Cairns on the Hills

Francis Joseph Bigger wrote in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology Vol xvi 1910 p94

"A good spirit is prevailing among some of the youths of Belfast, and they are building up the scattered carns on the heighbouring hill-tops. Those on Collinward, Ben Madighan and Divis are receiving attention and will soon be as noticeable from a distance as in days of yore. Would the old custom were as common as it used to be of every visitor or passer-by adding a stone to the heap. The sappers and [under]miners, as the government surveyors are called have been largely instrumental in destroying these ancient monuments. They should be stopped in their work of devastation. Whenever an excursion takes place to the summit of any of the lovely hills around Belfast the members of it should make a point of adding to the carn erected to the memory of some ancient Gaelic hero."

I should hasten to add that this is probably not a good idea. I dread to think what the top of Cavehill would look like if everyone left a stone there!

For good ideas on exploring the hills visit:
http://www.belfasthills.org/
http://www.cavehillconservation.org/