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Blue Cairn, Hound Rig
Battle Site (13th Century)(Possible), Cairn (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Blue Cairn, Hound Rig
Classification Battle Site (13th Century)(Possible), Cairn (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Dupple Burn
Canmore ID 66372
Site Number NY09NW 1
NGR NY 0098 9834
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/66372
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Kirkmichael (Nithsdale)
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Nithsdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
NY09NW 1 0098 9834.
(NY 0098 9834) Blue Cairn (GT)
(Site of Battle between Wallace and Greystock and where the latter fell).
OS 6" map, 2nd series, (1900)
It is said that Wallace, who was encamped on Queensberry having seen the approach of a party of English and hastening to attack them, had met them on this spot; a bloody battle ensued in which the English were beaten.
Name Book 1857
The 'Blue Cairn' has been greatly dilapidated and reduced to a low level, while on the remains there has been erected a modern beacon some 10' in height. A little south of the centre are exposed the south and east sides of a short cist, which has lain with its longest axis east and west. The slab forming the south side has a length of 3'5" (1.04m). The diameter of the cairn has been some 45' (13.7m).
RCAHMS 1920
This cairn is generally described by RCAHMS and the remains of the cist are partially exposed in the centre of the cairn. The overall diameter of the cairn is 14.0m and it is 0.6m high. It is surrounded by a tall modern cairn. The site is now within a dense Forestry plantation. The reference to a battle or skirmish here, would appear to be based on tradition. The cairn is undoubtedly of Bronze Age date.
Visited by OS (W D J) 2 September 1959
There appears to be no good evidence for such a battle here, and it is recommended for deletion.
Information from Dr G Donaldson (Dept of Scot Hist, Edinburgh Uni) to OS 28 November 1959.
(Location cited as NY 009 983). This ill-defined cairn is situated on a crest of a slight ridge overlooking moorland to the SE; it is in a small clearing on the edge of a mature coniferous plantation and is itself overlooked by Queensberry Hill to the NW. It appears to measure about 18m in diameter; little of it has been turfed-over and a 'beacon' about 3m high has been built in the centre. Only the S and E slabs of the cist could be identified but several other flat slabs were noted.
M J Yates 1984.
(Formerly scheduled as Blue Cairn, cairn, Hound Rig). Descheduled.
Information from Historic Scotland, Certificate of Exclusion from Schedule dated 11 December 2001.
Watching Brief (September 2012 - September 2013)
A programme of archaeological works was undertaken by CFA Archaeology Ltd for the grid connection cable between Moffat Substation and the Harestanes Wind Farm Substation.
Several features were discovered on low lying land within the floodplain of the River Annan and its tributaries.
A total of ten pits were discovered on the floodplain of the River Annan and Evan Water. They were devoid of finds or substantial quantities of dateable material although they are likely to be of Roman or prehistoric date. The character of the well-drained gravel-rich natural and the apparent lack of ploughing suggest that potential for further archaeological discoveries in this area must be high.
Three “V” profile ditches were discovered on the site, as were two complete Roman field ovens within the footprint of Bankend Roman Temporary Camp.
A small portion of the original structure of Beattock Bridge was revealed during monitoring of the cable trench excavation. The structural integrity and the appearance of the bridge were unaffected by the development.
Two isolated pits were revealed on a steep south-facing slope to the west of Beattock. Their date is uncertain although they may be associated with the nearby settlement of Beattock Hill.
A northerly extension to Stanshielrig was identified and demarcated to eliminate any impact from the development. A hollow-way, quarry and ditch and bank were excavated ahead of the cable trench works.
A partially surfaced trackway and a drystone bank were recorded to the east of Easter Earshaig.
Funder: Iberdrola Engineering and Construction
CFA Archaeology Ltd
OASIS ID: cfaarcha1-169462
