Description

The monument comprises three settlements, two of which lie together and cultivation remains of the type called 'cord-rig'. The two settlements which lie together are known as Kemp's Castle. The more substantial of the two (A) measures c. 49m (NNW-SSE) x c. 40m transversely. It is formed by an earthen bank, in which a few boulders appear and which is accompanied by an intermittent external quarry ditch. The entrance in on the E. It contains the remains of at least 5 roughly circular house stances, each defined by a single narrow trench. Immediately to the SE are the remains of at least 6 house stances (B). The much wasted enclosure around the houses measures c. 90m (NE-SW) x c. 73m transversely. The third settlement (C) lies 600m to the WSW, to the W of Borthwickshiels Horn. It measures 64m (NE-SW) by c. 50m transversely, defined by an earthen bank, of which the S part has been destroyed. There are traces of an external ditch on the NE and E, with a counterscarp bank c. 0.3m high. There are traces of house stances in the interior. There are 'cord rig' cultivation remains to the E.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of the well preserved house stances in settlement A and B. It is also of national importance because of the likely stratigraphic relationship between A and B, and because of the survival of part of a contemporary field system. Settlement C is of national importance because of its similarity to settlement A and the survival of contemporary cultivation remains; the relationship between the two will be of national importance to the theme of the development of the late Bronze Age/Iron Age landscape. The monument is of national importance to the themes of late Bronze Age/Iron Age settlement and economy.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the site as NT 41 NW 2 and 4.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland