Description

The monument comprises the remains of three prehistoric enclosures, probably of ritual significance, represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The site lies on the outskirts of Forfar in level arable farmland at around 70m OD. The two largest enclosures are defined by broad circular ditches some 4-5m wide with overall diameters of 45m-50m. The W enclosure has a broad, E-facing entrance, while the entrance of the E enclosure is not clearly visible. Adjacent to the SW of the E enclosure is a third enclosure, or large ring ditch, some 18-20m in diameter and 3-4m broad.

These features form part of a highly unusual cluster of enclosures around Westfield House. A fourth enclosure which lay some 300m W of this group has been destroyed in recent years by a housing development. A further large enclosure lies some 200m to the S. The size and nature of the individual sites and their grouping suggests that they are more likely to relate to Neolithic ritual practice than to represent later prehistoric domestic actvity.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the three enclosures and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 240m E-W by 170m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of prehistoric ritual practice. The enclosures may be expected to contain evidence for former structures and deposits associated with religious and ritual practices and the area around them likely to contain evidence for associated activities.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 44 NW 13, 14 and 11.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland