Kennedy's Cairn

Kennedy's Cairn can be found just over 1km west of the Mull Of Galloway Lighthouse. It was indeed a trip to the lighthouse that sparked my curiosity when I spotted it while having lunch in the Gallie Craig Coffee House.

I was quite surprised at the conflicting information that I could find on such an imposing cairn. It appears either to be a memorial to a postman who lost his life delivering in a blizzard, a memorial to a young girl killed by a bull, or a navigational aid built by Colonel Andrew McDouall of Logan in the early 1800's.

Colonel Andrew McDouall of Logan (1758-1834) was the Laird of Logan and a prominent figure in the area. He was known for his improvements to the estate and making improvements to Port Logan harbour.

The information board at the coffee house describes the cairn as a lookout post in both World Wars, but it's origins are still a mystery. Archaeologists found pieces of flint and stone at the site dating back to the Mesolithic era which adds to the mystery.

If anyone can shed any light on this impressive cairn, please get in touch.

I could not find a recording of its height or circumference either and unfortunately I had neither my tape measure nor my wingman with me to discover the aforementioned.

One thing I did find, is that it was not recorded on an 1848 OS Map, but was on 1906. Could it have been built in this time frame?

There are six stones, protruding from the eastern side of the cairn. They offer a method for climbing to the flat top of the cairn. One of the stones is badly damaged, and without my wingman to assist me, I decided against the ascent.

Kennedy's Cairn is a short walk from the road, up the side of the fence, through the gate and down the other side of the fence. Don't be tempted to come down the side of the fence containing the cairn as it is fenced in.

Kennedy's Cairn is designated a Listed Building by Historic Environment Scotland.

It is a short 0.5km stroll to Kennedy's Cairn.

Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.