The journalist, the minister and the lost cairnfield of Cathkin Braes

This paper reviews the use of sources in archaeological research, with particular reference to antiquarian material. Specific attention is paid to antiquarian texts by the Rev. David Ure and Mr Hugh MacDonald relating mainly to the site of Queen Mary's Cairn, Cathkin Braes, south-east of Glasgow. Brief biographical information is provided about the two antiquaries and their different approaches to recording sites discussed. The paper also looks at more recent work on the area and compares the modern approaches to reporting with the antiquarian and notes the uses of antiquarian sources in modern work.