This site is entirely user-supported. See how you can help.
We don't have any photos of this monument yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?
If Google Street View is available, the image is from the best available vantage point looking, if possible, towards the location of the monument. Where it is not available, the satellite view is shown instead.
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
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
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
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
Other nearby scheduled monuments