Raecleugh Head

201. Fort, Raecleughhead.

Some 16 feet from the top of the steep slope which forms the south or opposite side of the Guile Howe from the fort above described, are the remains of a terrace, and at the top of the bank traces of a faint mound, indicating the former existence of a fort on this side also (fig. 95 [DP 225404]).

RCAHMS 1915, visited 20th October 1908.

OS Map: Ber., xvi. SW.

What are probably the remains of a fort are situated on a hillock immediately NW of Raecleugh Head steading, and though the approaches from the SE and SW are relatively gentle, on the NE and NW the ground falls away steeply into a dry valley known as Guile Howe. The defences have been reduced to a series of disarticulated fragments, but in 1978 RCAHMS investigators observed the remains of a substantial rampart in a cutting on the SE, while on the SW a broad swelling some 11m across extends out towards the lip Guile Howe. Elsewhere the perimeter is marked by a steep scarp up to 5m high dropping down to a terrace cut into the slope on the NW and NE, and while at the time the investigators suggested this might be a trackway approaching an entrance, such a feature would be unique and it is more likely to reflect the line of a ditch heavily modified by cultivation. On the NE the outer lip of the terrace and the scarp splay, the lip of the terrace becoming the headland of the straight rigs that ride over the hillock from ENE to WSW, and the scarp returning southwards. Thus defined the interior is an elongated oval on plan, measuring about 105m from NE to SW by at least 45m transversely (0.38ha), and possibly as much as 65m if the rampart observed in 1978 on the SE is indeed the innermost of the defences. The position of the entrance is not known and the interior is featureless.

Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 18 May 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC4062

NT 74540 52900 AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by Mr Colin Tait of Raecleughhead Farm, Duns to undertake an archaeological watching brief in advance of the redevelopment of existing steading buildings and linked extension to create an equine practice and associated facilities at Raecleughhead Farm, Duns, Scottish Borders ((Planning Ref. No. 18/00973/FUL). Overlooking the development area to the north-west, are two Scheduled Hillforts (HES NT75SW 3 and 4). The closest lying 150m to the west of the development. An area of approximately 324m2 was stripped between two redeveloped steadings. Made ground covered the north-east and south-west of the development area, while loamy topsoil was stripped from the north-west corner, revealing a dark red-brown sandy clay. The watching brief uncovered no archaeological remains.

Information from Ashleigh Airey - AOC Archaeology Group

The classification, location and period of this site record have been reviewed as part of record revision work carried out by HES Designations.

Visited by HES Designations (R McDonald), 03 November 2021.

Visibility: This is an upstanding earthwork or monument.

Information from Scottish Borders Council