Description

The monument comprises the remains of a fort, probably of late prehistoric date, set on a coastal promontory.

The fort is set on a steep-sided, rocky promontory at about 100m OD, commanding extensive views in all directions, except to the landward side. The defended area is roughly triangular on plan, measuring internally 55m NW-SE by 45m transversely. The fort is defined by an outer stony wall, measuring from 2.5m to 3m wide, increasing to a maximum of 6m at the entrance, which lies on the S. Traces of revetment can be seen within the entrance architecture and in the bank to the SW. Some of the large base stones can still be seen in-situ, but the wall is in general much reduced. Two natural steep-sided gullies afford protection to the fort on the SW and NE sides and a partly rock-cut, partly natural, ditch protects the fort to the SE. This ditch is approximately 50m in length and up to 1.5m deep by an average of 4m wide. The interior of the fort is grass-covered, divided into three slight terraces of which two towards the E sides appear to contain house platforms and/or small enclosures. There are six, possibly eight such platforms ranging in size from 3.0m - 7.0m in diameter, but their surface relief is not very pronounced.

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 and measures a maximum of 160m NE-SW by 100m transversely, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential to contribute to understanding of the character, function and development of prehistoric defended settlements and contemporary economy and land use.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NM48NE 51.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland