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High Baltersan is a cairn located in Wigtownshire, in the south-west of Scotland. The monument sits upon bedrock of the Gala Group, a sequence of sedimentary rocks formed during the Telychian period of the Silurian era, which here comprises wacke—a tough, greyish sandstone. This geology, characteristic of the Southern Uplands, would have provided readily available stone for the cairn's construction. The monument is protected as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1938, reflecting its importance as an archaeological and cultural resource.
Cairns of this type are among Scotland's most enduring monuments, typically constructed during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods. They served various functions, including burial chambers, territorial markers, and ritual centres. The presence of such structures in Wigtownshire demonstrates the long occupation and use of the landscape by prehistoric communities who exploited the local resources and topography.
High Baltersan survives as evidence of the early settlement and ceremonial practices of south-western Scotland, though like many cairns its precise date and original form remain subjects for future investigation. The scheduling of the monument ensures its protection and preservation for continued study and public understanding of Scotland's prehistoric heritage.
High Baltersan,cairn is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1938. View the official record →
High Baltersan is a cairn located in Wigtownshire, in the south-west of Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM1938.
High Baltersan,cairn is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM1938.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cairnhouse, two cairns (3.7 km), Creebridge, cairn 400m E of (3.9 km), Blackcraig lead mines, lade, dressing floors, smelt mill and miners' cottages, Blackcraig (4.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of High Baltersan,cairn's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
High Baltersan,cairn stands on Gala Group, bedrock that formed in the Telychian. The rock here is wacke.