east-lothian-1924/05-045

Transcription

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION.

entrance, which may be compared with three somewhat similar hollows
in Harelaw fort. While the hollows at Harelaw seem part of the
original structure, those at " The Castles " may be later, as the outer rampart is
broken down opposite them. The Garvald Mains fort (No. 51) occupies a
high projecting plateau overlooking the Papana Water and is terraced on the
steep scarp rising from the haugh on the right bank of the burn. The site
on the Castle Hill, North Berwick (No. 121) is placed in this group only on
account of its similarity in being terraced outside and lower than its wall
and its occupying a spur projecting fron the high terrace on the shore. It is
also fortified across the narrow part connecting it with this terrace. The
" Green Castle " (No. 46) somewhat resembles some of these forts in its position. It
occupies a small triangular plateau, in the angle between two burns, which is
connected with the gradual slope at the foot of the steep Newlands Hill by a
narrow neck. It is defended by a stone wall on the edge of the plateau,
but, instead of being terraced on its steeply scarped sides, there is a rampart of
considerable dimensions erected along one side and round one end on the slope
of the escarpment. Defences have also been constructed on the mainland
from which it projects, one of these being on the opposite bank of the burn
which borders one side. The defence at Stobshiel (No. 85) may be compared
with the " Green Castle," inasmuch as it is triangular in plan and is defended
by a massive rampart on the edge of its steep escarpments. It is however situated
on a detached ridge. In the interior is a number of circular hut
foundations. The Park Burn fort (No. 48), which is situated on a sloping
ridge, shows the peculiarity of an outer wall running along the foot of the
steep escarpment on one flank. The fort (No. 49) which lies only 400 yards
distant shows only a single rampart and is the smallest of the
East Lothian forts. Three forts The Hopes (No. 257), Witches Knowe (No. 258)
and Kaeheughs (No. 74), the first two on the Lammermuirs and the third near
Haddington, are entirely defended along one flank by nature. The Hopes fort,
situated at an elevation of 1350 feet above sea level, is an earthwork, defended along
one side by an almost inaccessible scree-covered slope about 250 feet in height.
It is not only the highest and most extensive of the East Lothian forts but has the
most elaborate system of defences. The extreme length between the outer defences
along the major axis is 740 feet and at the northern end are six lines of defence
comprised in an outer and inner group.
3. Forts of regular geometrical form. - In this class are forts of rectangular,
circular, or oval form not dependent on natural slopes for protection, even
though they appear on the summits or slopes of hills.
(a) Rectangular Forts. - None of this shape has been noted in the county.
(b) Circular Forts. - The forts of this description as a rule are seen on
the hills, but " Black Castle," Garvald (No. 50) is situated in a
low country on a gently rising broad ridge. It shows a massive
inner wall, but the outer wall, which in places is erected on the
counterscarp of the intervening ditch while in other places it is some
distance from the ditch, is much destroyed. It seems to have had
a walled entrance passage carried from the counterscarp of the
intramural ditch through the outer wall for a distance of 42 feet.
There is no evidence that the roadway crossed the ditch. The

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CorrieBuidhe- Moderator, Douglas Montgomery

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