Hog Hill

NT55NW 11 5239 5500

(NT 5239 5500) Old Sheepfold (NAT)

OS 6" map (1862).

The wasted remains of a homestead measuring externally 90ft N-S by 100ft transversely are situated on the SW side of Hog Hill. It has been enclosed by a boulder-faced rubble wall about 6ft thick, from which all the facing stones have been robbed; on the SE it has been entirely removed and replaced by a modern wall, itself now ruinous. Gaps in the W and NW may represent original entrances.

The interior, which slopes SW, contains three scooped courts arranged round a central platform. (Though noted as a homestead in 1952, this would now be described by the RCAHMS as a settlement - c/f examples in Peeblesshire inventory).

RCAHMS MS, visited 1952

An oval enclosure, 37.0m by 25.0m. The S segment has totally collapsed; it was dry-stone built. The entrance is in the SW. There are traces of four circular depressions within the enclosure, in which, and on the slope of the hill, is a profusion of stones.

Visited by OS (JD), 12 May 1955

Generally as described in the previous field report, except that the enclosure is more circular on plan, 29.0m in average diameter, OS (JD) having included a disturbed area immediately NW of the site as forming part of it. The disturbed area includes a circular depression, but bracken obscures this part of the site. Only two circular depressions, 8.0m in diameter and 0.2m deep, may be seen in the interior, with indications of a third, larger depression on the E. This is probably a settlement.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (RDL), 1 November 1963

A sub-circular homestead measuring 30.0m in average diameter. It is generally as described by the RCAHMS but has a fourth court just outside the modern wall on the south-east.

Surveyed at 1/10,000.

Visited by OS (BS), 16 May 1979.