Ancient Monuments

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Thirlestane Hill,fort

A Scheduled Monument in Leaderdale and Melrose, Scottish Borders

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Coordinates

Latitude: 55.7275 / 55°43'38"N

Longitude: -2.6853 / 2°41'7"W

OS Eastings: 357053

OS Northings: 648444

OS Grid: NT570484

Mapcode National: GBR 92P6.FP

Mapcode Global: WH7W4.Q9GK

Entry Name: Thirlestane Hill,fort

Scheduled Date: 26 January 1989

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM4612

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Prehistoric domestic and defensive: fort (includes hill and promontory fort)

Location: Lauder

County: Scottish Borders

Electoral Ward: Leaderdale and Melrose

Traditional County: Berwickshire

Description

The monument is a fort of the Iron Age (some 2000 to 3000 years old) which occupies the summit of a spur of Thirlestane Hill. The defences are in good condition and survive to c. 1.5m high. The fort is circular, defended by three concentric ramparts with an entrance to the W, and measures c. 100m in diameter overall.

The area to be proposed for scheduling includes the fort and an area around it in which traces of activity associated with its use will survive. The area respects the shape of the monument, measures 115m (NW-SE) x 120m transversely, bounded by the plantation walls to the NW, E and SE; the above ground structure of the wall is specifically excluded.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved example of an Iron Age fort which has the potential to enhance our understanding of monuments of this type. Its importance is increased by the proximity of several other sites of similar date which, taken together, have the potential to greatly increase our understanding of the settlement, economy and development of the landscape in the Iron Age in this area.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 54 NE 4.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Other nearby scheduled monuments

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