Penchrise Pen

The conical summit of Penchrise Pen, which is a distinctive and prominent landmark in the locality, is crowned by a fort with up to three ramparts, the outer of which on the W is accompanied by an external ditch set at the foot of the slope. Oval on plan, the interior measures about 100m from NE to SW by 75m transversely (0.55ha) and on the NE rises in two broad shelves up to the summit. Apart from where they run up against a bare and craggy outcrop on the S, the defences have probably been continuous, the ramparts forming low banks in the N sector, though they have been reduced to scarps on the steeper slopes elsewhere. In addition to the ditch below the outermost rampart on the W, another short segment can be seen on the N, not only suggesting that this ditch may have been a more continuous feature, but that the stepped profile of the defences may also hide quarry ditches between the lines elsewhere. While the defences have probably formed a continuous circuit, the number of ramparts varies, the outer on the W dividing into two create a belt of three 20m deep flanking the SW side of the entrance on the NW; on opposite side there are only two, which extend round the relatively accessible N flank to a second entrance on the NE. At the latter the entrance-way approaches obliquely up the slope to expose the visitor's right side, and a terrace to the rear of the inner rampart continues up the slope to the lower shelf in the interior. The approach to the NW entrance is more direct, but again there is a clear route mounting the slope to the lower shelf, passing an isolated length of bank on the N side of the interior. Apart from this bank and traces of internal quarrying to the rear of the inner rampart, the only features visible within the interior are a low ring-bank on the lower terrace and a platform cut into the slope on the SE.

While it is not possible to identify any stratigraphic relationships between the ramparts, variations in the composition of the defences around the circuit may reflect several periods of construction and refurbishment. This is certainly the case with the two enclosures attached on the W and NE respectively, both of which ride over the outermost defences, that on the NE also impinging on the entrance way which climbs the slope obliquely on this side. The latter enclosure is oval on plan and measures about 65m from N to S by 49m transversely (0.24ha) within a bank that is accompanied on the NE by an external ditch; its entrance is on the NE. The enclosure on the W springs from the outer rampart on the WSW to cross the ditch at the foot of the slope and take in a triangular area measuring up to 63m from N to S by 45m transversely (0.22ha) within a thick bank accompanied by an external ditch; its entrance is on the NNW and traces of at least three ring-ditch houses can be seen in the interior.

Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 19 October 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC3245

The entry in the Schedule of Monuments relating to this monument was amended in 2015.

Information from Historic Scotland, 20th July 2015

Visibility: This is an upstanding earthwork or monument.

Information from Scottish Borders Council