Archaeology Notes

Event ID 715817

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/715817

NT51NE 19 5953 1822.

(NT 5953 1822) Fast Castle (NR) (Site of).

OS 6" map (1917-38)

Fast Castle (Site). Locally known as Castle Knowe, this site on the left bank of Rule Water, 700 yds. W of Bedrule and 50 yds. above an old ford, has all the appearance of a late 12th-century motte. The mound itself is partly natural, and in its total height of 45 ft. only the upper part, 10 ft. from the summit, is artificial. A byroad has been driven through its S end. On the E side there has been erosion. The approach has evidently been from the ford on the N, the slope facing this being less steep than elsewhere; but the access has been barred 15 ft. below the summit by a cross-trench, now represented by a grassy terrace. On the summit there can be seen vestiges of a rampart enclosing an area roughly oval and measuring about 40 by 27 yds. This rampart is drawn to exclude the SW corner of the summit, which may have formed a small annexe.

RCAHMS 1956, visited 1937

RCAHMS confirmed.

Resurveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (EGC) 1 March 1967.