Pilmuir

NT54NW 1 5070 4987.

(NT 5070 4987) Enclosure (NR)

OS 6" map (1968)

Homestead, Pilmuir: Situated on a fairly steep slope, the homestead measures 42 yds by 37 yds, the longer axis being parallel to the slope. The interior is much hollowed out, the excavated material forming a rampart of earth and stones, 3ft 9ins above the interior and 2ft 3ins above the exterior. There is no outer trench. A hut circle at the N side is 21ft in diameter. The entrance, in the SE, is protected by an additional mound springing from the main rampart some 20 yds from the entrance on either side, and bifurcating so as to form a triple defence to the entrance. To the W lie five circular or oval huts, much hollowed out from the steep bank.

R Kinghorn 1935

Generally as described above, the enclosure is in a thick wood. There is a possible hut circle inside the enclosure and bounded by the bank on the NW. The 'five huts' are irregular pits, more like small quarries, of which there are several in this wood. The average diameter of these pits is 5m, depth 0.7m. The entrance is on the SE as described, the outer bank being much reduced at this point. No ditch was noted.

Visited by OS (JD) 25 April 1955

This enclosure measures 39m NW-SE by 30m transversely, being scooped into the slope on the uphill or NW side. It is formed by a single bank of earth and stone which has a maximum width of 5.0m and a maximum height of 0.6m. The additional banks covering the entrance in the SE have been reduced to mere scarps. To the W are the five small quarry pits, probably supplying material for the construction of the enclosure. The enclosure is in the midst of a thick wood and at the time of survey was covered by thick bracken to a height of 5ft in places. The hut circle within the enclosure mentioned by the previous authorities was not located because of this dense undergrowth.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 28 September 1962