Ettrick Pen

NT10NE 1 1998 0764.

(NT 1998 0764). Cairn (NR) (Remains of)

OS 6" map, 2nd series, (1900)

The remains of a large cairn situated on the summit of Ettrick Pen, consisting of a low irregular spread of smallish stones and measuring 30m E-W by 24m N-S and 0.5m maximum height. The perimeter is grassed over giving the appearance of a scarp but the cairn has probably been circular, the spread having occurred on the eastern,downhill side.

At the highest point, on the SW a modern cairn has been erected and on the NE is a crude modern grave consisting of piled-up stones. A headstone bears an inscription but no date is discernable.

Surveyed at 1/10560.

Plan

Visited by OS (R D L) 5 September 1962.

Situated on the summit of Ettrick Pen at over 670m OD and commanding an extensive view over the surrounding countryside, the remains comprise an irregular spread of stones measuring 29m from E to W by 24m transversely and no more than 0.4m high. This may suggest the former existence of a large cairn, but it is difficult to explain the present dilapidation since there are no stone walls nearby which could provide an explanation in terms of stone-robbing. On the highest point there is a small ruined 'shepherd's cairn' constructed with some of the stones from the larger cairn.

M J Yates 1984.