Description

The monument comprises the remains of an enclosed settlement of prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The enclosure is defined by a single ditch, some 3-4m wide, enclosing a sub-oval area measuring some 90m N-S by 75m. There are clear traces of opposed entrances on the E and W, with a third sited on the SW. Traces of diffuse internal cropmarks may indicate the presence of surviving occupation deposits within the enclosure.

The monument lies just below the crest of a small hill at around 175m OD. Its location is striking in that it commands views restricted to the limited catchment of the surrounding hills. Had it been sited some 20m to the N it would have commanded far more extensive views and would itself have been visible from an extensive area to the N.

This siting suggests only a limited concern with both defence and display.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the visible features and an area around them in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is circular with a diameter of 100m as marked in red on the accompanying map. The drystone wall which bisects the enclosure is excluded from the provisions of the scheduling.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of prehistoric settlement organisation and economy. The ditches may be expected to contain evidence for rampart construction and for the nature of the contemporary environment and economy, while internal deposits are likely to contain material relating to domestic and economic organisation.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 77 SW 29.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland