Archaeology Notes

Event ID 679505

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/679505

NN86SE 1 8944 6429 and 8948 6421

Non-Guardianship Sites Plan Collection DC23041, 1958.

(Undated) information in NMRS.

Two 'castles', nearly round, a few paces from each other, have double, and in places, triple ditches. Before the gates stand 'several obelisks, in a zig-zag position'.

OSA 1792.

These two forts, investigated by the RCAHMS in 1942, are situated about 200' apart on a wooded ridge lying on the NE side of the highway about 1/2 mile NW of Aldclune village, and the difference in their state of preservation is so marked as to suggest a considerable difference in their ages, if not indeed a deliberate demolition of the NW member of the pair.

The approach to this latter fort has been by a narrow cambered causeway following the crest of the ridge. It is flanked by a system of ditches and banks which might as well be regarded as a road-block connected with the defensive works of the fort.

Similar remains in the Cheviot district have been tentatively classed as boundary marks.

V G Childe and A Graham 1943.

(A: NN 8945 6421. B: NN 8949 6417) Earth ramparted double fort.

Information from M E C Stewart to OS, 2 February 1956.

These two circular forts are situated at NN 8944 6429 and NN 8948 6421, each occupying the top of a natural mound joined together by a natural ridge. The former is poorly preserved, showing no trace of defences except for the ditches and banks described and planned by Childe and Graham. The latter, much better preserved, is defended on its N side by two turf-covered ramparts and two ditches. The ramparts are reduced to scarps round the remainder of the perimeter, and the outer ditch, which fades out on the S side. A short third rampart within the fort protects the entrance which is on the N side. The whole site is much obscured by dense broom and conifers.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (W D J) 8 April 1968.

Two defensive earthworks scarped and levelled on a narrow glacial ridge. The more northerly survives as a level circular area showing no trace of any enclosing work, although a stretch of rampart with slight inner ditch is evident protecting the NW flank halfway down the slope. The approach is protected by ditches and ramparts, which are rather poorly preserved, and seem too slight to be medieval, and are probably much earlier. The other is a sophisticated arrangement of ramparts (reduced mainly to terraces) and ditches, with a perfectly level central area, which may be an unusual motte.

Surveyed at 1:10,000.

Visited by OS (A A) 7 April 1975.

These twin earthworks are at present being totally excavated prior to their probable complete destruction early in 1981. The mound on which they stand will be used as ballast for the new road which will skirt the site. Their date and classification have not as yet been established. Excavation report awaited.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (M J F) 3 September 1980.

Two small 'forts', probably large round houses, occupying a natural eminence and further defended by banks and ditches at Aldclune, by Blair Atholl (NGR: NN 894 642), were excavated in advance of road building. Construction began at Site 2 between the first and second centuries BC and at Site 1 between the second and third centuries AD. Two major phases of occupation were found at each site.

R Hingley, H L Moore, J E Triscott and G Wilson 1997.