Holy Moly Views at Cairn Holy

Walks, Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway

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Map preview for Holy Moly Views at Cairn Holy
  • Step 1: This is short jaunt to visit the location of Cairn Holy. There’s free parking for a couple of cars at Newton Stewart DG8 7EA. Wander the tranquil resting place of a mythical Scottish king and take in the sweeping peaceful views.

  • Step 2: This is a great place for a spot of mindfulness, cloud-gazing, meditation, reflection or just soaking up the views and having a rest. A picnic on the mound at the top would be lovely too.

  • Enter through the main gate. This is the first of two impressive cairns (Neothilic burial monuments) you’ll find in this landscape.

    Step 3: Enter through the main gate. This is the first of two impressive cairns (Neothilic burial monuments) you’ll find in this landscape.

  • Cairn Holy I and II are Neolithic burial chambers, built around 6,000 years ago. The ambience of this place is marvellous. Please wander!

    Step 4: Cairn Holy I and II are Neolithic burial chambers, built around 6,000 years ago. The ambience of this place is marvellous. Please wander!

  • Step 5: Did you know that a cairn is a man-made stack or pile of stones created often as a marker or burial mound. The word cairn comes from the Scottish Gaelic: càrn. You can find them all over the UK and further afield.

  • This cairn was likely created and used by local farming communities as a final resting place for their people. The placement is stunning.

    Step 6: This cairn was likely created and used by local farming communities as a final resting place for their people. The placement is stunning.

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