Cowan Hill

Explorer Tom Longcastle is playing hard to get, mate. A prehistoric standing stone that acts like it’s got a grudge against the postman, probably hiding behind a hedge. It’s been standing there since the mists of time, judging your footwear. Go at sunset and thank me later.

Explorer Tom Longcastle Schoolhouse is a nineteenth-century building that would complain to the council about its lack of air conditioning and the quality of its chalk. It probably spent centuries teaching children how to spell 'Galloway' correctly while dodging snowballs. The architecture is charming in a very dusty, forgotten way. Perfect detour when the satnav has a meltdown.

Explorer Tom This Cairnfield has no assigned period, which means it’s basically a mystery box of rocks with a cist inside. It probably thinks tourists from Dublin are just noisy sheep with cameras and bad pronunciation. It doesn't care about your dates or your theories; it just wants to be left alone. Find a local and ask them the real story, then come back and tell me.

Explorer Tom Ravenstone Castle’s favourite song is definitely the national anthem because it wants to remind everyone who’s really in charge around here, even if the tower house is a bit tired. It’s been singing it since the sixteenth century and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.

Explorer Tom Old Place of Monreith is having a major identity crisis because it’s not sure if it’s a tower house or just a very tall, very old fence post. Its least favourite visitor is definitely anyone who wears sandals, because the mud here has a personal grudge against footwear. It stands there with the dignity of something that knows you’re late for dinner. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket