Description

The monument is a fort of the Iron Age, situated on a spur N of Chesters farm steading. It has been ploughed for improved pasture but still survives as a substantial earthwork. The fort is sub-circular measuring 50-60m in diameter. All approaches but the E are precipitous; the defences were originally stronger on this side and have survived best there, where a rampart c. 1.5m high and a ditch 1m deep cut off the spur. Little trace of the second, outer rampart, noted by RCAHMS, has survived. The interior is featureless but archaeological remains of importance will survive below the present topsoil level. An area measuring 120m in diameter is proposed for scheduling; the above ground fabric of dry stone wall in the area is excluded.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance to the theme of Iron Age settlement and defence. Very few lowland forts of this period have survived as well as this monument; although ploughed it survives as a standing earthwork and as it is not in arable ground and it has not been regularly deep-ploughed. Excavation would provide information of considerable importance about the way of life of the people of the Iron Age. The monument is of national importance to the theme of Iron Age settlement and defence.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS record the site as NT 74 NW 7.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland