Description

The monument comprises a well-preserved fort of prehistoric date, visible as a series of upstanding earthworks.

The monument lies on the summit of Down Hill in rough grassland, at around 360m OD. It comprises a fort defined by a series of ramparts enclosing an oval-shaped area. The defences on the SW and NE consist of two ramparts and ditches, faint traces of which can be seen continuing at the NW end of the fort.

At the SE end of the fort the defences are increased with two additional short lengths of rampart. Forts such as this are characteristic of the Iron Age. A smaller enclosed area is visible within the fort, defined by a single stoney rampart enclosing a sub-rectangular area. This may represent an earlier phase of occupation on the hill.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is an irregular oval, with a maximum dimensions NW-SE of 220m and NE-SW of 165m , as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of prehistoric settlement and economy.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS record the monument as NO 00 SW 8

Aerial Photographs used:

Dewar, J. (1971) PT/7536 NO00SW8.

RCAHMS (1981) PT/9993 NO00SW8.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland