Archaeology Notes

Event ID 714558

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/714558

NT27SE 87 2804 7284.

(NT 2807 7284) Enclosures (NR)

OS 6" map, (1966)

There are a number of scooped enclosures E of Arthur's Seat, in the angle of the Queen's Drive. Stevenson (1949) considers that they represent a farmstead, possibly of medieval date, while they are noted as 'Homesteads and Enclosures' by the RCAHMS.

(i) 'D' on plan is an enclosure, 85' x 65' (25.9 by 19.8m), with a probable entrance in the SW; it is subdivided into four and an annexe impinges on the NW corner.

(ii) 'E' on plan, a second enclosure, 35 yards (32m) downhill from 'i', measures 80' x 85' (24.4 by 25.9m); it is also contains four floors. Some external additions of enclosures and floors have been made to this enclosure. (iii) A third enclosure ('F' on plan) downhill from 'ii', has been partly cut away by the Queen's Drive. This also has flanking structures.

There is also the trace of a small circular structure lying above enclosing 'i'.

It is suggested (Stevenson 1949) that the uppermost enclosure was superseded by the second one, also that the enclosures pre-dated some, and were contemporary with others, of the cultivation terraces in the vicinity.

R B K Stevenson 1949; RCAHMS 1951.

These enclosures are generally as described above. They are covered in tufty grass and gorse.

Visited by OS (S F S) 9 December 1975.