Purvis Hill

NT33NE 10 3561 3750.

(NT 3560 3750) Earthwork (NR)

OS 6" map (1964)

The scanty remains of a fort are situated at the E end of the Purvis terraces (NT33NE 2) and close to the site of Purvis Tower (NT33NE 14). The inner ring seems to have been only 40 yds in diameter. Lower down the hill are what appear to be the remains of two outer rings.

D Christison 1887

At the E end of the highest point of an E-W lying ridge are what may be the remains of the earthwork ('fort') described by Christison. The site lies c. 50m E of the site of Purvishill Tower, and appears to have been incorporated in the later farmstead (see NT33NE 14) as the area is greatly disturbed. The earthwork itself occupies a slightly elevated area and may have measured c.50.0m x 40.0m internally. The W segment appears as a broken scarp c.1.0m high, with slight indications of a wall or bank on top. This scarp continues round the N and S sides, but is entirely obliterated by cultivation on the NE segment.

No outer works were noted, and it is doubtful if the site could have been intended as a fortification.

Visited by OS (JLD) 5 July 1961

The remains of this enclosure appear as a broken scarp encircling all but the NE segment of the top of the hill above the Purvis terraces. On the W side is out-cropping rock and on this natural foundation can be seen the possible remains of a stone wall, the whole standing to a maximum height of 1.0m. The site is otherwise as described. Its purpose is not clear but it is not a fort and may not be prehistoric. The probability is that it is associated with the farmstead, traces of which are still visible.

Visited by OS (BS) 3 September 1974.