07/08/2023
Why not book a Blue Badge Guide to take you there
"Where should we go today?"
Tholtans should be everyone's outings list for the Isle of Man this summer. They are all over the Island, but one which is always spectacular, whatever the weather, is Killabregga...
What is it?
Killabregga is a tholtan (a ruined farm) up in the hills overlooking the Sulby Valley.
What is its history?
It was farmed through into the modern era by the Kinrade family, who only moved out in the 1940s, though some operations went on at the farm long after.
After that, it came into the care of Manx National Heritage, as a wonderful example of a Manx tholtan - meaning that it is freely open to be visited.
What should we look out for?
The horse-walk is one of the best-preserved in the Island, with the iron arm that once attached to the horse on the raised circular patch of land still there, connecting through to the remains of machinery in the building next door.
The cow house can be identified by the slate divides between stalls, on some of which there are still the iron bars to tie up the cattle.
The chiollagh (fire place) is a good way to identify which buildings were lived in.
The standing slates of a wall is remarkable on the upper northern edge of the farm area.
The cement standing in the shape of the bags they were once in before a leak petrified them is also a delight!
Where is it?
It is on the western slopes over the Sulby valley, here: https://goo.gl/maps/cvkvbcYcwgpVu9MZ6
You can get there either from the bottom, up the very steep path beginning beside the house (here: https://goo.gl/maps/Z6Nicx8BV4vwJVNC6).
Or, recommended, is to come from the top, where you can park off the Druidale Road (here: https://goo.gl/maps/5uES7AWH53hqenAz6) and walk down eastwards, past a dub/pool/lake, down past the plantation, through a gate, and the tholtan appears below you down the field.
Of course, take care (both getting there and around the ruins themselves), take a phone, and go with friends if you're nervous or unsure.
Of course, there are many other great tholtans around the Island which you are able to visit. Do feel free to recommend your favourite below, if you'd like - we'd like to hear!
