Description

The monument consists of a scooped homestead and small enclosure of the Iron Age (some 2000 to 3000 years old) situated on a NW slope overlooking the Dod Cleugh. The homestead is roughly oval in plan and consists of a platform cut into the hillside on which an enclosure bank has been built.

The bank survives to c. 0.5m high and has an inturned entrance to the E which appears to have been blocked by a later wall. The homestead measures c. 30m (N-S) x c. 25m transversely. About 40m to the SW of the homestead is an enclosure, built beside a small burn which runs into the Dod Cleugh. The enclosure is polygonal and measures c. 25m x c. 18m within a collapsed drystone wall (now covered with turf).

The area to be proposed for scheduling includes the homestead, the enclosure, and an area around them in which traces of activity associated with their use will survive. The area is a rectangle and measures 110m (NE-SW), bounded by the small burn to the SW, by 55m transversely.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved example of an Iron Age scooped homestead and enclosure which has the potential to enhance our understanding of monuments of the type and range described. 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

The monument is RCAHMS number NT 55 NW 5 and 20.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland