Archaeology Notes

Event ID 665043

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/665043

NH95NE 5 9675 5815

(NH 9675 5815) Fort: Downie (? Dounie) Hillock.

Visible on AP's (RAF/F22.58/1116:0340-1).

(Undated) information in NMRS.

The foundations of a fort were traced on Downie Hill by Mr John McEwan, minister of Dyke till 1914.

W Dyke 1966.

On Downie Hillock, an afforested knoll commanding extensive views in all directions, there is a fort. No trace of defences can be seen around the perimeter of the level oval summit of the knoll which measures 34.0m N-S by c.18.0m transversely, but at a lower level there is a terrace about 2.0m wide formed by scarping the slope. The entrance is in the S where the terrace widens to c.13.0m to provide space for an additional defence in the form of a short length of ditch flanking a break in the outer defensive scarp.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (RL), 19 January 1971.

After the clearing of trees from the fort interior and perimeter, a low bank on the southern edge of the interior can now be seen. (GRC NH95NE 11).

Sponsor: Grampian Regional Council.

I Shepherd 1991i.