Mare Rock
Promontory Fort (Iron Age)
Site Name Mare Rock
Classification Promontory Fort (Iron Age)
Canmore ID 60367
Site Number NW96NE 29
NGR NW 96072 65070
NGR Description Centre
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/60367
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Leswalt
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Wigtown
- Former County Wigtownshire
NW96NE 29 9607 6507
Not to be confused with NW96NE 26.
What may be the remains of a fort occupy a diamond-shaped promontory on the coastal escarpment immediately ESE of the fort on Mare Rock (NW96NE 26). Its rampart has been reduced to little more than a scarp, which runs along the lip of the promontory on the N and SE and cuts off the easiest line of approach from the landward side. On the NE, where it rides over the neck of the promontory, the rampart forms a bank about 4.5m thick and up to 0.5m high, with a robber trench 2m wide dug along its crest for a distance of 1.5m. Elsewhere there is no evidence of any defences, the fort being protected by a steep slope on the seaward (W) side and an unscaleable cliff on the S. The interior, which measures 66m from NE to SW by 29m transversely, undulates gently, rising towards the N and S from a shallow depression at its centre. The entrance is probably on the E, where a terrace drops down into the shallow stream gully that forms the SE side of the promontory.
RCAHMS 1985, visited (SH) September 1984
Note (12 December 2013 - 13 September 2016)
This probable fort occupies a diamond-shaped promontory on the coastal escarpment, overlooking two adjacent promontory forts (SC129 & 130). Largely defended by steep rocky slopes on the NW and E, and an unscalable cliff on the S, the easiest line of approach from the landward side on the ENE is cut off by an earthen rampart. This forms a bank about 4.5m thick and up to 0.5m high riding over the neck of the promontory, and reduces into a scarp where it turns along the SE flank of the promontory to meet the cliff-edge on the S. The interior measures 66m from NE to SW by 29m transversely, and rises gently towards the N and S from a shallow depression at its centre. The original entrance is probably on the E, where a there are traces of a terrace dropping down the slope.
Information from An Atlas of Hillforts of Great Britain and Ireland – 13 September 2016. Atlas of Hillforts SC0131
Note (9 June 2022)
The location, classification and period of this site have been reviewed and changed from PROMONTORY FORT (PERIOD UNASSIGNED).
