Description

The monument comprises two substantial hillforts, known as the Brown and White Caterthuns. The two forts are in the care of the Secretary of State for Scotland and are being re-scheduled to extend protection to encompass all of the known archaeological remains.

The forts occupy the summits of two adjacent hills, commanding much of the fertile farmland of Strathmore and rising to between 260m and 300m OD. The Brown Caterthun is a multi-period fort, remodelled throughout the 1st millennium BC, and defined by multiple lines of earth and stone ramparts and ditches. The White Caterthun is similar in form, but capped by a massive stone-walled fort, which encloses an area of the summit measuring some 140m by 60m.

There are a number of ring-ditches, representing the remains of timber roundhouses, both within and outwith the defences. Recent excavations have also demonstrated the presence of prehistoric cultivation remains on and around the White Caterthun.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the remains described and an area around them in which related deposits may be expected to survive. It is divided into two irregularly-shaped areas. That on the Brown Caterthun measures 530m between its E and W-most points, and 690m between its N and S-most points. That on the White Caterthun measures 680m between its E and W-most points, and 560m between its N and S-most points. Both areas are marked in red on the accompanying map extract.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

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Historic Environment Scotland Properties
Caterthun, White
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/brown-and-white-caterthuns
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Source: Historic Environment Scotland