Description

This irregularly shaped stone-walled fort with outworks is situated on a rocky hilltop. The fort is aligned NE and SW and measures about 37 by 16m within a wall that follows the irregular outlines of the summit area. The wall varied in thickness from 4.5m on the NW to 1.5m on the S. Much of the interior is occupied by a rocky spine, which is surmounted by a modern cairn. A number of modern structures have been built within the fort for use as a film-set. In addition there are a number of ruined foundations.

A heavy spread of stony debris immediately below the summit probably conceals an outwork on the NE half of the perimeter. Access to the shelves forming the lower S portion of the massif was barred by a second series of outworks on the NE half of the perimeter, best preserved on its S. In this area there are a number of rectangular structures, possibly Medieval/Post Medieval in date.

The recent find of an Early Historic gaming-board suggests that the fort may have been occupied during this period. The area to be scheduled measures a maximum of 180m from E to W by 180m transversely, to include the fort, outworks, shielings and an area around in which traces of activities associated with the use of these sites may survive, as marked in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to provide information about later prehistoric architecture, society and organisation. The recent Early Historic find suggests that activity on this site may have been extended; this site is therefore the only site in the immediate vicinity of Loch Awe to have produced any evidence for secular Early Historic activity.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NM 80 SE 15.

Reference:

RCAHMS (1988) Inventory for Mid Argyll and Cowal, No. 250.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland