Leyston
Enclosure(S) (Prehistoric), Palisaded Enclosure (Prehistoric)(Possible), Ring Ditch (Prehistoric)
Site Name Leyston
Classification Enclosure(S) (Prehistoric), Palisaded Enclosure (Prehistoric)(Possible), Ring Ditch (Prehistoric)
Alternative Name(s) Layston
Canmore ID 28529
Site Number NO13NE 60
NGR NO 1888 3846
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/28529
- Council Perth And Kinross
- Parish Cargill
- Former Region Tayside
- Former District Perth And Kinross
- Former County Perthshire
NO13NE 60 1888 3846
The monument comprises an unenclosed settlement of prehistoric date, visible as a series of cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs. It lies on locally high ground in arable farmland on the crest of a low ridge. It comprises a number of distinct features characteristic of later prehistoric settlement. In the N part of the site lies a ring-ditch measuring about 20m in internal diameter, with entrances on the NE and SW. Ring ditches such as this have been shown on excavation to represent the remains of former timber roundhouses.
Within the ring-ditch is a crescent-shaped cropmark some 15m across seemingly representing the buried remains of internal deposits. Immediately to the S is a sub-circular palisaded enclosure, some 40m in maximum diameter, which intersects with the ring ditch (indicating that the two were not contemporary).
There are a number of other cropmarks in the vicinity which appear to represent associated structures, including numerous pits and more amorphous remains.
Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 1 February 1999.
Aerial Photographic Transcription (24 January 1989)
An aerial transcription was produced from oblique aerial photographs. Information from Historic Environment Scotland (BM) 31 March 2017.
Aerial Photographic Interpretation (8 December 1992)
Air photography has recorded the cropmarks of a complex group of structures on the crest of a low ridge 500m NE of Leyston steading. The group comprises at least one interrupted ring-ditch, a probable palisaded enclosure, with, possibly a second. The interrupted ring-ditch must intersect the N side of the projected line of the palisaded enclosure, but the relationship between the two is unclear. The interrupted ring-ditch measures 20m in diameter internally, and within it there are traces of a crescent-shaped feature which probably marks the position of a round house. Its perimeter is broken by narrow causeways on the NE and SW, and outside the latter there are traces of a narrow and sinuous feature.
The enclosure measures about 35m in diameter, and there are traces of an amorphous macula close to its centre. The second possible enclosure lies to the NNE, and there are also scattered further features, at least one of them possibly a subterranean structure.
Information from RCAHMS (JRS) 8 December 1992.
