Butter Sike

NT82SW 2 82505 22664 to 82531 22804

(NT 82505 22829) Enclosure (NR)

OS 6" map, (1962).

This scooped enclosure, on the S flank of Shoulder Hill, has been largely destroyed by cultivation. It measures 184' NW-SE by 110' within a boulder-faced rubble wall now heavily ruined. The interior contains three level floors arranged in tiers and excavated out of the hillside. The position of the original entrance to the enclosure is uncertain, and there is no sign of internal structures.

RCAHMS 1956, visited 1950.

This enclosure is generally as described by the RCAHMS. Fragmentary remains of a probable hut lie within the SE segment.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (RD), 13 June 1968.

The plan and description of this 'enclosure' are comparable with NT82SW 13, now recognised as a scooped settlement.

Information from OS recorder (IF) 11 February 1976.

A scooped settlement as described by the previous authorities.

Revised at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (TRG) 7 September 1976.

Occupying a spur on the moderately steep SW flank of Shoulder Hill the E of the Butter Sike, there are the remains of a scooped enclosure. Cross-contour rig (NT82SW 160) has reduced the earthworks somewhat, particularly on the NW, with further cross-contour rig (NT82SW 161) approaching from the slopes above. The enclosure, which is D-shaped, measures 56m by 30m within a heavily reduced boulder-faced rubble wall. A 2m wide break in the circuit on the S side leads, via an unconvincing path crossing a scarp, into the lowest of three levels or yards. It measures some 18m from N to S by 9m. Above, and to the S, there is a second level area measuring some 20m from NW to SE by between 6m and 10m. A short, 5m long, arc of bank on the SE side may indicate a house stance. To the SE, there is a depression, 7m across, dug into the SE corner of the enclosure, which may also be structural. Overlooking the lowest area, from which it is separated by a rock outcrop, and approached from the second level by a ramp is a third area measuring 17m from N to S by 14m. It is much disturbed with two shallow hollows towards the front of the platform. The S hollow measures about 5m in diameter whilst that to the N is about 9m in diameter. The floor of the S hollow slopes to the S whilst in the N hollow it slopes to the SW. The NE side of this area is defined by a scarp beneath the enclosure wall. It is noticeable, however, that the wall does not follow the top edge of the scarp but sits behind it suggesting it was added subsequent to the cutting of the hollows.

Information from RJ Mercer (University of Edinburgh) 24 March 1987

RCAHMS, MS/2598, no. 12/120.