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Strathearn Fort Survey
Date 1 February 2016 - 30 September 2016
Event ID 1014001
Category Project
Type Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1014001
The Strathearn Forts Project (1277) was undertaken in 2016 in response to a request from Glasgow University’s Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot Project (SERF). Building on previous work undertaken in partnership with SERF, the project included four forts: Ben Effrey, Castle Craig, Dun Knock and Rossie Law. In each case, the records held in Canmore were updated with a revised site description and the creation of an interpretative plan.
| Event | Type | Subtype | Notes | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1013592 | RECORDING | FIELD VISIT | This multivallate fort is situated in rough pasture at the NW end of a high, steep-sided spur extending from Beld Hill, which is located on the northern edge of the Ochil Hills. It is overlooked by higher ground to the SE to which it is joined by a narrow saddle, but it has a fine outlook over Strathearn. The fort, which is D-shaped on plan, measures 65m from NW to SE by up to 39m transversely within three grass-grown lines of defence on both the NE and SE flanks of the spur, while a steep rocky precipice protects the SW. It is clear that these earthworks have been extensively modified on the SE on at least one occasion in the past and all have been reduced by erosion. [...] | 13 April 2016 |
| 1013531 | RECORDING | FIELD VISIT | The remains of this fort occupy the summit and slopes of Dun Knock, known locally as ‘The Dunnock’, an ENE to WSW orientated glacial knoll immediately SE of Dunning that appears to comprise mainly sands and gravels. ‘Dun Knock’ is named on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Perthshire 1866, Sheet CIX), but the writer of the contemporary Name Book summarised what was then known about the site when he stated ‘Whether there ever was a Camp on its Summit there is now no account either Traditional or otherwise existing’ (Perthshire, Volume 26, page 61). The presence of the fort was confirmed only as recently as 1978 when the cropmarks of multiple defences on its north side were recorded by the RCAHMS aerial survey programme. More recently (in 2008, 2009 and again in 2015), the fort has been investigated as part of Glasgow University’s Strathearn Environs and Royal Forteviot (SERF) project, with excavation demonstrating not only the degree to which the defences have been eroded but also the variation in construction techniques used and the probability that the earthworks represent more than one period of construction. The fort was surveyed by HES (Survey and Recording) in March 2016. [...] | 31 March 2016 |
| 1014584 | RECORDING | FIELD VISIT | This univallate fort is situated on the summit of Rossie Law at the N edge of the Ochils from whence it enjoys a fine outlook over Strathearn. It is oval on plan, measuring 200m from E to W by 121m transversely within an eroded grass- and heather-grown stony rampart up to 7m thick and 2m high externally. Although it is comparatively well-preserved around much of its circuit, it is reduced to little more than a terrace in places, especially on the W and SSW. Outer facing-stones are visible intermittently at its foot on the N, NE, SW and NW, while its crest is surmounted by the remains of a later turf wall up to 1m thick and 0.2m high, which is most readily detected on the E. The rampart is interrupted by a rocky outcrop on the S and by two simple gaps on the ESE. The more northerly is an original entrance, with the rampart terminals rising gently as they approach one another, while also curving slightly inwards. The deeply cut gap between them measures about 5m wide and up to 2m deep, but is shallower on the N where there has been less attrition by traffic. The more southerly gap, by contrast, breaches the defences (including the turf wall) and rises over the stump of the rampart. Probably a cart track of comparatively recent date, it measures 5m wide, but only 0.8m deep; and it is approached by an external ramp. Two facing-stones are exposed in a later pit to the N of this entrance, while the crest of the rampart immediately adjacent has been levelled. [...] | 19 May 2016 |
SC 1523474
David Christison's plan, from his paper read in 1899.
Historic Environment Scotland
c. 1899
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1530117
Survey drawing, Rossie Law fort
Historic Environment Scotland
10/5/2016
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1530120
Survey drawing, Ben Effrey fort
Historic Environment Scotland
12/4/2016
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1530858
Survey drawing, Dun Knock
Historic Environment Scotland
3/2016
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1532154
Publication illustration; plan of Dun Knock fort.
Historic Environment Scotland
6/2016
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1537908
Survey drawing, Castle Craig
Historic Environment Scotland
4/2016
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1537911
Castle Craig, survey illustration
Historic Environment Scotland
8/2016
© Crown Copyright: HES
DP 241976
GFG looking down at the ramp leading to the secondary SE entrance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241977
The primary entrance, looking E
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241978
Looking E along the rampart from the bedrock outcrop
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241979
The primary entrance, looking N
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241980
The E Scarp of the Rampart Immediately N of the Primary Entrance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241981
The Primary Entrance from the Exterior Looking W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241982
The Primary Entrance from the Exterior Looking W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241983
Looking SSE along the Internal Quarry Ditch to the Primary Entrance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241984
Looking along the Quarry Ditch to the Fort's NE Corner
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241985
The Rampart Terminal on the S side of the Primary Entrance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241986
The Single Visible External Facing Stone Near the NE Corner of the Fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241987
The Quarry Cutting Through the N Side of the Secondary SE Entrance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241988
The Single Visible External Facing Stone Near the NE Corner of the Fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241989
Looking SE along the Facing Stones Near the NE Corner of the Fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241990
GFG Looking E
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241991
Looking SE along the Line of Facing Stones Near the NE Corner of the Fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241992
The NE Corner of the Fort Looking SE
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241993
The Rampart & Quarry Ditch Looking WNW
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241994
Looking ESE Towards the NE Corner of the Fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241995
Looking E along the N Rampart with the Natural Ridge Interrupting in the Middle Distance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241996
Looking E along the N Rampart with the Natural Ridge Interrupting in the Middle Distance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241997
Looking N along the Line of the Facing Stones at the Foot of the Rampart on the W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241998
The Quarry & Secondary SE Entrance Looking SW
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 241999
Looking NE along the W Rampart
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242000
Looking SW along the W Rampart
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242001
A Facing Stone Marking the Line of the Rampart Foot on the W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242002
Looking W along the rampart to the outcrop at the SE of the fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242003
Looking SW along the Line of the Facing Stones on the W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242004
Three visible facing stones marking the rampart foot on the W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242005
Three visible facing stones marking the rampart foot on the W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242006
Looking NE along a line of facing stones
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242007
Facing stones at the NW of the fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242008
A line of outer facing stones at the W of the fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242009
A later quarry at the secondary entrance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242010
The rampart approching the SW corner of the fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242011
The rampart and single facing stone, on the SE side of the fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242012
A single facing stone on the SW side of the fort
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242013
A possible house platform
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242014
The summit of Rossie Law during the survey
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242015
GF Geddes at the secondary entrance, looking E
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242016
GF Geddes at the secondary entrance, looking N
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242017
Looking up to the secondary (SE) entrance, looking W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242018
Looking up to the secondary (SE) entrance, looking W
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242019
The primary entrance, looking N
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242020
The primary entrance, looking E
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242021
The terminal at the S side of the primary entrance
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242022
The primary entrance, looking E
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242023
The primary entrance, looking E
Historic Environment Scotland
25/5/2016
© Copyright: G F Geddes. Courtesy of HES.
DP 242072
Publication illustration; plan and sections of Ben Effrey fort
Historic Environment Scotland
14/9/2016
© Crown Copyright: HES
Survey drawings relating to Strathearn Forts Project
Graphic vector files relating to Strathean Forts Project
Survey data (dGPS linework) relating to Strathearn Forts Project
