
At a point near the centre of the W. [West] side
there lies a stone some 3'.8" in length and
squarish in section resembling a lintel.
This cairn has been much pulled about to
form sheep shelters on its flanks, also greatly
pillaged for dykes and roadmetal and
in front of it ready prepared for removal
is about a cart load of broken stones showing
clearly the fate that would have over:
:taken it had not the vandalism been
timeously checked some years ago.
I believe both these cairns are under the
care of H. M. [His Majesty's] Office of Works but there are no notices
[Continued on page 151] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-151 |
[Page] 151
[Continued from page 150]
at them to signify the fact.
[Margin] "Wallace's Camp" Minnigaff
On the left bank of the Cree at a spot where the river in its
course forms a right angle, and about 1/2 m. [mile]
to the NW. [North West] of Minnigaff Church is situated
the entrenched work known as "Wallace's Camp."
It lies in a wood at the edge of a steep bank which
falls away some 30' to 40' towards the river
and is further confined by a deep ravine on
the NW. [North West] and a slighter hollow down which
flows a rivulet on the SE. [South East]. From this hollow
a trench has been drawn to the NW. [North West] of slight depth at
first and gradually deepening till it
merges in the ravine on the opposite
side of the enceinte. About the middle of its
course the trench measures some 15' across
and now about 2' in depth. The area thus
cut off presents at its highest point an
irregularly level plat some 25' in diameter
from the side of which the ground de:
:clines for a distance of 40' or thereby to
the steeper edges of the bank and ravine.
From the SE. [South East] an approach leads to the interior
on the inner side of the trench constricted
immediately before it attains the plat by a
trench like hollow which passes down the
bank and which is possibly natural. Across
[Continued on page 152] |
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[Page] 152
[Continued from page 151]
the trench the ground rises sharply and completely
dominates the interior. (Coles plan is not
very good & his compass mark is wrong.)
[Margin] Mote Minnigaff Church.
On the tongue of land formed by the confluence
of the Penkill Burn and the River Cree
stands the Mote of Minnigaff. It has been
fashioned from the natural promontory at
the meeting of the high banks which face
the respective streams by a cutting some 50'
to 60' wide - to the S. [South] of which lies the Mote
and to the N. [North] the ruins of the old church
of Minnigaff. Above the streams the
sides of the mote rise to a height of from
60' to 70' but on the W. [West] and S. [South] a road
has been formed some 35' below the
summit and in its construction the
contour of the eminence has been
considerably interfered with. The summit
which is sub oval running to a point
towards the S. [South] measures 106' in length
by 45' in width near the centre. There
is a marked hollow at the N. [North] end into
which a narrow pathway leads up from
the cutting and lying parallel with the
sides 7' back from the edge is clearly traceable
a low stony bank or foundation which curves
[Continued on page 153] |
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[Page] 153
[Continued from page 152]
across the top some 22' back from the S. [South] extremity
(Coles (Antiq. [Antiquaries] Feb. [February] 1893) gives some references.).
9th. May 1912
A fine warm day after a wet night. Bi:
:cycled to Creetown where I had to wait half
an hour for my assistant whose bicycle had
broken down on the way. My first endeavour was
to find Adam Birrell to whom I had been referred
and who had given me information and
offered assistance. He was a salmon net fisher
and I found him down at his nets on the
mud flats left by the ebbing tide, a little
wiry man with a bronzed face, a frank
independent manner and a keen active
mind anxious to gather information on
any subject. He had won a humane soci:
:ety's medal on the occasion of the burning
of a motor launch off Roscarrel Point a few
years ago when he swam in his clothes
two miles to the shore for help and was
thus instrumental in saving the life of
a young laird, the only survivor of the party
besides himself. He was a keen Antiquary
an observer of wild birds, parish councillor
and Sergeant Major of Territorials.
Arranging to meet him at his house at
Burnfoot near Carsluith at 2.0 I made for
[Continued on page 154] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-154 |
|
line 16 - missing direction is East North East
line 17 - missing direction is West South West
line 20 - 'On' seems to have been scored out and 'o'? written above. The missing direction is South East
(see the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914)). |
| gb0551ms-36-35-154 |
[Page] 154
[Continued from page 153]
[Opposite page 2 x photographs inserted]
the site of Kirkmabreck Church up a steep hill
and about 1 m. [mile] back from the shore road.
[Margin] Standing Stone Bagbie.
On the summit of a broad flat topped
ridge between the Kirkbride and Carsluith
Burns and some 3/4 m. [mile] to the North of the
farm of Bagbie is an upright slab of schistose
stone 5'.5" in height above ground, 3'.3" in breadth
at base, 2' in breadth at top and 1' thick, facing
E. [East] and W [West].
[Margin] Cairn and Stone Setting
Some ?250 yds. [yards] to the E. [East] of the Standing stone of
Bagbie some 50 yds. [yards] beyond the field dyke
into the moorland is a circular cairn of low elevation (about 3')
and overgrown with turf measuring some
40' in diameter. Near the centre is exposed
the upper surface of a flat slab and towards
the edge of the cairn at 10'.6" to the __ and
10'.9" to the __ there project to a height of 1'.8"
and 1'.3" respectively facing
each other two flat stones measuring 1'.8" and
1'.6" across. On the __ quadrant of
the cairn are placed six stones, squarish
in section measuring about 2' across each
face and the highest standing about
2'.6" above ground. The significance of
these stones is not apparent and they are
probably a remnant of some associated
[Continued on page 155] |
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[Page] 155
[Continued from page 154]
construction the rest of which has been removed.
As will be seen from the plan four of the
blocks appear to be on the arc of a circle
and this would be so although the __ stone has
been overturned. It is possible therefore
as in the case of the cairn on Cambret Moor
that here also a stone circle has been associ:
:ated with a cairn.
Returning as arranged to Adam Birrell's
house at Burnfoot we bicycled Eastward
past Carsluith to Kirkdale where leaving
the road we passed down a lovely glen where
the wild hyacinths grew in profusion, to a
remarkable natural eminence rising from
the shore and severed from the bank in rear
of it by a deep chasm through the rocks.
The top was small in area though it might
have served as a mote hill but nowhere
could I observe any trace of handiwork
in connection with it. A rough walk
over a boulder strewn beach and round a
[Margin] Dirk Hatteraick's Cave
rocky point brought us to a nook in the
high bank above the shore in which some 35'
up was visible a small aperture
which gave access to the cave believed to
be that immortalised by Scott in Guy Mannering
[Continued on page 156] |
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[Page] 156
[Continued from page 155]
So narrow is the aperture that a full grown man
can only with difficulty squeeze himself sideways
between the opposing rock faces, and the entrance
is further rendered difficult by the steep talus of
soil and stone filling the lower part of the chasm
and down which an intruder has to "slither"
to reach the floor of the cave some 14' below. The cave
is some 33' in length with a narrow projection
extending some 10' further, and has an average
floor width of from 4' to 5'. diminishing
upwards. Along the left wall from the entrance
are tiers of small rectangular recesses, resembling
pigeon nests in a dovecot but believed to
have been formed for the storage of bottles
of spirits by the smugglers. In rear of this ar:
:rangement of bins or nests there is a small
inner recess. The dimensions of the "nests"
are about 10" x 6". In its present condition
it would have been impossible to convey
any object larger than a very small keg or
a bottle through the entrance.
[Margin] Cup & Ring Marks. Kirkmuir.
Situated some 200 yds. [yards] E [East] of the ruined church
of Kirkdale on the farm of Kirkmuir and
some 30' W. [West] of a dyke which runs up the
hill is an outcropping rock on which are
[Continued on page 157] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-157 |
[Page] 157
[Continued from page 156]
visible some rather faint cup and ring markings
The rock surface is almost level. The sculpturing con:
:sists of fourteen cup marks which have the
appearance of having been arranged to some extent in groups
of three. Two natural hollows each some 8" or 9"
in length lie in the line of cleavage of the
rock. three cup marks are placed in close
proximity to one hollow while another cup
placed near the second is connected with
it by a duct. One cup encircled by a
complete ring has a channel leading from it in the
direction of other two cups while at the
opposite side a small cup is connected
with the ring. Adjacent to this figure
are two cups connected by a broadish
channel traversing the line of cleavage,
forming a dumbell figure and having
a third small cup connected.
Immediately across the Stone dyke to the
Eastward is another sculptured rock surface
consisting of six and possibly seven cup
and ring markings. From the cup mark in
each case a channel passes outward between
the closed extremities of the penanular rings
in two instances seemingly connecting with
outer cups. It is noteworthy that in this group
[Continued on page 158] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-158 |
[Page] 158
[Continued from page 157]
[Opposite page 2 x photographs inserted]
the openings through the rings all face in the direction
of the slope of the surface. The rock has been
much scoriated by the plough and harrow.
We visited the remains of the chambered cairns
on Cairn holy also three other cup marked rocks,
all referred to later, and before I got back to
my hotel at Newton Stewart it was half past eight.
10th May 1912.
Riding back to Creetown this morning I
saw the first hawthorn in blossom this
year. We have had the finest April on
record and all vegetation is far advanced.
[Margin] Cairnholy
Situated on a slight rocky hillock some 60 yds. [yards]
to the Southward of the farm of Cairnholy are
the remains of a chambered cairn consisting
of two tall portal stones, the only survivors of the
frontal arc, the passage to the chamber, and
the chamber itself with the roofing slab
still upon it. The cairn appears to have been
a round one measuring from back to front
along the line of the chamber some 62' but
the stones have been entirely removed with the
exception of a fringe here and there. Facing
Eastward (see plan) stand two high squarish
pillars, some 6" to 10" apart at base, that on the
right standing 8'.2" above ground, that on the
left 4'.2". forming the portals to the passage
[Continued on page 159] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-159 |
[Page] 159
[Continued from page 158]
that leads to the chamber. The passage appears to
have increased in width as it passed inward till
it measured some 2'.5" at its termination. On
the left side beyond the portal stone only one
stone remains in situ standing to a height of 3'.9"
above ground while two others lie displaced. On
the right side a large slab deeply set in the ground
lies parallel with the passage and has probably
supported the wall slabs, now removed, on that
side. At 8'.2" from the outside the chamber
is reached. It has been a rectangular com:
:partment some 5' in length by 3' in breadth
and now some 4' in height from the floor level
to the underside of the roofing slab. A massive
slab 7' or thereby in length forms the lower
portion of each side and extends beyond the chamber.
The chamber is closed at both ends, but while the
slab forming the innermost termination
helps to support the roof the slab in the
front is not in contact therewith although
the roof declines 15" in its direction. Above
the large lateral slabs other slabs & flat stones,
for the most part removed or displaced, have
been employed to raise the sides to the
required height. The massive slab which
forms the roof measures superficially 7'.6" x 7'.11".
[Continued on page 160] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-160 |
|
line 5 - the missing distance is 200 yards (see the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914)). |
| gb0551ms-36-35-160 |
[Page] 160
[Continued from page 159]
[Opposite page 2 x photographs inserted]
The interior of the chamber has probably been cleared
out long ago. Numerous tall monoliths used
as gate posts &c. at the adjacent farm have
probably been taken originally from this monument
About __ yds. [yards] due S. [South] & just over the field
dyke to the S. [South] of the road are the the re :
:mains of another cairn of the same
character. Though the peculiar features of
the horned chambered cairn have escaped
destruction the cairn itself has been almost
entirely removed to build dykes &c. The ex:
:treme length has been from 80' to 100' but, owing
to the building of a wall partly on the site the
breadth is not accurately ascertainable, it
has however increased from the ? W. [West] end
towards the E. [East] and the outline of the
cairn appears to have been marked with
pointed standing stones. At the E. [East] end
are the remains of a frontal semicircle of
standing stones now consisting of 7 stones in
situ, 4 on one one quadrant and 3
on the other, and of two other stones lying dis:
:placed. The two centre stones are squarish pillars
set 1'.2" apart at base, each rising to a height
of 7' above ground level, while the other stones
vary in height from 3'.7" to 5'.9", and in breadth
[Continued on page 160A] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-161 |
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line 2 (page 161) - the slab measurement seems to be written as 3" wide, but should be 3 feet |
| gb0551ms-36-35-161 |
[Page] 160A
[Continued from page 160]
from 1'.5" to 3'.2". Behind the two central pillars
the passage, gradually widening to 2', extends
to the chamber with a total length of 9'.
The chamber has been similar to that in the
foregoing cairn, has been rectangular,
some 7'.6" in length, and closed at both ends.
The roof is gone, but as in the previous in:
:stance, the slab closing the front is slightly
lower in elevation than that at the back. Along each side extends
a massive block some 7' to 8' in length
which has formed the lower part of the
sides, the superstructure having been entirely
removed. ( plan & photos )
Returning to Creetown I gave Adam
Birrell his dinner at the hotel & thereafter
under his guidance passed the afternoon.
[Margin] White Cairn
Situated at the upper side of a cultivated
field some 250 to 300 yds [yards] S. [South] of the farm
of Chapelton is a grass covered circular
mound with an elevation of some 4'
and a diameter of 60' bearing the name
of the White Cairn.
[Margin] Stone Cist
On the Larg Moor about 18° S [South] of W. [West] of
the Stone circle on Glenquicken is a small
cist entire with its cover from which the
cairn has been entirely removed. It
[Continued on page 161]
[Page] 161
[Continued from page 160A]
measures interiorly 4' long by 1'.8" broad while
the covering slab measures 5'.8" by 3" [3']. Each side
has been formed by a single slab. The cist
lies with its main axis from E [East] by N. [North] to W. [West] by
S [South]. (It is suggested locally that the urn
in the British Museum from Kirkmabreck may
have come from this cist but there is no de:
:finite information to that effect.
[Margin] Stone Circle Glenquicken.
On a level grassy area not far N. [North] from a
branch of the Englishman's Burn. on the
S. [South] side of the Old Military or Corse of Slakes
Rood and some 3/4 [mile] S. [South] by W. [West] of Glenquicken Farm
is a stone circle of 28 stones encircling some:
:what to the W. [West] of the centre what appears to be
an ice borne granitic boulder 5'.9" in height
above ground and 10'.9" in circumference.
The circle has a diameter of about 51' and
is formed of boulders the highest of which is
about 3' above ground. The stones have been
placed with their broad faces along the line
of the circumference, and are set at an
average distance of from 3' to 4' apart. A
gap of 8'.7" between two boulders on the W. [West] side
suggests that a stone has been removed
at this point. A number of stones probably
gathered from the field have recently been
[Continued on page 162] |
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[Page] 162
[Continued from page 161]
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Stone Circle - Glenquicken Moor.
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Cist - Larg Moor .
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Stone Circle - Claughreid.
laid in a heap at the base of the central boulder.
(Plan & photos.) (Cole's plan in Antiquaries is
not correct.)
There is no trace of the second circle marked
on the 1" map as adjacent to the above.
In Harper's Rambles mention is made of a
Roman Encampment on Glenquicken. This is
an ancient field enclosed with a turf bank
to the SW. [South West] about 1/2 m. [mile] of the Stone circle. The
position it occupies does not in the least suggest
a defensive work.
11th May 1912.
Moved my base today fro the uncomfortable
Crown at Newton Stewart to the Ellangowan
Hotel at Creetown which I find most comfortable
and clean. All day till 4.30 I have written
up notes and after tea walked through a de:
:lightful oak wood above Casencary to the
cairn & stone setting beyond Kirkmabreck as I
doubted the complete accuracy of my plan. It was
however very correct.
12 May 1912
Sunday. Passed most of the morning getting
off arrears of correspondence. At 2.0 by appoint:
:ment I visited Adam Birrell's Cottage. His
brother showed me a magnificent pair of red
deers' horns with part of the skull attached recovered with
other two pairs from the mud banks by their
[Continued on page 162A] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-163 |
[Page] 162A
[Continued from page 162]
salmon nets. Leaving my bicycle at Burnfoot
we set out on foot for Cambret Moor.
[Margin] Stone Circle Claughreid (Unnoted.)
About 1/3 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of Claughreid farm house
at an elevation of some 700' above sea level
is a stone circle. It is in the upper half of
the third park from the house and some
forty yds. [yards] distant from the dyke that forms
the boundary 'on the SE [South East]. The monument
consists of 9 stones surrounding a large
central granitic boulder, probably ice borne
to its present position, measuring superficially
5'.5" by 3'.8", & 2'.1" in elevation above ground.
The stones in the circumference are small
granitic boulders, the highest of which does
not extend more than 2' above ground, set
with fair regularity at an average distance
of about 9'.4" apart. The diameter of the
Circle has been about 30' within the stones.
(Plan & photos) There is no trace of any
cairn in the vicinity.
[Margin] Anwoth Par [Parish]
Cairns & Stone Circles Cauldside.
In the flat ground at Cauldside
which intervenes between the base of
Cambret Hill on the W. [West] and the lower NW. [North West]
slopes of Cairnharrow on the E. [East] are the
remains of a remarkable group of monu:
:ments at an elevation of 600' over sea level.
[Continued on page 163]
[Page] 163
[Continued from page 162A]
Some __ yds [yards] to the SE. [South East] of the dyke which marks
the boundary between the parishes of Kirkmabreck
and Anwoth and about 1 1/4 [mile] WSW. [West South West] of the Glen
is a cairn with a diameter of some 63' and
elevation of about 10'. Exposed on the summit
is a short cist, formed of four slabs, measuring
some 3' in length and breadth by 2'.8" in depth
and having its lowest level at 5'.6" from the
present summit level of the cairn thus indicating
its secondary character. It lies with its
main axis E & W [East and West]. (see plan.) Immediately
to the Southward of the Cairn and with
the nearest stone 16'.6" distant from it are
the remains of a large stone circle of
which ten stones now remain in situ. These
stones are thinnish slabs
for the most part pointed to the upper extremity, set with
their broad faces in the line of the circumference,
the highest measuring 4' in height by 3' in
breadth and none of the others extending more
that 2' above the ground level. The area
enclosed by & in the vicinity of the circle has
been much dug for turf or peats and many
of the stones on the E. [East] semicircle have been
removed. The stones nearest to each other
in the circumference are from 4' to 6' apart.
[Continued on page 164] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-164 |
[Page] 164
[Continued from page 163]
[Opposite page photograph inserted] William Birrell with Red deer horns found in the Cree.
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
The diameter has been about __ (Plan & photo)
About 150 yds. [yards] to the Northward of the above
described cairn are the foundations of another
in which there is exposed, somewhat towards
the S. [South] side, a megalithic cist sunk in the
ground about 4'.5" in length but of indefinite
breadth with its main axis WSW [West South West] and ENE [East North East]. The covering stone lies displaced on
the top and one of the side slabs has been
removed. The diameter of the cairn has
been about 40'. Immediately to the S. [South] of it
also as in the previous instance there
appears to have been a stone circle of which
only two stones, thinnish slabs seemingly
placed with their broad faces at right angles
to the line of the circumference, now remain
the one upright and other much tilted and
sunk in the peat.
From some 200 yds. [yards] due E. [East] of the first cairn
along the slope of the hillside for about
300 yds. [yards] stretch a number of smaller cairns.
One of the largest of these situated at the W. [West]
end of the group is an elongated oval in
form measuring 25' by 13', having its longest
axis NE [North East] and SW. [South West] and rising some 3' in
elevation. The most Easterly is also large
for the class of cairn measuring some 20' in diameter
[Continued on page 165] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-165 |
[Page] 165
[Continued from page 164]
The group lies at an elevation of some 700'
above sea level in a secluded glen.
[Margin] Rock Sculptures Cambret Moor
On the Eastern slope of Cambret Moor towards
its base and some 400 yds. [yards] NNW. [North North West] of the large
Cairn at Cauldside across the parish boundary
& in Anwoth parish, is a large detached block
of whinstone measuring superficially 4'.3"
by 3'8" by 1'.2" in thickness sculptured with
cup and ring marks. There are only two
figures on the stone; one of unusual dimen:
:sions measuring 23 inches across consists
of a cup mark surrounded by a ring from
which a groove is carried in a curve towards
the outer limit of the figure. Beyond the
inner ring five other encircling rings
are carried
spirally around the central cup & ring, the
continuity of each broken by the radial groove,
while a sixth apparently opening on the groove
is carried only half way round. Almost
contiguous is a second figure, much more
worn, consisting of a cup surrounded bv
two rings.
13th May 1912.
I have secured the services of a Manxman
Cowell for assistant, a carpenter out of work but
[Continued on page 166] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-166 |
[Page] 166
[Continued from page 165]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
a superior individual.
[Margin] Carsluith Castle
Carsluith Castle stands between the road & the shore
crowded round with farm buildings. It is a fine
example of mid-16th century architecture and merits
some attention at present denied to it. It belongs
to Colonel Hannay & through Lady Maxwell of Car:
:doness I have suggested the advisability of offering
it to the Office of Works. Above the doorway
is a carved panel within a frame bearing a shield
charged with a chevron between three fleur de lys
surrounded by a circular scroll carved with a
motto, now almost effaced but of which the letters
S DOM --S FO-- are still legible At the top
of the panel has been a date 156-
[Margin] Cross slab (fragment)
On the W. [West] jamb of the door which leads from
the farm Court to the W. [West] side of the Castle
is a fragment of an ancient grave slab of
red sandstone measuring 1'.3" by 1'.4" by 5"
whereon is carved a [small sketch of chalice inserted here] chalice and one
arm of a cross expanding outwards
[Margin] Caerclach Mote.
Kirkclaugh or Caerclach Mote is situated at
the edge of the cliffs some 6 1/2 ms. [miles] to the South
East of Creetown. The site is a remarkable
one on the crest of bold precipitous cliffs which
rise from 80' to 100' above the shoreline to sea:
:ward and on the Eastern flank, indented
[Continued on page 166a] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-167 |
[Page] 166a
[Continued from page 166]
in the former direction by two deep chasms separated
by a tongue of rock which projects some 50' to 60'
out from the base of the mote hill . Above this
the hillock rises to a height of about 22'. The
summit is fairly level and foursided,
the side towards the sea on the S. [South] alone
being irregular in direction. The plateau
measures superficially some 58' by 64'. At base
it is surrounded except where protected
by the edge of the cliffs on the S. [South] by a ditch with an
average breadth of 45' on the W. [West] and N. [North], and
53 on the E. [East],
and with a general depth of 16' from the top of
the counterscarp and (?) 22' from the summit
of the mote hill. Between this ditch and
an outer ditch which passes from the SE [South East] angle of the mote-
-hill round to a natural hollow running down to the shingle on the
NW. [North West], there lies parallel with the N. [North] and W. [West]
sides of the Mote hill, a base court varying
from 40' to 50' in breadth. flanked On the W. [West]
by the steep cliffs. From the base
court a roadway, blocking the E [East] end of the
inner ditch, leads onto the Mote hill, and
a similar roadway passes over the outer
ditch into the base court from the N [North]. On
the right of the entrance to the latter there is
[Continued on page 167]
[Page] 167
[Continued from page 166a]
a circular hollow with a depth of about 2' and
a diameter of about 12' which may indicate the
position of a guard house. The foundations of a
wall are to be seen around the outer edge of
the base court as well as on the sides of the
road ways and a mass of dry built masonry projects
into the natural hollow with which the outer ditch
merges, before it opens on the shingle leaving
a track between its termination and the opposite
wall of the hollow which appears to have been
built. (I spent a lot of time planning
this construction but my plan differs much
from that of Mr. Coles and I shall send Watson
to check it and make sections.)
[Margin] Kirkclaugh Stone Cross.
At the edge of a shrubbery some 60' E. [East] of
Kirkclaugh house stands the cross slab which
formerly stood on the outer rampart on the
NE. [North East] of the Mote of Kirkclaugh. It is sculptured
on both faces On the front is a cross the
side arms of which measure 7" and 9" respectively
in length, the upper arm 14" and the lower
arm 6": all expand slightly to the extremities.
To one side of the centre is a small boss
surrounded by an ornamental ring and
another small boss appears on the lower
arm towards the right side. This cross
[Continued on page 167a] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-168 |
[Page] 167a
[Continued from page 167]
head is placed upon a shouldered incised
stem occupying the breadth of the stone 1'.7½"
which has been enriched with an ornament
of triangular bosses produced by a series
of vertical and diagonal grooves. On
the back of the stone which is slightly
convex is a tall Latin Cross with a shaft
3'.9" in length. The whole height of
the stone above ground is 5'. The background
has been reduced with a pick. (Photo & rubbing.)
[Margin] Cup Marked stone. Kirkclaugh.
Built into the washing shed at the stables
at Kirkclaugh on the interior of the N. [North]
wall just below the roof is a fragmentary slab
of red sandstone measuring across the
centre some 7" by 16" on which are a
number of cup & ring marks of unusual design
and all connected with one another by grooves
( see rubbing.)
[Margin] Cup Marked Rock. Mossyard.
In a field adjoining the shore about (?) 1/4 m. [mile]
WSW. [West South West] of Mossyard farm at a point where a
stile leads over the field wall to the rocks is
a narrow wedge shaped mass of rock some
6' in length sculptured on its flat upper surface.
At its broad end is a single cup surrounded
by five concentric rings and having a
groove leading out of it towards the E [East]. From the outer
[Continued on page 168]
[Page] 168
[Continued from page 167a]
ring on S [South] side two adjacent parallel grooves
pass at right angles to the edge of the rock and
reappear for a short distance at the edge some 12"
higher up the stone while at the N. [North] side of the
figure opposite the point of departure possibly the
return of one of the groove is apparent entering the
outer ring near its termination and some 4"
higher there is a slight indication of the junction
of the other. The remains suggest that the princi:
:pal cup & ring marking has originally been con:
:tained within a double oval now destroyed by
the fracturing of the stone. (Photo & rubbing )
On two flat outcropping surfaces to the
NE . [North East] appear some other very faint figures.
[Margin] Newton Standing Stones
In a grass field about 1/2 m [mile] SW. [South West] of Newton
is a group of four pillars forming an oblong
rectangular figure measuring some 7' by 3'. Two
of the pillars remain vertical One at the NE [North East] measuring
4'.11" in height 1'.7" in breadth and 10" in thickness
[Margin] 96° Mag [Magnetic]
[Margin - sketch inserted of plan of Standing Stones]
the other at the SE. [South East] end is 5'.4" in height, 1'.5"
in breadth and 10" in thickness , of the remaining
pillars one is slightly tilted and the other
lies at an angle of about 45° to the ground.
The ends between the pillars are closed by
low slabs 2'.3" and 2'.8" in breadth the highest
of which protrudes about 1'.8" above ground.
[Continued on page 168A] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-169 |
[Page] 168A
[Continued from page 168]
On the N. [North] side between the two upright pillars a thick
slab, squarish in section just shows at ground level.
This appears to have been the chamber of a
cairn the superstructure of which has been
entirely eradicated.
14th May 1912.
Set out early to visit certain forts on the
Coast between Gatehouse & Kirkcudbright
not overtaken last autumn. Bicycled past
Cardoness Castle and crossed the Fleet by
a wooden bridge then on the advice of my
assistant taking devious ways by farm roads
&c., which did not save time, to Knockbrex. I was
able, however, to make enquiries regarding the
underground "dwellings" reported as being on
the islands off Knockbrex and satisfied myself
that they were only smuggler's caves and
not worth a visit.
[Margin] Fort. Knockbrex.
Immediately to the E [East] of the gardener's house
at Knockbrex, which is approached by a
short roadway opening off the high road
opposite the S. [South] entrance to Knockbrex, is
a fort fashioned out of a long narrow
ridge by the formation of double trenches with
intervening ramparts across the
ridge at either end of the enclosure.
The main axis lies NE . [North East] and SW. [South West], along
[Continued on page 169]
[Page] 169
[Continued from page 168A]
which the enceinte measures about 100' and at
right angles to it near the centre 65'. From the
bottom of the ridge on the NW. [North West] side there is a
steep inclination of about 30' and on the
opposite side a rise of about 8'. The remains
of stone work are visible at the edge of the
scarp around the interior . At the S. [South]
corner a roadway some 10' wide opens on a
hollow in the interior around the inner
side of which there appears to be some
stonework. At the NE [North East] end the trenches are
some 20' in width and 8' and 11' in depth
while at the SW. [South West] they are about 26' in width
and 6' and 5'.3" in depth below the summit
level .
[Margin] Broch-like Structure. Kirkandrews.
This structure was excavated in 1906 by Mr
Brown of Knockbrex under the supervision of
the late Mr. Barbour whose plan and description
appear to be quite accurate and probably
cannot be improved on. ( see Pro.gs. [Proceedings] 1907. p. [page] 68 Vol. [Volume] 41)
Leaving our bicycles at Kirkandrews I had a
look at the stones in the old churchyard. One
took my fancy. It bore two nude figures, of
singular hideousness, hand-in-hand representing
a parent and child while beneath them
was the following doggerel verse.
[Continued on page 169A] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-169a |
[Page] 169 A
[Continued from page 169]
"weep not for us
Our race is run:
It was the Lord
His will be dun".
Earlier in the day I revisited Anwoth church
& again took a photo of the tablet over the
tomb of Bell of Arkland showing a man
in bed being stabbed by death.
The inscription which has either been recut or
is on a slab of later date than the rest of
the monument ruins.
"Monumentum Sepulchrale
Johannis Bell de Archlands
Pallida mors æqua pede pulsat
pauperum cabernas Regumque turres
Post orbitum benefacta manent æternaque virtus
omnia prætereunt prætur amate Deum."
I also photographed another charming stone
with winged cherub heads at the angles.
From Kirkandrews I walked Eastward
along the top of the cliffs, in a scorching
sun, over dry grassy slopes covered with
wild scyllas to a small fort beyond the Meikle
Pinnacle - a jagged outstanding mass of rock.
[Margin] Borgue Par [Parish] Fort. Doo Cave.
On the edge of high precipitous cliffs with
an elevation of about 100' & situated about
[continued on page 170] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-170 |
[Page] 170
[Continued from page 169A]
1/4 m. [mile] S. [South] by W. [West] of Muncraig Farm is a small semi:
:circular fort. The interior measures along its
base at the edge of the cliff some 68' and
at right angles to the front 66': From the cliff
face on either flank there passes round to the
Northward a well defined trench with an average
width of 18' on the E [East] and somewhat more on the W. [West] These two segments of entrenchment
extend on the W. [West] side for 40' and on the E. [East]
for 74' and are separated by a flat interspace
of 20' which has formed the access to the
interior. Crossing the E. [East] ditch about 10' E. [East] of this
entrance is a low bank. Outside of the ditch
is a bold rampart with a breadth at base
where greatest & that on the N E. [North East] of some 22' - 27'
[Margin] Borgue Par [Parish]
Fort near Meikle [Pinnacle] (Site)
On a slight rocky ridge about 1/4 m [mile] to the
NNW [North North West] of the last and about 1/3 m. [mile] WSW. [West South West] of
Muncraig the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a fort but so
slight are the existing remains that it
may be recorded as a site. A fragment
of a trench opening on the face of a steep
natural scarp on the SE. [South East] face of the
ridge is almost the only indication of a
defensive work.
[Margin] Borge Par [Parish]
Barnheugh Fort.
Occupying the summit of a grassy height
of 196 elevation above sea level, about 1/4 back
from the coast and 1/2 m. [mile] due S. [South] of Kirkandrews |
|
| gb0551ms-36-35-170a |
[Page] 170a
[Photograph inserted, of Bell of Arkland tomb described on page 169A, over text for page 170] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-171 |
[Page] 171
Diagram.
[Sketch inserted (Hill Fort, Barnheugh)] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-172 |
[Page] 172
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Broch-like Structure Kirkandrews
[Margin] Borgue.
Roberton Mote
This mote hill rises abruptly from the left
bank of the Pulwhirrin Burn about 1/4 m. [mile] E by N. [East by North]
of Roberton & equally near a place bearing the significant name of Ingleston. The lower portion of the hilloch
appears to be natural rock on the top of which
the mound has been made up and levelled .
with an elevation of from 18' to 20'
above the bottom of the ditch. In form it is
a truncated ellipse, with its longest axis
almost E [East] & W. [West], straight along the W. [West] end and
curved at the E [East]. Its superficial measurements
are 91' by 44'. From a point 6' in elevation
above the bed of the burn on the NE. [North East] a
deep trench, with a depth of about 10' below the
counterscarp and a width of from 40' - 50'
is carried round to the SW [South West] where a
hollow leads up and out of it, and is thence
continued with a return to the edge of the
burn cut through rock.
[Margin] Borgue
Barmagachan Mote.
This small Mote is situated in a
wood about 100 yds. [yards] SSE. [South South East] of the farm house
of Barmagachan with the road to Borgue
from Gatehouse on the NE [North East] and a small stream
on the E [East]. It is a simple truncated cone in
form with an elevation of about 20' and summit
diameter of 60' and 54'. A low circular
bank about 5' wide passes around the summit,
[Continued on Page 173] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-173 |
[Page] 173
[Continued from page 172]
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Fleet Bay .
with a slight hollow some 3'.6" wide on its inner
side containing a circular area
with a diameter of 37'. The roadway has
destroyed any defences that may have been
erected on that side but at the base of the
mound in the opposite direction there is a
short segment of a trench some 18' in width
and 5' in depth below the counterscarp.
It was 6.45 before I finished my examination of
this mote and I had nearly 20 miles to ride back
to mine inn. I said good day to my assistant
so that he might take his time, covered the distance
to Gatehouse in about half an hour, stopped there
5 mins [minutes] & swallowed a jug full of milk and
did my remaining 12 miles to Creetown
in 65 mins. [minutes] getting home for dinner at 8.25
15th May 1912.
Under a wooden shelter to the W. [West] of the
garden at Cardoness House are preserved
two cup marked stones. The smaller of the
two brought from the farm of Laggan
some years ago where it was found on "a stony
thorny, whin grown slope near the base of
Laggan Hill almost exactly 660' WNW. [West North West] of
the standing stones of Newton" It is a
block of whinstone pointed to one end whereon
are sculptured three cup marks, two surrounded
[Continued on Page 174] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-174 |
|
The two photographs appear as Fig. 17 and 19 in the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914) |
| gb0551ms-36-35-174 |
[Page] 174
[Continued from page 173]
[Opposite page 2 x photographs inserted]
by four concentric rings and the other by
five. Instead of a radial groove running
from the central cup the ordinary style has
been reversed and a tongue has been left
passing outward between the open ends of the
rings. In each case the direction of the
opening is the same. (Rubbing & Photo) ( Mr. Coles' drawing of
this stone is inaccurate.). The other
stone is a squarish block. measuring 3' x 3'.4"
sculptured with very various designs, brought
from Auchenlarie many years ago and
illustrated by Sir J. Y. Simpson. (See photo )
[Margin] Crosses.
Some 20' to the Northward of the present position
of the sculptured stones stand the two sculptured
standing stones brought from the stone circle
on High Auchenlarie. The crosses are
both picked out & may be described from
my photos, Stuarts Sculptured stones, or the
Early Christ. Mons. [Christian Monuments (of Scotland)]. One stone measures 5'.9"
by 1'.4" by 11". the other 5'.8" by 12" x 12".
[Margin] Lower Laggan Cottage.
At Lower Laggan Cottage, situated on the
S. [South] side of the road from Creetown to Gatehouse
about 1/4 m. [mile] beyond the 13th. milestone from Newton
Stewart there are preserved broken in three pieces of a thin angular block
of whinstone measuring 2' x 1'.6". found built
into a dyke on Upper Laggan Hill and sculptured
[Continued on Page 175] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-175 |
[Page] 175
[Continued from page 174]
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Cup & Ring Mark. Mossyard p. [page] 168a,
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Standing Stones of Newton p. [page] 168.
with 17 cup marks all but 5 of which are surrounded
by single rings and for the most part connected by channels .
(See photos & rubbing.)
[Margin] Stone Circle High Auchenlarie
At the upper side of a cultivated field adjoining
the moorland about 1/4 m. [mile] ENE. [East North East] of the farm
house of High Auchenlarie are the remains of
a stone circle associated with the site of a
cairn. The stones are very irregularly placed
two of them are fallen, and two in rear of
the site of the cairn merely protrude above the
ground. It is difficult therefore to determine
what has been the original condition of
this monument. The two sculptured stones
in the garden at Cardoness are said to
have been taken from it. The site of the Cairn which
appears to lie within the setting seems to have
measured about 22 [feet] in diameter (Plan & photo)
About 51' SW. [South West] of the tallest stone in the setting
is a rock sculpturing on an exposed rock
face partially hidden by turf. It consists of
two encircled cup marks each with a radial
groove, and of several smaller cups to some
extent connected by channels. It bears some
resemblance to the stone at Kirkclaugh House
Mr. Coles illustrates a stone Bardriston but
enquiry there failed to elicit information of its existence
[continued on page 176] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-176 |
|
line 3 - assumed to be mis-spelt 'eminence', although the 'i' is either missing or the 'm' has been written as an 'n' |
| gb0551ms-36-35-176 |
[Page] 176
[continued from page 175]
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Kirkclaugh Cross p. [page] 167.
[Opposite page photograph inserted] Fleet Bay
[Margin] Cairn High Auchenlarie
On a high rough pasture field which at
some remote time has been under cultivation
on a slight eminence and about 1/2 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West]
of High Auchenlarie is a cairn some 2/3rds of which
have been removed but in which the interment
probably remains undisturbed. Its longest axis
lies NE [North East] to SW. [South West] and it has measured in diameter
72' by 80'. The greatest height is now about 10'.
[Margin] Rock Sculptures Cairnholy.
On the farm of Cairnholy are three examples
of rock sculpturing one on an outcrop of
rock and two on detached blocks.
The first occurs in a low lying meadow
about 1/3 m. [mile] to the NNW. [North North West] of the farm buildings
on a mass of rock adjacent to a dyke that
forms the W. [West] boundary of the field and
some 350 yds. [yards] ENE. [East North East] of the farm of Kirkmuir.
It consists of a few much worn cup & ring
marks on the upper surface of the rock.
In the same field near the central line
and about 100 yds. [yards] from the N. [North] end also 30
yds. [yards] N. [North] of a large heap of stones lies a
block of whinstone, rectangular in section
measuring 5'.3" in length by 2' in breadth
and 14" or thereby in depth on the upper surface
of which are a number of faint cup & ring
markings. This is just such a block as
might have been in a stone circle but there
[Continued on Page 177] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-177 |
[Page] 177
[Continued from page 176]
definite remains of such a monument adjacent
(The markings may be described from the rubbing.)
The third example is on the upper surface of
a somewhat cubic block of whinstone rock
containing about three cubic feet ploughed up
in the field about 400yds [yards] NE. [North East] of the farm house.
The single figure which occupies the greater
part of the surface consists of a single cup
surrounded by ? six concentric rings, traversed
by a radial groove. (Check from rubbing)
[Margin] Cairn Cairnholy
In the park adjoining the farm steading on
the E [East] and about __ yds. [yards] distant is a circular cairn much
dilapidated measuring some 50 ft. [feet] in diameter
and from 5' to 6' in elevation
16th. May 1912.
A very stormy day. Adam Birrell called
for me about 9.30 to pilot me to various
objects he knew of and for which he had
taken a day off work. After stopping at the
Glenquicken Circle to check my measurements
we bicycled over a very indifferent road, the
Old Military one, to Cauldside where leaving
our bicycles by the roadside we set off up
the N. [North] end of Cairnharrow.
Anwoth
Rock Sculpture Cairn harrow Unnoted
At an elevation of about 800' over sea level
about 1/2 m. [mile] to the SW. [South West] of the shepherd's
house at Cauldside and some 200 yds. [yards]
[Continued on Page 178] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-178 |
[Page] 178
[Continued from page 177]
NE . [North East] of a modern cairn on the E. [East] spur of
Cairnharrow is an angular piece of rock
5'.6" in length by 2'.3" in breadth projecting
with a point towards the ENE. [East North East] on the level upper
surface of which is a group of rock sculpturings
consisting of (see rubbing )
This rock is about 3/4 m. [mile] E. [East] of the cairns & stone circle & within sight of them.
[Margin] Anwoth
Hut Circle Cairn harrow. (Unnoted)
Some 300 yds. [yards] to the W. [West] of the cup marked
rock at a slightly lower elevation and on
a low grassy ridge is the distinct outline
of a hut circle. It has been entered from S [South] by E [East]
and has measured in the interior along its longest diameter
which is from the entrance to the back opposite
27'. - as the outline on the E [East] is somewhat indefinite
the measurement across is omitted.
Birrell knows of the existence of another
cup-marked rock on Cambret moor to the N. [North]
of the cairns but was unable to locate it
[Margin] Anwoth
Rock Sculptures Lagganmullin (Unnoted)
About 100 yds. [yards] due S. [South] of Lagganmullan
steading at the edge of a field on the E. [East]
side of a dyke and some 40' up from the
[Continued on Page 179] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-178 |
|
3 lines from bottom - looks like Lagganmullan has been (correctly) corrected from Lagganmullin, although it is not very clear and there is a dot above to the right. |
| gb0551ms-36-35-179 |
[Page] 179
[Continued from page 178]
gate into the field is a group
of rock sculpturings from time to time ex:
:posed in ploughing but at present covered by
soil . (They are known both to Adam
Birrell and to the shepherd at Cauldside.)
[Margin] Kirkmabreck Par [Parish]
Doon of Carsluith. (unnoted)
A conspicuous ridge lying with its main
axis N. [North] and S. [South] overlooking Carsluith Castle,
and terminating in a bold rugged front to
the Southward bears on its summit some 500' above sea level the
not inconsiderable remains of fortification.
The situation is by nature strongly defended
the hill rising steeply on the W. [West] to a height
of 60' to 80' above the regular slope of the brae
to shoreward, and on the E [East] cut off from
the adjacent hill-top by a narrow glen
some 30' in depth known as the Nick of Doon
and very noticeable from the shore road below.
The rising crest of the ridge from the
Northward has been crossed from flank to flank by a stone
wall some 8' in thickness but now in great
measure removed, Some 36' in rear of
it near the centre of its course and with a gradual
convergence to the Eastward rises a bold
rampart the inner defence some 16' in thickness at base,
which has probably been surmounted by
an inner wall. Along the steep flanks this
[Continued on Page 1, Volume 4 (Curle Diary 10)] |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-180 |
[Page 180]
4
A.
Auchencairn -- 18, 20
Auchenfad Fort -- 21
Airds Hill Fort -- 22
Arbigland -- 24
Abbey Fell -- 28
Anwoth - Mote at, -- 106
Anwoth Churchyard. -- 169A, 106 |
|
| gb0551ms-36-35-181 |
|
Ben Tuther has been corrected to Ben Tudor in the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914), but appears in the OS name books for Kirkudbrightshire as Bentuther (OS1/20/136/41).
Bargratton seems to be an error - it is Bargatton in the OS name books of Kirkcudbrightshire (OS1/20/107/19), as well as present-day maps and the spelling has been corrected in the 'Fifth Report and Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in Galloway, Volume 2, County of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright' (1914).
Borness Batterings is incorrect - it seems to be correctly written as Borness Batteries on p.129 and this is the name on modern OS Maps and in the OS name books for Kirkcudbrightshire (OS1/20/157/16).
Cumpstoun has been correctly written as Cumstoun on p.132
Clauchreid is a mistake - it is correctly written as Claughreid on p.162A
Craig Raploch is written as Craigraploch in the body of text on p.86 and in the OS name books for Kirkcudbrightshire (OS1/20/159/35) |
| gb0551ms-36-35-181 |
[Page 181]
B.
Bombie -- 13.
Ben Tudor -- 18.
Ben Tuther -- 19.
Brough (The - (Southwick.) -- 25.
Boreland Burn -- 27.
Barlocco Bay -- 33.
Black Water of Dee - -- 45.
Barend Fort -- 62.
Boreland Mote Hill -- 66
Boreland Fort . -- 67.
Bargratton. -- 80.
Boreland of Parton . -- 94. 81.
Boreland of Colvend -- 89.
Barcloy Fort. -- 90.
Barstobric Hill -- 96.
Barnbarroch -- 98.
Boreland of Gelston. -- 101.
Balig Fort. -- 110.
Blackhill Cottage - Rock Surface, -- 117.
Burrow Head. -- 117.
Balmae. -- 122. 120.
Balmae House. -- 122. 121
Borness Batterings [Batteries] -- 129.
Borness - Bone Cave at, -- 130.
Borgue Churchyard -- 130.
Brockcleugh - Moat at, -- 138.
Boreland Cairn. -- 149.
Bagbie -- 154.
Barnheugh Fort. -- 170.
Barnagachan. Mote. -- 172.
Bardriston. -- 175.
C.
Culdoach Mote . -- 7.
Corra Hill -- 10.
Colvend -- 24
Clawbelly Hill -- 29.
Castle Muir. Fort -- 33.
Castle Yards. -- 36.
Crossmichael Church. -- 56.
Castle Creavie. -- 57.
Cumstounend -- 65.
Conchieton. -- 68.
Courthill. -- 70.
Castle Gower Fort. -- 73.
Craig Hill - Lochengower -- 75.
Craig Raploch Fort. -- 86.
Colvend Church Yard -- 89.
Castle Hill - Tongland -- 97.
Camp Hill - Milton Park. -- 101.
Castramont House - Fort at. -- 104.
Cardoness Castle. -- 107
Crossmichael Church - Bell of, -- 109a
Clauchandolly, -- 126.
Cumpstoun House. -- 132, 131
Carse Mote. -- 133.
Castle Fergus - Site of -- 137
Cairnholy -- 177, 176, 158.
