Upper Millsteads, Farmsteading

Explorer Tom Upper Millsteads ended up in the wrong place according to my GPS and definitely according to my sense of direction. It’s a farmhouse that looks like it got lost on its way to being something more impressive. The period is unassigned, which basically means it’s been there since before we had calendars for everything. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom Mid Cleuch would tell you its secret after three pints, mostly that it hates being in the middle of everything. It’s a farm in a cleuch, so it’s stuck between two hills and complaining about it. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Bruntshielbog in Dumfries and Galloway has ring enclosures that are constantly having a rivalry with the nearby famous castle. The sheep over there think they run the place because they have no idea who is in charge. It’s unassigned period stuff, so it’s basically a mystery box of dirt. Go with someone who loves old stuff and watch them melt.

Explorer Tom Caulside has medieval rig and furrow patterns that Saint Patrick would have probably used for his garden borders if he’d had the time to dig them properly. It’s a farmland site that looks like it’s been tidied up by someone who only has five minutes before work. Bring biscuits, every good story needs biscuits.

Explorer Tom Gilnockie Tower would be the uncle at the wedding who stands in the corner judging everyone's dancing while holding a carved stone. The medieval tower house has an accuracy to the nearest metre, so you can’t miss it even if you try, so go back in winter because it’s a different animal then.