Description

The monument is an enclosed settlement, a form of farmstead or hamlet dating from the later prehistoric period. The monument was originally scheduled in 1969, but the area covered by the designation was not properly defined. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The monument sits at around 250m OD, on a steep W slope of Priesthope Hill overlooking the Leithen Water. The settlement is defined by a roughly oval enclosure wall which has been greatly reduced by stone robbing. A gap on the S side of the enclosure wall may indicate the site of the original entrance. The enclosure measures approximately 46m NE-SW by 40m transversely. The steep nature of the site has lead to the interior being divided into three tiered areas. Up to nine building platforms have been recorded within the settlement, but it is not known whether these were in contemporary use.

The area to be scheduled is an oval 54m E-W by 67m N-S centred on the settlement, as shown in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric settlement and economy. The relationship between this site and a number of other later prehistoric settlements of different form in the immediate vicinity is of particular interest.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded in the RCAHMS as NT 33 NW 15.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland