Description

The monument comprises the remains of a fortified enclosure, measuring about 30m by 50m, occupying the greater part of a steep-sided hillock, situated in dense woodland, overlooking the Glen Burn.

The enclosure is delineated by a well-defined ditch about 5m wide and up to 2m deep (when measured against the inner, uphill edge); the ditch lies slightly downhill of the flat top of the knoll. The area enclosed measures about 30x50m although both ends have been scarred by 19th-century quarrying. The enclosure occupies the eastern part of the knoll - to the east it falls away steeply to the floor of the valley; to the west, the ditch cuts the defended area off from the rest of the flat top of the knoll. There appears to be a very clear entrance to the WSW. The enclosure is most likely a prehistoric fort, but it may be a medieval motte. Whichever it is, its size and very prominent position in the landscape (currently disguised by the dense tree cover) mark it out as a high status settlement.

The area to be scheduled is irregular, measuring a maximum of about 80m E-W by about 60m N-S, to enclose the visible remains and an area around them within which related features may survive, as marked in red on the attached map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as a striking example of a prehistoric, or less likely, medieval fortified site, occupying a very prominent position. It has the potentail to enhance considerably our understanding of high status defended sites and, consequently, to improve our understanding of social structures.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

The monument is recorded by RCAHMS as NJ46SE 2.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland