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Colagin
Fort (Later Prehistoric)
Site Name Colagin
Classification Fort (Later Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Cologin
Canmore ID 22908
Site Number NM82NE 32
NGR NM 8581 2649
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/22908
- Council Argyll And Bute
- Parish Kilmore And Kilbride
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Argyll And Bute
- Former County Argyll
NM82NE 32 8581 2649
(NM 8581 2649) Fort (NR)
OS 1:10,000 map, (1977)
The remains of a kite-shaped fort, measuring internally 37 metres N-S by 27 metres E-W, are situated in a conspicuous promontory. Strong natural defence is provided by precipitous or vertical rock-faces on all, except the north, sides.
The fort has been defended on the north by an arc of walling, now reduced to a grass-covered stony bank 1.5 to 3 metres thick and 0.2 metres high, in which only two stones of the outer face are now visible. It is unlikely that any defences were constructed on the remaining sides because of their great strength.
The entrance is situated on the NNE, and the interior, which falls as much as 4.9 metres from NE to SW, is divided by a low rock-studded scarp in two shelves of unequal size.
RCAHMS 1975, visited May 1967.
As described.
Surveyed at 1:2500 scale.
Visited by OS (R D) 10 September 1971.
Field Visit (May 1967)
NM 858 264. This fort is situated on the nose of a conspicuous promontory overlooking the valley of the Allt na Criche about 530m NE of Colagin farmhouse. On all sides except the N, where relatively easy access may be gained across a level neck of land, precipitous or vertical rock-faces up to 15m in height provide strong natural protection.
Approximately kite-shaped fort on plan, and measuring internally 37m by 27m, the fort has been defended on the N by an arc of walling now reduced to a grass-covered stony bank 1.5m to 3m thick and 0.2m high, in which only two stones of the outer face are now visible. In view of the great natural strength of the site it is unlikely that any defences were constructed on the remaining sides.
The entrance is situated on the NNE, and the interior, which falls as much as 4.9 metres from NE to SW, is divided by a low rock-studded scarp in two shelves of unequal size.
RCAHMS 1975, visited May 1967.
Measured Survey (17 May 1967)
Surveyed at 1mm:1ft. Redrawn in ink and published at 1:1000 (RCAHMS 1975, fig. 32).
Note (27 November 2014 - 18 May 2016)
This small fortification has been created by drawing an arc of wall across the only point of access to an otherwise precipitous promontory. The kite-shaped interior measures a maximum of 37m from NNE to SSW by 27m transversely (0.06ha), and the wall blocking access from the N is largely reduced to a band of rubble from 1.5m to 3m in thickness and no more than 0.2m in height. The entrance is in the middle of the arc of wall on the NNE, opening into the lower of the two shelves into which the interior is divided by a low rocky scarp; the upper shelf lies on the NW.
Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 18 May 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC2564
