Borgie Bridge

NC65NE 1 6711 5872.

(NC 6711 5872) Dun (NR)

OS 6" map (1962)

Previously classified as a possible broch (RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; A Graham 1947) or a dun (OS {JLD}, visited 26 April 1960), this well-preserved earthwork resembles a defended homestead. It is situated on the edge of a natural escarpment overlooking the Borgie valley and consists of a semi-circular ditch averaging 8 m wide by 2 m deep from which the material has gone to form a flat-topped mound about 18 m in diameeter and 2 m high. The ditch stops short of the escarpment at both ends where there are slight counterscarps. A straight-edged but splayed causeway across the ditch in the SE measures 5.4 m wide on the outside and 3.7 m wide on the inner. Eccentrically placed on the top of the mound is a stone-walled structure so reduced that its shape cannot be determined with any accuracy. In the S, where it is best preserved, several inner and outer facing-stones give a wall thickness of 1.6 m. The classification of the site offers problems. The raised central mound constructed from material from the ditch is reminiscent of a motte, but the presence of the causeway and the eccentric stone structure argue against this. It would appear to be a defended homestead of uncertain date (cf. NC75NW 14).

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (AA) 21 July 1971

A defended earthwork of enigmatic type, as described and illustrated by the previous field investigators. This form of ditch is found occasionally in association with brochs (see NC75SW 9 and NC91NE 27), but apart from the indefinite and insubstantial remains of a 'stone- walled structure', the summit area is clear of stone as is the ditch.

It would appear to be a ringwork of possibly medieval, or earlier, date.

Revised at 1:10,000 scale.

Visited by OS (JB) 4 September 1978

Scheduled as Borgie Bridge, homestead.

Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 20 November 1992.