Description

The monument comprises the remains of an enclosed settlement dating from the later prehistoric period.

The settlement sits at around 270m OD on an E facing slope overlooking the valley of the White Esk. The subcircular enclosure occupies a sloping site and is defined by a rampart standing almost 1m high with an external ditch. The ditch is particularly deep on the N and W (upslope) sides of the monument but fades on the S and E sides. There are three entrances located to the S, SE and ENE, with the largest in the S at the lowest point of the enclosure's internal slope. The interior of the enclosure measures a maximum of 50m across and is uneven, due both to the underlying geology and the probable arrangement of building platforms, yards and scoops within the settlement itself.

Although the substantial rampart and ditch may give the initial impression of a highly defensive enclosure, this site is overlooked from the N and could not have served a primarily defensive purpose. This monument is one of a large number of later prehistoric enclosed settlements concentrated around the upper reaches of the River Esk and its tributaries. The reason for this peculiar concentration of such sites and the relationship between them is not clearly understood at the present time.

The area to be scheduled is a circle, c.110m in diameter centred on the settlement, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland