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Volume No: 7
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Sunday, 7th May 1911. Glendarroch, Kirkcowan.
Here we arrived late on Friday afternoon
to undertake the survey of the ancient
monuments of Galloway. Glendarroch is
a shooting lodge on Craighlaw Estate, the
original part of which was brought over from
Norway and is of wood, as also are the wings
which have been later additions. A stone-
throw in front of the door lies a little
loch with tall bullrushes nodding by its
margin at one end, and rhododendrons
dipping their leaves in the water at the
base of the heather clad hillock on the
other side. Moorland sprinkled with
grey boulders lies all around us, and
the call of the cuckoo and the long drawn
out whistle of the curlew are never wanting
for long. Across ten or twelve miles of
undulating country, where moor and farm
land intermingle, with here and there a
white washed farm house gleaming from
a clump of trees, lies Cairnsmoor of Fleet
along the horizon. The tones of colour
on woodland and field are something
to revel in just now. The hawthorns are
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in their full foliage and the hard little clusters
of buds just discernible bespeak a snowy
mantle a few weeks hence. The leaves on
the birches are not yet so thick that they
conceal the silver branches and purple twigs
beneath them, while the beeches have hardly
yet shed their brown leaf covers. A red tint of
soil still shows through the braird of the
corn distinguishing the arable land from the green
meadows that divide it. The loch in front
holds trout and in half an hour after tea
last night floating about with J. & M. in
the boat I landed two, the largest about
3/4 lb. [pound]. Tomorrow work commences.
8th. May 1911
Kirkcowan church
A drizzling wet morning following
a wet night. Set off for Kirkcowan on bicycle.
At the lower end of the village within the grave-
-yard are the remains of the old church consisting
solely of the E. [East] gable overgrown with ivy. There
is a doorway through it with a lintelled window
above. There do not appear to be any grave
stones of interest of date prior to 1707.
[Margin] Omit
In the S. [South] wall of the graveyard is built a
memorial slab marking the burial place
of the Gordons of Craigdee. Between an hour
glass and a skull is a shield bearing arms
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within a bordure a fess chequy between three boars
heads couped. Beneath, the initials D.G. for David
Gordon and the date 1731.
Boreland Mote.
In a small clump of trees close to the roadside
and just beyond the entrance to Boreland farm
stands Boreland Mote. It has been erected at
the edge of the low bank between which and the
Bladnoch some 30 or 40 yds. [yards] of wet ground intervenes.
The mound is surrounded by a ditch, 5’.6” at greatest
depth and some 20’ in width carried out to the
face of the bank on the N. [North] side. From the
bottom of the ditch it measures 20’ in height
and it is steeply scarped all round. The
outline of the top is now irregular having been
broken down somewhat by sheep &c. its
greatest diameter from N [North] to S [South] is 36’ and the diameter from
E. [East] to W. [West ] 25’. The surface for a depth of 3’ or 4’
is composed of sand and gravel beneath
which there appear to be stones. From the S. [South]
a bank or roadway, some 20’ in width,
has been formed for a distance of about 80 yds [yards]
and terminates at the edge of the ditch
which is shallower in front of it than else:
:where. Between the end of this approach and
the edge of the bank the ditch
seems to be filled or has
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never been excavated.
Fort Boreland Fell. (8)
On the elevated Southern end of
Boreland Fell at an elevation of about ? (250’)
are the remains of an earthwork. Two con:
:centric ramparts are visible curving round
the edge at the S. [South] about 40’ apart the inner
about 4’ in height and the outer of trifling
elevation. The site has been long under culti:
:vation and beyond the two segments mentioned
no other trace of the fort remains.
"Cairn" Spittal 15
In the angle formed by the junction
of two roads on Boreland farm opposite the cottage at Spittal
are the remains of a circular construction
of stone now reduced to a height of about
2’. It has a diameter of about 80’. On the
S. [South] a shallow trench is visible about 12’ in
width. The situation is at the foot of a slope
in cultivated land.
Stone Circle (Remains of) Boreland (14)
About 1/4 m. [mile] to the S. [South] of Boreland Farm house
in cultivated land are two boulders set
on end, 12’.6” apart which from the slightly
convergent angle at which they stand to
each other have evidently been part of a
stone circle. The higher of the stones measures
4’.9” in height, 9’.6” in circumference near the
centre and is pointed at the upper end. The
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lower stone is 3’.5” in height. The O.S. [Ordnance Survey]
marks cairns in their vicinity. (See p. [page] 6)
Kirkinner Crouse White Cairns (7)
About 120 yds [yards] E. [East] of the road and 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Crouse farm
house is a cairn much dilapidated. It measures
diametrically 90’ from N to S. [North to South] by 86’ from E. to W. [East to West]
and has a greatest elevation of about 70’. There
is no indication of its character.
Holed standing stone (13) (photos. 2)
Across the field dyke from the white cairn
and about 90’ to the S. [South] of the latter is a
standing stone, 5’ in height, pointed towards the
top, a flattened oval in Section with a circum:
:ference near the centre of 10’. At 14” from the
top and near the centre of its breadth there is a
perforation. On either face is a bowl shaped
hollow with a diameter of 9’ and a depth of like
extent connected by a circular neck
3 1/2" in diameter and 4” in length. The
stone faces N. [North] and S. [South] and is a granitic
boulder.
Defensive Enclosure (Mote) (3)
In a cultivated field 1/4 m. [mile] to the NE [North East] of
Crouse Farmhouse is a fortified site. The S. [South]
end of a natural gravelly ridge has been
cut off by a V shaped ditch, some 9’.6” in
depth and 35’ in width. The area detached has
been enclosed on all sides by similar ditches but
those on the W. [West] and S. [South] have been almost obliterated
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by cultivation. The ditch on the E. [East] is still
well preserved & is similar to that on the N. [North] The
interior area has measured about 137’ from
N. to S. [North to South], some 60’ - 70’ from E. to W. [East to West] at the N. [North] end
and about 150’ from E to W. [East to West] at the S. [South] but the
destruction of the W. [West] side of the enclosure renders
these measurements uncertain. The sides are straight
and the corners rounded.
Site of Chapel (12)
About 1/2 m. [mile] ENE [East North East] of Crouse the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks the
site of a chapel. The site is enclosed by the
remains of a low bank or wall and is almost
surrounded by marshy ground. The well is
apparent at the W [West] end.
Kirkcowan Boreland.
9th May 1911.
A lovely morning. Bicycled to
Boreland to look for the cairns missed yesterday.
Cairn
About 120 yds. [yards] S. by E. [South by East] of the farm house of Bore:
:land is a large circular cairn. It measures
in diameter 90’ from N. to S. [North to South] by 104 from E. to W. [East to West]
and has to the highest point an elevation of
about 8’. It has been considerably quarried
for stones from the top but shows no signs
of having been excavated. The cairn
marked on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] to the E. [East] of it has been
entirely removed.
Wigtown
On the end of a low rocky ridge some
300 yds. [yards] S.E. [South East] of Torhouseskie farm house and
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40 yds. [yards] or so back from the high road are
the remains of a small circular fort consisting
of two concentric stony ramparts 8’ to 9’ apart
and about 9’ in thickness encircling an area
of 42’ in diameter. The ramparts are overgrown
with turf and though seemingly formed of stone
do not disclose any sign of building on the surface.
On the W. [West] the elevation of the outer mound is
some 2’ on the outside and on the E. [East] where
the ground falls sharply away at the edge of
the ridge it is about 5’. The inner mound
has at highest an elevation of about 3’.6” to
the outside and 1’.6” to the interior. The position
of the entrance is indefinite but may possibly
have been from the S.W. [South West] where there is a break
in the outer circumference and against
and somewhat within the inner wall to the
left of it there is a suggestion of a small circular
hut. A small segment of the outer rampart
is cut off by a field dyke on the SE. [South East].
The features of this well preserved construction
are being rapidly obliterated by cartloads
of stones gathered from the fields which are
being emptied over it.
Stone circle (remains of) Torhousekie.
About 1/2 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of Torhousekie farm house
and (?) some 200 yds. [yards] NW. [North West] of the large stone circle
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[Opposite page - text and photograph inserted] Cairn Torhousekie
In a cultivated field about 1/4 m. [mile]
E By S [East by South] of Torhouseskie farm are the remains of a large
circular cairn. It appears to have been almost
entirely removed and the site used as a dumping
ground for gathered stones.
are three large pointed boulders lying prostrate
and whose bases appear to lie in the arc of a
circle. The outer stones are 7’ and 5’ apart
respectively from the central stone.
Stone Circle Torhousekie.
In the corner of a field about [--] SE [South East] of Torhouseskie
farm buildings and near the road side is a
very fine & complete stone circle consisting of nineteen
granitic boulders set on end. The
diameter within the stones varies from 61’
to 66’ and the stones are placed distances
of from 5’ to 11’ from each other in the periphery.
Those on the N. [North] side being smaller & more nearly situated
to each other than those on the E [East].
The boulders stand above ground to a height
of from 2’ to 3’ except on the SE. [South East] where there
are three of greater elevation 3’'2”, 4’'9”, and
4’ respectively. Across the interior are
three boulders set in a line a comparatively
small one in the centre of the row and
one of great bulk 2’.9” distant on either
side. The central stone is slightly tilted
but measures about 2’.10” in length above
ground by 3’ in greatest breadth. The stone
to the NE. [North East] of it is 5’.1” in length, 3’.9” in height
with an average width of about 2’. The
block at the opposite end of the row has
all the appearance of an ice borne boulder
in situ. Along its longer axis it measures 6’
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with an average breadth of 5’, and a height
of 3’.4”. The direction of the line is NE. [North East] and SW [South West]
and the centre stone of it lies slightly to the the E. [East]
of the true centre of the circle. With its extremities
resting on the outer ends of the two end
boulders of the row & containing the centre of the circle is a penannular
ring of loose stones forming a semi elipse
and
measuring interiorly some 25’ by 16’. There
are no visible signs of building but the details
have been much obscured by the interior
of the circle having been made a dumping
ground for stones gathered off the adjacent
field. The area within the
ring is not so stoney as to suggest that
it is the remains of a cairn which has
been removed.
Standing stones.
About 80’ S. [South] of the circle across the field
dyke is a boulder set on end, measuring
4’.10” in height and 11’ in circumference
near the centre. It faces toward the circle
At 20’.6” to the SW. [South West] the head of another
protrudes about 18” from the ground.
(The stone in the dyke by the roadside
in the end of which there is a basin like hollow
mentioned by the Rev. [Reverend] G. Wilson is still there.
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The hollow, however, I consider to be natural.)
Stone Circle (remains of)
On slightly rising ground about 130 yds. [yards] due
E [East] of the stone circle and on the other side
of the road are three boulders set on end
in a line slightly curving which suggests that
they are the remains of another circle. A
distance of 2’.6” separates the two outer stones
from the central one. The highest stone is 4’
in height, some 3’ in breadth and 2’ in
thickness, the second stone is of somewhat
similar dimensions and the third about
one half the size of the others.
I made very complete measurements of
the large stone circle.
The weather has become very warm &
sunny. We caught some fish in the loch
between 8.0 and 9.0 p.m. and when fishing
heard the gr'r'rr' of the nightjar which I
never heard before. (This proved to be a snipe drumming)
10th May 1911
Derskelpin Moss. On a green hillock
at the end of a long ridge which projects
Old Luce.
Southward into Derskelpin Moss the O.S. [Ordnance Survey]
marks a fort. On the summit is a circular
enclosure with an interior diameter of 30’
and a wide entrance which appears to be
an old fold but there are no remains
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which can definitely be said to be those of a fort.
Barhapple Loch. There are several islets in this
loch all partially submerged as the loch is
very full (For particulars of Crannog excavated.
See Ayr & Wigtown Arch. V. [Archaeological Collection 5])
Cairn Glengorrie (27)
On uncultivated land about 150 yds. [yards] due S. [South] of
Glengorrie farm is a small circular cairn
with a diameter of 25’ the centre of which
has been cleared out.
Barnsallie Fell (9 & 29)
Barnsallie Fell is an enclosed stretch of moor-
-land about 2 ms. [miles] SE. [South East] of Glenluce and on the
NW. [North West] of Whitefield Loch. Along the W. [West] end on
the slope of the fell just above the cultivated
land are three or four small round cairns
with a diameter of 12’ to 14’ and slight elevation.
One near the NW. [North West] corner has been excavated
and now appears as a small ring of stones.
Along the slope of the hill facing Whitefield loch
and about 150 yds. [yards] back from the shore are
two or three more low stoney mounds which
may possibly be cairns. About 150 yds. [yards] back
from the loch and some 50’ W. [West] of the plantation
wall which is march of Craigenveoch is a
well defined cairn with a diameter of 20’
and an elevation of 2’. Over its surface lie
exposed small angular stones. Some
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200 yds. [yards] back from the loch and 50’ from
the wall of the plantation surrounded by rather
wet ground is a small hut circle with an
interior diameter of 12’, having a small
segmental recess with an ?chord of about 5’ opening
off the interior on the S. [South]. The wall, which is
reduced to a trifling height, is 3’.6” in thickness
The entrance has been from the W. [West] but its details
are indistinct. Some 300 yds. [yards] NNW. [North North West] of the
spot where the plantation wall runs into the
loch on the N. [North] are the ruins of a small
circular hut which has been entered, ap:
:parently from the N. [North] and has measured
interiorly 5’ or 6’.
This has been a very hot day. The remains
of Barnsallie Fell noted on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] are of
very trifling importance and in the North could
have been barely worth notice where similar
remains occur in great abundance.
11th May 1911
Took the motor for the day and set
off to the S. [South] of Glen Luce. Very warm.
Old Luce. Challochmunn Cairn (34)
Some 200 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the farm of Challochmunn
in a grass park by the side of the Port William
road is a mound on the top of which much
small gathered stone has been heaped. It has a dia. [diameter] of
about 30’ and is marked as a cairn on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey].
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Culquhasen Cairn (36)
Immediately in rear of the farm cottages on
the N. [North] side of the branch road to Culquhasen on a
slight eminence is a large and well preserved
circular cairn measuring about 50’ and
in elevation about 6’. At one or two places on
the face stones are visible seemingly laid horizontally.
Standing Stone. Auchenmalg Bridge
In the centre of a field some 250 yds. [yards] W. [West] of
Auchenmalg bridge is a large standing
stone, pointed upwards, some 6’.9” in height
4’.3” in breadth and 2’.10” in thickness. It faces
E. by N. [East by North] and W. by S. [West by South].
Auchenmalg. Manor House
A fragmentary ruin of a rectangular two storied
building of no great antiquity Only the NE. [North East] and
SW. [South West] corners are standing. The walls have been
only from 2’ to 2’.10” in thickness. The house was
the property of the Adairs.
Auchenmalg Black Cairn
The name “Black Cairns” is locally applied to
a field on the farm of Auchenmalg & not to
the small hillock so named on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map.
High Gillespie ! Defensive Construction. "Black Cairn" (38)
About 3 furlongs WSW. [West South West] of the shepherds’ cottage
at High Gillespie on the crest of the ridge is
a small rocky knoll showing on its summit
the remains of a circular construction. Around
the edge in a circle is a tank of earth & stone
with a shallow trench on the inner side
some 5’ in width. The continuity of the
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trench is broken towards the SW. [South West] by what appears
to be an approach over it to the interior about
6’ in width. The diameter of the area contained
within the trench is about 29’. There are
irregularities on the surface in the interior
suggesting that there may have been some
further construction now demolished.
The standing stones marked on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey]
about 2 furlongs WSW. [West South West] seem to be the halves
of a large boulder probably ice borne split in two.
(Lying at the foot of the dyke at the upper
side of a field to the SE. [South East[ of Culquhasen is a
large granite block 1'.3" thick with a roughly circular
depression hollowed out of the top of it, measur:
:ing 1’.4” in diameter and 3” in depth.)
Cairn Culquhasey No. 37.
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates a cairn about 1/4 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of
Culquhasey. Owing to the cart loads of stones
gathered from the field and deposited on
every rocky eminence or uncultivable spot
it was impossible to recognise it.
Low Gillespie Standing stone. (41)
In a field along the E. [East] side of which the road
runs to Gillespie farm and about 1/4 m. [mile] SSW. [South South West]
of the farm buildings is a large round
boulder standing on end 4’.10” high and
measuring about 12’.6” in circumference
[Margin] Bronze Axes.
Having heard that the shepherd at
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High Gillespie had found some object of
interest in digging a drain I cautiously
interrogated his wife who produced three
nice socketed & looped celts of bronze all
found together on the farm 4’ below the
surface. The finder believes there were more
but did not attach any importance to them
when he found them. I got him to let me
take them away on the understanding
that Dr. [Doctor] Anderson could make him an
offer for them which he would be free to
refuse if he thought insufficient. He
was evidently pleasantly surprised when
I suggested that they might be worth £2 or £3. [£2.0.0. or £3.0.0.].
Across the Gillespie burn below the shepherd’s
house and a few hundred yards higher up
the stream on the left bank and on a
natural terrace on the side of Craignargit
Hill are a large number of small cairn-
-like heaps of stones and what appear
to be the remains of a few small circular
huts. Over the whole area are the ruins
of old enclosing walls and some of the
cairn like heaps may have been formed of
stones gathered from cultivated plots.
At the same level on the hill side about
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1/2 m. [mile] to the S. [South] are the remains of a similar
settlement. Here the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a cairn.
?Chambered Cairn. High Gillespie (Unnoted)
At the side of a field about ? 1/2 m. [mile] S.E. [South East] of
the shepherd’s house at High Gillespie are
the remains of a large cairn which appears
to have a chamber exposed near the
centre. It measures diametrically 115’ from
E. to W. [East to West] by 76’ from N. to S. [North to South]. At the E. [East] end near
the mesial line stands a single upright stone
4’ in height above ground, and triangular
in section measuring 2 1/2’ or thereby across each side
& some 3’.6” to the N. [North] of it lies a large block nearly horizontally measuring
3’.6” in breadth & 1’ in thickness but of unascertained length.
Along the S. [South] side are exposed the remains
of three megalithic cists lying N. & S. [North & South]. In that furthest
to the W. [West] two parallel slabs are exposed
6’ and 7’.6” in length and 2’.9” apart with at
the N [North] end the upper part of an end slab
visible. At 18’.6” and 35’ to the E. [East] respectively two
single slabs set on edge are visible similarly
oriented. On the N. [North] side of the cairn
toward the W. [West] end the side slabs of
another cist are visible There is possibly another cist unopened to the E. [East] of an upright slab which is exposed near the centre & towards the E. [East] end. The cairn
is much dilapidated and reduced and
recent excavation near the centre has
exposed some building which appears to
be the side of a chamber.
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12th May 1911.
Bicycled to visit the cairns etc. towards
High Eldrig.
A short distance to the N. [North] of Ballochadee
the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a Mote. This is a natural
gravel hillock around which there are
no signs of defensive works.
About 1 m. [mile] N. [North] of Dirnow School the track be:
:came so rough that we had to leave our
bicycles behind a dyke & proceed on foot.
Kirkcown. Cairn Airies
On the top of a slight swelling on the
moorland some 200 yds. [yards] W. [West] of the upper end of
the pine wood which lies some 3/4 m [mile] NNE [North North East] of
Airies farm house is a well preserved circular
cairn It measures 58’ in diameter and
7’ in elevation. Its known as the White Cairn
From this spot to Eldrig Fell the moor is
rather marshy & the walking bad.
Eldrig Fell
Eldrig Fell rises to a height of 742’ over
sea level and is a long irregularly shaped
hill the surface of which is diversified with
many rocky prominences and grassy
hollows. From near the centre of the
Eastern slope in a slight hollow some 300
yds. [yards] ESE [East South East] of the summit is a group of
small cairns consisting of 13 or 14, of
low elevation and varying in diameter
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from 12’ to 20’. On the N. [North] slope between
the summit and Eldrig loch is another
similar group.
[Margin] Omit Eldrig Loch
At the N. [North] end of the Eldrig Loch is a small island
on which numerous gulls were
nesting. I examined it from the shore but could
discern no artificial character about it.
There is no wood near but numerous snags
of pines are lying at the bottom of the loch
around the E [East] side.
Wood Cairn Eldrig Fell.
On the summit of Eldrig Fell, 120’ above
sea level is a large circular cairn, rather
dilapidated and surmounted by a surveyors
cairn. In diameter it measures 50’ and
in elevation 6’. There is no indication of its
having been excavated.
At the S. [South] end of the Fell prettily situated
with some trees about it is the little
farm house of Low Eldrig.
Cross slab Low Eldrig.
Formal the lintel of the back door of
the farm house is a slab bearing incised
on its face a rudely shaped Latin Cross
The extreme length of the cross as exposed, is 3’.4” but a
portion of the upper arm may be concealed by an
adjoining wall. The arms are 2” in length
from the point of intersection & an inch & quarter in breadth.
From end to end of the lateral arms
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the measurement is 6”. For 4” below the
crossing the shaft measures 1 1/4" in breadth from
which it expands to a greatest breadth of
2 1/4” tapering again to the end which is rounded.
The stone is said to have come from the wall
of an older house on the site.
While measuring the cross there came on
a sharp thunderstorm. The house & farm
buildings were all locked up except a small out-
-house in which we found shelter from the
heaviest hail storm I have ever seen. The
stones were as large as small cherries & hard as
ice which they really were. Had we been caught on
the Fell we would have suffered severely.
13 May 1911.
Took the car to convey me to Monreith & visit
various obkects en route.
Cairn Old Place of Mochrum (17a)
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a cairn on a rocky ridge about
1/4 m. [mile] ENE. [East North East] of the Old Place of Mochrum. There
are on the spot remains of old structures,
probably sheilings, but no trace of a cairn.
(Mochrum) Cairns May. (20)
About 100 yds. [yards] S by E. [South by East] of the farm house of
May there are the remains of a large cairn
which is being rapidly carted away. Only
a fragment remains.
[Opposite page - text inserted] Cairn May (20)
In a cultivated field about 300 yds. [yards] SSW. [South South West] of the
farm house of May is a large circular cairn which
has been reduced to an average elevation of
about 4’. In diameter it measures from 58’ to 60’
There is no cist exposed and the inter:
:ment has probably not been disturbed.
About 100 yds. [yards] SSE [South South East] of the farm house on the
highest point of the park these are possibly
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[Continued from page 19]
[Opposite page - 2 photographs inserted]
the slight remains of another which has measured
some 56’ in diameter.
[Margin] Omit?
About 150 yds. [yards] S.W. [South West] of the farm house of May is
a circular artificial mound about 3’ in height
and 54’ in diameter with a slight bank
around the edge of the top and a low mound
in the centre. It is stoney but of indeterminate
character probably a thrashing floor!
Vitrified Fort. Doon of May. (6)
On the summit of a rocky eminence about
1/2 m. [mile] W. [West] of the farm house of May are the remains
of a small fort. The site is cut off from the
moor to the S. [South] and E [East] by a broad natural
hollow. Around the edge of the rocky
scarp of the eminence there are for the most
part exposed, and elsewhere traceable beneath
the turf, the remains of a wall which appears
to have been continuously vitrified throughout
its course and, as far as visible, to its base.
The facing stones have almost entirely gone
but where at one place towards the S. [South], the
lowest course is apparent it indicates
a breadth of about 10’ for the wall. The
area enclosed is an irregular elipse
with its longest axis E and W. [East and West] and
measures diametrically about 140’ x 100’.
The approach has probably been by a path
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[Continued from page 20]
from the W. [West]. On the N. [North] the wall encloses a
small sheltered terrace with a breadth of about
15’. There are no indications of outer defences.
The rock is Silurian sandstone.
[Margin] Omit.
Lying on a rock to the S. [South] is a large boulder formerly
noted as a rocking stone. Of this George Wilson writes
in his journal, “It is said by the people that the
devil when coming over Craigeach Fell
saw the great flames of the Fort and being
jealous said “I’ll soon put out that” and
threw the rocking stone at it. He missed his
aim and the stone has been perched ever
since just where it fell.”
14th May 1911.
At Monreith. Visited St. Ninians Cave
with Sir Herbert Maxwell. The relics found
on excavation are preserved in it. Full
descriptions are in the Ayr & Wigtown Arch. [Archaeological]
Coll. [Collection] Vol. V [Volume 5] & Proceedings Soc. Ant. Scot. [of the Society of Antiquities Scotland] q.v.
Monreith Cup & ring Marks (Unnoted)
Near the W. [West] side of a small plantation
[--] Monreith house on
the exposed face of a rock there is visible
a single cup mark surrounded by four
incised concentric rings. The greater part
of the rock is covered with soil.
Drumtroddan
Cup & ring marks, & Standing stones under
the Anc. Mon. [Ancient Monument] Act to be examined again.
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15th May 1911.
Mote of Druchtag. Situated by the roadside a short distance
to the N. [North] of Kirk of Mochrum village is the mote of
Druchtag. The land slopes sharply to the road
and the mote has been erected at the edge
of the bank. Except towards the E [East] where it is
represented by a terrace on the face of the
slope a ditch some 25’ in width and 6’ to
8’ in depth below the top of the counterscarp
surrounds the construction which rises to
a height of about 21’ above it. The summit
which is flat measures 66’ in diameter.
At the E. [East] side is an irregular hollow, probably
due to excavation about the sides of which
some blocks of stone are exposed and
on the W [West] side are two small circular
depressions about 18” deep and 7’ to 8’ in
diameter. There are no indications of an
approach.
Fort Airyolland
On a slight rise in a cultivated field some
250 yds. [yards] N. [North] of the farm house is a small sub oval
fort encircled by a single stoney rampart
some 7’ to 8’ in thickness. The interior which
measures 86’ from N to S. [North to South] by 78’ from E to W [East to West]
is bounded on the N. [North] by a wall which appears
to [--] secondary and outside of which foundations
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of a like character are visible below the turf.
The interior is under cultivation.
Fort Airyolland
On the lower slope to the W. [West] of Milton Fell and some
3 furlongs NE. [North East] of Airyolland farm house is
a small circular or elliptical fort now
unmeasurable owing to the quantities of
stones gathered from the fields which have
been heaped up over its rampart and within
it.
Cairns Airyolland.
In an arable field a little more that 1/2 m. [mile] NNE [North North East]
of Airyolland farm and close, on the West, to
a road leading from Milton Fell are the
remains of two cairns. That nearest the road
has been almost entirely removed but near
the centre an upright pointed stone stands
for a height of 4’ above debris of the cairn.
The diameter of the cairn has been about 40’.
Some 60’ S.W. [South West] are the considerable remains
of the second cairn which has been much
pulled about and its outline obscured by
stones gathered from the field & deposited on it.
It appears to have had a diameter of
from 50’ to 60’ and it still measures in eleva: [elevation]
from 6’ to 8’.
Cairn Eldrig.
In a grass field some 300 yds. [yards] SW. [South West] of Eldrig
farm house is a circular cairn partially
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[Continued from page 23]
[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] Sketch plan
overgrown with planted blackthorn. It
measures in diameter about 60’ and in elevation
some 5’. There is no indication of it having
been excavated.
Fort Eldrig.
Some 200 yds. [yards] ? WSW. [West South West] of Eldrig farm house in a
grass field & entirely overgrown by a thick
sward, obscuring the details, is a
small fort surrounded by
a single stony rampart now about 2’ - 3’
in height. The interior has been almost
circular measuring 66’ from N to S [North to South] by about
62’ from E to W. [East to West]. Externally it is almost
rectilinear but from the NW, SW, and SE. [North West, South West, and South East]
angles there are low mounds projecting
out from the sides for distances of from
13’ to 23’. Along the N. [North] there
appears to a double wall with an interspace
between, measuring some 22’ over all and
at the NE. [North East] angle where no projecting mound
is apparent, from the interior to the face
of the exterior wall the distance is 35’.
In the SE. [South East] angle in the interior there is
a small enclosure, sub oval in form, measuring
28’ x 13’. The indications of various walls
or banks are so indefinite that it is not
desirable to make a plan without excavation.
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[Continued from page 24]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Cairn Eldrig Loch Head (27)
In the corner of a field between the road by
the loch and the road to Kirk of Mochrum
and about 100 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the hamlet are the
remains of a cairn with a diameter of
about 45’. It is situated in cultivated land
and is reduced to an elevation of about 2’.
Fort Ringheel (15)
On the crest of a ridge of cultivated land
about 1/2 m. [mile] E. by N. [East by North] of Ringheel farm are
the remains of a small circular fort
almost obliterated by cultivation.
A single rampart, now barely
discernible from the surrounding level
has enclosed a circular area with
a diameter of from 70’ to 80’. In the
interior the plough has turned up the
remains of a floor of burnt clay and
blackened soil containing fragments of
charcoal.
The Carlin Stone (21)
About 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of the N. [North] end of Eldrig loch at
the upper end of a cultivated field is a
single pointed standing stone measuring
5’.6” in height and 3’ in breadth at base
& facing E. and W. [East and West]. It is said to have formerly
stood in the centre of a circle or ring 12’ in dia. [diameter]
formed of granite stones used for building a
dyke. (Rev. [Reverend] George Wilson’s Register in Museum)
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[Continued from page 25]
Crannogs.
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates these in various lochs but as
any details are only obtainable
by excavation unless this has been done no
further information can be added.
Airylich
Built into the most Southerly of the two central
pillars of the cart shed at Airylich farm at a
[Margin] (See Antiquaries 1873 p. [page] 60)
height of 7’ from the ground is a portion of a
slab measuring 9” by 12” carved with celtic
interlaced ornament (see subbing.)
Cairn (22) Mochrum Fell
On the summit of Mochrum Fell 646’ above
sea level are the remains of a large cairn
almost reduced to ground level, Measuring
66’ in diameter. Near the centre is a large
displaced slab recently fractured, partially
resting on other two set on edge, one, of them apparently
in situ. To the S. [South] another large stone just
protrudes from the debris.
[Opposite page - text inserted] This "cromlech or dolmen" was said to have been complete and
to have been destroyed by a bonfire placed on
the cairn to celebrate the coming of age of
the present Marquis of Bute.
Cairn Brae (20)
Some 30 yds. [yards] W. [West] of the shepherd’s house at
Brae is a cairn measuring some 54’
in diameter and reduced to an elevation
of about 5’. It does not appear to have been
excavated.
Cairn Brae (20) (unnoted)
At the foot of the grass park immediately
to the N [North] of the Brae is a grass covered mound
[Margin] doubtful
probably a cairn. It has a diameter of
45’ and an elevation of about 5’.
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[Continued from page 26]
16th May 1911
Still glorious weather. Writing up notes
all day.
17th May. Old Luce Par. [Parish] Craignarget Cairn (43)
On the SE [South East] slope of Craignarget Hill about 3 furlongs
NNE [North North East] of where the Craignarget burn passes under
the high road and on a natural terrace to
the SE [South East] of a rock face is a cairn measuring
some 28’ in diameter and 3’.6” in elevation.
From its base there is an obtuse pointed pro:
:jection Northwards for a distance of 10’ measuring
12’ in breadth at its distal end and 8’ at its outer
extremity, It does not appear to have been excavated.
Some 80’ to the N. [North] is a stony heap which
appears to be the ruin of a small circular
hut and 30’ S. [South] of it a small cairn with a
diameter of 12’. Along the hillside
to the W. [West] are other small cairns and
hut ruins with remains of old enclosures.
Mochrum Par. [Parish] Cairn (No 18)
On the moorland that stretches inland
from the top of the heughs by the shore and
about 1/4 m. [mile] E. [East] of the point where the Craignarget
burn passes beneath the high road is a large
cairn measuring diametrically 45’ from
N. to S. [North to South] by 48’ from E. to W [East to West] and in height 9’
A number of small circular shelters have
at one time been formed in it but it does
not appear to have been excavated.
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[Continued from page 27]
[Margin] unnoted
To the S. [South] of it and partially formed by it is
an ancient enclosure containing in the
thickness of its wall one or two small circular
huts and another built against it near its
junction with the cairn on the SSE. [South South East].
In a hollow about half way between the large
cairn and the bridge over the Craignarget
burn is a group of about ten small cairn like
heaps of stone, the largest of which has a diameter
of about 16’. One or two of the smaller ones may
be ruins of huts.
Some 70 yds. [yards] ENE. [East North East] of the large cairn at the
base of a rock which rises some 12’ above it
on the W. [West] are the remains of a walled circular
enclosure. The wall, which is preserved to a
height of from 2’ - 3’ on the SW. [South West] is 8’.6” in
thickness and faced with large blocks of stone.
Diameter not obtained but estimated at 50’ – 60’.
Some 300 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the large cairn, in a slight
hollow, are the remains of a circular hut
with an interior diameter of 7’ and a sur:
:rounding wall 4’ in thickness. On the
exterior the wall is reduced to ground
level but on the inside it has an elevation
of 2’ below that level. In its vicinity lie
two small cairns measuring diametrically abt. [about] 12’.
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[Continued from page 28]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
Cairn Bay. (19)
Situated about 1/4 m. [mile] ESE [East South East] of the Cairn (No.--)
is the Cairn Bay which probably has owed its
name to the tufts of yellow moss still growing
in the interstices of the stones. The cairn is
in a good state of preservation and measures
43’ from N to S. [North to South] by 45’ from E to W. [East to West] with an
elevation of 9’.
Fort Garheugh
About 1/4 m. [mile] to the N. [North] of Garheugh farm at a
point where the hill road takes a sharp
turn to the E [East] is a stone built defensive enclosure.
Though there are several hillocks in its vicinity
it occupies a comparatively low lying
position. In form it is kidney shaped
with the concave outline on the S. [South] side.
Its main axis lies E by N. [East by North] and W by S. [West by South]
and interior along it it measures 99’.
The width towards the E [East] end is 48’ and
at the opposite extremity 66’. The wall, which
is much ruined, has been about 7’ in thickness
and has contained in its thickness two small
circular hut hollows on the S. [South] side and
another of slightly larger dimensions on
the N. [North]. The position of the entrance is not
apparent.
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[continued from page 29]
[Opposite page - Sketch and text inserted] Sketch plan
Chang. (11a)
In a grass field about 1/4 m. [mile] N by E. [North by East] of the house
at Chang on the SE. [South East] slope of Bennan Hill and
just above the 200’ contour line are the remains
of a stone built defensive construction elliptical
in outline. The site is not in a commanding
position and is overlooked by the higher slope on
the W. [West]. The longer axis lies N & S. [North & South] and along
this line the interior measures 110’ while from
E To W. [East to West] it measures 72’. The original enclosing
wall or stony bank is much spread. Along
the E. [East] side it measures 25’ in width and appears
to have contained an oblong enclosure now for the
most part covered with gathered stones; on the
S. [South] its width varies from 22’ to 24’ but it is
overgrown with turf & overlaid with stones:
on the W. [West] where it is overlooked by higher ground
the width is 29’. At the N. [North] end the defence
is 40’ in width and contains an oblong
enclosure at either side measuring some 40’
in length by 20’ in breadth. The position
of the entrance is indefinite but it has probably
been in the centre of the N. [North] end. In
the interior are two cairn like heaps of stone
measuring some 22’ in diameter of doubt:
:ful character. The enclosure has been
cultivated
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[Continued from page 30]
[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] Indefinite foundations. Sketch plan.
Fort Chippermore (11)
About 1/4 m. [mile] SSE. [South South East] of Chippermore farm house in a
grass field are the remains of a circular
suboval defensive construction which has been
surrounded by a single wall some 7’ to 9’ in
thickness now reduced almost to its foundations.
It measures interiorly some 90’ x 83’ and has been
subdivided into at least four enclosures the largest
of which have measured respectively about 40’
and 45’ to 50’ in diameter. The turf which has
overgrown the walls and the stones gathered
from the fields which have been piled
over them so obscures the details that without
excavation a plan is not obtainable.
Fort Chippermore (11)
Situated at the side of a field some 300 yds. [yards]
S. [South] of Chippermore is a circular defensive
enclosure which has been surrounded by a
stone wall now reduced to its foundations
and nowhere definitely measureable though
apparently about 12’ in thickness. The
interior has measured diametrically about
85’ x 93’. The position of the entrance is
not apparent.
Chippermore (10)
On the crest of the ridge immediately to
the S. [South] of the cottages on the farm road
to Chippermore is the site of a circular
enclosure which has measured about 84’
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[Continued from page 31]
in diameter. The wall which surrounded it
is almost obliterated by the walls of an old
fold and the walls of two fields which meet upon
it.
Fort near Chippermore Port
Occupying the top of a small projecting point
on the top of the heughs between two gullies
and just where the farm road to Chippermore
reaches the higher level & before turning to pass through
the fields are the remains of a small defensive
construction. An earthern bank measuring some
8’ wide at base has isolated the small headland
and in the interior resting on the edge of the
bank there has been a small semi-elliptical
enclosure with a chord of 49’ and a diameter
of 47’. The defensive character of the banks is
slight. A ditch-like hollow from the edge of the
bank inwards on the E. [East] has probably been a
track.
The term "fort" does not seem applicable to
any of the above constructions though used
on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] maps. As a rule they are situated
on the sloping side of a hill, not occupying
the most defensible positions, and not infrequently
with higher ground overlooking them. They do
not vary much in size and though the
walls appear to have been of great thickness
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[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
there have been as a rule chambers or enclosures
within them.
18th May
Still beautiful weather. Bicycled N. [North] past Culvennan
and leaving the Glenluce road at Tarf Bridge took
a very rough hill road to Dranigower. Leaving
our bicycles by the roadside 1/2 m. [mile] from Balmurrie
we set off on a long tramp under a cloudless sky to
Laggangarn.
New Luce Par. [Parish] Cairn-na-Gath (19)
Situated on the lower Western slope of Balmurrie
Fell and some 3/4 m. [mile] NE [North East] of Balmurrie is a
large cairn bearing the name of Cairn-na-Gath.
It is oblong in form lying with its longest axis
N and S. [North and South], Its total length is 100’, its breadth at the
N. [North] end 34’, and at the S. [South] 64’. The elevation at
the N [North] end is about 8’ and at the S. [South] about 9’ but
as the level of the ground rises towards the
latter direction its height seems relatively greater.
At the S. [South] end the cairn is much dilapidated
and there are remains of small huts or shelters
which have been erected within it. At the E. [East]
corner a small area appears to have been levelled and
on it there has been erected a slight wall
of boulders enclosing a circular space of about
12’ dia. [diameter] and an inner circle of about 5’ diameter.
A mass of stone projects Southwards from the
SW. [South West] corner which seems to be connected with
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the indefinite remains of a wall which has probably
formed an enclosure in front of the cairn. From
near the centre of the S. [South] end there appears to be another
wall running SE. [South East] probably connected with the
same enclosure, while a third wall, the founda:
:tions of which are sunk beneath the present ground
level projects E. [East] from the SE [South East] angle and turning
N’ward [Northward] forms another enclosure along the E [East]
side. There are no indications of any projecting
walls at the N. [North] end nor along the W. [West] side. Con:
:sidering the evidences of occupation at the end
of the cairn all these walls are probably secondary,
though if the cairn has originally been horned
the horns may be incorporated in them. A
large quantity of stones has been removed from
the NW. [North West] side.
About 200 yds. [yards] to the South & SW. [South West] of Cairn na gath
are some small cairn like mounds which may
be the remains of huts.
Hut Circle
On a low ridge about 1/4 m. [mile] E [East] of the track
from Balmurrie to Laggangarn and about
1 1/4 m. [miles] S. [South] of the latter place is a hut circle with
an interior diameter of 25’ surrounded by
a wall about 6’ thick now almost reduced
to ground level. It has been entered from the
SE. [South East]. As the interior is overgrown with
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[Continued from page 34]
[Opposite page - 2 photographs inserted]
further details are not observable. About 60 yds. [yards] S. [South]
of the circle is a detached wall about 40’ in length by 4’ or
5’ in breadth and some 66 yds. [yards] further S. [South] are
the ruins of another similar wall which has been
laid to the base of a low rock on the top of which
rests a large grey boulder broken in two.
Laggangarn
The ruins of the farm of Laggangarn are
situated in a green undulating meadow to the
W. [West] of the Tarf water about 2 1/2 m. [miles] NW. [North West] of High Eldrig
or 3 1/4 m. [miles] N by E [North by East] of Balmurrie. Lying against
the wall on the outside of the old garden is a
slab 34” long and 8” broad with a simple latin
cross incised on the upper end and measuring
12 1/2” in length by 5” across the arms.
Standing Stones of Laggangarn
On a low hillock adjacent to the W. [West] bank of
the Tarf and about 1/4 m. [mile] W. [West] of the farm house
of Killgallioch stand two slabs of grey Silurian
Sandstone, N & S [North & South] of each other, 2’ apart and both
facing W. [West]. The most Northerly stone measures
6’.2” in height above ground, 2’.2” in breadth
and about 1’ in thickness [(schistic)], the other stone
is 5’.2” in height, 2’.2” in breadth and 8” in thickness.
Each stone has grooved on its W. [West] face a cross
with arms expanding outwards and four
small cross of single lines, in each
of the angles formed by the intersection of the
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[Continued from page 35]
of the arms and the shaft. The cross on the
latter stone measures 3’ in length & 1’.7” across the
arms. The upper arm measures 10” in length
4” in breadth at the intersection and 6 1/2” at the
upper end. The side arms measure 8” or 9” respectively
in length and expand from 3 1/2” to 5” and 6”.
The shaft is 1’.9” in length and is not closed by a
cross line at the base. The cross on the
second stone is 2’ long & 1’.3” broad. The
upper arm 8” long expanding from 4” to 7”,
the side arms 7” long, the shaft 1’ long & 4” broad.
In the centre is a hole of about 1” diameter.
The small crosses which are equal armed, on the larger stone measure
4” either way, and on the smaller stone 3 1/2”.
(This is said to be the remains of a stone
circle but the two stones appear to be in
alignment and the other stones observed
by the Rev. [Reverend] George Wilson & noted in his ‘register’ are,
I think, outcropping rock.) A small
pillar squarish in section 47’ E. [East] of the
standing stones and on the same hillock
is said to mark the grave of a farmer who
died at Laggangarn smothered at his own
request, with a feather bed in the paroxysms
of hydrophobia. This & other misfortunes which
befell his family were believed locally to be
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[Continued from page 36]
[Opposite page - 2 photographs inserted]
due to his having removed some stones from
this monument. (Rev. [Reverend] George Wilson "Register" in Museum)
Wells of the Rees
Situated at the upper end of an enclosed park
whose adjacent surface is thickly strewn
with stones and about 1/4 m [mile] N. [North] of Kilgallioch
are three wells covered over with conical
structures some 3’ in height built of large stones without mortar
access being gained to the interior by a rect:
:angular opening at ground level measuring
about 1’.6” in breadth & height. Above the lintel
of this entrance is a recess about 1’.2” square
and about 1’.3” in depth. The best preserved
of these structures is oblong on the plan measuring
6’ in length x 4’ in breadth and 3’.6” in height
The opening to the interior being correspondingly
larger than in the case of the two others.
There is a site of an old church and grave
yard nearby.
I killed a small adder on the road this
morning: they are said to be very numerous
here.
18th May 1911.
Bicycled to Lochs Heron & Ronald. We
borrowed the boat on the former loch and
visited the two islands said to be artificial.
One is overgrown with vegetation, trees &
bushes, no stakes or timbers are visible. The
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[Continued from page 37]
other is submerged & only recognisable by the
reeds rising from its surface. Both islands
are said to have been examined & found to
be artificial (see Antiquaries 1871 p. [page] 378)
Called at Fell of Loch Ronald farm and saw
Mr. Templetons carved stone. It was a boulder
with some initials of quite modern character
scratched on its surface.
Kirkcowan Cairn (No. 12) Fell of Loch Ronald
On the lowest slope of the ridge facing E. [East]
about 1/2 m. [mile] S by E [South by East] of the Fall of Loch Ronald
farm house is a cairn which has been ex:
:cavated. In the centre facing each other
& 3’.9” apart are two large pointed blocks
of greywacke some 3’.8” broad at base and
2’.10” in height above ground while two or three
other similar blocks lie displaced near. There
appear to be the remains of a large cist
or chamber. The diameter of the cairn
has been 35’.
Mains of Loch Ronald. Cist. Unnoted.
On the summit of a gravel knoll at the
end of a cultivated field which runs to a point, about 1/4 m. [mile] to the
S. [South] of the ruins of the Mains of Loch Ronald,
is a short cist recently discovered in
ploughing the land. It is formed of four
thickish slabs resting on the gravel and
measures interiorly 2’ in length: 1’.6” in breadth
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and 1’.11” in depth. The covering slab, which still
remains in situ is 3’ in length and 7 1/2” in thickness.
The main axis lies E and W. [East and West].
Nothing was found in it when first discovered
and a further examination of the interior only
produced one particle of unburnt bone.
Fell of Loch Ronald.
The cairn marked On the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] at the SSW. [South South West]
extremity of the fell appeared to me to be
formed of stones gathered from cultivated land
and heaped on an outcropping rock.
About 100 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the summit is a
heather covered knoll with a diameter of
16’ and a height of 2 1/2’, which is possibly
a small cairn.
Some 150 yds. [yards] NNE. [North North East] of the summit is a
small ring of “rickled” stones probably the
foundations of a hut. The interior diameter
measures about 5’ and the exposed floor
level is about 1 1/2’ below that of the
ground outside. Some 50’ further N. [North] down
the slope of the hill is a small cairn-like
heap of stones and 20’ or thereby from it a
circular depression 2’ deep in the centre,
with a heap of stones to the E. [East] which appear
to have been thrown out of it. At 30’ to
the N. [North] is another hut foundation - oval in
form measuring interiorly 7’ x 5’ and entered
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[Continued from page 39]
in line of its longest axis from the SE. [South East]. The
inner level is 1’ below that outside.
On the N. [North] slope of the hill on a shoulder S. [South] of the
end of the Black Loch and a short distance above
the track to Balminnoch is a small cairn
with a diameter of about 12’ and a low elevation.
20th May.
Wrote up notes all forenoon
22nd May 1911.
Another fine day. Bicycled to the S. [South] of the
Knock Fell.
Old Luce Hut ruins (33)
On the S. [South] side of the moor road which leads
from Challochglass to Machermore and about
1/4 m. [mile] W. [West] of where it crosses the Gillespie burn
there commences a large group of hut
ruins and cairn-like heaps of stone which stretches
along the lower slope of the hill on
either side of the 250’ contour line until a
short distance to the E. [East] of the small burn
which flows into the Gillespie burn below
the waterfall. The area on which they
are situated is moorland sloping to the
South and considerably broken up into hollows
by low ridges, and hillocks of outcropping
rock. Across these hollows in sinuous lines
from rock to rock lie the ruins of old walls which have
formed small enclosures containing the
ruins of the huts and the cairn like heaps.
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[Continued from page 40]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
One enclosure, the bounding walls of which are
less indefinite than is usually the case, measures
about 100’ from side to side of the hollow and
93’ or thereby between the walls which cross it.
It contains three undoubted hut ruins : two
circular with interior diameters of about 5’, and
the other oval, measuring interiorly 5’ x 7’. The
latter situated in the SW. [South West] corner of the enclosure appears to have been entered from the N. [North]
and to have been surrounded by a wall 3’ in thickness.
The W. [West], or upper wall of the enclosure, is built
against its SW. [South West] point and passes directly outwards
for a distance of about 5’ before returning to
cross the hollow in a general northerly direction.
Two large blocks, 3’ apart at 26’ along the wall seem
to mark the entrance to the compound. On the
N. [North] side against the side of the hollow is a cairn-
-like heap of stones measuring 25’ in length by
20’ in breadth with its longest axis E and W. [East and West]
and about 3’ in elevation.
Towards the SW. [South West] where the surface of the
moor is less broken up by hillocks and hollows
the ruins of the huts etc. do not
appear to have been enclosed. These huts
are now heaps of stone
rising little in elevation above ground level
but usually showing a depression with
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[Continued from page 41]
occasional indications of the inner face of the
wall in the interior. Their average diameter is
about 12’ over all and of the interior where measurable
5’. Occasionally an oval example is met with.
[Opposite page - text inserted] I saw for the first time, a nightjar flitting about
among these ruins.
They are either built in the open or against a
slope. The cairn-like mounds differ little in
extent but do not show the depression
on the centre, being domical with an elevation of
from 1 1/2’ to 2 1/2'. Without excavation it is not
possible to be certain of their sepulchral character.
The huts & heaps are quite irregularly placed
with regard to one another as far as is apparent.
Cairn Culroy. (unnoted)
On the N. [North] side of the road about 1/4 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of
Culroy is a small cairn, formed of large
stones, measuring in diameter about 20’ and
in elevation from 2’ to 3’.
Hut circle (unnoted)
On the tract of moorland which lies to the
SSE [South South East] of the Knock Fell and about 1/2 m. [mile] NNE [North North East] of
Culroy is a small stone built hut circle with
an interior diameter of about 12’ and a wall
about 3’ thick now almost reduced to ground
level. The position of the entrance is indefinite.
Lying a short distance to the W. [West] of it are two
or three small cairn-like heaps of stones.
In this circle I killed a large adder.
Huts. Knock Fell (30)
On the S. [South] face of the Knock Fell just below
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the 450’ elevation and in the vicinity of a spring
is a small group of hut ruins
measuring in diameter some 12’ over all (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Cairns)
Hut ruins (“Rings” O.S. [Ordnance Survey]) (14) Knock Fell
In a sheltered hollow on the E. [East] shoulder of the
Knock Fell and about 200 yds. [yards] WNW. [West North West] of Knock of
Luce farm house are the ruins of a small stone
hut which appears to have consisted of three
circular apartments, two in alignment the one
opening out of the back of the other, and the third
on the right of the outer one. The total interior
length is 17’ the diameter of the two first
mentioned compartments 6’ and of the lateral
one 4’ to 5’. Some 12’ to the S. [South] are the remains
of another small circular hut measuring 14’
in diameter over all. The elevation of the
walls of these huts is trifling and the position
of the entrance in both cases is obscure.
Hill Fort. Knock Fell. (13)
The Knock Fell is a prominent peak rising
to a height of 550’ and commanding a prospect
over a large extent of surrounding country.
On its summit are the remains of a large
stone built fort now much dilapidated. A
wall now reduced to its foundations and
much spread, with a thickness of 12’ or thereby
has encircled the grassy top of the hill
forming a pear shaped enclosure some 570’ in length
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[Continued from page 43]
by 300’ at its greatest breadth. The longest axis
runs from SW to NE. [South West to North East]. At the SW [South West] end there is a
gap in the defence some 12’ in width indicating an entrance,
and towards the ENE. [East North East] has been another entrance
8’ wide or thereby. At the latter entrance the wall
appears to have been thicker than at the sides
and at 20’ distant on the N. [North] of it a small portion
of the building of the outer face is still visible
showing a thickness at this point of 13’ whence
it evidently increased toward the entrance.
It is however, for the most part a structureless mass
of debris. On the NW. [North West] some 25’ below the main
defence around the edge of a shoulder are the remains of an outer wall,
which appears to have been about 8’ thick.
An outcrop of rock traverses the enceinte in
a general direction from NE. [North East] to SW. [South West] and the indefinite ruins of a wall are
visible at either end of it connecting it with
the main defence and thus forming an
inner enclosure on the highest part of the
summit. The main wall on the W. [West] is almost obliterated.
In a hollow runs WSW. [West South West] of the SW [South West]
entrance are some indistinct foundations
formed of boulders marked “hut circles” on
the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] but they are too vague for definition
There are also a few cairn-like heaps of stone.
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[Continued from page 44]
Cairn Culroy. (33)
In a grass park to the S. [South] of the road about
1/2 m. [mile] to the NW. [North West] of Culroy farm house is a cairn
much dilapidated and reduced to an elevation
varying from 2’ to 4’. In diameter it has measured from
54’ to 58’.
Cairn Culroy. (33)
Some 500 yds. [yards] WNW [West North West] of Culroy on a slight elevation
is a low heap of large stone which resembles a
demolished cairn It measures 40’ in diameter.
(This is the object marked cairn on the 1’ Ord. [Ordnance] Map :
that so marked on the 6’ Map of 1909 some 120
yds. [yards] to the W [West] is not a cairn.)
Cairn Culroy. (33)
Some 600 yds. [yards] NW. [North West] of Culroy is the same grass
field as the last but nearer the road is a
well preserved cairn measuring 9’ in eleva:
:tion and 58’ in diameter.
Cairn Culroy. (33)
The 6” O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map marks a cairn by the road-
-side on the S. [South] some 200 yds. [yards] nearer Culroy. This
cairn has disappeared if it ever existed on the
spot indicated. On the site were some fragments
of roofing tiles suggesting the former existence
of a cottage. Since visiting the spot I
observe that the 1” map places the cairn
on the N. [North] side of the road.
[Opposite page - text inserted] 30th May. Revisited the cairn near Culroy. It was
situated on the N. [North] side of the road but has been
almost obliterated.
(White Cairn) Culroy
Some 400 yds. N by W. [North by West] of Culroy farm house
and about 100 yds. N. [North] of the road is a
large cairn at this date being broken up
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for road metal. One half has already been used
up and the broken metal lies on the site ready
for removal. No cist is, however, exposed. The
diameter has been about 45’.
Cairn Culroy.
In the corner of an arable field some 250 yds. [yards]
WSW. [West South West] of Culroy farm house is a mound which
appears to be the remains of a demolished cairn,
with a diameter of about 60’ and elevation of 4’.
Its character is much confused by heaps of
gathered stones scattered over it.
About 130 yds. [yards] S. [South] of Culroy farm house is
an artificial stony mound in the arable
land measuring 21’ in diameter and 5’ in
height. It looks too well built for a cairn and
may be an old kiln. I must enquire from the
factor about it.
23rd. May 1911 Old Luce Cairn (21)
On the E. [East] side of the road that runs from
Glenluce to Tarf bridge and about 3/4 m. [mile] S. [South] of
Garvilland is a large cairn now for the
most part overgrown with grass but which
has been at one time much pillaged for stones.
It is doubtful, however, if the interment has
been disturbed. Its height is at greatest about
7’ and its diameter 68’.
New Luce Benlaight Cairn (33)
About 3/4 m. [mile] S by W. [South by West] of Garvilland, on the
SE. [South East] slope of Benlaight and somewhat less than
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1/4 m. [mile] W. [West] of the road from Glenluce to Tarf bridge
are the remains of Benlaight Cairn now reduced
almost to the ground level. It measures in diameter
from 61’ to 64’. No cist is visible but it has probably
been exposed & the stones which formed it removed.
Hut ruins. Benlaight (32)
At the SW. [South West] end of Benlaight at an elevation of about 520’ are the remains
of two or three small circular huts measuring 9’ to 10’
over all and beside them two or three low
cairns with diametrical measurement of from
12’ to 16’. A few similar remains are to be
seen on the SE. [South East] side of the summit.
Old Luce Carscreugh Fell. (22)
The summit of Carscreugh Fell consists of
two long parallel grassy ridges running
from NNE [North North East] to SSW. [South South West] with an intervening area
of moorland some 300 yds. [yards] across.
Hut ruins or Cairns.
On the Westmost ridge just to the S. [South] of the highest
point are several small cairn like mounds
the preserved of which measures some 11’ in
diameter and 2’ in height.
Cairn. Carscreugh Fell.
On the W. [West] side of the Eastmost of the two
parallel ridges which form the top of Cars:
:creugh Fell and about 400 yds. [yards] WSW. [West South West] of the
actual summit is a large cairn overgrown
with grass. In diameter it measures 58’
and in elevation from 3’ to 4’. Though the
inequalities on its surface show that it
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has been much pillaged for stones there is
no indication that the interment has been disturbed.
Hut circle
Some 50 yds. [yards] ENE [East North East] of the cairn on Carscreugh Fell
(No. --) is a group of 4 small cairnlike
mounds overgrown with vegetation and
some 50 yds. [yards] N. [North] of them are the indefinite remains
of a hut circle with an interior diameter of
some 36’ with a small mound some 80’ N. [North] of it.
Hut circle
On the Eastmost ridge about 250 yds. [yards] SW. [South West] of
the summit is a large hut circle formed by
a stone wall some 6’ in thickness now
reduced to a low elevation and overgrown
with grass. It measures interiorly 38’ by 45’
and has been entered from the E. [East] in the line of its
longest axis.
Near the large cairn I flushed a hen
grouse off her nest and found five little
chicks in it, just a few days hatched. Later on
I found another nest from which the young
birds had “flown”. This is a very early season :
there is much hawthorn in bloom already, an
uncommon occurrence in May in Scotland.
New Luce Bught Fell
In a hollow between two ridges of out:
:cropping rock to the SE. [South East] of the Bught Fell
and about 150 yds. [yards] S by W. [South by West] of the S. [South] wall of
an old enclosure which lies across the
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lower end of the hollow are three small cairns
of 12’ diameter & 1’ to 1 1/2’ of height.
The Bught Fell which lies to the Westward
of Garvilland Farm consists of a main hill rising to a height of 650’ and number
of rocky hillocks with intervening hollows
at its base on the S. [South] and SE. [South East]. The name it
bears is derived from the “bughts” or small
pens into which, in former times, the ewes
were driven to be milked and with this
practice doubtless many of the ruins on
the fell are connected.
On a low shoulder of the hill towards the
SE. [South East] and about 100' below the summit is
a cairn like heap of stones, circular, with
a depression in the centre, and measuring
over all 12' in diameter. It has probably
been a hut and seems to have been entered
from the S. [South].
On either side of a shallow cleugh
which trends SSW. [South South West] from the summit
lie a number of small low cairn-like
heaps of stone placed for the most part
by the sides of the hollow. Several of
these are clearly rcognisable as the ruins
of small circular huts. The average
diameter over all is 12'. At the lower end
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of the hollow is a small cairn built of
larger stones than the other constructions &
measuring some 17' in diameter. Towards
N. [North] by W. [West] is a small round extension formed
of an outer line of boulders with a few in the centre
and measuring some 5' in diameter. This is
possibly secondary. Where the cleugh
opens out on the lower slope of the hill
are many more constructions. For the
most part these are ruins of huts and
small cairns with the remains of old
walls curving out and in among them
and here and there a circular enclosure
with an interior diameter of 20' or thereby.
The huts have frequently been built against
a slope or bank. Towards Clasherne
"O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Rings"
above the steep bank which overlooks the
flow to the Westward is an elliptical en:
"closure formed by a low bank outlined
with boulders about 4' wide, and measuring
interiorly 35' by 16'. Some 50 yds. [yards] N. [North] of it is
another similar enclosure. Where the
ground rises on the opposite side of the
small burn is a smaller construction
of similar form measuring interiorly 12' by 7'
and some 60 yds. [yards] N. [North] of it there is another
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These buildings resemble in plan the sheiling
bothies of the northern counties and I do not
consider them of any great antiquity. The fact
that they are occasionally found divided by
a cross wall into two apartments strengthens
my view.
Northwards up the W. [West] side of the glen down
which the streamlet flows towards Clasherne
are the ruins of several small circular huts
and a few cairn like heaps similar to those on
the Bught Fell.
Hut Circle Larig Fell (unnoted)
Towards the S. [South] end of Larig Fell & on the W. [West] side of the ridge at an ele:
:vation of some 50' above the flow is
a hut circle with an interior diameter of
21' surrounded by a wall, reduced to its
foundation, 5' in thickness and formed
with large stones on the exterior packed
with small pieces in the centre.
Bught Fell. ("Ring" 9)
Near the edge of the cultivated land about
1/4 m. [mile] WSW. [West South West] of Garvilland is a circular
enclosure with an interior diameter of
29' surrounded by the foundation of a
wall measuring 5' in thickness. The
entrance appears to have been from the SE. [South East].
Against it and partially over its
foundation on the NNW. [North North West] has been built
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a smaller circle with an interior diameter
of 13' clearly secondary.
Bicycled back by Tarf bridge and Dirnow
reaching home in time to escape a deluge of rain.
The rocky scenery of the fells, with the magnificent
prospect which they command makes them
an attractive field for work, but as the time
is spent dashing up hill and down dale all
day long considering these perplexing remains
it is an exhausting one.
24th May.
Train to Glenluce and bicycle up the Luce valley
to a cottage at the mouth of the Gabsnout burn
where we left our bicycles.
Old Luce Camrie Fell Enclosure.
Between the glens of Camrie and Gabsnout burns
lies Camrie Fell a round topped hill
cultivated nearly to its summit 525' above
sea level. At the SW. [South West] extremity of it in unbroken
moorland and parallel with the highest fields
on Gleniron Several is a large four sided enclosure
[Margin] see dimensions on O.S. [Ordnance Survey] 6" or 25"
nearly 1/4 m. [mile] in length
clearly not defensive by reason of its size
and position, formed by
a ditch from 2' to 3' in depth and 12' or
thereby in width with a bank formed of the
upcast on the inner side. The enclosure
lies just under the brow of the hill facing
the SE. [South East]. Within it near its NE. [North East] end in a
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slight hollow are the remains of three small
elliptical enclosures, overgrown with heather
measuring in the interior 16' by 10', 12' by 7' and
20' by 10' respectively. They seem to have been
built of turf and the walls are much spread out.
Adjoining the largest of these is an enclosure,
square with rounded angles measuring 36' in
diameter similarly constructed. Close by it
is another small foundation measuring interiorly
10' by 8', with another 30' NE [North East] of it, while
50 yds [yards] NE. [North East] up the hollow are the remains of
two other small huts. (These remains are
not prehistoric but may possibly be mediaeval.)
Old Luce Cairn Camrie Fell. (20 b.)
Some 300 yds. [yards] W. [West] of the highest point of Camrie
Fell is a cairn almost reduced to the ground
level and measuring some 40' in diameter.
Cairnlike heaps. Unnoted.
On the NE [North East] extremity of the Fell at an elevation
of about 475' & to the S. [South] of an old pack road, near
where it passes through a gate some 300 yds [yards] NE. [North East] of the summit
is a small group of cairn-like heaps of about 12' - 14'
diameter.
Hut circle (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Cairn) (20 b.)
On a slight rise between the NE. [North East] end of
Camrie Fell and the outliers of the Bught
Fell at the side of the old pack road
is a hut circle of oval form in the
wall of which many large boulders have
been used. It has measured interiorly
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some 10' by 14', its longest axis being towards the
entrance which has been from the E. [East]. The wall
has been about 4' in thickness expanding to 8' on either side of the entce [entrance]. Opening off the
interior at the back has been a small circular
recess with a diameter of about 3'. The width
of the entrance is indefinite. Three or four small
cairns lie around the circle
Hut ruins (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Cairns) (19.a.)
On the N. [North] end of a rocky eminence which lies
in the intervening area between Camrie Fell
and Bught Fell about the 450' elevation are
four cairn-like heaps, two of which about 60 yds. [yards]
apart are most prominent. The most Easterly
of the two measures over all about 17' and
appears to have been a hut. That to the W. [West]
is domical with an elevation of about 2'
and a diameter of 15'. The other two are
very ill-defined.
In a hollow some 200 yds. [yards] to the N. [North] is
a foundation of a turf dwelling of two
compartments each measuring interiorly
12' by 8. They do not seem to have opened
out of each other. Another similar
foundation but undivided is situated on
a heather clad knoll rising above the
flow in an angle formed by two
dykes meeting at right angles some 400 yds [yards] N. [North].
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(note. the cairn marked here on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] 6" map
seems to me natural or non-existent.)
New Luce Gleniron Fell
At the base of the fell on the SE. [South East] and
within 80 yds. [yards] of the parish boundary are the
remains of an oblong building measuring interiorly
26' by 10'.6" with a stone built wall 5' in thickness
and existing to a height of 2'. There appear to
have been two entrances, one on either side
opposite each other
at about 7' from the end. This wall has
probably supported a turf superstructure.
In the vicinity of this ruin and along the
slope of the fell towards the S. [South] are the remains
of numerous small round stone huts of
circular form measuring some 12' in diameter
over all, and also a number of cairn-like
heaps of stone. About 100 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the
ruin is a small structure of two round com:
:partments rudely built of boulders, probably a fold
for lambs. or sheep.
Following the base of the fell Southwards at about
1/2 m [mile] NE [North East] of Mid Gleniron and some 50' out from
the base of a perpendicular rock is a small
stone built hut circle with an interior dia:
:meter of 8' x 10' and entered from the SE. [South East].
The entrance is, however, unmeasurable & the
wall of the circle in ruins. On the
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[Continued from page 55]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
S. [South] side of the fell where the slope becomes more
gradual and the surface less broken by outcropping
rocks than elsewhere small circular hut ruins
and cairn-like mounds of small diameter
occur in great numbers. On a natural
terrace some 50' or thereby above the flow
are two circular enclosures lying E. [East] and
W. [West] of each other and some 70' apart. The
Eastmost measures 30' in dia. [diameter] and that towards
the W. [West] 24' while the wall in each case has
been 5' in thickness. The position of
the entrance is doubtful but seems to have
been from the SE. [South East]. These circles have been
connected by a wall running from the
back or N. [North] of the Westmost round to the E. [East] side
of the other in an irregular curve thus forming
an enclosure some 215' in length by about
75' in breadth. The enclosing wall measures
from 5' to 7' in thickness and is much ruined.
From the NE. [North East] angle it is continued beyond
the enclosure for a distance of 60' where it
suddenly terminates. This system of linked
enclosures was observed also in Sutherlandshire
and was evidently connected with a
pastoral life but probably not pre-historic.
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On the W. [West] side of the fell N. [North] of the old enclosure
known as Mirren's Croft is another group of
cairnlike mounds presenting the same features
as elsewhere, some domical and some low &
concave with a diameter of from 12' to 15'. Where
the slope of the hill is gradual and the surface
free from rock they stretch for a long way to the N. [North].
Some 400 yds [yards] SW. [South West] of Mirren's Croft and on the
N. [North] side of the burn which rises near it, are a
few more similar constructions and ruins of
2 old enclosures with walls 5' thick and measuring
interiorly 24' and 25' in diameter respectively.
About 30 yds. [yards] N. [North] of the W'most [Westernmost] of these enclosures are
the ruins of a small stone hut measuring
interiorly some 10' x 8' with a wall 4' thick.
while 30' N. [North] there seems to be the remains of another.
On the way home, disappointed of a following
wind I had a stiff bicycle ride after a long and
tiring day.
25th May.
Writing up notes all day.
26th May 1911.
Still glorious weather. Took the car
up the Luce valley to near the Ayrshire border.
Saw much evidence of the recent flood that broke
down a railway bridge near Glenwhilly. Tiny
rills had come down as torrents and at one
or two places the dykes had been broken down
[Continued on page 58] |
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[Continued from page 57]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
and huge boulders strewn over the fields.
New Luce "Ring Cairn" Miltonish (35S)
About 1/2 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West] of Miltonish, on a terrace
above the junction of the Pilwhirn Burn with the
Cross Water of Luce are the remains of a
circular cairn with a diameter of 29'. It is now
reduced to ground level and there is uncovered
in the centre a short cist lying with its longer
axis ENE. [East North East] and WSW. [West South West] and measuring interiorly
1'.10" in length, 1'.6" in breadth and 1'.6" in depth.
as far as exposed. (Note. There are no standing
stones as referred to in the Rev. [Reverend] George Wilsons notes
(see Antiquaries 1899 p. [page] 184) and it is possible his
informant referred to the sides of the cist as
the stones are said to have measured only 3' x 2'.
"White Cairn" (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] 13)
The 1" map gives this name in Old English
lettering but does not indicate the exact position
of the cairn. A green hillock at the E [East] end
of a spur of rock which projects into the flow
about 1 m. [mile] NW. [North west] of Miltonish is probably the object
meant or the site. There is no cairn now and
the hillock is a natural one.
Cairn Kenny. (12)
Within 1/4 m. [mile] of the N. [North] boundary of the
county, and 1/2 m [mile] S. by E. [South by East] of Ardnamoil and
at the NE. [North East] end of High Murdonochie just
where it descends to the flow is situated
Cairn Kenny. it is a circular cairn
[Continued on page 59] |
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[Continued from page 58]
measuring some 50' in diameter and 6' in elevation.
It has been excavated and a megalithic chamber
is exposed in the centre lying ENE [East North East] and WSW. [West South West].
Along the N [North] side two large blocks of stone measuring
4'.4" and 4' respectively are exposed set on edge and
in line while at the WSW [West South West] end of the chamber a
large slab 4'.6" long, 3' broad and 6" deep lies al:
:most horizontally as if forming a lintel. At
8' distant towards the ENE. [East North East] or opposite end lies another slab the
ends of which are not exposed but which appears
to be similarly placed. The S. [South] side of the
chamber is not apparent and the interior
is largely filled with debris.
At the base of the cairn towards the NE. [North East] are
the ruins of a small circular hut measuring
some 10' over all.
Eyes of Craigbirnock (14)
On the moor to the West of the Glasgow and
S.W. [South West] Railway, about 1/2 m. [mile] S. [South] of where it crosses
the Davenholme burn and 1 m. [mile] or thereby S. [South] of
Glenwhilly railway station is a cairn with
a diameter of about 50' A. hollow in the centre
suggests that it has been excavated but no cist
is exposed.
Cairns (15)
To the S. [South] of the road between New Luce and
Glenwhilly and about 1/2 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of Craigbirnock
are the remains of two cairns now almost
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[Continued from page 59]
reduced to ground level and both probably
explored. The most northerly has measured some
37' in diameter and the other 34'.
Cairn (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Ring) (2)
On the right bank of the Cross Water of Luce
about 1/2 m. [mile] S. [South] by W. [West] Pultadie are the remains
of a large cairn almost reduced to ground level
with a diameter of 57'. There is no cist exposed.
Some 80' W. [West] of the last where the slope of the
hill runs out into the low lying ground by the
river is a cairn for the most part overgrown
with grass and heather measuring in diameter
36' and in greatest elevation 6'. Though it
has been quarried for stones to a small extent
on the NW. [North West] it has not been excavated.
Cairn Barlure (20)
About 200 yds. [yards] N. [North] of the farm house of Bar:
:lure at the upper side of an old grass
park is a cairn which has been much
quarried for stones but is now overgrown
with grass, measuring in diameter about 48'
and in elevation 4' - 5'. It does not show signs
of having been excavated.
Proceeding NW. [North West] towards Kilfedar and about
1/4 m. [mile] from Barlure, at the top of a field
to the E. [East] of a strip of plantation a low
heap of stones seems to mark the site of
another cairn with a diameter of 24'.
[Continued on page 61] |
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[Page] 61
[Continued from page 60]
On the moor about 3/4 NW. [North West] of Barlure and to
the W. [West] of the lower end of an old enclosure are
the remains of two small cairns almost reduced
to ground level and probably excavated. They
have measured some 18' in diameter
To the Westward are the remains of several
small circular huts, one of them built in the
thickness of an old enclosing wall, and
some cairn-like mounds of small diameter
Cairn Kilfedar (16)
Some 300 yds [yards] ENE. [East North East] of Kilfedar at the lower end
of a grass park the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a cairn.
It has been reduced to an elevation of from
2' to 3' and thereafter used as a dumping
ground for stones gathered from the fields
to such an extent that the character of the
construction is barely recognisable and
its dimensions not obtainable with ac:
:curacy. It has seemingly measured
some 50' - 60' in diameter.
This has been a glorious day. In the car
and on foot I covered much ground but
saw little worth recording. So far the
antiquities of this county are very disappointing.
27th May.
Wrote notes all morning. After lunch
bicycled to Crouse & took another photo
of the holed stone. Took a cross road
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[Continued from page 61]
by Cunningham to Torhousekie and had to
carry my bicycle on stepping stones across
the Bladnoch.
Standing stone
At the edge of a field to the W [West] of the farm
road about [--] yds. [yards] N. [North] of the farm of Cunningham
is a single pointed boulder set up on end about
3 1/2' in height and about the same in breadth
being oval in section. It is just such a stone
as those employed in the circle at Torhousekie.
At Torhousekie I took a photograph of the
three large stones in the interior of the circle.
Mochrum Park
I called at Mochrum Park & saw the Dunbae
Monument to the memory of the Bishop. It
is an interesting heraldic stone & I shall
get MacGibbon to make a drawing of it.
29th May 1911. Inch Par [Parish] Cairns (18)
Situated about 1/2 m. [mile] WNW. [West North West] of New Luce
station in one of highest of the cultivated fields
and about 200 yds [yards] S. [South] of the upper end of a
plantation are the remains of two cairns
situated within 50 yds. [yards] of each other and
both much delapidated. The most
Westerly of the two measures from 60' - 62' in
diameter and about 5' in elevation and
does not appear to have been excavated.
The other in which the interment has probably been
disturbed measures some 50' in diameter and
[Continued on page 63] |
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[Continued from page 62]
towards the N. [North] only about 5' in elevation.
Fortified site Lindowey burn (unnoted)
In the angle formed by the junction of the
Lindowey burn with the main water of Luce
is a large flat topped isolated rock covered
with trees and vegetation, surrounded on the
S. [South] and E [East] by a chasm in the rock and
the glen of the burn and on the N. [North] side by the
river above which it rises some 50'. Towards
its Western end the chasm has been bridged
over by a wall of dry stone masonry for a
length of 7' and with a width of 10' as far as as:
:certainable. On the NW. [North West] a regular pathway
leads to the summit. Around the top
there are no signs of fortifications nor is
the rock noted as a fortified site but except
for such an occupation the bridging of the
chasm is difficult to account for.
Motored on up a hill road to High Marks
thence a long hot walk into the moors to a
point near the Ayrshire border.
Cairn. Penwhirn burn (12)
On a stretch of moorland which rises to the
W. [West] of the Penwhirn burn and 1 1/2 m [miles] due
W. [West] of High Mark farm and some 75' in
elevation above the stream is a circular
cairn apparently unexcavated. It measures
some 41' in diameter and 3' to 4' in elevation.
[Continued on page 64] |
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[Continued from page 63]
Hut Circle &c unnoted.
On the slope of the hillside about 120 yds [yards] to the E [East] of the Lindowey
burn and 1/2 m. [mile] or thereby SW. [South West] of where it passes beneath
the road is a large oval enclosure measuring in:
:teriorly 56' x 33' and lying with its longest
axis E [East] and W [West]. In the interior are indications
of divisional walls but too indefinite to plan.
The thickness of the enclosing wall is about 5'.6":
the position of the entrance is indeterminate.
Some 20' to the S. [South] are the remains of what
appears to have been a hut circle with an
interior diameter of about 15'. The wall is
much ruined; large boulders have been used in
its construction. Higher up the hill to the Westward
are the remains of old enclosing walls.
Close beside the hut circle I flushed a
nightjar and found on the bare brown
earth, with no attempt at a nest, two eggs.
I see these birds almost daily on the moors.
Lindowey Cairns. (17)
Near the source of the Lindowey burn about
1 m. [mile] from where it flows into the main water of
Luce are two cairns some [--] yds [yards] apart.
That to the SE. [South East] has been half removed but
shows a diameter of 57' and as regards
the remaining portion an elevation of about 4'.
Much of the surface stone has been recently
turned over but there is no indication that
the interment has been disturbed. Some
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[Page] 65
[Continued from page 64]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
40 yds. [yards] to the N. [North] of it is a small low cairn
with a diameter of about 11'.
The second cairn situated to the NW. [North West] of the
last has been also considerably quarried for
stones and large gaps have been made in
its periphery but the centre has not been dis:
:turbed and there the cairn still measures
about 11' in elevation. Its diameter is about 75'.
Cairnerzean Fell Hut Circle (Unnoted)
Towards the S. [South] end of Cairnerzean Fell on a
terrace ESE. [East South East] of the summit and facing E. [East]
is a circular enclosure with an interior
diameter of 29', a wall 6' in thickness and
an entrance from the SE. [South East] of indefinite width. From near the S. [South] side
of the entrance a wall curves towards the
back of the circle with its convexity towards the
N. [North] forming an oval enclosure on the S. [South] side
measuring 22' x 14'. In the vicinity of the
circle lie some two or three small round
cairns measuring some 12' to 14' in diameter.
Cairnerzean Fell. Cairn (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] site.)
On the highest point of Cairnerzean Fell
are the remains of a large circular cairn
with a diameter of 54' and
now reduced to an elevation of 3' or 4'. At
several points its outline is marked by
large blocks of stone. Encircling the cairn
at a short distance from its base are the
ruins of a wall which has evidently been
[Continued on page 66] |
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[Page] 66
[Continued from page 65]
constructed from its materials.
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks the sites to other two cairns
E [East] of the summit.
[Opposite page - Photograph and sketch inserted]
Cairn
Some [--] yds. [yards] SSE. [South South East] of the top of Cairnerzean Fell
is a cairn in a good state of preservation
measuring some 55' in diameter and about
6' in elevation. A low wall of boulders rises around
the outline behind which the cairn increases gradually
in elevation to its apex. If this wall is secondary
its purpose is not obvious.
Cairn
Some 250 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the last are the remains
of a large circular cairn rising directly from
the circumference which has had a diameter
of about 53'. Quite two thirds of the cairn have
been removed to build the neighbouring dykes
and the centre has obviously been cleared out.
Cairnscarrow. (Cairns Sites)
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates the sites of two cairns on
this hill. That at the N. [North] end I failed to find
and there are probably no remains of importance.
[Opposite page - two sketches inserted]
At the S. [South] end of Cairnscarrow to the W. [West] of the
summit and about 100 yds [yards] N [North] of the stone dyke
which runs across the fell is a megalithic
cist which has occupied the centre of a
cairn now almost entirely removed. It
lies NE [North East] and SW [South West] and is open towards the
latter direction. The W. [West] side is formed of a
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[Page] 67
[Continued from page 66]
huge block, possibly a rock in situ, 12'.8" in length increasing along its length from 1'.10" to 4' in breadth
across the top and exposed for a height of 3'.8"
above ground. The stone on the opposite side is only
8' in length and where fully exposed 1'.4" in breadth.
The end stone measures 3'.6" in length and 1' in thickness.
The width of the cist is 2'.6" at the top narrowing
downwards to the present ground level where it
is 1'.6".
Cairns Auchmantle.
On the end of the hill which rises to the
N. [North] of Auchmantle farm the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks two
cairns as the "Meikle and Wee cairns". The
former has been almost entirely eradicated.
In the centre of it formerly existed a
cist the slabs of which were quite recently
removed by the farmer to form checks.
The wee cairn reduced to its foundations is
surmounted by a modern beacon.
I had a long walk over hill & dale,
under a cloudless sky, visiting & inspecting
these cairns. When unknown to me they
have been removed much time is fre:
:quently lost trying to find them. The
undulating & rocky character of the moor:
:land increases the difficulties of location here.
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[Continued from page 67]
30th May 1911.
Old Luce. Cairn Machermore (31)
In an angle of Machermore Wood about 350 yds. [yards]
NW. [North West] of Machermore farm among a luxuriant
growth of bracken is a small cairn-like mound
with a diameter of about 12'. Some 40' NNW. [North North West] of it
are indefinite foundations which seem to be
those of a hut circle, disturbed by the roots
of fallen trees.
Cairn
Towards the NW. [North West] corner of an enclosed park
situated in the moorland about 650 yds. [yards] N. [North] of
Machermore farm is a knoll covered with
loose stones on the top which may possibly
be a cairn though the depth of soil which covers
its flanks lays it open to doubt. The
knoll lies with its longest axis N [North] & S. [South] and
measures about 57' in length by 40' in breadth,
and 6' in elevation. The park has at one time
been under cultivation.
Loch Robin Crannog.
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks the site of a crannog on the
islet towards the SW. [South West] end. As the loch
was low I made my way out to the clump
of willows but saw no remains. The surface
is yeilding.
The large group of hut circles marked by
the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] on the E [East] side of the loch are of very
doubtful existence. I examined the ground
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[Page] 69
[Continued from page 68]
most carefully and could discover no settings
of stones which I could without hesitation state
to have been placed by the hand of man!
Hut hollows. (11)
Towards the E. [East] end of a low heather clad hillock
at the W [West] side of Loch Robin, and on its N. [North]
face are two small circular bowl shaped
hollows measuring in diameter across
the top 6' & 8' respectively and 1' - 1'.6" in depth.
These may have been pit dwellings. At the
extreme E. [East] end of the hillock is a small cairn
-like mound measuring about 8' in diameter.
Hut ruins Craigenveoch Fell. (10)
On the NE. [North East] face of Craigenveoch Fell looking
towards Dirnean Fell in a hollow is
a small group of ruins of bee-hive huts. They
are situated for the most part at the
sides of the hollow. In structure they
appear to have been built of larger stones
than those usually observed and appear
themselves to have been larger. One ruin
on the S. [South] side near the top of the hollow
measures 16' x 14' over all and from the
spaces in it, it appears to have contained
two chambers. At the NW. [North West] upper end
there occurs formed by the outcropping rock
a small semicircular recess some 20' broad
closed across the opening by the ruins of a hut
[Continued on page 70] |
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[Page] 70
[Continued on page 71]
There are no cairn-like heaps associated with
these huts.
Hut ruins &c.
On the NW. [North West] face of the Fell at an elevation
of 300' over sea level is a grassy plateau on
which are a number of hut ruins and from
this point they continue westward down the
slope of the hill. On the plateau there is
a circular ring formed with a bank of stone and turf
3' in thickness and
about 1' in height into which no entrance is
visible. Interiorly it measures 5' x 4'.
Adjacent to it is a larger one with an
interior diameter of 8' enclosed by a bank
3'.6" in thickness. The entrance has been from
the W. [West] and 2' in width. Some 20' to the W. [West] of
it is another similar in size to the first
described. There are many others reduced to
mere cairn-like heaps of stone & peat.
In a narrow gully to the N. [North] of the plateau
many more heaps may be seen, and here
there are indications of cross walls
forming enclosures as at Culroy.
At the base of the slope to the W. [West] of
the plateau is another small hut circle
with an interior diameter of 7', a bank
3' in thickness and an entrance from the
W. [West]. The interior seems to have been dug out
[Continued on page 71] |
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[Continued from page 70]
to some extent below the surrounding level.
Hut ruins & cairns. (28)
On a level terrace which lies along the W. [West] side
of Dirnean Fell near its base are a number
of circular hut ruins and cairn-like mounds. Some
of the latter lie in wettish ground where bog-
-myrtle is growing in a situation unsuitable
for habitations and consequently they are
probably cairns
Whitefield Loch.
The description of the crannogs &c. in
this loch must be taken from Mr. Wilson's
paper in the Proceedings. Vol [Volume] IX. [9] 1871. p. [page] 368.
A mere cursory inspection can justify no
addition or detraction from the statements in
his careful report. The promontory near
the E. [East] end on S. [South] side is undoubtedly natural
as he suggests.
31st May.
Train to Dunragit where I was met
by Mr. Cunningham's keeper.
Old Luce Round Dounan. Dunragit
On the E [East] side of the avenue to Dunragit
House and about 1/4 m. [mile] from the lodge
is situated the Round Dounan. It is a natural
hillock of outcropping rock some 12' - 14' in height overgrown with
vegetation. Along the W. [West] side is a terrace
some 18' in width which may originally have
been a ditch now filled in.
Dunragit Ho. [House]
In the presrent house of Dunragit is
[Continued on page 72] |
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[Page] 72
[Continued from page 71]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
incorporated an older building the walls of
which are 4'.10" in thickness. The only architec:
:tural features remaining are two windows in
[Margin] ?
the S. [South] face of the S.W. [South West] angle surrounded by
late 17th century bead and ? hollow mouldings
Fort No. 4 Dunragit Moor Enclosure (24)
I could find no trace whatever of this object.
In a sheltered hollow on the old Hall Moor just
to the N. [North] of the march dyke and about 1/2 m. [mile]
due N. [North] of Old Hall is a circular enclosure
measuring interiorly 30' x 34', surrounded by
a bank of turf and stone about 5' thick faced
on both sides with large stones set on end.
The entrance has been from the SE. [South East] and appears to
have been wide.
Cairn (unnoted) Glenwhan Moor
On the Glenwhan Moor some 30 yds. [yards] N. [North] of the
dyke which separates it from the Old Hall
Moor and about 3/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Old Hall farm is a
small cairn overgrown with heather, meas:
:uring some 13' in diameter and 2' in elevation
while about 100 yds. [yards] to the E [East] is another. Their
situation may be identified from two outcropping
rocks which rise to a height of 15' to 20' above the
moorland some 200 yds. [yards] to the S. [South].
Cairn (unnoted) Glenwhan Moor
On a flat rocky ridge in the Moor on the E [East] of the flow about
1/2 m. [mile] WNW. [West North West] of the upper end of Baraigle Wood
and 100 yds [yards] from the Old Hall march dyke
[Continued on page 73] |
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[Continued from page 72]
are the indefinite remains of some early
structures and also two or three cairn-like
mounds.
Glenwhan Moor (23) Hut Circle.
On the moor about 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of Baraigle Wood
and at the N. [North] end of a broad ridge on which
are the remains of crofts is a small oval enclosure
measuring interiorly 9' x 6' surrounded by a
bank of stone and turf 4'.6" in thickness and
now of low elevation. The entrance appears to
have been from the SE. [South East]. A number of small
cairns lie to the S. [South] and E. [East] the nearest being
only 10' distant from the circle. The largest
cairn of the group measures 13' in diameter
and 2' in height. Some 30' NW. [North West] of the
hut circle above described is another much
worn away but with the outline of the wall still
traceable. Interiorly it has measured 7' x 9' and
has been entered from the SW. [South West]. To the E. [East]
of the hut circle lie some six small cairns.
Hut ruins &c
Hut ruins &c
About 1/2 m. [mile] E. [East] of Baraigle plantation and some
80 yds. [yards] N [North] of the stone dyke which divides the
moorland is a group of six or eight
small cairn-like mounds overgrown
with heather. Towards the E [East] end of the
group is a heap of stones against the slope
of a bank which probably marks the ruins
[Continued on page 74] |
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[Continued from page 73]
of a hut.
Hut circles &c.
On a flat stretch of moorland immediately
above the Glen Plantation to the S. [South] of Craig
Fell is a large group of small cairns
varying in diameter from 10' to 20' and
1' to 2' in height. There are also the remains
of hut circles but they are for the most part
very ill-defined. One hut measured from 6' to 7'
in interior diameter and had a wall 3'.6" in
thickness the outer face of which had been
marked with large boulders. The position of
the entrance appeared to have been from the SE. [South East].
To the N. [North] a wall seemed to run from it for a distance
of 21' with an indefinite foundation at its termination.
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
There are observable in several directions the
remains of old walls. In one instance a
small circular enclosure of 5' in diameter
was observed in the thickness. To the N. [North]
of the upper end of the plantation the cairns
are large and numerous. The largest measured
24' x 18'. The hut circles have probably been
formed of turf with an irregular outline of boulders
set on end on either face. The turf has gone &
the lines of boulders are difficult to follow
especially as there is so much stone
naturally on the surface. To the NW. [North West] of
[Continued on page 75] |
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[Continued from page 74]
the Glen plantation and towards the NE [North East] end
of the area is a hut circle the plan of which
is fairly definite.
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
A small circle with an
interior diameter of 5' and a wall 2 1/2' thick
entered from the E. [East], has been contained
within an outer circular wall running
from either side of the entrance and
forming an incomplete circle with a diameter of 13'.
The line of the outer wall except where it comes
into contact with the smaller circle is merely
represented by large stones set at intervals.
Cairn (23a)
Near the upper end of the second field to the
N. [North] of the upper end of the Glen Plantation is
a large cairn reduced to an elevation of
from 2' to 3' and measuring in diameter
50'. An excavation at a spot near the
circumference on the W. [West] seems to indicate
the removal of a cist but the primary
interment has probably not been disturbed.
[Continued on page 76] |
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[Continued from page 75]
Defensive Enclosure. Airyhemming (6)
Situated in a grass field at an elevation of about
350' above sea level to the S. [South] of the upper end of the
Glen plantation and about 1/2 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of Airyhemming
are the remains of a small defensive enclosure.
The position it occupies has no relation to any natural
defensive advantages not is it in any sense com:
:manding. In form the enclosure is an
irregular oval measuring over all some 92'
in length by 66' in breadth. It is in large
measure overgrown with grass and its details
are further concealed beneath stones gathered
off the fields but it appears to have con:
:sisted of two main enclosures. One
irregularly circular measuring interiorly some
31' by 40' and apparently subdivided occupying
the central part of the enclosure, and a
second which forms a small ear-like pro:
:jection against the W. [West]. The wall around
the central enclosure appears to be some 10'
in thickness on the N. [North] and 7' on the S. [South] while
on the E [East] it is represented by a bank of
stone 18' or more in thickness and higher than
elsewhere being some 4' above the level of the
interior. Over this bank are exposed in line
on the surface several large blocks of stone
commencing from a single standing stone towards
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[Continued from page 76]
the outer side, possibly indicating the
position of the entrance. As no wall faces
are actually visible the above measurements are
merely hypothetical.
The massive wall at one end of the construction
seems characteristic of these enclosures. It probably
contained chambers.
[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] Diagram. Scale. 24' = 1"
Cairn Airyhemming (25)
On the hill above Airyhemming about 1/2 m. [mile] SSW [South South West] of
the upper end of the Glen Plantation and on
a rough grass park where there is much
outcropping rock there is a cairn much
delapidated and possibly rifled. It has
measured in diameter about 23'.
Cairn Airyhemming (25)
Some [--] yds [yards] to the Eastward in a cultivated
field are the remains of another reduced to
an elevation of about 3' but which does not
seem to have been excavated. It measures in
diameter some 35'.
This was another glorious day and a
long one. We returned to Dunragit Station
& got a train back at 7.25. It has been very
hot.
2nd June 1911.
Train to Glenluce thence on bicycle up
the Luce valley.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Cairn Mid Gleniron (30)
On the top of a slight rocky eminence
some 200 yds [yards] SSW. [South South West] of Gleniron farm house
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[Continued from page 77]
is a large circular cairn absolutely unspoiled.
It measures in diameter 56' and in elevation
about 9'. It appears to have been erected on a
regularly laid base which is visible all around for a
distance of about 12' out from the cairn
and seems to be about 1 1/2 - 2' in height.
[Opposite page - sketch of cairn with scale inserted]
Cairn &c. O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Graves.
Situated in a cultivated field some 300 yds. [yards] SW. [South West]
of Mid Gleniron farm house are the remains
of a long cairn with a frontal semicircle of
stones. It has been reduced to a low elevation
and three megalithic cists are exposed within it.
The cairn lies with its major axis N. [North] by E. [East] and S [South] by W [West] and
measures in extreme length 108';
in breadth at the S [South] end 27'; and at the N. [North] end 36'.
Of the frontal semicircle four stones remain
exposed representing the W. [West] segment with a radius of about 13'. At
5' in from the stones adjacent to the mesial line of
the cairn is the unenclosed end of a cist lying
in the main direction of the cairn measuring
7' in length by, from 2'.10" to 3' in breadth. It is
formed of two large blocks 1'.6" and 1'.8" in
thickness, and a stone across the S. [South] end which
appears to be one half of a round boulder
having the convex surface towards the outside
of the cist. At 7'.9" in rear of this stone
is situated the second cist placed across
the longest axis of the cairn and lying in
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[Continued from page 78]
[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] Not fully to scale
direction almost E [East] and W. [West], measuring 8'.9" in
extreme length by 2' in breadth. It is formed
of two blocks of stone 4' and 4'.8" in length on the
N. [North] and three lesser stones on the S. [South] with one closing
the E [East] end. As in the first cist the end towards
the side of the cairn is open. In rear of this
cist some 9' lying N [North] and S. [South] and on the E [East] side of the cairn
is a third only partially exposed measuring
2'.10" in breadth. As has been observed in
many of the long cairns in the north there
appears a depression across it as if
a roadway had been opened through it.
The first two cists have probably been cleared
out; the second possibly not, and the
elevation of portions of the remainder render
it probable that there are still others un:
:discovered. (One cist (No. 3) said to
have been opened by the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] about 70 yrs. [years]
ago when they found the thigh bones of a large
man (Rev. [Reverend] G. Wilson's Reg. [Register]) The outline of the
cairn has been demarcated with boulders
irregularly placed.
Some 50 yds. SE. [South East] of the long cairn in
the same field is a low grassy mound with
loose stones on the top of it, evidently the
remains of another cairn with a diameter
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[Continued from page 79]
of some 35'. It is much reduced in elevation
but there is no sign that the interment has
been disturbed.
Some 80 yds [yards] SW. [South West] of the high round cairn
at the higher end of the adjoining field are the
remains of a second long cairn which has
been much pillaged for stones. It lies
N by E. [North by East] and S. by W [South by West] and has its prominent
end towards the N. [North]. It measures, in
length 97'; in breadth at the S [South] end 23' at
the N. [North] end 34'. At 32' in along the mesial
line from the N. [North] extremity the upper part of a
slab standing on end at right angles to the
direction of the cairn marks the position of
a cist and some 10' from the opposite
end there appears to be another cist from
the position of another block. Though much
of the cairn has been removed, the cists
do not appear to have been examined.
The outline has been marked by boulders
at irregular intervals.
Upper Galdenoch
Some 80 yds [yards] from the edge of the moorland
in the highest of the cultivated fields & about
1/2 m. [mile] E [East] of Upper Galdenoch are the remains of a
large circular cairn which has had a diameter
of about 50'. It has probably been entirely
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[Continued from page 80]
[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] Sketch Plan
cleared out in the centre and latterly to have
used as a receptacle for gathered stones.
Fort. Upper Galdenoch or Cruise Fell.
Occupying the highest point of Cruise Fell about
1/2 SE. [South East] of Upper Galdenoch farm is a stone built
fort. The site is an L shaped ridge of outcropping
rock with a shorter & parrallel rock, some 30' to 40' distant
from the end of the longer limb. A broad wall
of dry stone masonry has been built along the
crest of the rocks and over the intervening
hollows thus forming an oblong enclosure
The longest axis lies N and S. [North and South] and the highest
part of the rock is the short limb of the L at
the N [North] end. On the E and S. [East and South] the rock rises
to a height of 20' to 30' above the surrounding
moorland and towards the E. [East] the escarpment is steep.
On the W. [West] above the lowest part of the interior
it has a height of 8' or 10'. The total length overall is about 143' and the breadth across the centre 73'. The fort appears
to have been divided into two main enclosures
by the construction of a circular citadel
on the highest part of the rock with an
interior diameter of about 30'. The wall
which surrounds this is reduced to a mass
of debris 16' broad in places and seems to have con:
:tained a circular chamber in its thickness
on the S. [South] side. The wall which forms
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[Continued from page 81]
the S. [South] limit of the fort is for the most part
concealed beneath a great mass of debris but
where the both faces appear to be exposed they
indicate a thickness of 8'. In the SW. [South West] angle
the mass of stones measures 23' across from the
outer face of the wall inwards and has
probably contained one or more circular
chambers in its thickness of which there
are indications. Elsewhere the wall has either fallen over the rock or is completely ruined. The hollow below the citadel
and between the rocks in the interior meas:
:ures 60' in length by 32' in breadth. The walls
which cross it at the S. [South] end have probably
been erected by shepherds to form a fold.
Cairn 'MacNeilie'. Upper Galdenoch.
About 100 yds [yards] NNW. [North North West] of Upper Galdenoch Farm
are the remains of a large circular
cairn around and over the margin of
which great quantities of gathered stone
have been deposited. A domical portion
in the centre, however, with an elevation
of some 3'.6" probably contains the original
interment. The diameter has been
about 56'.
Cairn Barnshangan
On the S. [South] side of the road that leads from
New Luce to Barnshangan and about
1/2 m. [mile] W. [West] of the latter are two cairns. The
Eastmost has been carted away to the
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[Continued from page 82]
extent of more than a half of its original
size but there is no evidence that the interment
has been disturbed. It has measured some
65' in diameter and the remaining portion
is about 7' in elevation.
The other cairn, situated across a glen, some
200 yds. [yards] to the W. [West] has been reduced all over
to a height of 2' to 3', and is now overgrown
with grass. It has measured some 62' in diameter,
no cists are exposed.
Cairns &c.
On the W. [West] side of the hill road which led to the
Knockibae Lead Mines and 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of Barns:
:hangan is a large group of cairn like
deposits of stone measuring from 12' to 16'
in diameter and formed of larger stones
than the usual heaps which accompany
hut ruins. One near the upper end of the
group is oblong & measures 23' by 14' lying with
its longer axis E. [East] and W. [West]. There are no
definite remains of hut circles or hut
ruins observable.
The small circular hut like shelters built
by shepherds against old walls &c. on the
hills & which resemble in size the hut ruins,
are, I am told, erected so that a ewe who
has lost her lamb may be put in with a
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[Continued from page 83]
motherless lamb and may thus be obliged to
afford it nourishment.
A very hot day. Got home by bicycle at 7.15.
I never saw the hawthorns so white with blossom
as this year but it is passing quickly in the
drought.
3rd June.
Writing up notes - most of the day
4th June near Luce Cairn Caves of Kilhern (26)
Motored beyond New Luce to Dranigower
situated on the moorland adjacent to a
stone dyke which runs NE [North East] and SW. [South West] and
about 1/2 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West] of Kilhern are the remains
of a long cairn containing megalithic
cists known as the "Caves of Kilhern." The
cairn has been reduced to a low level by
the removal of stones and in it are ex:
:posed the remains of cists while
the positions of one or two others is
indicated by the presence of upright stones
protruding above the debris or by depressions
from which large stones seem to have been
removed. The extreme length of the
cairn, as far as accurately ascertainable
in its ruined state, appears to be 96'. It
lies with its longest axis ENE [East North East] and WSW. [West South West]
measures 60' in breadth towards the former direction
and 30' at the latter. Lying in the
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[Continued from page 84]
[Opposite page - 2 photographs inserted]
mesial line are two cists,
and a single upright stone which seems to
mark the site of a third, while towards the
ENE. [East North East] end set at right angles to the central line
and some 3' distant from it on opposite sides
have been two other cists of which considerable
portions remain in situ. At 7'.6" inwards
from what is taken to be the ENE [East North East] termination
is a large cist formed of two blocks, a long and
a short one, on either side, a single slab at
the back, a kerb or step about 1'.5" in height
across the entrance, and a massive stone
6'.4" long, 3'.8" broad and 10" thick as
the cover. The cist, which is somewhat irregularly
shaped, has measured 5'.8" in length along one
side and 6'.8" along the other, in breadth
about 2'.8", on average and in height, from
the present floor level, 3'.5". It has been
entered from the end of the cairn through
a portal about 2' wide, approached by a
passage of which two stones opposite to
each other and 1'.8" apart mark the position.
The second cist now consisting of two side
slabs, 3' apart, and two portal stones with an
opening 1' wide between them is situated
6' further into the cairn and at right angles
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[Page] 86
[Continued from page 85]
to the last. The position of the portal shows that it
was entered from the N [North] side of the cairn from
which it is now some 20' distant. Some 6' further
in are the remains of a third cist in direction parallel to the
last but situated on the opposite side of the
cairn and as the portal stones show originally
entered from the SSE. [South South East]. The only other cist
of which any considerable remains exist is
situated like the first, in the mesial line and
some 33' distant from the WSW. [West South West] end from which direction
it has been entered. Except for the absence
of one portal stone and the covers, it is complete.
and measures some 4'.6" in length,
from 2'.7" to 3'.7" in breadth and 3' to 4' in depth.
Between this cist and the end of the cairn
are four stones standing on end protruding above
the debris which may indicate the position
of an entrance passage. There are
no remains of a frontal semicircle.
Cairn (25)
On the moor about 1/4 m. [mile] SW. [South West] of Dranigower
Lodge is a circular cairn reduced to
an elevation of some 3' at the circumference
and less in the centre. It measures in
diameter about 50'. No cist is exposed.
Hut circles (4)
In a hollow below the cultivated land
about 1/4 m. [mile] E. [East] of Hardcroft farm are the
[Continued on page 87] |
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[Continued from page 86]
remains of some small circular constructions
only one is capable of measurement. It has been
dug out of the top of a bank and shows an
interior diameter of about 7' and an entrance
from the N. [North] up the slope of the bank. To the
N. [North] across the hollow are some five or six
round cairn-like heaps measuring from 16' to 18' in
diameter and one oblong one measuring
22' by 16'. Some of these may be hut ruins.
Hut ruins (5)
On the moor facing towards the N. [North] about
1/4 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of Dranigower Lodge is a small
group of hut ruins one of which has an
interior diameter of 6'.
Inch Par Cairn (19)
Situated near the roadside in a cultivated
field about 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Milton of Larg is a
large circular cairn reduced to an
elevation of from 4' to 5' overgrown
with whin bushes and blackthorn and
measuring some 70' in diameter. Though
it has been quarried into at one time from
the NE. [North East] there is no indication of the central
interment having been reached.
High Airieolland O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Cairn (18)
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates a large cairn about 150 yds [yards]
N. [North] of High Airieolland which no longer exists.
I could find no trace of it.
[Continued on page 88] |
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[Page] 88
[Continued from page 87]
[Opposite page - photograph and sketch inserted]
Standing Stones of Glentirrow (22)
Situated on the moor about 1/2 m. [mile] ENE. [East North East] of
Penwhirrie are four boulders, three of which
stand from 2' to 3' above ground and the
other is displaced, probably the remains of a
double concentric stone circle. The stones
believed to be those of the outer circle, are
oval in section, measuring 2'.10" and 2'.7" retrospectively in breadth at base, both upright, 4' apart and
set slightly convergent as if the centre of the
circle had been towards the WNW [West North West.] The
other pair of stones, one of which has fallen
are 3'.2" apart at base and are each 4'.8" distant respectively from
opposite stone of the other pair.
Some 40' to the NE. [North East] lies a fifth stone similar
in appearance. It is displaced and possibly
not in its original position but if so it cannot
have been part of the circle to which the
others seem to have belonged.
Stepping Stones of Glentirrow (23)
After much search i discovered these
insignificant stones across a portion of
moor which had been dug for peats. I have
yet to learn why the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] took note of them.
They are in no way conspicuous as land marks
or curiosities.
In the park to the E [East] of Loch Inch policies on
the E. [East] of the New Luce road less than 1/4 m. [mile]
above its junction with the Stranraer Road is
[Continued on page 89] |
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[Continued from page 88]
a great block of stone which I think must be
natural. It is 7' long, 5' high, and 3'.10" wide
& faces W [West] by N. [North] and E [East] by S. [South]
Cults Mote (7)
In an arable field and about [--] N. [North] of Cults
farm is the site of Cults Mote. It has been
long under cultivation and is now recognisable
as a mere swelling on the surface of the
field about 3' in height, showing over its
surface many water worn cobble stones.
Old Luce Paved floor & site of Ancient Village Park (45 & 46) (omit)
Of the former object I saw not a trace but
to may well exist overgrown with whins and
grass. The so-called site of an ancient
village are a number of sandy hollows
a couple of feet in depth. On the surface
are to be seen a few fragments of bleached
bone which may be ancient but there
are also as many pieces of pottery essentially
modern. Even if an ancient kitchen
midden existed here the name on the
map is quite unwarranted & misleading
6th June 1911.
Still the weather continues gloriously
fine. I have not seen an hour's dull sky
in weeks.
Train with bicycles to Castle Kennedy
in order to explore the E [East] side of Loch Ryan.
Inch Cairn
At the edge of a strip of plantation
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[Continued from page 89]
[Opposite page - two photographs inserted]
to the W. [West] of the Loch Inch policies and about
1/4 m. [mile] E. [East] of the farm of (?) High Inch Parks is a
circular cairn bearing the name of Cairn
MacNeilie. A small portion of it which
has lain in cultivated land outside the
wood has been cleared away but the re:
:mainder has an elevation of about 6' and
does not appear to have been excavated. It
measures in diameter 42'.
We had stiff ride down Loch Ryan with a head wind.
Taxing Stone. (10.) Little Laight.
There is a standing stone about 1/4 m. [mile] N [North] by W [West] of Little Laight
standing in the line of the dyke which divides
the highest of the cultivated fields from an
enclosed grass park above the steep hill side
on the W. [West]. It measures 6' in height
above ground, 2'.4" at greatest breadth and
1'.10" at base and 1'.6" in thickness and faces
E. [East] and W. [West].
Long Tom. Standing Stone (9)
On the moorland about 1 1/2 m. [miles] NE [North East] of Little
Laight and within 1/2 m. [mile] of the Ayrshire
border is a single standing stone bearing the
[Continued on page 91] |
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[Continued from page 90]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
name of "Long Tom. It is quadrate in section
at base diminishing to an edge as it rises
upwards, and measures 6' in height as far as
exposed, 2'.2" in breadth and in thickness at
base. It faces WSW. [West South West] and ENE. [East North East].
Hut Circles (unnoted)
Some 60' to the Southward of Long Tom are the
remains of two hut circles situated adjacent to
each other. The most westerly measures about
12' in interior diameter. The enclosing wall
has been of turf & stone, is almost reduced to
ground level and has measured some 3'
across. The other circle appears to have
been of similar size but its outline is less
distinct owing the number of large stones
lying displaced in the interior.
Cairn Loch Ryan House. (11)
The cairn marked as existing on the crest
of the hill which rises behind Loch Ryan House
has been almost obliterated and retains
no features worth noting.
Deil's Dyke (24)
This earthwork commences on the E. [East] shore
of Loch Ryan about 1/3 m. [mile] N. [North] of where the Beoch
burn passes under the road.
It is believed to ascend up Beoch Hill taking
advantage of a natural hollow till it reaches
an elevation of above 500' over the sea,
thence it turns Eastward towards the
[Continued on page 92] |
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[Continued from page 91]
upper end of the glen of that burn. As seen on
Beoch Hill it is a low mound with an elevation
of about 1' much spread by ploughing.
About 100 yds [yards] E. [East] of where it leaves the ravine is
a hollow basin like depression with a
diameter at the surface of 14' and a depth
of 1 1/2' to 2'.
O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Cairn (14)
Situated near the top of Beoch Hill some 300 yds. [yards]
W. [West] of the upper end of the field dyke is another
similar hollow the sides of which appear to
have been faced with stone. It also measures
14' in diameter and from 1' - 1 1/2' in depth.
White Cairn (16)
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] indicates this cairn as existing
on the top of Beoch Hill, it is, however, almost
obliterated and nothing remains worth noting.
Shinriggie Mr. Wilson notes this place as
the site of an ancient fortified town. Looking
across the glen at the slopes of the hill
I could see no indication of anything of the
sort.
It was 7.45 ere we got back to Kirkcowan
Station very tired after a long day and
much difficult walking in a grilling sun.
Hard walks are not repaid by the sight
of a cairn practically all removed. For
all the walking I have done I have seen
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[Continued from page 92]
very little worth remark in this county.
7th June 1911.
Off by the 8.45 train to Stranraer where we were
met by the hotel car. We had not gone far from the
station ere we collided with a coal cart running
right into the horse. Fortunately the splasher of the
car was a flimsy article or the horse would have
been badly cut.
Stopped at Leswalt church which MacGibbon must
visit. An old farmer who said he lived
at Craigoch assured me there was no fort on
the top & now I find there is, so I must
climb the hill next time I pass.
Lesswalt. Aldouran Glen Fort. (7)
On the N. [North] side of the Glen of
Aldouran & on the top of the high bank
where the burn makes a sharp turn
in its course towards the E. [East] is a pre:
:historic fort. Across the base of the angle thus formed
have been reared three ramparts
with a ditch between the middle and inner
one, leaving a triangular area in rear
with a longest diameter of about 90'
while the outer rampart measures about 163' in length.
Along the flanks the position has been
further protected by a wall connecting
the ends of the ramparts seemingly about 6'.6" in
thickness. The thickness of each rampart
at base has been about 18'. The outer one
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[Continued from page 93]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
at its highest point measures about 6'.6" in height
on the outer face and about the same on the
inner. At the W. [West] end it is distant some 27'
from the second rampart and passing Westward
the distance increases till it is nearly 50' at
the opposite side. The intermediate rampart
is somewhat lower than those on either
side measuring about 3'.9" in height on the
outside and 4' on the inner. The ditch
which separates the middle from the inner
line measures 21' across. and is some
5'.6" in depth below the crest of the scarp.
The inner rampart is some 3'.6" in height
above the interior. At 63' along the
outer rampart from the W. [West] end there is
a break or entrance 10' wide flanked for a distance of some
23' by a return of the rampart on the W. [West] side.
This flanking defence, however is not continued
to meet the intermediate mound but stops
at a distance of about 6'.6" from it.
Along the scarp of the middle rampart
there appears to have been a wall some 4'.6" thick
On the W. [West] the defences come to the very edge
of the steep bank but on the E. [East] between
the end of the outer rampart and the abrupt
slope there is a space about 20' in width
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[Continued from page 94]
which diminishes towards the interior. This
may have been the entrance. The fort is
situated in a wood and the ramparts are in
places overgrown with shrubs & thicket so
that it is difficult to make accurate measurements.
Kirkcolm. Craigoch Fort. (8)
On the left bank of the Craigoch burn, some
300 yds. [yards] NE. [North East] of High Milton and opposite the
site & fragmentary remains of Craigoch Castle,
is an isolated rock protected by the burn on
the W. [West] and by a natural fosse on the
NE. [North East] and E. [East] above which it rises to a height of
some 12' or thereby. The top of the rock
which is overgrown with grass measures
some 60' by 50. On the W. [West] part of it is a
circular enclosure with an interior dia:
:meter of 27' surrounded by a bank some
7' in thickness. Within the interior are
two cup shaped depressions 1' in depth &
4' in diameter and towards the W. [West]
between the bank of the circle
and an outer bank which at this point
crowns the scarp of the rock there is an
oblong hollow some 6' - 7' in length and of
indeterminate breadth. Occupying the
remainder of the area and against
the bank of the circle on the E. [East] is an
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[Continued from page 95]
oblong enclosure measuring some 32' by 12'.
The position of the entrance is uncertain.
Ervie
On enquiry at the post office I could find no
information about the rock-hewn grave mentioned
by Mr. Wilson as at Ervie Farm and on learning
that there were four or five farms at Ervie,
High, Low, &c &c. I did not think it worth
wasting time over.
Corsewall
The church noted on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] at Corsewall is
really a burial aisle. The site of the old
church is quite apparent nearby.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Cross Corsewall.
Situated in the Garden to the E. [East] of Corsewall
House is a fine celtic cross slab sculptured on
both faces the description of which may be
taken from the "Sculptured stones &c."
In height it measures 5'.4", in breadth 1'.7"
at base and 1'.10" at the top while its average
thickness is 10". I got a photograph of the
front, but the back which shows a double
crucifixion one above the other, with the
legs uncrossed was too much in shadow.
St. Columba's Well.
Adjacent to the entrance to the grave yard
within the grounds of Corsewall house is
as well said to be dedicated to St. Columba, covered by a structure of comparatively
modern date.
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[Continued from page 96]
Enclosure Jamieson's Point.
On a rocky promontory known as Jamieson's
Point about 1 1/2 m. [miles] N. [North] of Kirkcolm Village is
a circular enclosure situated between the
rocks and the field dyke. In the interior
which measures 57' in diameter there are
surface indications of subdivisional walls
but the whole structure is much worn
down and almost level with the surface
of the ground. The thickness of the wall
appears to have been some 7'. Adjacent
are the remains of an old kiln. In a
plan reproduced in the Arch. [Archaeology] Collection's
of Ayrshire & Galloway Vol. [Volume] V [five] p. [page] 65, three
hut circles are shown, but their existence
is very questionable.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Fort Caspin
On the N. [North] coast about 1/2 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West] of West Bal:
:scalloch occupying a remarkable rocky
promontory are the remains of a prehistoric
fort. The promontory somewhat resembles
in shape a human ear with a deep chasm
almost dividing it from side to side near
the centre. A natural trench runs across
the neck connecting it with the mainland
on either side of which rise
abruptly the outcropping rocks on the front
of the fort to a height of from 15' to 20' and
[Continued on page 98] |
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[Continued from page 97]
and somewhat higher on the opposite side.
Along the crest of the rocky scarp are visible
the remains of stony rampart or wall some
7' to 8' in thickness extending along the front
for a distance of 218' or thereby with a return
towards the edge of the dividing chasm at its
Western extremity. Through the centre of this
defence between two points of rock has been
the entrance now confused by a mass of
displaced stones. The surface of the
promontory is broken by many low
outcropping rocks with sheltered grassy hollows
among them. At either end of the trench
there is a stone revetment built in connection
with kelp gathering operations formerly
conducted here and the well-like construction
at the S.W. [South West] end is said to have been a shaft
up which the sea weed was hoisted by a windlass.
See Ayr & Gall.[Ayrshire & Galloway] V. [5] p. [page] 66. plan.
About ? 1/2 m. [mile] further along the coast is a
rock connected similarly to the mainland
but very precipitous on its landward face,
which is evidently Dinmurchie referred
to by Rev. [Reverend] G. Wilson. I tried to scale the
rocky face but as the foothold was
so slight & the rocky points which I
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[Continued from page 98]
grasped so insecure I gave up the attempt
after climbing 6' or 8' up. There are no
visible signs of defences about it.
Fort Corsewall Point. Dunskirloch.
Almost 150 yds [yards] NE. [North East] of Corsewall lighthouse is a
flat topped peninsular rock defended by a
trench across the neck, partly natural and
partly artificial. On the seaward side of this
trench rises the rocky front of the peninsula presenting
a barrier some 25' in height at the W. [West] end
and gradually diminishing in elevation towards
the E. [East]. Along the top has been erected a
wall or rampart for a distance of about
130' now fragmentary measuring some 15' in breadth at base,
and at the E [East] end removed,
with the exception of some large stones which
have been in the foundation. The trench
in front measures some 15' to 20' in breadth
at bottom, narrowing to about 8' near
the centre where it has been crossed
by the approach to the entrance, and 8' or
9' in width Eastward. On the landward
side of the trench has been an outer
rampart including in its course such
natural eminences of outcropping rock as occur.
The interior of the fort
is for the most part rocky, but across
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[Continued from page 99]
it lies a grassy area some
50' in average width.
Construction South Cairn Farm.
On the N. [North] end of the hill which rises to an
elevation of 205' above sea level to the N. [North] of
South Cairn Farm and about 1/2 m. [mile] distant
from it are the indefinite remains of a
construction marked "cairn" on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map.
There are a number of small depressions
and ridges which appear to be the remains
of walls over it and towards the S. [South] there
is a hollow with a diameter of about 35'.
It is more probably the site of a small de:
:fensive enclosure than of a cairn.
I found a trench dug into this construction
for a distance of 20' or thereby in lines of a right
angle and the farmer at North Cairn informed
me on enquiry that it was done recently by a
treasure seeker named Beckett who said
he got 30/- [£30.0.0] worth of flints &c. out of it. At the
end of the trench there were just exposed a
quantity of animal bones. I have reported
this digging to Mr. Hew Dalrymple. Beckett is
employed by Mann who is consequently to
some extent responsible for this most
undesirable style of treasure seeking.
Still glorious weather. We returned to Stranraer
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[Continued from page 100]
a little after 6.0.
[Opposite page - three photographs]
12th June 1911. Berman of Garvilland (Fort)
Bicycled to Glenluce and Garvilland & Drumphail.
The Berman of Garvilland is a conspicuous
rocky hill which forms the termination
towards the NE. [North East] of a group of similar
Fells in the SE. [South East] corner of New Luce parish and
some four miles N. [North] of the village of Glenluce.
The hill rises up gradually for some 25' with a narrow
rocky ridge from the NE. [North East] to an altitude of
600' over sea level thence runs into the higher
moorland which separates it from the Bught
Fell on the SW [South West] by an easy slope to the 525'
level. The flanks of the ridge are very steep
and naturally defended by irregular faces
of rock while long beds of outcropping rock
form hollows and ridges up the NE. [North East] slope.
Around the summit following the edge
of the escarpment on either side and crossing
the slope on the NE. [North East] some 195' distant from
the highest point are the ruins of a stony
rampart or wall very fragmentary on the
flanks where the stones for the most part
have fallen over the rock. Where it crosses
the hollows on the SE. [South East] it has been sup:
:plemented by an outer rampart.
At the SW. [South West] extremity where the fall
[Continued on page 102] |
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[Continued from page 101]
in the level is slight, the wall has been
greatly increased in thickness. It is entirely
ruined but appears to have been about 20'
thick. Through the centre of the wall at this
end has passed the entrance the width and
details of which are obscured by the debris.
Running from the face of a rock on the E. [East] flank
there is an outwork of stone which curves
passed the entrance at 33' distant from it
and is carried with a divergence to 50' for 60' beyond
it to the Westward.
This wall at its extremity is 11' thick.
Interjected between it and the inner defence
for a distance of 20' or thereby & 6' distant from it
is a third wall some 18' in thickness
which is brought round from a rock face on
the W. [West]. The approach to the entrance
thus passes round the western end of the
outer wall and is flanked by the intermediate
one till opposite the passage through the
main wall into the interior. The total length
of the enclosure within the inner wall is
some 295' and its breadth across the centre
about 180'. In the interior a bold rock rising
to a height of about 15' forms the actual
summit. To the W. [West] of this is a patch of
rushes which may indicate the position
[Continued on page 103] |
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[Continued from page 102]
of a well or water cistern in the rock.
In the thickness of the intermediate wall
on the SW. [South West] front near its inner termination is
a small circular hollow which may
possibly be the site of a chamber and
in the main wall on the left of the
entrance passage there is a similarly sug:
:gestive hollow.
Mr. Wilson has indicated on a plan lying
loose in his register a large number of
hut circles in the walls &c. of this fort but I
saw no justification for these other than noted above.
Larig Fell
The Larig Fell rises to a height of 625'
immediately to the W. [West] of the fort-crowned
Bennan of Garvilland and is separated
by a narrow flow from the N. [North] end of the
Bught Fell. On its S. [South] end towards the E. [East]
at about the 550' elevation over sea level
are situated a large number of cairn-like
mounds and hut ruins similar to those
observed on the Bught Fell.
A short distance up from the level ground
at the base of the Fell on the SE. [South East] in a sheltered hollow trending from
E [East] to W. [West] are the ruins of an old dry-stone
wall about 7' in thickness built
with large stones and extending for a distance of about 120 yds. [yards] with
returns towards the flow at both ends. Near the centre of its
[Continued on page 104] |
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[Page] 104
[Continued from page 103]
course it diverges in a curve suddenly towards
the hill so as to contain on the lower side a
circular enclosure measuring 26' in interior
diameter entered from the SE. [South East] through an opening 2' in width and formed with a wall of large stones
5' in thickness. Some 80' to the North:
:ward of the circle and outside the upper wall
is a semicircular stone built construction,
probably a sheep shelter, open towards the S. [South]
with a chord of 22' formed by a wall 5' in thickness
and still 2' in height. This construction
may be compared with the crescentic mounds
frequently noted in Sutherland (cf. Inventory of
Sutherland. No.430)
Hut ruins &c.
Stretching along the NE. [North East] side of the Fell
opposite the Bennan of Garvilland are
many hut ruins and cairn-like
mounds. One of the former rather larger
than the usual examples measured 20' over
all in diameter and 8' interiorly. Another
in which the interior was well defined
measured 14' across. It projected to the
N. [North] so that the interior had a pear
shaped form measuring 6' across the
broad end, 3' across the narrower and
9' in length. The position of the entrance
was obscure. Another heap of loose
[Continued on page 105] |
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[Page] 105
[Continued from page 104]
displaced stones showing hollows on its surface
suggested the ruins of a double hut measuring
20' in length with a general average breadth
of 10'.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
On the moor about 1 m. [mile] N [North] by W. [West] of
Drumpail and close by a modern cairn is
a hut circle measuring interiorly 22' by 25',
seemingly entered from the SE. [South East] and formed
by a bank some 5' thick and now a few inches
in elevation having large stones placed in
the periphery at irregular intervals on
either face. Some 40' to the Westward is
a small cairn-like mound overgrown
with heather measuring from 10' to 12' in
diameter and 1 1/2' in height while some 60 yds. [yards]
to the S. [South] is another of similar appearance.
To the Southward some 60' of the hut circle
stretches in a sinuous line for 50 or 60 yds. [yards]
a stony mound ending abruptly, but with a
break as if an entrance through it.
13th June 1911.
Motored to Logan where Mr. McDowall had
kindly offered to put me up so that I might
conveniently explore the Mull of Galloway &c.
Old Luce Mote of Droughdool.
About 1/3 m. [mile] S. [South] of Dunragit railway station
at the landward edge of the links and sand-
-dunes which fringe the coast stands the
[Continued on page 106] |
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[Page] 106
[Continued from page 105]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Mote of Droughdool. It is a round sandy
hillock formed of angular stones and cobbles
from the beach as exposed on the summit & at places on its flanks,
with a diameter at base of 156' or thereby,
rising to an elevation varying from 25' to 30' & with a
level summit some 40' in diameter. It appears
to have been erected on a slight natural eminence
which projects somewhat beyond the base towards
the E. [East] and W. [West]. Passing around the N. [North] side at
the base is a terrace some 10' in width.
Stoneykirk Pile structure in pits. Mye Plantation
Situated within the small pine wood called the
Mye Plantation which lies on the N. [North] side of the
road which leads from Clayshant to Stoneykirk
are a series of pits, five in number, three of
which were excavated and reported on by Mr.
L. McLellan Mann in 1903. Previous to excavation
the sites appeared as circular depressions meas:
:ing diametrically some 10' by 8' with a depth
at the centre of about 1'. The pits were found
to be about 7' in depth and to contain the
remains of wooden pile structures roughly
circular & sub oval on plan formed of two somewhat irregularly concentric
row of stakes driven into the clay subsoil. Many
chippings, cores, and implements of flint were
discovered during the course of excavation.
(See Antiquaries. Vol [Volume] XXXVII [37] p. [page] 370. illus)
[Continued on page 107] |
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[Page] 107
[Continued from page 106]
Stoneykirk
Stopped at the church & looked through the
graveyard but found nothing of interest. The
gravedigger told me of a curious "coin" or button
he had found, inlaid with gold & silver, at
the bottom of a grave. He handed it to Beckett
to dispose of and I fear it has got into Mr. Mann's
collection instead of the Museum.
Stoneykirk Par [Parish] Fort Kildonan (3)
On the summit of the hill which rises to the W. [West] of
the road from Awhirk to Balgreggan & to the
N. [North] of Kildonan is a small fort in form almost
square with rounded angles and surrounded
by an earthern rampart much reduced by
ploughing. As the whole fort is under cultiva:
:tion the thickness of this rampart is quite indef:
:inite but it has been massive and it still
has an elevation of 4' to 5' above the field level at the corners. The
dimension of the fort is approximately 62' along
the crest of the rampart on each side. The
interior is at a considerably higher level that
the ground outside.
Mote of Balgreggan
About 1/2 m. [mile] ENE [East North East] of Balgreggan house, over:
:looking the shore from the top of a high bank
is situated the Mote of Balgreggan known
also as "Castle Dowall". With
sides steeply scarped it rises to a height of
about 25' and has a suboval outline on
[Continued on page 108] |
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[Page] 108
[Continued from page 107]
[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] Dia. Sec. [Diagram Section]
the summit measuring 64' by 55' & with its longest
axis ENE [East North East] and WSW. [West South West]. The summit is overgrown
with nettles and bracken and consequently details
are difficult to make out but there appears to
be a bank about 5' in thickness around the
edge with a level platform in rear of it some 7' in
width. Separated from this
by a trench some 5' in width and 1 1/2' deep
is an inner bank 7'.6" broad containing an
interior area some 12' in diameter.
A plan will require to be made of this.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Standing Stone S [South] Cairnweil. (Unnoted)
Situated at the edge of a grass field some
300 yds. [yards] E. [East] by S. [South] of the farm house of South Cairn:
:weil is a standing stone of granite measuring
6'.9" in height above ground. In section it is
somewhat triangular measuring 3'.3" by 2'.4"
by 8" at base.
Sculptured Stones Kirkmadrine (The description of these stones to be taken from other sources).
Within a recess at the W. [West] end of the burial
chapel at Kirkmadrine, and exposed to view
are preserved seven sculptured stones now
under the care of H.M. [His Majesty's] Office of Works.
Of these the two most famous are hard
round blocks of whinstone bearing within
a circle the monogram of the name of
Christ "Chi and Rho". On one stone
above the circle are the letters A et Ω [Alpha and Omega]
[Continued on page 109] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-109 |
[Page] 109
[Continued from page 108]
and beneath the inscription Hic jacent sci
et praecipui sacerdotes id est viventius et
mavorius. On the second stone the inscription
partially obliterated reads - S et Florentius.
The third stone bears a Latin cross the arms
of which slope upwards to one side, and
it has a circle in the centre. On each side of
the stem is some indistinct carving suggestive
of late Celtic ornament. The fourth stone
is No.1 of Sir Arthur Mitchell's paper in the Antiquarian
Proceedings. The fifth fragment of syenitic like
stone with fragments of three crosses on it
The sixth a St. Andrews Cross within a square
compartment with a sort of key pattern on the
lower part of the stone and the seventh is a
slab with a panel of interlaced work at the
top beneath which is a cross, crossed at the
terminations of the upper and side arms & ending
in a spear like expansion at the base. There
are small circles in each of the four angles.
Cairn West Ringuinea
Some 300 yds. [yards] SSE [South South East] of West Ringuinea is a
cairn traversed by a field dyke & measuring
in diameter 45', and in elevation 6'. Towards
the E. [East] about 1/3 of it has been removed.
Fort "Kenmuir Graves"
Situated on the Coast about 1/2 m. [mile] W.NW. [West North West] of
Kenmuir Farm and to the Northward of
[Continued on page 110] |
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[Page] 110
[Continued from page 109]
Ardwell Bay is a small promontory fort
locally known as "Kenmuir Graves". Two
deep ravines which have been worn down through
the boulder clay are separated by a high
narrow point which rises to a height of
about 100' above the shore where they open
on it. Across the landward end of the pro:
:montory there have been erected three earthern
ramparts with intervening ditches, within
the third rampart a third ditch and separated by a level
area some 30' in width a fourth.
The outer rampart has been almost obliterated
except at the W. [West] side while the greater part
of the second has also disappeared. The
outer mound has been the strongest meas:
:uring some 17' in thickness at base while
the others measure about 11' and 8' respectively
The outer ditch has been about 22' wide &
is 5' deep, while the
three other ditches have been an average width of about 19'
and depth of some 2'.6".
The entrance has passed directly to the
interior towards the S [South] side. On the
level space between the inner ditches
there appear some irregular depressions
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[Continued from page 110]
which may indicate the sites of huts but they
may also have been produced by the removal
of turf to build the turf dykes which cross the
fort. The total length of the promontory within
the defences is 143'. At 68' from the inner ditch
it narrows to 40' and for the last 23' it is
only some 5' wide.
Reached Logan about 6.0. A most beautiful
place with a lovely garden in which palms
& tree ferns flourish out of doors all the year
round.
14th January 1911.
Motored straight to the Mull. The
Cairn marked near the lighthouse has
been recently removed but appears, from
the stones shown to me and said to have
been removed from it, to have been quite
modern.
Kirkmaiden Par. [Parish]. Intrenchment Mull of Galloway.
Across the landward extremity of
the Mull of Galloway on either side of
the connecting neck runs an intrenchment.
That towards the S. [South] is the longer and
more formidable. It lies across the
peninsula just before the ground drops to its lowest level at the neck, for a distance of 1/4 m. [mile] or
rather more and is well preserved.
It appears to have consisted of two
mounds of earth and stone, with an inter:
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[Continued from page 111]
:vening ditch and a smaller trench behind the inner
mound. Throughout the length of this defensive
line, however, the character and dimensions of its
component parts vary according to the nature
of the ground on either side. Where the ground
towards the front falls sharply away the
outer mound and ditch become more im:
:portant and where there is a level area
in front greater prominence is given to the
inner rampart. About 120 yds. [yards] from the
S. [South] end at a point where the character
of the defence changes and the ground
rises to a higher level within, there appears to
have been an entrance. Towards the
N. [North] side the inner rampart has a width
of about 9' at base & a height of 5' while
the outer ditch & mound are trifling. On
the S. [South] side the greatest width of the rampart
is 18' and its height 7' while the ditch is 12'
wide in rear of it at this point, and for a
short distance a mound crowns the scarp.
At the extreme S. [South] end the intrench:
:ment is not carried in a direct line to
the edge of the cliff but terminates in a
right angled return some 40' in length
to the edge of a ravine. In rear of
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[Continued from page 112]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
of it and before it turns is a rectangular
turf foundation 4' wide measuring interiorly 17' x 15'.6"
Situated on the opposite side of the isthmus
is the second defence. For
the greater part of its length on the N. [North] side
it appears to be a natural ridge steeply
scarped towards the front but where it
runs out on the W [West] passing down the slope
towards the shore two low banks are visible
some 9' distant from crest to crest.
Fort Mull Glen.
Occupying the top of a bluff on the W. [West] side
of the Mull Glen at its termination above
the shore is a small fort four sided
with rounded angles enclosed by a single
mound which appears to be of earth. On
the E [East] side is the steep bank of the glen
falling some 60' from the edge of the fort,
on the S. [South] the rocky bank facing the shore,
on the W. [West] a natural hollow some 20'
below the crest of the scarp and on the
N. [North] level ground several feet lower than the
level of the interior crossed by a trench some
15' in width where it has risen towards the
edge of the glen. The E [East] side of the fort is
70' in length, the north 51' and the W [West] 48'. The
S. [South] side along which there is no trace of a mound
[Continued on page 114] |
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[Continued from page 113]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
measures 82'. In the SE. [South East] angle is a hut circle,
measuring interiorly 21' in diameter, with a
bank of turf 6' broad and an entrance from
the NW. [North West] while 35' along the E [East] side there is a
hollow in the rampart 6' in diameter which
may mark the site of a hut.
Fort Dunwork
About 1/2 m. [mile] along the shore from West Tarbet
and projecting sea-ward from the base
of the high cliffs is a ridge of rock which
rises to a beacon-like point in the centre.
It has scarcely any level area on its surface
and but a small space on which the
grass grows among the fallen rocks on
its E. [East] side. Across the landward end
some ? 40' in length
[Margin] see O.S. [Ordnance Survey]
and not far above high water mark has
been built a wall some 6' in thickness and
still erect for a height of 3' or 4'. The position
is barely accessible except from the sea.
I attempted to descend the heughs down
slippery burnt up turf & crumbling rocks but
on gaining a ledge some 20' or 30' down
thought the risk & labour greater than any
advantage to be gained & was thankful
to regain the upper level in safety.
Fort. Carrickeamrie
Across the narrow neck of the promontory
which shelters the Dunwork on the W. [West]
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[Page] 115
[Continued from page 114]
with cliffs rising from the ocean 100' or more
has been cut a trench partially through the rock
with a width of 22' with a rampart
piled up to a height of 6' to 7' above the interior
of the fort, on the crest of the scarp and also on the
ditch the counterscarp which is some 10' or 11' deep below the counter:
:scarp,
has not been excavated right across
the neck but stops some 10' or 12' distant from
the edge of the precipice on the E. [East]. In the
field in front of the outer bank there are
indications of the existence of an outer
trench. On the W. [West] side running at right
angles towards the scarp but separated from it by the bed of a small stream which here falls over the cliff is a
traverse protecting the end of the ditch.
In the interior a deep hollow falls away
to the edge of the cliff at the South.
Fort The Dunnan Portankill.
To the S. [South] of Portankill a small harbour
about 1/4 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of the Mull farm on a
projecting point of land formed by the
sea on one side and a small stream
on the other is a small fortified site
called "The Dunnan". The fort is a circular
area some 39' in diameter defended on its landward side by
an earthen rampart some 3' - 4' in height
which stops short of the edge of the cliff on the
[Continued on page 116] |
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[Page] 116
[Continued from page 115]
S. [South] thus allowing an access. Outside of this mound
is a trench 9' wide at bottom, 26' wide at top and
8' deep cut across the neck of the promontory while
some 26' further to landward & separated by a squarish area has been a second
some 16' in width, now almost concealed beneath
a luxuriant growth of whins has been yet another
trench the dimensions of which are unobtainable.
There is said to be a small spring between the
fort and the sea and "a great many marks
which might be considered the foundations of
an aboriginal village (see Antiquitaries XX [20] p. [page] 77)
St. Medan's Cave.
St. Medan's cave and chapel lie near the
base of the steep cliffs that fringe the shore
& about ? 1/3 m [mile] SE. [South East] of the Mull Farm. The ruin is
not visible from above and as there is no well-
-defined track to it it is difficult to locate.
It is best approached from Portankill, the
little harbour to the NE [North East] of the Mull farm.
Following the top of the heughs Southward
a deep gully is passed running somewhat
far inland on the S. [South] side of which the strata
has assumed a vertical position, beyond
which a natural arch is visible among the
rocks near the sea level known as " The
Devil's Brig". On descending the steep grassy
slope near this point the ruins become visible
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and are reached by a narrow path around the
face of the cliffs. The area of the chapel is a space
measuring 15' from NE [North East] to SW. [South West] on the E [East] side, & 16' on the W. [West]
by 13'.8" from N [North] to S. [South] made by widening & levelling up
the mouth of a small cave. The side walls
consist of the surfaces of the rock 10' in height
towards the outside and rising upwards to a height
of 19' where they join the precipice into which the
cave opens. Across the NE. [North East] or front of this
space there has been built a wall 3'.4" in
thickness made of the slaty stone of the vicinity
and cemented with lime. Near the SE [South East] end of
this wall was the doorway now represented by
a space 4'.8" wide all building against the
rock having disappeared. Midway between
the door and the N [North] corner was a window
the sill of which is 6' above the ground. It is
9" wide to the outside and is splayed to a
width of 3'.6" on the inside. The sides are
entire to a height of 10". The greatest height
of wall is now to the N. [North] of the window 10'
and to the S. [South] of it 6'. Against the face
of the heugh and covering up the mouth
of the cave is another wall forming the
S.W. [South West] gable of the chapel 19' at the ends
where it joins the rock and 24' high in
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the middle where it merges in the precipice above.
This wall is 3'.10" thick on the left of the doorway
and 3'. on the right and has a projecting course
of stones along the foot apparently for support of
a wooden floor. (Further details to be taken from
the corrected print of Sir H.E.M's paper. Antiq XX. [Antiquities 20] p. [page] 76)
Fort
Note that the plan made by Sir Arthur Mitchell
is inaccurate there being no return on the front
wall at the N [North] corner. Muir's plan is correct.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Fort Dunnan
Crowning the rocky height of the Dunnan
which rises straight from the sea to an altitude
of 400 is a prehistoric fort. The site is
flanked to E [East] and N. [North] by precipitous rocks
while on the other two sides it rises
from natural hollows whose beds
vary from 20' to 30' below. Along the
crest of the rocky scarp which faces
these hollows are the ruinous remains of a
massive wall or rampart for the most
part overgrown with healthier but appar:
:ently some 8' in thickness except on either
side of an entrance visible towards the
N. [North] end of the E [East] side where it has been increased
to 13'. This entrance which has been between
two rock faces is now blocked with
large stones. Towards the S. [South] the scarp
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[Continued from page 118]
on the E [East] diminishes in height and there has
possibly been an entrance at this point. Opposite
to it the hollow on the E [East] face terminates and
that running along the S. [South] commences at a level
some 8' or 10' lower. At the W. [West] end of the latter
hollow there is an approach to an entrance
in the SW [South West] angle near the edge of the cliff
flanked by a mound 12' wide at base, &
3' high. A portion of the wall
at this entrance has been removed disclosing
a line of very large stones laid to mark its
base and large blocks are also visible on
the inner face towards the NE. [North East] entrance.
The interior of the fort bristles with outcropping
points of rock and inequalities. There is
no visible supply of water within it but
rushes growing in the hollow outside near the SE [South East] corner
suggest its presence there.
It was 7.30 ere I got back to Logan. The
flowers are beautiful along the heughs
by the Mull, red campions, pink centaurea
and thrift but there is an absence of the
sea birds that enlivened the cliffs of the north.
15th June 1911.
Mr. McDowall owns the old bell
from Kirkmaiden church dated c.1535 but
[Opposite page - text inserted] ?1533 Antiquaries IX [9]
it is in the Glasgow exhibition.
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Standing Stone Terally.
Close to the edge of the bank which skirts
the road to Drummore and about 120 yds. [yards] N [North] of
Terally Mote is standing a thin whinstone
slab 3'.6" in height & width and 9" in thickness
facing ESE. [East South East] and WNW. [West North West].
Terally Mote I believe to be a natural gravel
mound which shows no signs of having
been adapted for a place of defence.
Clanyard Castle.
Only a portion of the W. [West] wall of this keep
remains varying from 10' to 20' in height.
The wall is only 2'.6" in thickness and
the keep has evidently been of late date.
? Mote
In the angle of the road to the E [East] of High
Clanyard Farm is a natural gravel
hillock with a flat summit some [--] in length and [--] in
breadth. The sides are steeply
scarped, perhaps artificially and along
the N. [North] side a terrace appears to have
been formed some 20' in breadth. There
are no signs of ramparts or other defences
on the summit or around its base.
Crummag Head. Fort.
On a small peninsular rock to the N. [North]
side of Crummag Head and about 1/2 m. [mile] W. [West]
of Low Slock Farm are the remains of a
remarkable stone-built circular fort.
The neck of the peninsula some 27' in length
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[Opposite page - two photographs inserted]
has been excavated inwards from the edge of the cliff
on either side so as to form two trenches with a roadway
between them some 11' in width near the centre of
its length. Immediately in front of this approach
are the ruins of a circular stone built fort faced
with massive blocks of stone in the foundation the
superstructure having been entirely displaced & in
large measure removed. On the landward side the
wall of this construction has been more massive
attaining its greatest dimension at 19'
and the curve of the inner face is flattened
so that it reduces the interior to an oval.
Around the circumference the thickness of the
wall estimated from the area covered by the
ruins, as the inner face is not always visible,
varies from 8' on the N [North] to 15' on the S. [South].
At the NE [North East] the facing of large blocks which
marks the periphery opposite the approach
terminates some 18" out from the face of the
wall coming round from the W. [West] forming an
overlap which probably was the entrance.
At the thickest part of the wall on the land:
:ward side a portion of a passage
as shown on the plan, is also exposed near
the inside. The interior measures about
33' by 42'. The sides of the promontory
fall away sharply from the building on
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the S. [South] but on the N [North] & W [West] there is an intervening space
of grass and rocks for from 20' to 30'. and on the
W. [West] the rocky point extends for a considerable distance
seaward. [Text inserted here] There is a fall of about 9' in the level of the
area occupied by the building from front to back. Some 70' to landward of the ditch
which intersects the neck is a stony bank of
low elevation curving from the cliff edge on the
N. [North] and terminating 13' back from the edge
on the S. [South] thus leaving a passage of approach
to the fort. There are indications of wall
faces in the thickness of the front wall but it
is not clear that there was an entrance
through the centre of it.
Mote High Drummore
On the extreme end of a ridge which separates
the glen of the [--] burn on the S. [South] from a deep
ravine on the N. [North] and immediately to the
N. [North] of the farm of High Drummore
a mote hill rising to a height of about 23' on the E. [East] and 10' on the W. [West] (A) From its base on either side a
rampart passes down the slope towards the
E. [East] with an interspace of 60' which has probably
formed a base court into which there
has been an entrance now some 8' wide passed the
bottom of the mound on the S. [South].
[Margin] (Take in at A)
The summit measures some 40' in diameter
and is hollowed to an extent of 18' and to
a depth of from 3' to 4' with an opening from
the E. [East]. The rampart on the S. [South] of the base
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court is some 24' thick at base and 6' in height
on the outside. Between it and the edge of the
glen is a terrace some 20' in width at the end
adjacent to the mound decreasing to:
:wards the E [East] where it is 6' wide. There is no
return of the ramparts across the slope at
the Eastern end.
Low Drummore
I had a long hunt after a stone said to
be in a mill here and eventually learned that
it had been removed to the museum years ago.
Cairn Aine
This cairn has been entirely removed & there
is no trace of it left.
Fort Kirkmaiden
On the summit of the Core Hill on which
stand the church and village of Kirkmaiden
and immediately to the S. [South] of the graveyard
are the remains of a prehistoric fort.
Close to it on the W. [West] at some 20' lower elevation
passes the high road through the village
and the outer defences on that side are
consequently obliterated. Similarly on the
E. [East] the exigencies of agriculture have levelled
the lines except towards the NE. [North East] where for a
short distance two ramparts are visible adjacent to the churchyard
wall while on the
N. [North] that wall passes along the base of the
interior enclosure. Towards the S. [South] there remain
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beyond the mound which encircles the
interior a ditch some 18' in width from crest to
crest and 5' in depth three ramparts with an
average width of about 15' at base and intervening
ditches 18' wide and 4' deep. The inner rampart
rises some 2' above the interior and has a
vertical height of 6' or 7' above the bottom of the
ditch on the outside. At the angles it expands
considerably and on the SW. [South West]
angle there are slight hollow depressions. The
SE. [South East] angle is overgrown with whins and the
details concealed. The interior is suboval
measuring 87' x 72'. The ramparts are of
earth & stone.
Fort Dunnichinnie
Somewhat less than 1/2 m. [mile] WNW. [West North West] of Mullhill
farm on the Mull of Logan on a peninsular
rock is a small prehistoric fort. The rock
rises to a height of 20' to 30' above high water
and lies parallel to the cliff line on the shore from
which it is severed by a deep chasm only
some 5' or 6' wide except at the Southern
end where a narrow wall of rock forms
a bridge. The surface of this rock over which the track
passes lies at a lower level than the
rocks which it connects and the path down to
it is rough & steep while across it passes along a ledge some 2' wide on the face of a sloping rock. Along the edge of the
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cliff facing the land above the intervening chasm
are the remains of a stone rampart or wall
83' in length & now of slight elevation. In rear of
it for a distance of 60' back there stretches a
grassy area beyond which jagged and irregular
the rocks extend to the sea. Except where
the neck of rock joins it to the mainland the
peninsula is washed by the waves all around.
Before returning to Logan I met the McDowalls at
the famous fish pond at Port Logan and saw the
cod taking limpets from the hand and allowing
their backs to be scratched as they lay on the top
of the water. This pond is a circular basin
some 20' deep in the rock with an aperture
at one side blocked by a dry stone barrier
so that the sea water can percolate through
without the fish escaping.
Mound at Logan House.
In the garden at Logan House is an
artificial mound some 7' to 10' high and
measuring 16' - 17' in diameter on the top.
Around the base there appears to be a narrow
terrace and hollows visible on the
surface of the lawn & paths adjacent
possible indicate the previous existence
of a ditch. The sides of the mound are steep
but it seems very small to be a mote.
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From the wall on the NW. [North West] of the garden
rises an ivy mantled fragment of the old castle
said to have been burned down in 15 - -. No
features are observable.
The house represents many different periods
but the oldest portion has been so much
altered as to show no characteristics of its age.
In the house are preserved a number of
relics from the sand hills at Genoch
including a fine cinerary urn illustrated
in the Ayr & Wigton Arch. Coll. [Architectural Collection] and a
small food vessel.
16 June 1911.
Left Logan at 10.0 on my return journey.
Stoneykirk Par. [Parish] Ardwell Mote
On the edge of the high bank which runs
parallel with the shore and about [--] yds. [yards]
E [East] of Ardwell House
is situated the Mote Hill. The mound
has a diameter of about 120' at base rises
to a height of from 20' to 25' as the ground slopes
away on the W. [West] and measures some 70'. in
diameter across its flat summit. It is
surrounded by a trench 23' in width through
which there is an opening westward. Along
the edge of the bank towards the N. [North] are apparent
the remains of a rampart which may indicate
the position of the base court.
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[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Fort Grennan Point
About 1/2 m [mile] Westward of Drumtreddan Farm is
Grennan Point and here a long narrow promontory
of boulder clay rising to a height of 60' to 100' above the
shore line has been fortified by a trench some 22'
wide and 4' - 5' deep dug across it at the outer end
of the narrowest part about 110' from its distal end.
To landward of the trench the crest of the ridge is
from 4' to 6' wide. At the landward extremity there
are indications of another bank & ditch.
Doon Castle ? Broch
On the S. [South.] side of Ardwell Point a low peninsular
point of rock some 25' in elevation above the gullies
on either side projects from near the base
of a grassy heugh. On this rock are the
ruins of a circular construction which to
all appearances are those of a broch, though
probably excavation is necessary to render
the assumption certain. The neck of the
peninsula about half way along its length
some 80' from the land is traversed by a
natural trench and across this some 3'
below the natural level at either side has
been built a road way 22' long with an
average width of 7'. At 12' on from the
edge of the trench the foundations of a wall
are visible stretching from side to side of
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the promontory at the end of the
neck where it is 18' wide. Beyond it at 43' are
the ruins of a dry-built circular construction
measuring 56' to 58' in diameter over all and with a wall
thickness of 13' where ascertainable. The wall
has been built of large roughly squared blocks and
packed with thin angular fragments. Along either
flank of the structure the wall has fallen almost entirely
over the cliff to the edge of which it has extended
back facing the approach from the landward end
the mass of debris rises to a height of about 8'.
The promontory extends to seaward for about
100' with an average breadth of 30' and
from this side there is evidence of an entrance
into the structure the face of the wall on the
W. [West] side of the passage being quite distinct.
Cairnmon Fell
At the base of a somewhat steep slope at
the W. [West] end of the summit of Cairnmon Fell
and where with an easy gradient the
ground falls away towards the cliffs there
is a circular enclosure with a diameter
of 25' surrounded by a bank of turf some
5' thick with large stones in the periphery,
placed against the back of a laigh enclosure
measuring some 75' in diameter with an entrance
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from the SE. [South East] some 6' wide. The bank of the larger
enclosure is formed of stone and turf and is some
4' in thickness. Down the slope
toward the SW. [South West] are some 8 or 9 small cairn-
-like mounds 8' - 12' in diameter, two of which have been cleared out
in the centre without, however, leaving any sign
of an interment revealed.
Fort Kirklauchan (4).
On the coast about 1/2 m. [mile] S. [South] by W. [West] from the
farm of [--] is a promontory with
steep cliffs rising to a height of 100' or thereby
above the sea. Across the landward end
have been raised three parallel ramparts
with intervening ditches while a third
ditch has been dug in front of the outer banks.
The outer rampart measures 14' in thickness
at base, the intermediate one 22' and the
inner one 27' while the ditches measure respectively
in breadth 15', 18', and 27' with depth of
3', 5'.6" and 8'. Towards the W. [West] side a
turf bank crosses the ditches and is traceable
passing along the edge of the cliff in the interior
The entrance has passed directly to the interior
through the defences some 18' from the edge
of the slope on the E. [East] side & is flanked on the W. [West] where it crosses the 2nd ditch by a turf mound some 6' wide. The breadth
of the promontory in rear of the inner
rampart is 85' and its length backwards to
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the edge of the cliff 180'.
Some 30' below the summit on the W. [West] there is
a shelf or ledge on the side of the heugh some
35' in length by 15' or thereby in breadth to which a
grassy slope inclines steeply from the higher level.
Along the edge of this has been thrown up a
breastwork or parapet of earth and stone.
Standing stone Port o' Spital.
In a field which rises to the W. [West] of the road leading
from Port of Spittal to Port Patrick and some 250
yds. [yards] SSE [South South East] of the farm of [--] is a standing
stone of granite. It is 4'.9" in height above
ground, squarish in section with a breadth
of about 2".
Today the fine weather which has lasted
without a break since the beginning of May
came to an end. The country is greatly
in need of rain and some farmers in this
district have sown their turnips for the third
time.
17th & 19th June
Writing up notes.
20th June. Kirkcowan Cairn
In a cultivated field by the road side
about 1 m. [mile] NNE. [North North East] of Kirkcowan village is a
large circular cairn with a diameter
of about 70'. It has been pillaged for
stones to such an extent that it is
very doubtful if the interment remains in it
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[Opposite page - text inserted]
Cairn. Shennanton. Situated in the angle to
the W. [West] of the junction of the roads from
Glenluce to Newton Stewart and from
Kirkcowan are the remains of a large
circular cairn reduced to its foundations.
Many years ago the cist was accidentally
discovered and an urn which lay within
it removed. The finder took the urn home
to his cottage but on learning that it had
come from a grave he placed it on his
garden wall and destroyed it by throwing
stones at it!!
Cairn Shennanton (13)
On a slight elevation at the N. [North] end of a cultivated
field which lies on the N. [North] side of the road from
Glenluce to Newton Stewart and about 1/2 m. [mile] WSW. [West South West]
of Shennanton are the remains of a circular
cairn with a diameter of 60' or thereby. Most
of the stones have been removed but there is no
indication that the cist has been exposed.
Penninghame Cairn Barskeoch (3)
Some 200 yds [yards] N. of the farm buildings and
within a wood is a large cairn the centre
of which has been entirely cleared out in
an excavation which took place some 15' - 20' years
ago. The cairn has a diameter of 65' and
elevation of 8'. Its periphery is marked by
large stones laid at irregular intervals.
On enquiry I learned that the excavators were
"Mr. MacMillan the policeman, and one
Mr. Hayter, a baker & confectioner in Newton
Stewart and that they "got the urn." As
the baker still flourishes I shall enquire
further into the matter.
Cairn Barraer (2)
On the slope of a hill in cultivated ground about
1/4 m. [mile] S. [South] of Barraer are the remains of an
oblong cairn, lying with its longest axis
NE. [North East] and SW. [South West] and measuring 65' x 47'. The
stones have been almost entirely carted away
and it is doubtful if the interment remains undisturbed
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Cairn Penningham (5)
On the N [North] end of a ridge and on the top of an
outcrop of rock above the junction of the roads
about 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of Penningham is a small circular
cairn measuring some 32' in diameter and 2'.6"
in elevation. It does not appear to have been
excavated.
Wigtown Par [Parish] Cairn (Cairn House) (3)
Immediately in rear of Cairn House which is
situated about 2 ms. [miles] NNW. [North North West] of Wigtown is a
large circular cairn with a diameter of
about 60' and elevation of 7'.6" or thereby.
From the E [East] side at some distant date
about one third of its bulk has been removed
but there is no sign that the interment has
been disturbed.
Cairn Cairn Ho. [House] (4)
On the rising ground about 1/4 m [mile] E [East] by S. [South] of
Cairn House is a cairn reduced to an elevation
of about 3' and measuring 45' in diameter. There
is no indication that the interment has been
exposed.
Standing Stone. Glenturk (unnoted)
Within the building of the wall which bounds
on the W. [West] the road to Wigtown from Penninghame
and about 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] of Glenturk is a standing
stone pointed to its upper end measuring
5'.5" in height above ground while within
the field some 35' to the W.wards [Westwards] stands a
pointed boulder 3'.6" in height with another
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similar boulder lying displaced beside it
There is said to have been in former times a
croft here called Croft an sigh.
I must look up Gordon Fraser's book & see
if there is any reference.
Arrived in Wigtown I called on Mr. Maclean the
lawyer to endeavour to get the Torhousekie circle
offered to the office of works for its preservation.
He was in London for the coronation but his
deputy seemed to think the matter a simple one.
I next visited Mr. Lawson the parish minister
to get his assistance in the churchyard.
Not knowing much about it being new to the
parish he brought the provost Dr. [Doctor] Shaw to his
assistance.
Along the W. [West] side of the graveyard are a
number of old slabs chiefly of whinstone
with dates early in the 17th century and
beside the year bearing seldom more than
initials. I made rubbings of several.
No.I [1]. dated 1601 - 2' in height above ground.
1' broad & 2" thick - near the N. [North] side at upper
end. A grey whinstone.
No. II [2] dated 1620 - Initials IMK. . 4'.10" long & 1'.7" broad
near centre of churchyard on W. [West] side.
No. III [3] Grey whin slab - dated 1619. 5' long. 1'.2" wide
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[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
at lower end increasing to 1'.11" at centre & slightly
decreasing to top. (see rubbing.)
Celtic Cross shaft. 3'.6" long including a
portion of the tenon. 8" long, - 1'.7" broad
and 3" thick. Decorated on both faces with
three vertical bands of interlacing scrolls.
Within a railed enclosure are the martyrs
tombs
1. Is a table stone 5'.11" long, 2'.4" broad, bearing
inscriptions in capital letters as follows:-
LET EARTH AND STONE STILL WITNES BEARE
THEIR LYES A VIRGINE MARTYRE HERE
MURTHERD FOR OUNING CHRIST SUPREAME,
HEAD OF HIS CHURCH AND NO MORE CRIME.
BUT NOT ABJURING PRESBYTRY
AND HER NOT OUNING PRELACY
THEY HER CONDEM'D BY UNJUST LAW;
OF HEAVEN NOR HELL THEY STOOD NO AW
WITHIN THE SEA TY'D TO A STAKE
SHE SUFFERED FOR CHRIST JESUS SAKE,
THE ACTORS OF THIS CRUEL CRIME
WAS LAGG - STRACHAN - WINRAM AND GRHAME
NEITHER YOUNG YEARES NOR YET OLD AGE
COULD STOP THE FURY OF THERE RAGE.
and at right angles across the top
HERE LYES MARGRAT WILLSON,
DOUGHTER TO GILBERT WILLSON,
IN GLENVERNOCH, WHO WAS
DROUNED, ANNO 1685
AGED 18.
2. A small upright stone measuring 2'.3" in height
by 1'.11" in breadth is inscribed.
On top -- ME MENTO MORI
On front -- HERE LYES MARGRAT LACHLANE
WHO WAS BY UNJUST LAW SENTENCED
TO DIE BY LAGG STRACHANE WINRAME
AND GRHAME, AND TYED TO A STAKE WITH
(centre of line) -- IN THE FLOOD FOR HER
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on Back -- ADHERENCE TO SCOTLAND'S REFORMATION
COVENANTS, NATIONAL AND SOLEMN LEAGUE
AGED 63 -- 1685.
The third stone measures 2'.4" in height and
2'.5" in breadth. The inscription upon it runs
MEMENTO TO MORI
HERE LYSE WILLIAM JOHNSTON, JOHN
MILROY, GEORGE WALKER, WHO WAS
WITHOUT SENTENCE OF LAW HANGED BY MAJOR
WINRAM FOR THEIR ADHERENCE TO SCOT-
-LAND'S REFORMATION COVENANTS, NATION-
-AL AND SOLAM LEAGWE. 1685.
A large table stone, the inscription upon which
has been recut commemorates & enumerates the virtues of Archibald
Hamilton Minister of Sorbie, Wigtown and Bangor
who died 29 June 1695.
Near the centre of the upper end of the grave yard
lies a large table stone 7'.5" long, 2'.9" broad
inscribed around the edge HEIR LYES
PETRICK COLTRUN LET PROVIST OF WIGTOWNE WHO
DECEAST THE 1 DAY OF MARCH 1671. In the centre
of the slab is a shield ornamented with the
balance and scales, an hour glass and an
open book while immediately beneath are the
skull and cross bones with, at the lower end,
the spade and shovel.
There is a portion of a mediaeval slab bearing
part of an inscription in black letter
around the margin lying in the burial ground
of a family of the name of Hannay WSW [West South West]
[Continued on page 136] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-136 |
[Page] 136
[Continued from page 135]
[Opposite page - text inserted]
This stone the minister told me bore an
inscription in Hebrew. It gave me much
satisfaction to demonstrate to him my
knowledge of the Hebrew script!
of the old church. The inscription reads
Anno dmi M CCCCC Orate pro anima
fratris. The slab which is a dark whinstone
measures 3'.9" by 3'.
[Margin] check wall rubbing.
The churchyard is well looked after, the
minister is interested in the old stones which it
contains and intends to make a register of them.
21st June 1911.
A dull morning. Train to Castle Kennedy thence
on bicycle to Craigcaffie. For the second time
I failed to get access to the castle owing to the
absence of the woman who keeps the key
Inch Par. [Parish] "Teroy"
About 3/4 m. [mile] due E. [East] of Craigcaffie farm
and situated to the E [East] of the Kirlachie
Burn which flows by in the bottom of a deep
glen [--] ft. [feet] below is a round outcrop of rock
measuring about 120' in length by 70' in breadth
on the N. [North] and highest extremity of which are
the foundations of a circular structure which
I believe to have been a broch. At the N. [North] end
the rock is protected by a deep
trench crossing the ridge from which the
rock rises, measuring some 26'in breadth
from crest to crest, 9' to 10' across the bottom
10' in depth from the top of the scarp and
3' - 4' below the counterscarp. Along the
W. [West] flank this trench gives place to a
terrace extending for 12' - 15' out from the
[Continued on page 136] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-137 |
[Page] 137
[Continued from page 136]
base of the rock. The sides of the eminence are
steeply scarped all round with an average
height of from 6' to 8'. Access has been gained
to the top from the S [South] end where the rock outcrops.
and curving across the level ground in front
are the remains of an outwash a stony mound at its greatest
distance 12' to 15' out. The structure itself
has been reduced almost to the foundations
except towards the N [North] where a small segment
of the inner face of the wall remains visible at
intervals for an arc (?) of 15'. while the outer
periphery is indicated by a low bank of debris
and occasional flat stones. These data
show that the building measured some
47' in diameter over all and had a wall
about 13'.6" in thickness. This allows for an
interior of only 18' or 19' which would be a
very small broch but excavation might
modify these dimensions. To the S. [South] of the
"broch" there is a suggestion of a wall curving
round from the W. [West] flank of the structure
to the opposite side
passing at about 20' out on the S. [South].
The ground falls sharply away to the S. [South]
as well as to the bed of the burn on the W. [West]
and the position commands a great
[Continued on page 138] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-138 |
[Page] 138
[Continued from page 137]
extent of country including the inner end of Loch
Ryan and the W. [West] half of the bay of Luce
with the Rinns of Galloway.
Cairns Balker Moor.
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map indicates two cairns at the
W. [West] side of Balker Moor. I found what might
be considered the site of a large circular
cairn from which all the big stones had
been removed but no sign of a second.
Mote of Innermessan (4)
Situated on the end of a high bank skirting
the coast line where it terminates on the N [North] side of the
Glen of the [--] burn, and about 2 ms. [miles]
NE [North East] of Stranraer is the mote of Innermessan.
It rises with steeply scarped sides to a height
of about 20', on the landward side, above the
bottom of the ditch which encircles it. The
level top measures some 95' from E. [East] to W. [West]
by 98' from N [North] to S [South] and has been surrounded
by a low parapet at the edge of the scarp
The ditch has been much reduced by
ploughing on the E. [East] side but on the seaward
side it is well preserved It has been flat-bottomed
with a width of from 38' to 40' and a
depth of from 6' to 8'.
Ere I reached the mote rain had begun
to fall heavily and I was unable to take
a photograph. I must have a plan and section made.
[Continued on page 139] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-139 |
[Page] 139
[Continued from page 138]
Galla Law
Within an open wood at the end of a ridge
about 1/4 m. [mile] to the W. [West] of Loch Magillie is a low
domical mound of earth with a diameter of 39'
and an elevation of 5' known as the Galla Law.
This turned out a thoroughly wet afternoon
the first I have suffered from this season.
22nd June 1911.
Coronation Day. A fair morning
when we attended service in the parish church
& saw the parade of school children, fancy
dressed cyclists, free-masons &c. The afternoon
was so wet that I wrote up notes all through
it.
23rd June 1911.
Took the car to visit the N. [North] of Penningham
parish where adjoins Ayrshire.
Skaith Mote. (2a)
Within a wood on the W. [West] side of the
road which leads from Knockbrex to Glenrazie
and just opposite the end of the branch road
to Challoch, is situated a well-preserved mote
hill surrounded by a ditch, which appears
to have been wet,
The construction is four-sided forming in plan a square
of 60' at base and has an elevation of from
8'.6" to 10'.9" above the bottom of the ditch to
the top of the scarp. The top also quadrangular is not quite
square but measures 30' x 28'. At the N.W. [North West] end
there is an oblong depression measuring 27' x 16'
[Continued on page 140] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-140 |
[Page] 140
[Continued from page 139]
and sunk from 3' to 4' below the crest of the scarp,
which forms a parapet, and somewhat less below
the rest of the area. The entrance appears to
have been into this hollow at its S. [South] corner and is now
a break in the parapet some 3' wide. The ditch on
the SW. [South West] is 40' wide across the top and 20' across
the bottom which is some 6' below the top of the
counterscarp while on the three other sides its
width is only about 29' at the level of the top of this counter:
:scarp and 8' to 10' across the bottom. The ground
level falls from the SE. [South East] and except on that
flank the counterscarp is the inner side of
a bank measuring about 30' in thickness at
base on the NE [North East] side where it was heaviest. On the outer
face on that side there are remaining one or two
courses of a reveting wall. At the
W. [West] angle there is a break in
the regularity of the scarp of the SW. [South West] ditch
at 15' from its termination, which appears to be an approach and before it there
is visible a small portion of an outer mound
curving round so as to contain it
forming apparently a bailey.
Loch Maberry
Towards the W. [West] side of Loch Maberry at no
great distance from the shore is a group
of three islands. The most Southerly of these
which is also the most prominent & largest
has been engirt by a massive wall of
[Continued on page 142] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-141 |
[Page] 141
[Margin] Continued from p [page] 142
Kirkcalla & Ochiltree Hill
The Deil's Dyke is no longer visible where marked
on the 1" map about 3/4 m. [mile] N. [North] of Kirkcalla but
it could be seen against the sky as it
crossed the crest of Ochiltree Hill.
Cairn Glenhapple (6)
On a slight eminence in the moorland about
3/4 m. [mile] W. [West] by S. [South] of Glenhapple and to the W. [West] of
the Castle Stewart Burn is a cairn reduced
to a low elevation but showing no sign of
having been excavated. It measures in diameter
about 30' - [--] Some 80 yds. [yards] to the E. [East] of
it at the base of the slope is a smaller
cairn, much dilapidated and measuring
some 15' in diameter, while about the
same distance still further to the E. [East] is a
group of five other cairn-like heaps, measuring
from 15' - 16' in diameter.
Kirk Cruives o'Cree.
Only the E. [East] gable remains of this church
& that is partially smothered by ivy
'Bessies' Cairn" near Penningham Ho. [House] is a natural
outcrop of rock. The Cairn near Newton-
-Stewart (No.7) no longer exists. On this position
indicated on the map the flat faces of a rock
are exposed. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-142 |
[Page] 142
[Continued from page 140]
drystone masonry rising almost from the water's edge
with a thickness of 6'.6" and though much delapi:
:dated still in places retaining a height of 7'. Towards the
W. [West] of the centre the island has been crossed by another wall
some 3'.6" in thickness which divided it into two unequal
divisions. Each of these divisions has had a
separate entrance through the main wall
diametrically opposite & on alternate sides of the
cross wall & they have been connected by an opening through. The S. [South] division has been entered from E. [East] while
the N. [North] one has been entered from the W. [West]. Each enclosure
contains the remains of a small rectangular house
with walls of 2'.6" in thickness now ruined and set
endways to the enclosing wall while adjacent
are the remains of one or two other small constructions.
A causeway has connected this island with the shore on
the W. [West] via a small islet which barely emerges above the surface
of the loch and it has been similarly connected at
the NW [North West] with the nearest of the two adjacent islands.
This latter island, entirely overgrown with thicket,
is surrounded at the water's edge by a low
wall of larger boulders occasionally set on
end. From a point at the SW. [South West] marked by two upright portal stones a causeway leads
to the small islet. A short distance to the ? W. [West] of
this island is the third divided into two parts by a constriction
near the centre. The S. [South] end is surrounded by a low boulder
wall with projecting arms 20' - 30' in length into the loch
where it crosses the island evidently to prevent stock passing
from one end to the other.
[Continued on page 141] |
| gb0551ms-36-33-143 |
A.
Auchenmalg -- 13.
Airies Cairn -- 17.
Airyolland -- 22.
Airylich -- 26.
Ardnamoil -- 58.
Auchmantle -- 67.
Airyhemming -- 76.
Airieolland -- 87.
Aldouran Glen -- 93.
Awhirk -- 107.
Ardwell Bay -- 110.
Aine Cairn -- 123.
Ardwell Mote -- 126. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-144 |
B.
Boreland Mote & Fell -- 6. 3.
Barhapple Loch. -- 11.
Barnsallie Fell -- 11.
Ballochadee -- 17.
Brae -- 26.
Buy Cairn -- 29.
Balmurie Fell -- 33
Balminnoch -- 40.
Benlaight -- 46.
Bught Fell -- 103. 51. 48.
Barlure -- 60.
Bladnoch. -- 62.
Baraigle Wood -- 72.
Barnshangan -- 82.
Broch Hill -- 91.
Bennan of Garvilland. -- 101.
Balgreggan -- 107.
Barskeoch -- 131.
Barraer Cairn -- 131.
Balker Moor -- 138.
Bessie's Cairn -- 141.
C.
Crouse -- 61. 5.
Craigenveoch -- 69. 11.
Challochmunn -- 12.
Culquhasen -- 13.
Culquhasey -- 14.
Craignarget -- 27. 15.
Carlin Stone -- 25.
Chang -- 30.
Chippermore. -- 1.
Cain-na-Garth -- 33.
Challoch Glass -- 40.
Culroy -- 42.
Carscreugh -- 47.
Clasherne -- 50.
Camrie Fell -- 52.
Camrie Fell -- 53.
Craigbirnoch -- 59.
Cunningham -- 62.
Cairnerzean Fell -- 66.
Cairnscarrow -- 66.
Craig Fell -- 74.
Cruive Fell -- 81.
Caves of Kilhern -- 84.
Cults Moat -- 89.
Craigoch Fort -- 95.
Corsewall -- 96.
Caspin Fort -- 97.
Corsewall Point -- 99.
Clayshant -- 106.
Castle Dowall -- 107.
Carrickeamrie -- 114.
Clanyard -- 120.
Crummag Head -- 120.
Cairn Aine -- 123.
Cairnmon Fell -- 128.
Cairnhouse -- 132.
Craigcaffie -- 136. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-145 |
D.
Derskelpin Moss. -- 10.
Doon of May -- 20.
Drumtroddan -- 21.
Druchtag -- 22.
Davenholme Burn -- 59.
Dunbar Monument -- 62.
Dirnean Fell -- 69.
Dunragit -- 71.
Dranigower -- 84.
Deil's Dyke -- 91.
Dinmurchie -- 98.
Dunskirloch -- 99.
Drumpail -- 105.
Droughdool Mote -- 106.
Dunwork -- 114.
Dunnan -- 118. 115.
Devils Brig -- 116.
Drummore -- 120.
Dunniehinnie -- 124.
Drumtreddan Farm -- 127.
Doon Castle -- 127.
E.
Eldrig Fell -- 23. 17.
Ervie -- 96. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-146 |
F.
G.
Glendarroch -- 1.
Glengorrie -- 11.
Gillespie [Fey] -- 16.
Garheugh -- 29.
Garvilland -- 46.
Gabsnout -- 52.
Gleniron Several -- 52.
Glenwhilly -- 59.
Glenwhan Moor -- 72.
Glen Plantation -- 74.
Gleniron Farm -- 77
Galdennoch (Upper) -- 80.
Glentirrow -- 88.
Grennan Point -- 127.
Glenturk -- 132.
Galla Law -- 139.
Glenrazie -- 139.
Glenhapple -- 141. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-147 |
H.
High Gillespie -- 13.
High Eldrig -- 17.
Heron Loch -- 37.
High Mark -- 63.
Hardcroft -- 86.
High Airieolland -- 87.
High Inch -- 90.
High Milton -- 95.
High Drummore -- 122.
I & J.
Jamieson's Point -- 97.
Inch Parish -- 136
Inner Messan -- 138 |
| gb0551ms-36-33-148 |
K.
Kirkcowan (church) & Cairn -- 130. 2.
Kirkinner -- 5.
Knock Fell -- 42.
Kenny Cairn -- 58.
Kilfedar -- 60.
Kilhern Caves -- 84.
Kirkcolm -- 95.
Kildonan -- 107.
Kirkmadrine -- 108.
Kenmuir Graves -- 109.
Kirkmaiden -- 123. 111.
Kirklauchan -- 129.
Knockbrex -- 139.
Kirkcalla -- 141.
Kirk Cruives o'Cree -- 141.
L.
Low Gillespie -- 14.
Laggangarn -- 33.
Larig Fell -- 51.
Lindowry Burn -- 63.
Loch Robin Crannog -- 68.
Luce Valley -- 77.
Loch Inch -- 88.
Loch Ryan -- 89.
Long Tom Standing Stone -- 90.
Little Laight -- 90.
Leswalt Church -- 93.
Larig Fell -- 103.
Logan -- 125. 105.
Low Slock Farm -- 120.
Low Drummore -- 123.
Loch Magillie -- 139.
Loch Maberry -- 140. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-149 |
M.
Mochrum -- 62. 26. 19.
May Farm -- 20.
Monreith -- 21.
Machermore -- 40.
Mid Gleniron -- 55.
Mirrens Croft -- 57.
Miltonish -- 58.
Murdonochie -- 58.
Mochrum Park -- 62.
Meikle & Wee Cairns -- 67.
Machermore -- 68.
Macheille -- 90. 82.
Milton of Larg -- 87.
Mye Plantation -- 106.
Mull of Galloway -- 111.
Mull Glen -- 113.
Mullhill -- 124.
Maberry Loch -- 140.
Mc. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-150 |
N.
New Luce -- 46.
O.
Old Luce -- 40.
Old Hall -- 72.
Ochiltree Hill -- 141. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-151 |
P.
Pilwhirn Burn -- 58.
Pultadie -- 60.
Penwhirn Burn -- 63.
Penwhirrie -- 88.
Park -- 89.
Portankill -- 115.
Port o' Spittal -- 130.
Penningham -- 139. 131.
Q. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-152 |
R.
Ringheel -- 25.
Rees (wells of) -- 37.
Ronald Loch -- 37.
Round Dounan -- 71.
S.
Spittal -- 4.
St. Ninians Cave -- 21.
Shinriggie -- 92.
St. Columba's Well -- 96.
South Cairn Farm -- 100.
Stonykirk -- 106.
South Cairnweil -- 108.
St. Medan's Cave -- 116.
Shennanton -- 131.
Skaith Mote -- 139. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-153 |
T.
Torhousekie -- 6.
Terally Mote -- 120.
Teroy -- 136.
U.
Upper Galdenoch -- 80. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-154 |
V.
W.
Whitefield Loch -- 1. 11.
Woodcairn -- 18.
Wells of the Rees -- 37.
White Cairn (Culroy) -- 45.
White Cairn Broch Hill -- 92.
West Balscalloch -- 97.
West Ringuinea -- 109.
West Tarbet -- 114.
Wigtown -- 133. |
| gb0551ms-36-33-155 |
Y. |
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