Field Visit
Date 26 July 1954
Event ID 979018
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/979018
The Tap O’Noth is a conspicuous conical peak that rises to a height of 1,850ft OD one and a half miles NW of Rhynie, which lies 1,300 ft lower down. The Tap, the NE flank of which rises 300ft above the level of the saddle joining it to the Hill o’ Noth, is visible for great distances to the N, E and S, and is thus one of the most impressive of the sites chosen by fort builders in Britain. The precise plan of the fort is hard to define as the mass of the ruin of the wall is so great. The long axis runs from NW to SE and the NE and SW stretches of the wall that are aligned parallel to these are straight. The SE end appears to be rounded while in the NW three distinct changes of direction suggest rounded corners joined by a short straight stretch. The dimensions may be roughly computed as length, 335ft and breadth, 105ft, within a wall about 20ft in thickness at base. The present entrance in the SE may mark the site of the original one but this is not certain. Within the only notable feature is a well placed near the line of the long axis at a point about 90ft from the S arc of the wall. Great masses of vitrification occur among the ruins of the wall, and the spread of the stone falls for as much as 50yds down the flanks of the hill.
An outer wall of defence runs round the N, NE, E and SE flanks of the Tap at a level of about 200ft below that of the summit. This consists of an intermittent line of large boulders that begin to be distinguishable as the degree of slope lessens at a point 800ft NW of the summit of the hill and runs thence on a somewhat straggling course to N and E until it is lost on the steeper slope of the hill at the same distance SE of the summit. In its present condition this wall is breached at lest six times by gaps.
Visited by RCAHMS 26 July 1954.
