Wallace's Camp
Natural Feature (Period Unknown)
Site Name Wallace's Camp
Classification Natural Feature (Period Unknown)
Canmore ID 63445
Site Number NX46NW 25
NGR NX 4026 6707
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/63445
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Minnigaff
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Wigtown
- Former County Kirkcudbrightshire
NX46NW 25 4026 6707.
(NX 40266707) Wallace's Camp (NR)
OS 6" map (1957)
This feature, classified by Feachem as an earthwork was, in Coles' opinion, a motte. Nicholson records that William Wallace appears to have encamped near the village of Minigaff, and a field still bears the name 'Wallace's Camp'.
A spur projecting from the hill flanking the River Cree and protected naturally by a ravine and a glen on its NW and SE sides, has been cut off by a ditch up to 15ft wide and 2ft deep. The enceinte has an irregular level surface about 25ft in diameter from which the ground drops gently to the steeper slopes of the spur. An approach leads up to the inner side of the ditch on the SE side but immediately before reaching the level surface inside it is constricted within a trench-like hollow, possibly natural, which passes down the bank.
R W Feachem 1956; F R Coles 1893; Name Book 1848; J Nicholson 1841; RCAHMS 1914
This is a very doubtful antiquity. It is situated in an impossible defensive position being overlooked by higher ground immediately to the E. The so-called defences are natural features; no artificial work could be found.
Visited by OS (RD) 12 October 1966