Chapelton, White Cairn at -- 160A
Clauchreid -- 162A
Cauldside. -- 177, 162A
Cambret Moor. -- 165.
Carsluith Castle -- 166.
Caerclach or Kirkclaugh Mote. -- 166.
Cardoness House. -- 173.
Cairnharrow. -- 178, 177. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-182 |
[Page 182]
71
D.
Dullarg. -- 1.
Dildawn. -- 2.
Dougan. -- 10.
Dungarry Fort -- 18.
Dunguile Fort. -- 38
Deils Dyke. -- 44.
Drumcoltran. -- 54
Doon. Twynholm -- 68.
Dunnance Mote. -- 76.
Dundrennan. -- 85.
Ditch The. Gelston. -- 101.
Dunrod Fort. -- 114.
Dunrod Church. -- 114
Dunrod Churchyard. -- 115.
Drummore Fort. -- 117.
Drummore Stone Circle at, -- 120.
Doon, - Nun Mill. -- 125.
Dundrennan Abbey. -- 133.
Drannandow. Cairn at, -- 144A
Drannandow Stone Circle. -- 145.
Drumfern -- 145A.
Drumwhirn Cairn. -- 148.
Dirk Hatteraick's Cave -- 155.
Doo Cave. Fort at -- 169A.
Doon of Carsluith. -- 179.
E.
Edingham Mote -- 55.
Ernespie -- 69.
Edgarton Mote. -- 77. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-183 |
[Page 183]
F.
G.
Glenswinton Cairn. -- 2.
Gillfoot of Netherthird -- 4.
Galtway Hill --- 114, 16, 112,
Glennap - Fort. -- 85.
Giants Dyke -- 96.
Gelston -- 101.
Greenlaw Cairn. -- 109.
Grange, The, Sculpturings at, -- 116.
Gilroannie [Gillroanie] - Rock Surface. -- 117
Galtway - Cup Marks. -- 140
Galtway Churchyard. -- 141.
Glenquicken -- 162, 161. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-184 |
[Page 184]
H.
High Banks. -- 15.
High Barend. -- 84.
Heugh of Laggan Fort. -- 88.
Hopehead -- 101.
High Auchenlarie. -- 176, 175, 174.
I.
Ingleston Fort. -- 37.
Ingleston Mote -- 41.
J. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-185 |
[Page 185]
K.
Kirkcormack Church -- 3.
Kelton. -- 6.
Kennans Isle -- 8.
Kells Churchyard -- 47.
Kirkgunzeon -- 52.
Kirkcarswell Fort. -- 60, 114.
Kirkcarswell Mote -- 62.
Kirkchrist Mote. -- 64.
Kirkinnan -- 70.
Kirkconnel - Carved Stones. -- 95.
Kirkconnel Cairn -- 97.
Knockshinnie, Cup marks, -- 122
Kirkland Fort. -- 141.
Kirkland of Parton Mote. -- 108.
Knockman Wood. -- 148.
Kirkmabreck Church. -- 154
Kirkmuir. -- 156
Kirkmabreck -- 162
Kirkclaugh or Caerclach. Mote. -- 166.
Kirkclaugh. -- 167A, 167.
Knockbrex. -- 168A.
Kirkandrews. -- 169.
L
Little Merkland -- 1.
Little Sypland -- 10
Little Firth head. -- 56.
Little Duchra. -- 75.
Lochengower. -- 75.
Lairdmannoch -- 95.
Little Richorn -- 98.
Law Milton -- 116.
Little Balmae. -- 120.
Little Ross Island. -- 127.
Little Stockerton. -- 139.
Larg Moor. -- 160A.
Laggan. -- 173.
Lower Laggan Cottage. -- 174.
Lagganmullin. -- 178. |
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| gb0551ms-36-35-186 |
[Page 186]
M.
Meikle Sypland -- 12.
Meikle Knox -- 70.
Mark Mote -- 92.
Moyle The - Barnbarroch. -- 98.
Milton Park. -- 115, 101.
Milton Cottage - Fort at, -- 113.
Milton Forts. --- 111, 112.
Manor Castle - Site of, -- 128.
Meikle Ross. -- 128.
Mullock. -- 142.
Minnigaff Church, Mote near, -- 152
Mossyard. -- 167A.
Meikle Pinnacle. -- 170.
Mc.
McCullochs Castle -- 24. |
|
| gb0551ms-36-35-187 |
[Page 187]
N.
Netherthird -- 5.
Nether Loch -- 10.
Nether Linkins -- 17.
Nether Hazelfield Fort. -- 32.
Nethertown of Almorness -- 71.
Newlaw Hill. -- 82.
North Milton Forts. -- 111, 112,
Netherlaw Point. -- 117.
Nun Mill. -- 125.
"The Nappers". -- 145A.
Newton. -- 168.
O.
Orchardton Tower. -- 72. |
|
| gb0551ms-36-35-188 |
[Page 188]
P.
Park - Stone Circle -- 9.
Preston Cross . -- 23.
Port Mary. -- 36
Port o' Warren Fort . -- 88.
Polchrie Mote. -- 10
Q |
|
| gb0551ms-36-35-189 |
[Page 189]
R.
Rough Tongue of Bombie. -- 15.
Rascarrel Bay -- 32.
Rerwick. -- 34.
Rigg of Drumwher. -- 44.
Red Castle Standing stone -- 56
Rusco Castle. -- 103
Rusko House, Heraldic Stone at, -- 105
Ross View, Balmae - Cup Marks, -- 120.
Ross Bay. -- 128.
Roberton Mote -- 172
S.
Sypland -- 10.
Southwick -- 29. 24.
Slewcairn -- 26.
Suie Fort -- 30.
Spouty Dennans Fort. -- 35.
Slack Heugh. -- 128.
South Park, Fort -- 129.
Senwick Churchyard. -- 130
St Mary's Isle. -- 130.
St Cuthberts Churchyard. -- 134, 131, 142. |
|
| gb0551ms-36-35-190 |
[Page 190]
T.
Tongland Church -- 8.
Tarkirra fort. -- 52.
Townhead. -- 115, 108.
Torrs - Rock Sculptures. -- 124, 123.
Tongland Bridge. -- 133.
The Nappers, Cairn at -- 145A
"The Thieves Stanes", Drannandow, -- 146A
U.
Upper Drummall - Cairns at, -- 108.
Upper Carse. -- 133 |
|
| gb0551ms-36-35-191 |
[Page 191]
V.
W.
Whinny liggits fort -- 11.
Wraiths Plantation Fort. -- 19.
White Cairn -- 160A, 44.
West Kirkcarswell Fort -- 60, 114.
West Barcloy Fort -- 90.
West Torrs - Fort site, -- 124.
"Wallace's Camp." -- 151. |
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