Description

The monument is a fort of the Iron Age (some 2000 to 3000 years old) situated on a spur to the S of Ditcher Law and overlooking the Hillhouse Burn. The spur has two rocky summits and both have been enclosed by defences to create a fort.

The steep W and S approaches have been defended by at least three ramparts or scarps, while the easy approach from the N has been cut off by three ramparts, an external ditch and a counterscarp bank. To the E the defences have been reduced by ploughing. In the interior there are at least thirty circular house scoops on the two knolls and on the S knoll is a circular banked enclosure, possibly of Medieval or later date. The fort has been slightly damaged by old quarries.

The area to be scheduled includes the fort and an area around it in which traces of activity associated with its use are likely to survive. The area respects the shape of the monument, it is bounded by the farm track to the W, and measures 210m N-S by a maximum of 170m transversely.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as 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 but of varied type 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 NT55NW 8.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland