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Kincardine Deer Dyke and settlement south of East Burn of Cardowan

A Scheduled Monument in Mearns, Aberdeenshire

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Coordinates

Latitude: 56.8898 / 56°53'23"N

Longitude: -2.6055 / 2°36'19"W

OS Eastings: 363206

OS Northings: 777770

OS Grid: NO632777

Mapcode National: GBR WY.MXZX

Mapcode Global: WH8QP.Y3G0

Entry Name: Kincardine Deer Dyke and settlement S of East Burn of Cardowan

Scheduled Date: 15 December 1998

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Source ID: SM7881

Schedule Class: Cultural

Category: Secular: linear earthwork, dyke

Location: Fettercairn

County: Aberdeenshire

Electoral Ward: Mearns

Traditional County: Kincardineshire

Description

The monument comprises the south-western portion of the boundary of the Deer Park created by William the Lion (1165-1214) and extended by Alexander III in 1266. The boundary of this park falls into two parts, the main pale and a northerly extension; this part of the scheduling includes only the main pale.

The bank averages 4.5m wide and up to 1.5m high with an internal ditch some 2m to 3.5m in width and 0.6m deep. The leasing of the park in the 14th century is represented by a number of settlements, and one these forms part of this monument - possibly the farmstead of Todholes - which comprises two rectangular buildings, a kiln, small yards and an area of rig and furrow cultivation remains.

There are three discrete areas to be scheduled. The southernmost measures a maximum of 20m across and 260m long; the next area to the north measures a maximum of 20m across and 140m long.

The northernmost area is curved measuring 20m-40m across in its southern part, but expanding to a maximum of 285m across to include the Todholes settlement and cultivation remains. All areas as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as part of the best-preserved Deer Dyke in Scotland. It has the potential to enhance considerably our understanding of the construction and use of these enclosures. The monument is of particular importance because of the inclusion of the Todholes settlement, which documents the abandonment of the enclosure in the later medieval period.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

References:

Gilbert, J. M. (1979) Hunting and hunting reserves in medieval Scotland, 24, 35, 54, 82-5, 215, 219, 356, Edinburgh.

O'Sullivan, J, (1994) 'Matthew's Top (Fettercairn parish): forestry survey', Discovery Excav Scot, 27.

RCAHMS (1982) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of South Kincardine and Deeside District, Grampian Region, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series no 15, 36, No. 275, Edinburgh.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

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