Drandannow and Nappers Cottage

Last weekend we drove to the Newton Stewart area to a place in the Cree valley called Drandannow. Our target was the scatter of prehistoric attractions on the hill near Nappers Cottage.

Map

The weather was glorious - it was one of those times on the edge of spring where thermals are perhaps not a good plan. There were very clear views across the whole area, and some wonderful bright skies with fluffy clouds!

After dodging the small family group of gingerish coos we headed up the path past the ruined house and on towards the first cairns and Drumfern stone circle. There wasn't a lot to see! The ruined walls of a sheep fold nearby were much more prominent. Fantastic location!






Then on towards the small pine plantation, these places always have a different atmosphere but although there were plenty of birds singing, it did feel a little bit barren of wildlife. Nice little pond, though.



Behind the plantation, we entered a rough area which looked as if it was entirely made up of cairns! We could see the top chimney of Nappers Cottage, and although the road so far had been 4WD-only, we wondered if it could be still inhabited. It didn't take long as we got closer to realise it hadn't been occupied for some time!

There's a great round cairn not far from the cottage, called Rory's Gill. Its walls gave us a perfect shelter to have lunch (sitting respectfully on the capstone of the one of the cists inside).







At the cottage itself, there's a chambered cairn; pretty ruined now but you can see how large it was and there are still slabs in place, including one with cupmarks.


Nappers Cottage has a few small walled enclosures behind it, perhaps gardens but more recently perhaps used to hold sheep. There's plenty of evidence of desperate attempts at trying to repair the fabric of the house, ultimately failing I reckon about 20-40 years ago. A wide estimate, I know! It's amazing how quickly some places deteriorate when left open to the elements. They've tried to use an old bedstead to keep people/sheep out, now fallen. Very wise to stay out I think; there's lots more collapsing to go on here, and the floors are rotten.







After the cottage, we climbed up the hill past some frogspawn in a ditch, up past numerous strange tuffets and hillocks, and lots of molehills. The gound further up was very boggy, continuing until we reached The Thieves.

On our way down the hill, I realised what it was that made this area feel so familiar. The walk up past the farm opening out to wide views, the abandoned farmhouse, the cairns, the sheep, even the direction of the sun, it was all very reminiscent of Blarwearie!