east-lothian-1924/05-044

Transcription

INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS IN EAST LOTHIAN.

Whitadder area in the vicinity of the cairns and circles there are only two
defensive positions.
The ramparts of nearly all the forts have been constructed of stone or
of stone and earth, but so general has been the spoliation of the walls for
building material that what may have been a fine stone wall originally now
appears as a tumbled mass showing more earth than stone. Only in two forts,
Dunpender on Traprain Law (No. 148) and the Harelaw fort (No. 254), do clean
stones remain in any quantity. A few forts have the ramparts entirely built of
earth and in no case has rock cutting been noticed.
It will be convenient to group the individual examples under the following
categories:-
1. Promontory or cliff forts, which includes those on sites protected by
precipices, cliffs or water and only partially defended by artificial
works.
2. Hill forts with defences following the natural lines of the hill, partially
defended by natural features of the site.
3. Forts of regular geometrical plan, rectangular, circular or oval.
4. Small defensive enclosures of a possibly domestic character.
1. Promontory or Cliff Forts. - There is only one example of this class
in the county, " Castle Dykes " (No. 126) in the angle formed by the deep
ravine of the Bilsdean Burn and the cliff on the sea shore at the mouth of
the stream. A single rampart of earth of considerable dimensions thrown up
from the top of the cliff to the precipitous edge of the ravine forms the sole
artificial defence of this area.
2. Hill Forts. - The constructions dealt with under this heading are
those showing that their scheme of defensive works has been much influenced
by the natural features of their site. They are not confined to the hill
country but appear on eminences in the lowlands as well. One of the most
interesting of these forts is that on Harelaw (No. 254), which occupies a
commanding position on a spur of the Lammermuirs. The inner defence of
drystone building may be of a later date than the other walls, which include
two outer earthen ramparts with a much dilapidated stone wall inside. This
must have been a wall of great strength, as the tumbled stones in places cover
a width of 30 feet. A quantity of vitrified material is seen on the line of
this wall on the east and south-west, but the extent of the vitrification can only
be ascertained by excavation. This is the only fort in the county in which
vitrified stones were noted. In the line of the ditch at the south-west
three hollows have been excavated. These seem to be contemporary with
the other structures, as the ditch has not been otherwise excavated at this
part. The " White Castle," Garvald (No. 52) and "The Castles," Yester
(No. 256) show many features in common both as regards site and structure.
They each occupy a small spur, with high steep flanks, projecting into an
angle between two very small burns and are not commanded by the adjacent
ground from which they protrude. They are terraced in parts on the steep
natural escarpment of the flanks and projecting end, and are strongly defended
by ramparts and ditches, where they connect with the hills. The former seems
to have been furnished with earthen walls, while the latter, which shows walls
of stone and earth, has four cellular spaces in the outer ditch near the

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