Description

The monument comprises a promontory fort of prehistoric date. Forts of this type are characteristic of the Iron Age (some time between c.500 BC and AD 500).

The fort lies on a low, T-shaped coastal promontory which is almost an island at high tides. The fort is defined by a single stone wall running between the two rocky ridges that flank the NW tip of the promontory. This wall encloses an area of relatively level ground, approximately 50m by 40m, N of which is a rocky area.

The wall, which incorporates several natural rock outcrops, stands to a height of up to 1m and is spread to some 3m wide. Some of the outer facing stones are visible, and the entrance, which is about 2m wide, is situated towards the N end of the wall. No features are visible on the ground surface within the interior. A small, more recent enclosure has been built over the S end of the wall.

The area proposed for scheduling includes the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to survive. It is irregular on plan, defined around most of its perimeter by the high water mark of ordinary spring tides, and measures a maximum of 145m NNW-SSE by 65m WSW-ENE, to include the whole of the N tip of the promontory, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to contribute to our understanding of the character, function and development of prehistoric defended settlements and the contemporary economy and land-use. This is an unusual monument type for this area, where small sub-circular forts are much more common.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NM 55 NW 5.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland