Description:

Two impressive Neolithic chambered cairns stand on a hillside overlooking Wigtown Bay, dating back to around 4000 BC. The first, Cairn Holy I, is about 170 by 50 feet, with a crescent-shaped facade leading to a ruined two-part chamber. In the outer section, archaeologists discovered a jade axe from the Alps, now housed in the National Museum of Antiquities. The inner chamber, likely the original structure, was once protected by a blocking stone, with the outer chamber and forecourt added later. Cup marks can be seen on one of the entrance stones. Other finds include Neolithic pottery, an arrowhead, later pottery, and a flint knife, plus more pottery and a cup-and-ring marked stone in the inner chamber.

A short walk away lies Cairn Holy II, a smaller Clyde-type cairn measuring 70 by 40 feet and standing no higher than 2 feet. Legend claims it was the burial site of the mythical Scottish king Galdus, attracting visitors who leave candles or flowers. Though less grand than Cairn Holy I, its twin chambers yielded an arrowhead, a flint knife, and Beaker pottery, despite having been robbed long ago.