Description

The monument is the remains of a fort of probable Iron Age date (800 BC – AD 400). It occupies a small promontory extending from the leading edge of a steep south facing river terrace. Three banks with ditches between form an arc around the north, enclosing the promontory. The southern extent of the fort is defined by the steeply sloping terrace edge. The interior is broadly oval, measuring about 46m from east to west by about 26m. The monument lies at about 120m above sea level.

The enclosing earthworks run from the eastern edge of the promontory, but do not appear to extend to the terrace edge on the west. There may have been an entrance gap here. The inner bank of the defences has been spread to a thickness of about 12m and stands to about 0.5m in height. The middle bank measures about 10m by 0.3m and the outer 14m and up to 0.8m. The remains of a 19th century stone wall extends along the southern edge of the fort, following the edge of the terrace.

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.

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 central 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. 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.d.   The monument is a particularly good example of a promontory fort and is therefore an important representative of this monument typee.   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 central 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 fort of prehistoric date that survives as earthworks and buried archaeological deposits. The plan of the monument is clear and understandable. Although reduced by ploughing in the past substantial earthworks survive around the north, comprising three thick banks with ditches between. The southern extent of the fort is defined by the steeply sloping terrace edge. As the defences do not appear to extend to the western edge of the terrace, it is possible that there was an entrance gap here. The defences form a thick band about 45m in width. In contrast the area enclosed is relatively modest, measuring about 46m from east to west by about 26m.

Excavations of similar monuments elsewhere (such as Broxmouth, East Lothian (NRHE Place ID 58800), St Germain's, East Lothian (NRHE Place ID 54998), Jackschairs Wood (scheduled monument SM1597; NRHE Place ID 26551), Dun Knock (scheduled monument SM9434; NRHE Place ID 26688), Perth and Kinross and Carghidown (NRHE Place ID 63132) Dumfries and Galloway) 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 National Record of the Historic Environment records 93 forts in Perth and Kinross, predominantly positioned along the major river valleys. The site is part of a local cluster of broadly contemporary forts and settlements. There are a further 13 forts within 10km of the monument, including Cultoquhey (scheduled monument SM2995; NRHE Place ID 25441), Knock Durroch (NRHE Place ID 25421), Ochtertyre (NRHE Place ID 25456) and Milquhanzie (scheduled monument SM7125; NRHE Place ID 25458). There is 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 later prehistoric society and community as well as social organisation, land division and land use.

Later prehistoric forts are often sited in prominent locations, enhancing their visibility to and from the surrounding landscape. This monument is positioned on a small promontory extending from the leading edge of a steep south facing river terrace. The steeply sloping river terrace provides a natural defence around the southern side of the fort while a suite of banks and ditches protect the easiest approach, from the north. There are extensive views towards the hills to the north and northwest, and the fort overlooks the deeply incised stream valley of the Shaggie Burn. The fort has been deliberately sited here to take advantage of the terrain while maintaining longer distance views towards the north and northwest.

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

National Record of the Historic Environment Place ID 379522: https://www.trove.scot/place/379522 (accessed on 20/08/2025).

Lock, G. and Ralston, I. (2022) Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh.

ScARF 2022 'Forts', in Strachan, D., Stratigos, M., Hoffman, B., Tibbs, A. and Hall, M. (eds) Iron Age, Perth and Kinross Archaeological Research Framework: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Available online at https://scarf.scot/regional/pkarf/5-iron-age/ (accessed on 20/08/2025).

Toolis, R. 2007 Intermittent occupation and forced abandonment: excavation at an Iron Age promontory fort at Carghidown, Dumfries and Galloway. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 137, 265-318.

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/379522/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland