Danes' Camp, Links Wood
Fort (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Danes' Camp, Links Wood
Classification Fort (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Camp Wood
Canmore ID 33114
Site Number NO42NW 11
NGR NO 4132 2508
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/33114
- Council Fife
- Parish Forgan
- Former Region Fife
- Former District North East Fife
- Former County Fife
NO42NW 11 4132 2508.
(NO 4132 2508) Fort (NR)
OS 6" map (1938)
This fort, commonly called the "Dane's Camp", is oval, with its major axis lying NW-SE, and consists of a series of ramparts enclosing a plateau measuring roughly 300' by 120'. The ramparts, which rise one above the other at an average distance of 32' from crest to crest, are constructed almost entirely of earth. Although much broken down, they are still easily traceable except on the N side, where they fade out suddenly on the steep slope of the ridge. They vary in height, being highest at the NW corner. The entrances, on the E and W, measure approximately 30' across st the outside, but contract to about half of that width as they pass inwards.
RCAHMS 1933, visited 1925
Generally as described above. The wood, in which it was situated, has been cleared and replanted, and the fort is now much obscured by conifers, broom etc. On the W side, on the N side of the entrance, are traces of a slight outer ditch.
Visited by OS (WDJ) 3 June 1964
A multivallate Iron Age fort generally as described and planned, although covered by dense afforestation.
Revised at 25".
Visited by OS (DWR) 20 May 1974
Field Visit (25 May 1925)
Fort, North Corner of Links Wood, near St. Fort.
This fort, commonly called the "Danes' Camp," is situated within a wooded area at the extreme west end of the parish, at an elevation of 75-100 feet above. sea-level, and a distance of about half a mile to the south-east of the farm of Flass. It is of oval form, with its major axis lying north-west and south-east and consists of a series of ramparts enclosing a plateau, measuring roughly 300 by 120 feet. The ramparts, which rise one above the other at an average distance of 32 feet from crest to crest, are constructed almost entirely of earth. Although much broken down, they are still easily traceable except on the north side, where they fade out suddenly on the steep slope of the ridge. They vary in height, being highest at the north-west corner. On the east and west there are gaps for entrances, which measure approximately 30 feet across at the outside, but contract to about half that width as they pass inwards.
RCAHMS 1933, visited 25 May 1925.
Field Visit (25 April 1951)
This site was included within the RCAHMS Marginal Land Survey (1950-1962), an unpublished rescue project. Site descriptions, organised by county, are available to view online - see the searchable PDF in 'Digital Items'. These vary from short notes, to lengthy and full descriptions. Contemporary plane-table surveys and inked drawings, where available, can be viewed online in most cases - see 'Digital Images'. The original typecripts, notebooks and drawings can also be viewed in the RCAHMS search room.
Information from RCAHMS (GFG) 19 July 2013.
Note (10 July 2015 - 18 May 2016)
This fort is situated on a low ridge on the NE side of the public road from Wormit to Leuchars, due S of Flass Home Farm. Oval on plan, it measures about 91m from ESE to WNW by at least 37m transversely (0.27ha) within a belt of defences some 30m deep, for most of the circuit comprising three ramparts with intermediate ditches; a third ditch accompanies the outermost rampart on the crest of the ridge on the WNW. The innermost rampart, however, has been reduced to little more than a scarp, and this peters out on the crest of the steep slope forming the NNE margin of the interior. Well-defined entrances with causeways across the ditches are roughly opposed at either end, that on the ESE placed on the crest of the ridge, while that on the W lies towards its SW margin. The interior is featureless.
Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 18 May 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC3171
