Description

The monument is the remains of a fort, probably dating to the Iron Age (between about 800 BC and AD 500). The fort's ramparts are visible as turf-covered banks and the ditches as depressions. The monument lies 20m above sea level, on a ridge orientated west-southwest north-northeast. There are views northwest and southwest from the site towards the coast.

The fort consists of an oval enclosure, measuring 42m in length and 16m in width, on a ridge summit defined in places by a low bank. Both the north and south ends of the ridge are cut by two deep ditches with a bank between each ditch. The northern defences are particularly well preserved with the bank up to 2m in height. Taking in the outer ramparts the monument measures up to 70m in length. There is a slumped area at the north-east corner of the fort, and this may have been an entrance.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and includes the remains described above and an area around them 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 scheduling extends to, but excludes, the stone dyke to the west of the fort.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to make a significant addition to our knowledge and understanding of the design and construction of Iron Age forts, and prehistoric forts in general, in the south and southwest of Scotland. The fort has good field characteristics, allowing us to interpret its form and position in the landscape and has potential for the presence of buried archaeological remains, including artefacts and palaeoenvironmental evidence. There are numerous other broadly contemporary monuments in the vicinity, including other forts as well as enclosed and unenclosed Iron Age settlements which together can contribute to our understanding of the form of the prehistoric landscape.  This is important for enhancing our understanding of prehistoric society, its organisation, economy, religion and demography. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the use of forts and their role and function within the prehistoric communities which constructed them.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland http://www.canmore.org.uk reference number CANMORE ID 63621 (accessed on 01/06/2016).

Dumfries & Galloway Council Historic Environment Record reference: ID MDG3227 (accessed on 01/06/2016).

ScARF (2012) Hunter, F. and Carruther, M. (eds) Iron Age Panel Report, The Scottish Archaeological Research Framework: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

RCAHMS (1913) Fifth Report, Inventory of Monuments in Kircudbright. Edinburgh.

RCAHMS (1997) Eastern Dumfriesshire: an archaeological landscape. Edinburgh. Pages 118-167.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/63621/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland