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Slewcairn is a hut circle situated on the western bank of the Mid Burn in Kirkcudbrightshire, south-western Scotland. The monument occupies ground underlain by an unnamed igneous intrusion of felsic rock, dating to the Early Devonian period, which forms part of the region's distinctive geological character. This stone-built dwelling represents settlement activity from the Iron Age or early medieval period, when such circular structures served as domestic dwellings across upland and marginal areas of Scotland.
The proximity to the Mid Burn would have provided essential access to fresh water, a primary consideration in the siting of prehistoric and early historic settlements. The underlying felsic bedrock, relatively poor in soil development, reflects the challenging terrain typical of Kirkcudbrightshire's moorland landscape. Slewcairn remains a valuable record of vernacular settlement patterns in this region during periods when communities adapted to rocky, well-drained ground unsuitable for large-scale cultivation.
The hut circle is protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a scheduled monument under reference SM3341, recognising its archaeological significance and contribution to understanding settlement history in south-western Scotland.
Slewcairn, hut circle on W bank of Mid Burn is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3341. View the official record →
Slewcairn is a hut circle situated on the western bank of the Mid Burn in Kirkcudbrightshire, south-western Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3341.
Slewcairn, hut circle on W bank of Mid Burn 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 SM3341.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Slewcairn, two cairns (0.3 km), Auchenskeock Castle (2.9 km), Southwick Church (5.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Slewcairn, hut circle on W bank of Mid Burn'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.
Slewcairn, hut circle on W bank of Mid Burn stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Late Silurian To Early Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is felsic-rock.