Archaeology Notes

Event ID 713004

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/713004

NT24SW 12 21930 42830.

(NT 2193 4283) Hill Fort (NR)

OS 6" map (1965)

The largest native fort in the county is situated on White Meldon, a bulky hill that commands the narrow, winding valley of the Meldon Burn. Four lines of defence can be seen. The innermost (A), originally a stone wall, is now traceable only for a distance of some 60 yards on the S side of the summit. The size of the enclosure bounded by this defence is uncertain, but its E side is presumably represented by the natural scarp that extends northwards from the N end of the wall debris.

A second line of defence (B), also originally a wall, is visible on the E flank of the hill, appearing partly in the form of a low bank and partly as a mere scarp. The same wall may also be represented by a stony bank which crosses the S end of the hill-side at a distance of 120ft from A, and it may also have continued round the W side of the hill, and across the N flank, of the course later adopted by wall C.

The third line of defence (C), a wall about 12ft thick and of stone construction throughout, was faced on either side with boulders of which only a very few are visible. This is the only line of defence which is now continuously traceable. On the E it lies some 40ft outside wall B, and on the S it makes a salient to take in a small tract of ground not previously defended. The area enclosed by wall C, which measures 8 acres in extent, contains surface traces of 28 ring-groove houses.

The outermost line of defence is a fragmentary rampart (D) which appears to be unfinished. One stretch, accompanied by an external quarry-ditch, lies close to the southernmost sector of C. Another, which crosses the N flank of the hill at a maximum distance of 60ft outside C, is accompanied for part of the way by an outer rampart and ditch. The longest stretch of D lies on a natural crest-line on the E flank of the hill at a maximum distance of 80ft outside C.

Owing to the fragmentary condition of the remains, the relationship of the various elements to one another can only be determined by excavation, but it seems possible that three principal constructional phases are represented. Thus, a primary fort, defended by wall A may have been superseded by a larger one formed by B; and this in its turn may have given place to a final work, bounded by wall C. The fragmentary line D may represent an unfinished reinforcement of wall C.

(Information from R W Feachem 1961-2, 61)

RCAHMS 1967, visited 1962

As described.

Revised at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (JLD) 8 May 1962 and (BS) 2 October 1974

Photographed by the RCAHMS in 1980.

(Undated) information in NMRS.