Description

The monument is the remains of a settlement, probably dating to the Iron Age (800BC – 400AD) or early medieval period (400AD – 650AD). It is oval on plan and formed of a rocky knoll surrounded by a rock cut ditch. The top of the knoll has been levelled to create a central platform about 10m in diameter. There is a turf covered wall about 1m wide and 0.3m high around the edge of the platform. The ditch is about 3m broad and 1.7m deep with a counterscarp bank and broken by a causeway on the northwest. The monument lies on the eastern end of a low ridge, at about 70m above sea level.

The scheduled area is circular, measuring 42m in diameter, centred on the monument. 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 above ground elements of the stone-built field walls are excluded from the scheduling to allow for their maintenance. 

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 or appreciation of the past, or has the potential to do so as a settlement of probable Iron Age (800BC – 400AD) or early medieval (400AD – 650AD) date.b.   The monument retains structural and other physical attributes which make a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past. The overall plan remains clear and understandable. There is significant potential for the survival of buried archaeological deposits within and beneath surviving structural elements. The monument can significantly add to our understanding of domestic settlement, agriculture and economy during later prehistory. Additionally, the archaeological remains are likely to hold evidence for the construction, use and abandonment of the settlement.d.   The monument is a good example of a settlement of Iron Age or early medieval date and is therefore an important representative of this monument type.e.   The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding or appreciation of the past. It can tell us about the character, development and use of settlements, and the nature of later prehistoric and early medieval society, economy and social hierarchy in this area of Scotland and further afield. Further research and investigation of the surviving remains have the potential to explain the chronology of this site. Such a chronological explanation may help to inform our understanding of the development of similar sites across Scotland.f.   The monument makes a significant contribution to today's landscape and our understanding of the historic landscape by its location and its relationship to other contemporary monuments in the surrounding area and more widely. It also has the potential to increase our understanding of settlement hierarchy and changing settlement patterns in Dumfries and Galloway and more widely across southern and western Scotland.

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 the remains of a settlement, probably dating to the Iron Age or early medieval period. It is located on the eastern end of a low ridge and has been formed by the modification of a natural knoll. The plan of the monument is clear and understandable and the monument well preserved.

Although early interpretations (RCAHMS 1912) considered the site to represent a medieval motte, subsequent studies (RCAHMS 1950-59, Feacham 1956) have interpreted it as a prehistoric or early medieval settlement. The relatively low elevation of the site (1.7m), internal enclosing wall, lack of evidence for outworks and broader context indicate interpretation as a settlement is appropriate.

As the upstanding remains of a late prehistoric or early medieval settlement, the site has significant 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 later prehistory. 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 settlements would enhance our understanding of the development sequence of this site and of prehistoric and early medieval settlements in general. Further study of this site could allow us to develop a better understanding of the nature and chronology of the settlement, including its date of origin, the character of the remains and the overall development sequence.

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

This monument belongs to a group of enclosures found in Galloway and variously referred to as 'homesteads', 'duns', 'forts' or 'settlements'. These are typically small settlements, no larger than 40-50m in diameter, often with stone-built outer enclosure walls. Where interior structures are visible, these tend to be stone-built and at the smaller end of the prehistoric roundhouse range. Few have been excavated, making dating difficult, but they are generally considered to date to the Iron Age, though early medieval dates are also possible.

Comparable settlements in the region include Gillfoot Mote (Place Record UID 64516) and Milton (SM1085, Place Record UID 64407), both near Kirkcudbrightshire. A further 15 settlements lie within 6km of Crailloch Mote, including Elrig (SM1977, Place Record UID 62711), Chippermore (SM1962, Place Record UID 62105 and 62106) and Airyollund (Place Record UID 62706). More widely, comparisons have been drawn between Galloway's settlements and the stone-built single household settlements found within the regions to the north and west, particularly Argyll and the Inner Isles, perhaps reflecting similar cultural practices in both regions.There is, therefore, potential to study these sites together to better understand their functions within the local communities, settlement hierarchy and possible chronological development in the area. The monument has the potential to enhance and broaden our understanding of prehistoric society and community as well as social organisation, land division and land use. It has potential to enhance our understanding of connections between regions during prehistory and the early medieval period.

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

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

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland https://www.trove.scot/place/62916. Place Record UID 62916 (accessed on 13/03/2025).

Local Authority HER Reference MDG2580 (accessed on 13/03/2025).

Cavers, G. and Humble, J. (2020) Excavations at an Iron Age dun at High Milton, Craigoch, Rhins of Galloway. Transactions of the Dumfriesshire Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, volume 94, pp51-65.

Feachem, R W. (1956) Iron Age and early medieval monuments in Galloway and Dumfriesshire, Transactions of the Dumfriesshire Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, 3rd, vol. 33, 1954-5. P 61.

RCAHMS (1912) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Fourth report and inventory of monuments and constructions in Galloway, 1, county of Wigtown. Edinburgh. Page(s): 79, No.201.

RCAHMS. (1950-9) Marginal Land Survey (unpublished typed site descriptions), 3 volumes.

RCAHMS (1997) Eastern Dumfriesshire: an archaeological landscape. Edinburgh.

Toolis, R. (2015) Iron Age settlement patterns in Galloway. Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, 89, pp. 17-34.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/62916/

HER/SMR Reference

MDG2580

Source: Historic Environment Scotland