This route explores the rich archaeology of the south east Machars, accompanied by the Regional Archaeologist.
Starting on the shore near Monreith village, we have a short climb to Barsalloch Fort, a typical promontory fort common along these shores. We then return to the beach and, tide permitting, follow the shoreline past the village before we head inland.
A steady climb reaches the summit of the Fell of Barhullion with another ancient fort. We then pick a route over the rough moorland and down towards the Monreith Estate, the home of a branch of the once powerful Maxwell family. On our way we pass cup & ring marked rocks and standing stones.
Walking through the Estate we pass near the Georgian Monreith House and the remains of the 15th century Myrton Castle before reaching Drumtroddan standing stones. Only one now remains standing but the others supply a handy perch for lunch.
From here we cross fields to more deeply incised cup & ring marks and then drop down to the main road. From there we walk round some of the old woods which were part of the original designed landscape around Monreith House and then follow Garnets Walk along the ridge back to sea level at Port William.
The walk is on a mixture of beach, grazing fields, farm and woodland tracks with short sections of rough moorland and tarmac road.
