Preaching Cave and Kilpatrick Dun, Kilpatrick

Summary

This route combines two short walks from the same car park. First it heads down to the coast to visit a large cave once used for religious services, then climbs over boggy farmland to visit the remains of Kilpatrick Dun, a homestead and iron age fort dating back 4,000 years and a good viewpoint.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Grassy path with burn crossing to Preaching Cave; path to Dun is very boggy in places with rough path.

Getting there

Start

Small, unmarked walled car park on left side of the start of the track to Kilpatrick Farm.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NR902268

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3km / 1.75 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 90m (Profile)

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Explorer 361 - Arran

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

There is a small unmarked car park on the left side of the start of the track to Kilpatrick Farm. The walk is in two parts; to visit the Preaching Cave first, cross the main road and take the signed footpath on the opposite side, giving access to a grassy track alongside the Allt a'Ghoirtean burn. The track fords the burn - requiring a little agility. When the track swings left continue ahead on a path to reach a gate with the rocky shore beyond. Pass through the gate and head along the coastal path - part of the Arran Coastal Way.

Stage 2

There are low cliffs to the left, studded with several small caves almost hidden in the bracken. The Preaching Cave is the largest of these, and almost faces along the coast - take the trodden path off left after 300m along the coast to visit it. The cave is quite deep, and its soot-blackened roof is a sign of its lengthy use.

Stage 3

As well as performing duty as the parish school, in the 19th century the cave provided a meeting place for those that objected to the practice of a minister being appointed by the local landowner - known as The Disruption of 1843 - and thus formed a Free Church congregation based in the cave. Leave the cave and return back to the car park via the outward route, with good views along the coast towards Drumadoon Point beyond Blackwater's sandy beach.

Stage 4

To visit the iron age fort and bronze age homestead site head up the track from the parking area along the access road for Kilpatrick Farm. This section of the walk follows high black and white striped posts. Just before the farm turn right up a track passing next to a house on your left. Beyond the house go through the gate into a boggy field and almost immediately bear left at a marker post aiming for a gap between gorse bushes. Once through this turn half right to aim through the reeds up to a gate in the far left corner of the field.

Stage 5

Once through the gate close to the Allt a'Ghoirtean, follow a waterlogged path aiming left at first before heading more steeply uphill and onto the heather moorland still following the striped poles. Once on the drier ground there are good views back over to Blackwaterfoot and the coast. Keep to the left of a fence, climbing a fence ahead at a crossing point and continuing ahead to reach the site of the fort and homestead. Here a large grassy area within the heather reveals standing stones, the remains of stone and turf walls of huts and enclosures as well signs of ancient cultivation.

Stage 6

Excavations have revealed a Bronze Age burial cairn under the Iron Age fort suggesting a much earlier use and the surrounding boundary or cashel and hut circles are thought to be Bronze Age as well. The term 'cashel' can be misleading as it is often used to refer to early monastic communities which is not believed to be the use at this site but the name 'Kilpatrick Cashel' has occurred on maps and signs for many, many years. On a clear day the site offers extensive views across to the large fort of The Doon above Blackwaterfoot, as well as the Mull of Kintyre and Ireland beyond. Once you have explored the site the best route back is to retrace the outward route following the poles down towards the farm and through the gates to return to the car park.

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