frit INIA NS “~\ LPP A PI ee an »N Zan oe feet Se ON Ss Gounb ( ae : CRAIGS x 4 ee sce: VILLAGE” a na” {eurnr Aa eyab tae

v HERITAGE > TRAILS

vreseer,NEL KEN STROANEREGGAN oF “IN IS RES DN oNee ae

Ai AE WATER

This leaflet has been produced

by the Carsphatrn Herltage. Group

which Is a voluntary group that seeks to promote the herltage of the parish and to encourage Its

% MILE preservation and conservation.

STROANFREGGAN Round Craigs; between these and the river can be agricultural era some 5,000 years ago. The

seen a series of small drystone enclosures which Stroanfreggan site Is belleved to be the The main sites here are close by the road. are believed to be the remains of an 18th century remains of a nomadic hunting camp used by Other sites can be reached by a ridgetop hil dykers's village. salmon fishermen. Saimon still entered this walk of 14 miles. Across the road from the Fort is Stroanfreggan part of the Ken until 1936 when the hydro The most prominent feature Is the site of an Calrn, an important Bronze Age site. A circular dam at Ken Doon Loch barred the way to their Iron Age Fort straddling the top of cairn measuring over 70 feet in diameter, it is spawning grounds cn the upper river. Stroanfreggan Craig immediately north of the situated beside a bank on the flat land between B729 near the Ken bridge. Accessible by a the road and the Stroanfreggan Burn. Although short, steep climb up the Craig, the remains the original purpose of this cairn has not been comprise two concentric walls of tumbled established some interesting finds have been The Carsphairn Heritage Group Is very grateful stones, the outer one measuring about 140 x made here including a large, sealed stone cist to landowners, tenant farmers and forestry 125 ft. Interior detafls of the Fort, obscured containing a plano-convex flint knife; a bronze groups for permisston to walk on their land. by loose stones from the walls and overgrown blade fragment; and pieces of bone mixed with This Is subject to restrictions during lambing with turf, have not been excavated. The charcoal. time in April and May. prominent cairn in the enclosure and the Remains of a much older site were discovered remains of a stone wall running down the west recently on the same flat area towards the river The Carsphairn Heritage Group appreciate the side are comparatively modern. The dramatic Ken. Although practically nothing can be seen assistance given by the Department of Physical view across the Water of Ken includes the at surface level, an archaeological dig un- Planning, Dumfries and Regional Council. steep northeastern gairies of Beninner and lle earthed stone chippings and charcoal dating eee dere SSH OTOL HSEHSESEEESISOSCHeTeSeoeener Moorbrock Hill. from mesolithic times some 7 - 8,000 years ago. All walkers are reminded that they undertake Another cairn, probably of recent origin, ifs The chippings were from chert, a stene used this walk entirely at thelr own risk and vistble on the skyline above the Fort. A like flint in tool making and a deposit of which neither the Her Frage Group nor any land- mile beyond this are two small ancient sites, is found on nearby Moorbrock Hill. It is only owner will accept responsibility for any a cairn and a burnt mound, relatively small in the last few years that mesolithic remains loss or Injury sustained. They should keep features which can be reached on foot along have been identified in the ; +o the recommended route shown on the map the grassy ridge to the north. They are previously it was thought that they remained overleaf and keep away from any potentially situated at the approaches to the prominent uninhabited by man until the start of the dangerous areas. The Country Code should be observed at all times.