Description

The monument comprises the remains of a promontory fort of

prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies at around 80m OD on the N bank of a tributary of Spott Burn. A series of ditches seal off a meander in the burn forming an oval promontory fort. The fort is defined by six ditches, not all of which are continuous for the whole circuit. The area enclosed by the outermost ditch has maximum dimensions of

approximately 240m WNW-ESE by 110m while the innermost ditch encloses approximately 120m by 50m.

The ditches vary in width from approximately 3-8m and have no clear indications of entrances. A dark cropmark occupies the E end of the interior suggesting the presence of surviving occupation deposits in this area. The size of the fort and the number and scale of the ditches suggest that it represents a high status defensive settlement of the later prehistoric period.

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 irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 340m WNW-ESE by 160m 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 high status domestic settlement in the later prehistoric period. The ditches may be expected to contain evidence for the date and sequence of construction of the defences while the interior deposits may be expected to contain evidence relating to domestic organisation and economy.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 67 NE 47.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland