West Skelston, White Cairn
Cairn (Prehistoric)
Site Name West Skelston, White Cairn
Classification Cairn (Prehistoric)
Canmore ID 65098
Site Number NX88NW 19
NGR NX 8235 8551
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/65098
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Dunscore
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Nithsdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
Field Visit (14 December 1977)
NX88NW 19 8235 8551.
NX 8235 8551 White Cairn (NAT)
OS 6" map (1924)
A large stony mound 24.0m in diameter and 2.0m high is situated on a slight crest in a pasture field. Its circumference is defined by the limit of ploughing but there is otherwise no definite edge or kerbing. It appears to be mainly composed of dumped stone and consequently its original purpose and nature cannot be established.
There are a large number of similar, but generally smaller, stony mounds and tree rings in the neighbouring fields. Most of these features are centred on outcrops of rock and are obviously stone clearance heaps.
The field in which this mound stands is known as White Cairn. (Mr P Williams, West Skelston, Dunscore)
Surveyed at 1:2500.
Visited by OS (BS) 14 December 1977
Field Visit (26 November 1991)
This cairn is situated on the crest of a spur and measures 23m in diameter and 3m in height; it has been partly robbed and has been supplemented by large boulders relatively recently.
(Nith 98)
Visited by RCAHMS (DCC) 26 November 1991.
