Criffel

Screel

Saddle Yoke

Queensberry

Small carefully built  cairns are often to be found on the sides hills all over Southern Scotland. There exact purpose is not certain.

My belief is that they are way-markers, put there by shepherds of an earlier time, as guides when low cloud or blizzards obscured the route.

The modern use of satellites for land survey has made most of these concrete pillars obsolete.

After the summit of Wee Queensberry there is the option of a short steep descent into a rocky hollow. This hollow is a suitably sheltered spot for a break and some refreshment before the more strenuous hike across boggy ground to the ascent of Queensberry.

Tradition speaks of Covenanters hiding here from Claverhouse and his dragoons. The seclusion and isolation of this area easily lends itself to such scenes. It is easy to visualise Covenanter groups holding their secret Conventicles here during the 'Killing Time'.