Arran, Tormore

NR83SE 9 8991 3115.

At NR 8990 3115 is a small oval bank, approximately 3.0m broad, except at the entrances, which are on the NE and SW, where it is spread to about 5.0m. It is in a good condition except in the SE; where probed, it was found to have a stone core. The entrance on the NE is 2 paces wide and that on the SW, 4 paces wide; at both entrances large stones were found in position terminating the bank. Inside the enclosure is a ring of stones which is located towards the N side. It is oval, 13 paces by 7 paces; no entrance was observed. It seems probable that the feature is an enclosed hut; the surrounding ground is very wet.

Visited by OS(DGB) 24 September 1953.

A large double enclosure with multiple entrances; of unknown type. Outer enclosure measures 30.0m diameter and the inner 10.0m diameter (1:100 enlargement).

Information from DoE Mss Arran Field Survey 1976.

NR 8991 3115. These roughly concentric sub-circular enclosures are situated on a slight E-facing spur surrounded on the N, E and S sides by low-lying marsh.

Their overall dimensions are as stated. The outer bank is largely denuded and overgrown, being best preseved in the SW where it is up to 4.5m wide, composed of earth and stone, and 1.3m maximum height. Here, four large external retaining stones are set in a row. The only acceptable entrance is that on the E side (of easiest approach), 4.5m wide, with a large orthostat at its N end. Elsewhere, the "multiple entrances" shown on the plan (DoE Mss Arran field Survey) appear as denuded mutilations. Similarly, the inner enclosure has no acceptable entrances, its peat bank being poorly preserved with a maximum width of 1.0m and height of 0.3m. No stone, or evidence of a stone ring (OS field surveyor DGB) was observed in or near this feature.

The surrounding marsh makes any identification of a ditch to the outer enclosure difficult, and that indicated on the plan (DoE Mss Arran Field Survey) around the S arc could not be traced. However, around the E arc a definite change in vegetation colour and type (4 - 5m wide) strongly suggests that a ditch existed.

The purpose of the earthwork is obscure.

Surveyed at 1:10,000.

Visited by OS (JRL) 9 October 1977.