Archaeology Notes

Event ID 720869

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/720869

NT74SE 12 7925 4350.

(NT 7925 4350) Earthwork (NR)

OS 1:10,000 map, 1972.

Remains of a large oval fort, consisting of a deep trench measuring about 44ft across. It formerly had two earthen ramparts, which have been entirely obliterated, as has the ditch on the N and NW.

RCAHMS 1915.

Situated on a plateau with the ground falling sharply for about 30m to the NW. The average dimensions of the remaining trench are 14m wide and 2.2m deep on outer scarp, 1.3m deep on inner scarp. At the W extremity the counterscarp to the outer face of the ditch is 0.4m high; at the E extremity the ditch is traceable for a short distance in the wood, but it is mutilated by a boundary bank crossing it. The whole area is covered by rig-and- furrow, and no trace of the N portion of the defences was seen, though there was heavy snow at the time of visit. As the ground falls so sharply to the N, it is not considered likely that the obliterated ramparts and ditch would have run up and down the slope; it is probable that they followed the N edge of the level ground; this would tend to be confirmed by markings on air photographs (Visible on RAF air photographs: 106G Scot/UK16: 5216-7). Although sited on the highest point in the immediate vicinity, the countryside is generally flat and the earthwork cannot be said to occupy a dominating position.

Visited by OS(JFC) 18 January 1955.

Generally as described in the previous field report and planned by the RCAHMS.

Resurveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS(RD) 14 July 1966.

This oval earthwork, which may be of medieval date, is situated just below the crest of a broad ridge. It measures 150m by about 60m within double banks and a medial ditch, although on the NW side these have been removed by rig-and-furrow cultivation.

RCAHMS 1980, visited 1979.