Logged Visits:

23rd Apr 2024  15:06  by NJM

Gridref: NT 84050 04262   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

4th visit, to take Grid Ref reading, which was almost spot-on. Weather and views very much as previously, pillar much whiter than previously, me with one dog more than previously. ~~ 18/07/20 3rd visit, and another Northumberland pillar for Storm. Managed to combine a non-firing weekend on the Ranges with bright, clear weather.

View North East 18/07/20 Storm's OS Pillar #41

13th Dec 2023  00:00  by Llondon

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 6/10

16th Apr 2023  14:00  by Reynard

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 9/10

Fantastic spot to visit, panoramic views all the way to the Cheviot. So peaceful, saw no one all afternoon. This is almost a drive by, only a few metres from the road, just lovely. Someone has been busy around Redesdale with the white paint, makes the trigs easy to find

Ridlees Cairn

27th Dec 2022  11:13  by jonglew

Gridref: NT 84051 04267   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Drove MoD roads from Burdhopecrag to park 100m due S. Pillar has lost its centre cap, tube not plugged; front sight hole open, other 3 sealed. Extensive panoramic views.

Pillar TP5680©jonglew
Spider TP5680©jonglew
Flush Bracket TP5680©jonglew

10th Sep 2022  10:28  by S1534&Beyond

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Slightly damaged  Score: 7/10

1st of 3 today on a non firing day. Retrospective log. An easy roadside bag. Notes show 7 minutes return back to the car. Spider missing.

The trig ©S1534&Beyond

16th Apr 2022  12:45  by painterman61

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Easy from the army road super viewpoint chilly wind as the mist clears no cap

First look ©painterman61
Trig ©painterman61
Top ©painterman61
Fb ©painterman61

13th Nov 2021  07:47  by Fremington

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 5/10

11th Jul 2021  15:05  by Analoguesat

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Range roads open for touring so we went exploring. A fascinating area with great views across the ranges from the cairn.

Ridlees Cairn pillar ©Analoguesat

28th Apr 2021  14:39  by amblerbob

Gridref: NT 84048 04260   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Revisit when passing by. Good viewpoint

Ridlees Cairn Lovely views

26th Apr 2021  13:40  by slateloose

Gridref: NT 84000 04200   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Otterburn range closed mid Apr to mid May so no problem of red flag today. Drove to trig point on army roads with just a short walk to trig.

1st Nov 2020  10:41  by Oldhortus

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Made easy with the army roads which are keep in very good order. You get idea of how big this firing range is when at the TP.

25th Jan 2020  14:40  by A1Mushroom

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Last trig for today. Visited the bunker at the end of the road first and then the small pillar box next to the trig to the NE. Very windy and now raining. Used the tarmac roads within the firing rang to go to Holystone as it cut a good half hour off the journey back to the A697 north to Scotland.

3rd May 2019  13:03  by amblerbob

Gridref: NT 84047 04262   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Revisit; after wandering around Black Knowe area looking at the various tanks on a cloudy day with a cold wind.

Ridlees Cairn Lovely viewpoint

19th Apr 2019  14:25  by beckroad

Gridref: NT 84000 04200   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

A roadside trig in a very remote location. Fantastic weather with panoramic views add value to this pillar. Some of the rocky outcrops appear to have been used as a shooting target. Lots of pitted holes. I am sure it is not cup markings!

6th May 2018  18:14  by amblerbob

Gridref: NT 84048 04264   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

From roadside; bagged Crigdon Hill first (interesting range of military equipment passed en route) on a lovely sunny, warm afternoon. Lovely viewpoint.

Ridlees Cairn Excellent viewpoint

19th Apr 2018  12:15  by Nick&Rosie

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

19/04/18 Second Visit A stunning day, and with no red flags flying (I think there's a moratorium on MOD use of the ranges during lambing time) took the opportunity for a rare drive over the ranges on our way home from bagging Berrymoor Edge, and stopped by this 'roadside' trig as the views were so good today. 26/11/16 First Visit - Superb views, an area of the County that is 'off limits' to the general public more often than access is allowed, a fantastic sunset, splendid isolation despite close proximity to the road, a concrete bunker to explore...another absolute winner!

View North 26/11/16
View East 26/11/16
View South 26/11/16
View West 19/04/18

26th Mar 2017  00:00  by caroleengel

Gridref: NT 84050 04262   FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Drove in from Toft House at NY864996 on good tarmac to park at NY841042

29th Dec 2016  12:29  by fasgadh

Gridref: NT 84047 04260   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

On bike from the Redesdale Camp site on good quality roads during the Christmas close down. Very quiet - other than the roaring wind which was thankfully behind me on Kyloe Road.

©fasgadh
©fasgadh
Ridlees Cairn ©fasgadh

28th Dec 2016  15:06  by paulxtr

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Advertised as a non-firing day. Drove up from Burdhopecrag. Panoramic view.

Ridlees Cairn bathed in the orange of the sunset ©paulxtr

14th Aug 2016  10:45  by Borderer

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Thankfully relatively close to the road. Having been on the range for a couple of hours I had still not seen another soul.

©Borderer

8th May 2016  10:01  by Aye Jimmy

Gridref: NT 84049 04261   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Easy to reach using the MoD roads.

Ridlees Cairn The TP.
Ridlees Cairn The FB.
Ridlees Cairn Mark seen on nearby rock slab.

7th May 2016  13:30  by offpiste

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

A nice drive through the ranges on a non firing day government website tell you when firing takes place. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/otterburn-firing-times Good moorland views very quiet roads.

3rd Oct 2015  08:30  by Dusty

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Pillar
Spider
Flush Bracket

14th Jun 2015  14:04  by CJO

Gridref: NT 84064 04259   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 5/10

Cap missing.

Ridlees Cairn

8th Nov 2014  11:00  by peregrinus

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 6/10

Driving the military roads with Lucy Feltham, bagging a few P30s: revisited this one in passing. Non-firing this weekend - but roads closed tomorrow for the Keith Knox Cheviot Rally http://www.cheviotstages.org.uk/ - so that's another thing to look out for which might affect access to this area.

8th Nov 2014  09:50  by dugswell2

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Bagged with Phil Cooper after Thirl Moor on a non firing day.

26th Aug 2012  16:20  by stan toon

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Excellent spot for a trig. Would class this one as almost a drive by trig.

©stan toon

5th Jun 2012  12:05  by ArthurH

Gridref: NT 84050 04262   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Only dicovered on this holiday that you could get on the ranges - but what a wonderful area to walk, and generally unspoilt. Alas, only had one day to discover its joys and solitude before the red flays returned.

21st Apr 2012  12:30  by Phil100

FB Number: Not logged  Condition: Not Logged  Score: 9/10

On a visit to the Otterburn Ranges with an MOD archaeologist and stopped here for a picnic lunch. From an historical point of view it is an interesting site with the trig point set on, or next to, a cairn which has been "adapted" by the military as a defensive position. Near to the location is a WWII "pill box". A few feet south of the trig point is what appears to me to be a "bench mark" carved into the rock surface. I am attaching a photograph and would appreciate an explanation as to what it is. I assume, rightly or wrongly, that it is a surveying point that pre-dates the trig point.

Bench mark[?] This bench mark is carved into the rock surface a few feet south of the trig point. I would appreciate clarification of what it is.
Ridlees Cairn trig point

7th Jan 2012  11:15  by sheepsocks

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Drove in from SE via army roads from Potts Durtrees and Toft House... public vehicle access allowed on non-firing days without any barriers to cross. Good views and interesting rocks around it. Trig on a tumulus, near army bunkers.

31st Jul 2011  12:35  by Border Peat

Gridref: NT 84047 04265   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 8/10

Tyneside Rally Stages drove up to Bushmans Crag Walked up between stages

All round views S7427©Border Peat

24th Apr 2011  16:00  by Walker Dan

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Otterburn ranges open today so this was merely a drive by and a very short walk. Good views today from viewpoints not normally seen.

16th Apr 2008  11:31  by coinea

Gridref: NT 84048 04261   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

S7427 Ridlees Cairn.m

16th Apr 2008  11:30  by clochandighter

Gridref: NT 84048 04261   FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Pillar in good condition. Spider centre open. Front sight hole open, others plugged. Flush bracket faces 153°, SE. Tertiary triangulation station NT72/117. Completed 23rd February 1954. Within MoD firing range, only accessible when red flags are not flying. Information on firing dates is available on the web. Parking on verge just south of trig. Short walk, no need to change into outdoor footwear. Photographed 16/04/2008, GRP.

S7427 - Ridlees Cairn pillar & FB

29th Aug 2004  12:00  by peregrinus

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

vgc, no cap or plug - Access:a drive-up! public road except when flags/lights indicate live firing - Hill:nice grassy summit, rock outcrops, good view, just outside MoD restricted area

S7427 fb ©peregrinus
S7427 top ©peregrinus
S7427 trig ©peregrinus

22nd Jul 2002  09:26  by jimmy

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

a short scramble up from the road on a heathery knoll just after I heard on the news that Van Hoogstratten had been jailed

4th Sep 1993  13:17  by andyc

FB Number: S7427  Condition: Good  Score: 7/10

Easy access from Army roads on non firing day. Lovely drive up from Holystone.