Description

The monument comprises the remains of a hillfort visible as upstanding earthworks and spread stone walls. Forts such as this are heavily defended settlements dating from the first millennium BC.

The monument lies between 350m-365m OD and occupies the summit of Heugh Law, where it commands extensive views over the surrounding landscape. The fort is roughly oval, defined by at least two ramparts, which enclose an area 95m ENE-WSW by 35m transversely. The inner rampart is the best preserved, surviving as a stony bank up to 2.5m wide and 0.4m high, while the outer rampart can be traced as a low spread bank or scarp.

The original entrance appears to have been on the E, where the defences have been reinforced with a third rampart inserted between the original two. Ditches representing the sites of two overlapping circular timber buildings survive in the SW of the interior, with possible traces of a third building nearby, immediately adjacent to the rampart. The only other visible feature in the interior is a possible cairn, almost 8m in diameter, crowning the summit of the hill.

The area to be scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is irregular on plan and has maximum dimensions of approximately 175m from ENE to WSW by 95m transversely, as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to enhance our knowledge of prehistoric settlement, architecture, economy and social organisation.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NT 71 SW 29.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland