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Archaeology Notes
Event ID 727684
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/727684
NX85SE 1 8541 5242.
(NX 8541 5242) Ancient Earthwork (NAT).
OS 6" map (1957)
This fort, which occupies a bold promontory on the E side of the mouth of the Urr Water, consists of an oval enclosure measuring axially 140' by 95' within a substantial ruin of a stone wall c.10' thick, faced with large squared blocks laid in courses. This is defended on the landward side by a broad rock-cut ditch, with a rampart on the outer lip, through which passes an approach 9-10' wide, c.80' from the W end, leading to an entrance in the wall 76' from the W cliff. The W side of the entrance, faced with a slab, and having a single stone to form the outer angle, is preserved for some 5' inwards. Early Md pottery from here is in Dumfries Museum.
R W Feachem 1963; RCAHMS 1914, visited 1911; F R Coles 1893
A castle, which was placed second in Timothy Pont's List of Castles and Gentlemen's Houses of Chief Note in Galloway, stood on Castlehill of Barcloy.
M Harper 1896; Name Book 1850
A fort generally as described by Feachem. The exposed inner rampart is of large unmortared blocks with pinnings (typical IA construction). On the top of the promontory is a very slight rectangular platform, possibly the site of the castle.
Published survey (25") revised.
Visited by OS (RD) 15 December 1969
