OS1/29/40/11
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATRAIL or PICTS' WORK DITCH | Catrail Catrail or Picts' Work Ditch |
Mr. W.N. Kennedy (Hawick) Mr. R. Michie (Hawick) W. Scott Esqr. Commonside J. Grieve Esqr. Skelfhill Mr Scott Esqr. Priesthaugh G. Oliver esqr. Hawick New Statl [Statistical] Acct [Account] of Roxbh. [Roxburgh] Fullarton's Impl [Imperial] Gazetteer Chalmers' Caledonia. |
031.03 | The Catrail (as it exists at present) is not more than 4 or 5 feet wide, and the ramparts about 4 or 5 feet high, and in ascending Whitehillbrae, it is only a few inches deep from the proximity of the rock to the surface." I have traced its course from Hoscoat-shiel to Hoscoat Plantation, (in Co. [County] Selkirk) where for about one mile it is very distinct, and again along the farm of Woodburn to slatehill Moss for upwards of a mile, where it is almost in a perfect state, also, from Northhouse to Mosscleuch with the following result:- For a considerable part of the way from Hoscoat-shiel to Hoscoat Plantation, it lies alongside a Drove Road and has evidently been tampered with by making the left side of the embankment a modern fence for the drove road. It consequently Stands much higher than the original mound on the right side, and has been formed by throwing up the soil from the interior of the ditch, which has the effect of widening it considerably. The greatest width here from top to top of the mounds is 23 feet, but the general average is from 14 to 17 feet, while at the bottom it ranges from 5 to 7 feet wide, its depth being from 3 to 4½ feet. On Woodburn the uniform width from summit to summit is 12 feet, at the bottom from 4 to 5 feet, depth from 3 to 4 feet. From Northhouse to Doecleuch its appearance is somewhat similar to that on Woodburn, but occasionally wider than 12 feet, being in one particular instance 20 feet. I have no hesitation in saying that on Woodburn and on Slatehills, the Catrail is nearly perfect as when made. Over [continued on page 12] |
Continued entries/extra info
[page] 11Parish of Teviothead -- Sheet 31 No. 3 Trace 3
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