Description

The monument comprises the remains of a simple fort, of probable late prehistoric date.

The fort is set on Creag an Fhithich, a rocky eminence on the W slope of Struie Hill, at about 125m above sea level. Although its position has a very wide outlook, it is in turn overlooked by a nearby higher eminence to the W and by the upper slopes of Struie Hill itself. The knoll is defined by low cliffs on all sides except the W. On the W, which is the easiest line of approach, a ditch with an outer bank runs N-S at the foot of a slight slope.

The ditch is cut by a causeway at its mid-point. Just to the E of the ditch, and a short distance upslope, are the tumbled remains of a substantial drystone wall, with a gap aligned with the inner end of the causeway through the outer ditch. A second gap at the S end of the walling on the W side may be later. The stone walling appears to continue at least part of the way around the perimeter of the rocky eminence.

The interior of the fort is overgrown, but there are traces of several circular depressions, especially in the SW quadrant, which may represent building foundations of a date contemporary with the ditch and walling. The ditch appears to have been disturbed, to a limited extent, during planting of trees some decades ago.

The area to be scheduled consists of the rocky eminence and a small area at the foot of the low rocky cliffs which define it on N, E and S, plus an area about 20m wide beyond the bank and ditch on the W side, to include the fort as described and a small area around it in which related remains may survive. The area is an irregular oval and measures a maximum of 260m from WNW to ESE by 165m from N to S, as indicated in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a fine example of a small hilltop fortification, which has escaped antiquarian notice until recently. Its relatively simple form and lack of disturbance suggest it retains considerable potential to provide information about late prehistoric defensive settlement. This is of particular significance in this geographical area, which is often regarded as a "frontier" between hillfort building and broch building regions.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NH68NE 87.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland