Archaeology Notes

Event ID 667035

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/667035

NJ50SW 6 5356 0173.

(NJ 5356 0173) Fort (NR)

OS 6" map, (1959)

The remains of this fort occupy the termination of an isolated ridge from which the entire length of upper and middle Strathdee can be observed from a height of 1248 ft (380m) above sea level and 800ft (244m) above the river at Aboyne. It consists of a ruined wall enclosing an area measuring 200ft (61m) by 145ft (44m). It has been robbed partly to build field boundaries and partly, no doubt, to build the large modern cairn which occupies the exact summit of the hill within the fort; this was surmounted by a cemented cone of stones in which a heavy cross of cast iron was implanted. The whole has been cast down, presumably by natural forces and lying among the ruin is a slab inscribed 'CHARLES 10TH MARQUIS OF HUNTLY/ DIED 18TH SEPTEMBER 1863./ ERECTED BY MARY ANTOINETTA HIS WIDOW AND THE TENANTRY OF ABOYNE'.

R W Feachem 1963.

Only a few loose stones remain of the dyke of this circular camp.

Name Book 1870.

There is a small isolated cairn, possibly a boundary marker, on top of a ridge 200yds to the N.

A Ogston 1931.

Generally as described by Feachem (1963), little remains of this fort, save for a slight bank visible as a heather covered rickle of stone, 0.3m maximum height, which encloses the flattish summit of Mortlich. No wall faces or entrances are discernible. The large modern cairn mentioned by Feachem (1931) is a tumbled obelisk to the memory of the Marquis of Huntly. The 'cairn' to the N appears to be natural rock outcrop.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (NKB) 25 October 1968.