Archaeology Notes

Event ID 723728

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/723728

NT96SW 1 94320 64845

(NT 94320 64845) Eyemouth Fort (NR)

OS 6" map, Berwickshire, 2nd ed., (1906).

For associated Eyemouth Harbour (NT 9460 6460 to NT 9454 6411) and adjacent buildings, see NT96SW 76.00.

This fort occupies a promontory on the W side of the bay; it is said to have been erected by Protector Somerset in 1547. On the edge of the cliff, mounds still remain to a height of 5 or 6ft, but they are gradually disappearing as the cliff face crumbles. There is a quadrangular mound or bastion known as the 'King's Mound' on the landward end of the promontory. It is surronded by a deep ditch except towards the NE or interior of the fort. The ditches and ramparts on the S and W are still quite distinct (RCAHMS 1915; J Hardy 1868). It was ordered to be demolished in 1550 (A A Carr 1836).

RCAHMS 1915, visited 3 August 1908.

Eyemouth Fort: This earthwork comprises a series of extensive, well-preserved mounds and ditches. It remains much as described by the previous authorities; the outer scarps of the ramparts around the headland have been destroyed by cliff erosion. The so-called 'King's Mount', at NT 9425 6484, has a well-defined ditch around it as described; this was obviously the focal point of the fortification. A fragment of a coarse rubble wall is visible at the base of the N corner of the mound. It is 5m long and 1m high.

Visited by OS (JLD) 13 October 1954.

Generally as described in the previous field report.

The 'King's Mount' bastion is the best-preserved part and stands some 4.0m above its surrounding ditch. The promontory is being used as the town refuse tip. This and cliff erosion are gradually destroying the fortifications.

Resurveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 9 February 1966.

This mid-16th century artillery fort exhibits two main structural phases. (See also NT96NW 14.). (NMRS No.BWD/121/1).

RCAHMS 1980, visited 1979.

A section was excavated (by G J Ewart for Inspector Ancient Monuments) across part of the first phase English defensive earthworks and details of the rampart, ditch and counterscarp were recorded along with evidence of a possible timber super-structure along the crest of the rampart.

A second trench was excavated within the defences and evidence of a demolished stone structure was found towards the S of the site.

G J Ewart 1980

Photographed by the RCAHMS in 1980.

RCAHMS AP catalogue 1980.