Description

The monument is a scooped homestead of the Iron Age (some 2000 to 3000 years old) situated on the E flank of Longcroft Hill and overlooking the Whalplaw Burn. The homestead consists of a roughly oval scoop with a broad, high bank on the downhill side. Whether this bank continued around the scoop or not is unclear. To the SW, and at a higher level than the main scoop, are two smaller scoops which overlie the supposed line of the enclosure bank. The entrance to the homestead is through the bank on the SE.

About 9m to the SE from the entrance is the remains of a drystone wall, now reduced to a scarp or low stony bank.

It runs for c. 30m and appears to be associated with the homestead, probably part of a boundary of a field system. The homestead measures c. 50m (NNE-SSW) by c. 25m transversely overall. The area to be proposed for scheduling includes the homestead, part of the field boundary, and an area around them in which traces of activity associated with their use will survive. The area is a rectangle measuring 80m (NNE-SSW) 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 settlement with associated field boundary which has the potential to enhance our understanding of monuments of this type. Its importance is increased by the proximity of many 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 recorded in the RCAHMS as NT 55 NW 14.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland