Description

The monument consists of the remains of a defended settlement of late prehistoric date, situated on a slight rise above the steep slope of Frizles Linn.

The settlement is defined by an earthen rampart with a broad external ditch. This curves around in a semi-circle, enclosing an area 70m E-W by 56m, which has a featureless surface. The rest of the circuit is defined by the edge of a steep drop to the SE. The rampart is up to 2m high above the interior, and the ditch up to 1m deep. The ditch appears to utilise in part a natural gully, which has been widened and straightened. The entrance is on the SW side, and has been about 2m wide.

The area to be scheduled is approximately semi-cicular, measuring 120m NE-SW by 70m, bounded on the SE by the top edge of the steep drop into Frizles Linn and elsewhere by a line 5m outside the outer edge of the ditch, as marked in red on the accompanying map. The modern stone dyke, gate and direction post within this area are excluded from scheduling to allow for simplicity of maintenance and repair.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a good example of a simple late prehistoric enclosed settlement, and as one of a small local group of such settlements of varied plan. It has the potential, through excavation and analysis, to provide important information about late prehistoric settlement organisation and economy, and, by comparison with nearby monuments, about the pattern and inter-relationships of settlement.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 01 SE 8.

Reference:

RCAHMS (1920) Inventory of Monuments in Dumfries-shire 172, No. 485.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland