Description

The monument comprises a prehistoric fort which occupies a promontory formed by a deep gully known as Guile Howe to the south and another dry ravine to the northeast and east. The fort is enclosed by two large ramparts with external ditches on its north and west sides. The entrance is to the west southwest and is carried over the inner ditch by a causeway. The fort lies northwest of Raecleugh Head farm on the southern slopes of Raecleugh Head Hill.

The defenses of the fort comprise two ramparts with external ditches barring access from the northwest and southwest. The outer ditch continues along the foot of the scarped north flank of the promontory dropping into the dry gully. The inner rampart is a massive feature, measuring as much as 9m in thickness by 2m in height, and to its rear there is a quarry-ditch some 15m in breadth by between 1.2m and 2m in depth. The interior is roughly triangular and is featureless apart from the remains of medieval ploughing. 

The scheduled area is irregular. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area specifically excludes all modern fences and gates.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The national importance of the monument is demonstrated in the following way(s) (see Designations Policy and Selection Guidance, Annex 1, para 17): 

a.   The monument is of national importance because it makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the past as a fort dating to the Iron Age. In particular, it adds to our understanding of Iron Age society in southern Scotland and the function, use and development of forts and other defended sites. 

b.   The monument retains structural and other physical attributes which makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the past. In particular there is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits. Although few features survive above the ground, the overall plan of the monument is clear and understandable. The monument can significantly add to our understanding of domestic settlement, society, agriculture and economy during the Iron Age. 

e.   The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding of the past. It can tell us about the character, development and use of forts, and the nature of Iron Age society, economy and social hierarchy in southern Scotland and further afield. 

f.   The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the historic landscape by its association with a wider cluster of later prehistoric sites. It also contributes to our understanding of how topography was exploited when siting and constructing forts. 

Assessment of Cultural Significance

This statement of national importance has been informed by the following assessment of cultural significance:

Intrinsic characteristics (how the remains of a site or place contribute to our knowledge of the past)

The monument is a prehistoric fort which survives as earthworks and buried archaeological deposits. Substantial ramparts survive on the north and west sides while the southern extent of the monument is defined by a steep side gully known as Guile Howe. The northeastern and eastern extent is similarly formed by another dry gully. The entrance to the fort is through the internal rampart on the west southwest side, however, there is no corresponding break in the outer rampart. The fort appears to have been accessed via the dry gully on the eastern side. A low earthwork in that gully would have directed movement along the broad ditch between the inner and outer ramparts, around the fort to the entrance. There is potentially a similar arrangement at the fort directly to the south with a board terrace running across the slope of Guile Howe (Fort, 95m WNW of Raecleugh Head; scheduled monument SM4580). These are unusual access arrangements and further study of these monuments may add to understanding of their layout and function.

Excavations of similar monuments elsewhere (such as Broxmouth, East Lothian (Canmore ID 58800), St Germain's, East Lothian (Canmore ID 54998), Jackschairs Wood (scheduled monument SM1597; Canmore ID 26551) and Dun Knock (scheduled monument SM9434; Canmore ID 26688), Perth and Kinross) demonstrate that such forts were built and used between around 800 BC and 400 AD. They represent defended settlements that could have accommodated an extended family or small community.

There is good potential for the survival of archaeological features and deposits, including occupation and abandonment debris, artefacts and environmental remains such as charcoal or pollen within the monument. It has the potential to add to our understanding of settlement, land-use and environment during the Iron Age. It has the potential to provide information about the economy, diet and social status of the occupants, as well as the structure of contemporary society and economy. Study of the monument's form and construction techniques compared with other forts would enhance our understanding of the development sequence of this site and of Iron Age forts in general.

Contextual characteristics (how a site or place relates to its surroundings and/or to our existing knowledge of the past)

Forts and defended settlements are found throughout Scotland. The example at Raecleugh Head is of particular significance because it is one of three forts located on the slopes of Raecleugh Head Hill. This monument and Fort, 95m WNW of Raecleugh Head (scheduled monument SM4580) and Raecleugh Head Hill, fort (scheduled monument SM378) are all located within 500m of each other. This is an unusual concentration of such monuments and study of the three monuments together has the potential to better understand their functions within the local communities, settlement hierarchy and possible chronological development in the area.

The fort occupies a prominent landscape position on the southern slopes of Raecleugh Head Hill. It is positioned above the dry gully known as Guile Howe where it overlooks the neighbouring fort to the south. The monument has extensive views southwards across the Merse toward the Cheviot Hills. To the north is Raecleugh Head Hill, which is an outlier of the Lammermuir Hills. Study of this monument in the wider landscape has the potential to enhance and broaden our understanding of prehistoric society and community as well as social organisation, land division and land use. 

Associative characteristics (how a site or place relates to people, events, and/or historic and social movements)

There are no know associative characteristics that contribute to this monument's national importance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland http://www.canmore.org.uk reference number CANMORE ID 58709 (accessed on 28/01/2022).

Alexander, D and Watkins T (1999). St Germains, Tranent, East Lothian: the excavation of Early Bronze Age remains and Iron Age enclosed and unenclosed settlements in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Vol. 128, pp. 203-254. Accessed online at View of St Germains, Tranent, East Lothian: the excavation of Early Bronze Age remains and Iron Age enclosed and unenclosed settlements (socantscot.org)

Armit I and McKenzie J (2013). An Inherited Place; Broxmouth Hillfort and the South-East Scotland Iron Age. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Christison, D (1895). The Forts of Selkirk, the Gala Water, the Southern Slopes of the Lammermoors, and the North of Roxburgh in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Vol. 29, pp. 108-179. Accessed online at View of The Forts of Selkirk, the Gala Water, the Southern Slopes of the Lammermoors, and the North of Roxburgh (socantscot.org)

Haselgrove C (2009). The Traprain Law Environs Project; Fieldwork and Excavations 2000-2004. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Lelong, O and McGregor, (2007). The Lands of Ancient Lothian, Interpreting the Archaeology of the A1. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Lock, G & Ralston, I B M 2017 Atlas of Hillforts. https://hillforts.arch.ox.ac.uk. Accessed on 01/02/2022.

RCAHMS (1915). The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Sixth report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Berwick. Edinburgh. Pp. 103-4.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/58709/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland