Description

The monument comprises the remains of a promontory fort of

prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

The monument lies on relatively level ground on the N bank of the North Esk. It occupies a natural inland promontory and is defined by a series of up to four ditches. The outermost ditch is some 3m wide and separated by a space of approximately 5m from the second and widest ditch which measures some 7m across. The area enclosed by this latter ditch is roughly triangular and has maximum dimensions of approximately 60m by 60m.

There are traces of two narrow inner ditches, the innermost of which encloses an area only 25m by 25m. A series of ill-defined cropmarks within the enclosed area may represent the remains of former domestic structures within the fort. The fort lies close to the remains of another enclosed settlement and a barrow cemetery with which it may be in part contemporary.

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 100m ENE-WSW by 60m 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 defensive settlement. The ditches may be expected to contain evidence relating to the nature, date and sequence of their construction while deposits within the interior may be expected to provide information on the nature of contemporary settlement and economy. The importance of the site is enhanced by its association with the other archaeological sites in the vicinity.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 76 SW 30.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland