Balnagleck

NR62NE 23 6829 2530.

NR 683 255. Enclosure. On the W edge of a broad natural shelf of rough ground, 320m NE of Balnagleck farmhouse, there are a number of large earthfast stones which define an oval area measuring 21.5m by 26m over all. Situated at a height of 120m OD, the enclosure faces almost level or rising ground on all sides except the W., where there is a steep but short drop to the E margin of arable fields. Many of the stones from this structure are now probably incorporated in a ruined turf-and-stone dyke which passes within 36.5m of the site on the W., while others have been torn from their original positions and are to be seen lying displaced in the near vicinity. The ground immediately to the N and S was formerly under cultivation, and the plough has also encroached upon the interior of the enclosure. Owing to the almost total lack of any accompanying spread of rubble to indicate core material, and the absence of any inner facing-stones, it is impossible, without excavation, to determine whether the surviving stones, the largest of which measures 1.2m by 0.6m and 0.5m in height, originally belonged to the outer face of a wall or merely formed the external revetment to a bank. On the E three large blocks, set transversely, mark the site of an entrance passage measuring 1.5m in width and at least 2.1m in length, while on the S a pair of stones 0.9m apart, and similarly disposed, may be the remains of a second entrance.

RCAHMS 1971, visited 1968

NR 6829 2530. The remains of this structure as described and planned by RCAHM appear to represent the surviving fragments of a severely robbed dun. The use of massive blocks in the base footings is typical of dun construction, as is the form of the entrance in the west arc, where the wall has been at least 2.1m wide. Though the situation offers limited capacity for defence, the wall has been positioned to maximise the natural potential of the site. (See also NR62SE 18, NR61SW 3).

Surveyed at 1:10 000.

Visited by OS (NKB) 13 December 1977.