Elliesheugh

NT82SW 23 From 81174 22276 to 81159 22118

(NT 81199 22179) Elliesheugh [NAT] (remains of) [NAT]

OS 6"map, (1962).

Situated on the N slopes of Ellisheugh Hill are the remains of probably the farm of Elliesheugh (see also NT82SW 44).

It consists of:

A: A large, turf-banked enclosure with traces of stone showing, measuring about 38.0m NE-SW x 29.0m, with two small structures within the NW angle.

B: The foundations of a rectangular building, about 18.0m x 5.4m. A slight turf bank runs from its S angle in a curve to the E angle of 'A'. C: The foundations of a rectangular building, about 18.0m x 6.4m.

D: A roughly rectangular enclosure formed by a slight turf bank, measuring 25.0m NW-SE x 16.0m.

E: Just below the crest of the hill is a scooped- out structure divided into two compartments at different levels; it measures 19.0m x 11.0m overall, and would appear to be the remains of a large kiln.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 19 August 1960.

Generally as described in previous field report.

Attached to and within enclosure 'D' are the footings of two additional buildings.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (RD) 14 June 1968.

No change.

Visited by OS (TRG) 12 August 1976.

There was a grange, belonging to Kelso Abbey, at Elisheugh.

N F Shead 1975.

On a terrace on the otherwise moderately steep NE-facing slope of Ellisheugh Hill, there are the remains of a substantial farmstead. The site may perhaps be identified with a grange of that name which belonged to Kelso Abbey in the 12th and 13th centuries (Shead 1975). It is not recorded by Roy in the mid 18th century nor on subsequent maps.

The farmstead comprises at least five rectangular buildings, each associated with their own enclosure, and covers an area measuring 155m from N to S by about 80m. A corn-drying kiln lies outside the settlement to the E. The earthworks survive only on the E side of a field-wall and it is uncertain how far they originally extended beyond this boundary.

At the SW corner of the site, there is a complex trapezoidal structure (1) set within the W corner of a large enclosure, (corresponding to OS 'A'). The structure comprises two compartments; the larger at the SW end measures 7m from E to W by 5m transversely within low walls, with occasional stone protruding, spread up to 2m in thickness and standing up to 0.4m in height. The smaller compartment, on the NE, measures 8m from E to W by 4m in width at its E end, within 2m thick walls. The E end of the chamber was built over a low natural scarp so that its floor falls away. A possible entrance lies between the two compartments on the S side. The W compartment is possibly built over the end of the other compartment as the N walls of the two sections are offset. The enclosure is defined by a low earth with stone bank on all but the NE side which falls away as a scarp towards a rectangular building (2). The bank on the S side continues SE for some 7m to the junction with the enclosure extending SW from the latter building. Unfortunately the relationship between these enclosures has been destroyed by a cattle feeding station. Above the scarp, the enclosure measures 33m by 28m within low banks averaging 3m in width. A number of indeterminate scarps and mounds lie within the enclosure.

A rectangular building (2) (OS 'B'), lying about 28m to the NE of structure (1), occupies the NE side of a partially enclosed level platform. Three more similar buildings (3, 4 and 5) lie parallel to the N. The building measures about 14.4m from NW to SE by 4m transversely within low banks about 1m thick on all but the NE side where it is spread up to 2.2m in thickness. There is no entrance visible nor are there any internal features, excepting a slight break in slope towards the southern third of the building. Externally, there is a slight gully on the S side. The building is distinct from the surrounding platform which is defined by slight scarps on all but SW side where it has been reduced through cattle trample.

Situated 19m to the N of building 2, there is a more complex rectangular building (3) (OS 'C') occupying the SW corner of a level platform. Both the SE end and SW corners of the building are crossed by tracks. The building measures 18m form E to W by 7m within the outermost banks which are spread up to 2m in thickness. The building has possibly been rebuilt at least once as there are double walls on both the S and N sides and the building is of unusually large width for a single structure. The position of the entrance is unclear though there is a slight break on the N side which may be a drain. Internally there is a single, centrally-placed partition. The surrounding platform measures up to 30m form E to W by 12m transversely.

A hollow-way and yard area, measuring up to 17m from E to W by 7m, separates this platform from a further building (4) (OS 'D'). It lies about 13m to the N and again occupies the S end of a platform or slight enclosure, The W side of both the building and enclosure are crossed by a track. The building measures 11m from E to W by 4.5m within banks spread up to 2m in thickness. The W end of the building is raised. At the E end, low narrow banks spread to 1m in width suggest further compartments. The enclosure on the N is formed by a low scarp on the E and N sides with a slight bank, possibly overlying an earlier platform, on the NW. A 3m gap between the building and the bank may represent an entrance. The enclosure measures up to 21m from E to W by up to 11m. Within, a low scarp extends across the enclosure from the S end of the main part of the structure.

A further building (5), again within an enclosure, lies immediately to the N. This building measures up to 10m from E to W by 3.8m within low banks spread up to 1m in thickness although the W end has been reduced by a modern track. A possible entrance, 1.8m wide, on the N side opens onto the enclosure. The enclosure is defined by a bank spread up to 2m in width, except on the S side where it is defined by the scarp shared with enclosure attached to building (4). The gap between the base of the scarp and the building may represent an entrance.

To the W, there is a series of indeterminate earthworks and terraces and towards the N end of this area there are three platforms measuring 4m wide from N to S by at least 6m; about 4m wide by 6m and 6m from E to W by about 9m transversely respectively. A fourth level area measuring 5m in diameter lies immediately S of the first platform.

A further possible rectangular building (6) lies between buildings (1) and (3). It comprises two low platforms and measures 10m in length from N to S by 5m in width overall.

The corn-drying kiln (7) is situated about 22m to the NE of building (3). The bowl is situated in the W compartment and measures 5m in diameter narrowing to 1.5m. The E compartment, or attached barn, is open-ended and measures up to 8m from E to W by 3m within banks spread up to 2.5m in thickness.

A hollow-way, averaging 2m in width, leads from the yard area, between buildings (2 and 3) and may be traced for some 48m to the NE where it reaches a modern field wall beyond which the ground is improved. The hollow-way passes to the N of the kiln immediately W of which there is possible junction with the N branch possibly following the E side of a field-bank.

REFERENCE: Shead N F 1975, Kelso Abbey in the 12th and 13th centuries', in McNeill P and Nicholson R (eds.), An Historical Atlas

of Scotland, c400-c1600, 157

Information from RJ Mercer (University of Edinburgh) 23 March 1987

RCAHMS MS 2598. No. 16/161