Description

The monument is the remains of a fort of the Iron Age, about 2000 to 2500 years old. An area measuring 120m by 90m is defended on its easy SE approach by two very large and well preserved ramparts, both are fronted by deep ditches. There is a low counterscarp bank in front of the outer ditch. At the W end of the rampart, at the point where the defences are crossed by a boundary wall, the banks and ditches disappear. It is likely that they did at one time continue a little further, running to the edge of the steep slope which provides the main defence on the W and N.

The entrance lies between the steep drop and the N end of the ramparts and ditches. In the interior there are quarry pits and a shallow quarry ditch along the rear of the inner rampart; much of the inner ramprt is built of material quarried from these. There are flattened areas in the interior which may mark the sites of house stances. The remains of houses and other structures may be preserved beneath the topsoil level in the interior.

An area measuring a maximum of 180m NE-SW by 160m transversely is proposed for scheduling, to include the whole area of the fort.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is a well preserved example of a type now relatively rare in this area; the majority of forts of this type have been ploughed flat and appear now only as crop marks. Excavation of the defences and interior could recover information of importance on the way of life of the inhabitants. The monument is of particular interest because of the excellent state of preservation of its defences, and of such features as the quarry pits in the interior. The monument is of national importance to the theme of Iron Age defence and settlement.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the site as NT95NW 4.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland