Curle Diary 10

Page Transcription
gb0551ms-36-36-1 [Page] 1 Doon of Carsluith (contd. [continued] ) from Vol. 3 rampart has not been continued but on the slope of the W. [West] side there are two distinct terraces which, however, may be natural. The main entrance about 9' wide has been through the defences near the centre of the N. [North] end, and there appears to have been a track passing up the S. [South] slope of the ridge and enter: :ing the enceinte at the S.W. [South West] corner. The outline of the fort follows the general contour of the hill. (The cold was so intense & the wind so high on the top of the Doon that I did not attempt to measure the interior) Kirkmichael Cairn of Knockglass This Cairn situated in an upland cultivated field about 1m. N. [mile North] of Creetown railway station has long since been reduced to a mere ring of stones the whole centre having been cleaned out 17th May Left Creetown & returned to Edinburgh to write up numerous pages of notes which have accumulated. There is, perhaps, no more interesting region in the Stewartry to the Antiquary than that which lies between Cree: :town & Gatehouse of Fleet and no other which can surpass it in the beauty of its woods and scenery at this time of year. The Ellangowan Hotel is simple, moderate in its charges, and very comfortable.
gb0551ms-36-36-2 [Page] 2 22 May 1912 Dumfries. Arrived here this evening and have taken up my abode at the Woodbank Hotel. The landlord has got me an assistant, a "flesher" this time! 25th May Fort Jardington Terregles Par [Parish] The O. S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a fort here on a large gravel plateau close to the road about 1/4 S.E. [South East] of New Bridge. It has been long under cultivation and whatever remains there may once have been are now entirely ploughed out. A mound marked as such on the S. [South] side of the road between West Cluden and Iron: :gray Church is a natural accumulation of no archaeological interest whatever. Kirkpk. [Kirkpatrick] Irongray Irongray Church Some 25' S E. [South East] of the E [East] end of the church lies a large "table" stone 7' 6" in length by 3' 3" in breadth inscribed around the edge and across the W [West] end as follows Heir lyes Katrin Mill who departit the 11 Januari anno domini 1633. In terais credidi et speravi in coclis. fuior. et gaudes. A large shield occupies the lower half of the stone charged in relief with a chevron couped between three fleur-de-lys above the shield in a sunk panel are the letters K.B. A modern inscription on the side commemorates various members of the family of Broune. [Continued on Page 3]
gb0551ms-36-36-3 [Page] 3 [Continued from page 2] [Opposite page drawing inserted "Bessie Edgar"] [Opposite page Photograph Inserted] pastors of Irongray and adjacent parishes. Some 25' to the Eastward is another "table" stone dated 1707 to the memory of Bessie Edgar at the lower end of which standing up 2" in relief is a female figure 1' 8" in length in a full pleated bodice & skirt with a belt a waist holding in her right hand a book inscribed "The word of God." About 25' due S. [South] of the E [East] end of the church another stone commemorates James An: :derson of Knockshinnoch, who died in 1733, and his family At the foot within a foli: :ageous border is a curious group of figures On the left side a woman with legs very much foreshortened; in the centre a man dressed & armed as a Roman gladiator with swords and buckles in combat with an animal probably a wolf while above these figures is a lion passant. I took a photo but the light was bad and I am doubtful of the results. Kk. [Kirkpatrick] Irongray Hall-hill "Mote" Immediately to the S. [South] of the farm of Hallhill the land rises in a steep grassy bank to a height of 300' above the Cluden Water which runs parallel with it. Crowning this bank at this point is a rocky ridge extending from E. by N [East by North] to W. by S. [West by South] and gradually rising [Continued on page 4]
gb0551ms-36-36-4 [Page] 4 [Continued from page 3] in the latter direction. From the general level of the top of the bank the eminence attains an elevation of some 38' on the N. [North] and 18' or thereby on the S [South]. On the higher end of this ridge the "mote" has been formed by a cutting through the rising ground at the E. [East] end some 18' wide & partially driven through rock, and by a rampart and trench across the W. [West] end where the fall from the summit is less pronounced Of the trench the indications are now slight. The area enclosed contains little level ground beyond a small plat on the summit and rises with a considerable inclination from the side of the Eastern cutting. It is an oval in form measuring in length and breadth some 235' by 110'. The N. [North] flank is so steep as not to require any accessory defences but along the S. [South] side the rampart from the W. [West] end has seemingly been prolonged at the edge of a terrace which is carried along that side some 8' above the base. The scarp below the terrace is somewhat stony as if it had either been built or had sup: :ported a parapet but there is actual evidence of either. An old grass covered road runs along the top of the bank at the base of the mound on the N. [North] but as it extends [Continued on page 5]
gb0551ms-36-36-5 [Page] 5 [Continued from page 4] in both directions beyond it, it is doubtful if it has even formed part of a terraced defence. This is one of the many so called motes which are not properly of the mote type, the best ex: :ample of which is the mote of Crofts at Crossmichael. The same class is to be found in Ireland and seems to belong to a later period. Considerable rock cutting is a common feature in the class. They never have any mound or citadel as an adjunct nor are they entrenched throughout the terrace half way up the slope & the cutting of the ridge are most characteristic devices. No wooden towes could have existed on such as exposed situation as the top of the Hall hill mote. Kk. [Kirkpatrick] Irongray Ingleston "Mote." This is a fort on the crest of the ridge rising to the W N W. [West North West] of the farm of Ingles: :ton, about 1/4 m. [mile] distant from that place, and at an elevation of 400' above sea level, in a situation commanding an extensive prospect to N. E. [North East] and S. [South]. The ground falls sharply away from the position on the NE. [North East] to the haugh land by the Cairn on Cluden water and in the other directions except Westward the slope downward is considerable. The fort has been sub-oval circular in form but the [Continued on page 6]
gb0551ms-36-36-6 [Page] 6 [Continued from page 5] effect of continuous cultivation has reduced the outline beyond the power of accurate measurement. The defences appear to have consisted of a single encircling stony rampart and towards the S E. [South East] where the ridge is crossed there is trace of an outer trench. A break in the rampart adjacent to the steep wooded slope and facing the E. [East] indicates the position of the entrance. Gateside "Mote" This is a round hillock a short distance to the E. [East] of the farm of Gateside which shows no signs of artificial shaping. The extent of the mound is considerable, the angle of the scarps much too flat for a mote hill and I believe it to be natural. Finding myself at 'the Grove' I called on the Churches who have invited me & J to go there from Sat. [Saturday] to Monday. Terregles Quair This reconstructed fragment of an ancient church has been examined by the Architects. Over the doorway is a stone built into the wall bearing the date 1583. Within the chapel are two oak stalls with carved misereres from Lincluden Abbey or College and in the vault only to be seen by Artificial light in the effigy of Sir William Maxwell illustrated in the Book of Caerlaveroch. It has been a fine [Continued on page 7]
gb0551ms-36-36-7 [Page] 7 [Continued from page 6] figure dressed in cavalier fashion. MacGibbon has a rubbing & measurements of it. The step at the door of the chapel bears an incised cross shaft on a graduated base. Lady Chapel Knowe & Well On the Chapel Knowe lying on a low green meadow to the S [South] of the W. [West] end of Bowhouse village are the distinct traces of foundations and a terrace-like mound passes round it on the S. [South] side which has probably been a roadway through the adjacent swampy ground. Terregles Par [Parish] Colstrand Fort. This fort is situated on an eminence which rises to an elevation of over 600' above sea level overlooking the crossroad from Terregles to Waterhead and rising directly to the E. [East] of the farm of Sieside. The hill is very steep on the E [East] and S. [South] and has a more gradual slope upwards from the W. [West] and S W, [South West]. The fort being now enclosed within a Young larch plantation its details are difficult to ascertain but it appears to have been contained by a deep trench having a scarp some 8' to 10' high surmounted in places with a stony rampart and with a slighter mound above the counterscarp. This trench does not appear to have been continuous but to have been terminated at the edge of the steep [Continued on page 8]
gb0551ms-36-36-8 [Page] 8 [Continued from page 7] declivities on the E. [East] and S. [South] forming a curvilinear enceinte. An outcrop of rock forms a natural citadel towards the N. [North] end of the interior and measured across it in a general N. [ North] to S. [South] direction the longest diameter of the fort is 330'. 24th May 1912 Troqueer Par [Parish] Castle Hill Occupying the summit of a prominent height behind the house of Castlehill and overlooking the road from Dumfries to Castle Douglas are the remains of a large and important fort much reduced by ploughing. The long steep slope facing to Northward rising some 250' above the Cargan Water takes a slight return to the S W. [South West] forming a salient angle on which the fort has been constructed. From the top of the bank on the W. [West] there are three massive ramparts, now much reduced, with intervening trenches and a third trench to the front running segment: :ally towards the opposite side of the eminence which they contain and fronting the somewhat level ground which lies to the S W. [South West] . These defences have measured about 110' across. On the E. [East] side they have been almost entirely ploughed down. The steepness of the natural declivity on the N [North] and W [West] has probably enabled such permanent defences to be dispensed with and in there directions none were visible. The ramparts have [Continued on page 9]
gb0551ms-36-36-9 [Page] 9 [Continued form page 8] probably been of earth. Torregles Cullochan Castle On the top of the high bank thickly wooded which forms the N. [North] side of the glen of the Cargen Water and about 1/2 m. [mile] above the Glen Mill is the site of Cullochan Castle. The situation is a natural projection formed by the debouchement of a small ravine on the E [East] into the main glen and originally it appears to have been formed into a mote by the excavation of a deep trench opening. into each hollow at either end. The area thus cut off rises to a height of 10' or 11' above the bottom of the trench and on the opposite side presents a steep declivity to the Cargen Water some 80' below. The summit has been hollowed out, possibly to secure a foundation for a later & stone built structure the walls of which are partially exposed but on the W. [West] between the hollow & the trench there exists a flat area at the highest level which probably represents the original sum: :mit. Along the edge of the counterscarp of the trench runs a low stony mound. Mr. Watson visited & planned this place and measurements may be obtained from him. The site is so typical of that of a [Continued on page 10]
gb0551ms-36-36-10 [Page] 10 [Continued from page 9] mote that I have no hesitation in considering that such it has been. Urr Par. [Parish] Fort. Milton Loch This peculiar little fort rises from a tongue of land known as the Green Island, projecting into Milton Loch near the middle of the W. [West] shore. In form it is a long and slightly ir: :regular oval the S. [South] side being much straighter that the N. [North] rising on the interior to a height of about 4' above the level of the land just beyond the defences. It is encircled by a rampart rising some 3' in height above the interior, except towards the E. [East] extremity, where it has almost disappeared and by a somewhat shallow trench with an average width of from 10' to 12' the bottom of which lies some 9' below the top of the rampart. The slope of the scarp is at two distinct gradients the upper 5' being the steeper: this may be accounted for by the lower portion being the natural slope above which the rampart has been erected a short space having been left as a berm between it and the trench. The entrance has been from the centre of the W [West] end, some 8' in width approached by a roadway carried over the trench on unexcavated ground. The rampart on either [Continued on page 11]
gb0551ms-36-36-11 [Page] 11 [Continued from page 10] side of the entrance is more massive than else: :where and the trench has squared angles to North & South of it. The length of the interior is 246' and the breadth at the centre 73'. Through the rampart on the N. [North] side about 138' from the entrance is a narrow gap which is probably secondary. In the entrance N W. [North West] angle of the ditch adjacent to the entrance is a water hole. In the interior opposite the entrance is a small oblong depression which may possibly have been a well. (Coles' plan seems to be correct. Lochrulton Mote Lochfoot The O. S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a mote around the summit of a broad backed ridge in rear of the mote farm and to the N. [North] of Lochfoot village but now through long years of ploughing the traces of fortification are practically eliminated. Mr. Coles waxes eloquent over this mote for reasons not now apparent! Stone Circle Mains of Hills Situated on the moorland at an elevation of 500' above sea level about 1/4 m. [mile] S S.E. [South South East] of the farm of Easthill on the Old Military Road are the remains of a stone circle. The stones now eight in number have been placed upon a slight eminence probably rock and have been much disturbed only [Continued on page 12]
gb0551ms-36-36-12 27 [Page] 12 [Continued from page 11] [Opposite page - Photograph inserted] two of them, probably remaining upright, the rest being overturned or to a greater degree displaced. The stones have not been large the longest of which the full extent is exposed being 3' 10" and the highest in site extending to 3' above ground level. They have seemingly been placed with their flat faces in the line of the circumference of the circle. The diameter has probably been from 60' to 70'. On the upper side of a stone on the E. [East] arc of the circle are three small circular depressions which are in alignment and have a somewhat ar: :tificial appearance but as undoubted natural pitting occurs on all sides of the stone it is very doubtful if they can be regarded as artificial cup markings. 25 May Wrote up notes in the morning and after lunch bicycled with J. to Sweetheart Abbey a beautiful ruin which we saw under perfect weather con: :ditions. In the evening we went to The Grove & stayed till Monday. 27 May 1912 Traqueer "Mote" of Tregallon Somewhat less than a 1/4 m. [mile] to the S. W. [South West] of the farm of Tregallan is a slight eminence within an oak wood on which are the remains of a fort. It is bounded by a glen some 20' deep below the summit on [Continued on page 13]
gb0551ms-36-36-13 [Page] 13 [Continued from page 12] the S. [South] and by a bank of irregular outline rising to about the same height on the N. [North] and N E. [North East]. Facing the glen along the S. [South] side and curving across the E [East] end of the eminence is a trench now of slight depth and some 12' in width with a low rampart outside it. Along the N. [North] and W. [West] sides there are no longer any traces of the defences. Picts Knowe In the middle of a flat stretch of land lying between (?) Marthrown Hill and Cargen formerly as Moss - the Moss of Mabie there rises a low green mound of pure sand known as the Picts Knowe which has been converted into a fortified site by an encircling ditch within a rampart to the outside. The circular mound in the centre has had its outline considerably broken by burrowing rabbits and similarly also the lines of the rampart and ditch are somewhat irregular. The central area measures some 60' in diameter: the ditch about 26' across and 5' in depth and the rampart 31' in width from the bottom of the counterscarp of the ditch to the base of the scarp outside and 3' in height above the outer ground level. A broad roadway leads out across the ditch towards [Continued on page 14]
gb0551ms-36-36-14 [Page] 14 [Continued from page 13] [Opposite page photograph inserted] the E [East] where there is higher ground beyond, and has probably been widened on modern times by material from the rampart partially demol: :ished at this point. None of the rabbit burrows have disclosed any food refuse or trace of occupa: :tion. Mr Coles mentions that an oak boat and other lacustrine relics were found near the site. The fence he mentions as existing to preserve the construction has entirely dis: :appeared. (His plan seems correct) Newabbey Ingeleston Mote The mote hill is situated in cultivated land some 75 yds. [yards] to the S. [South] of Inglestone farm house and [blank] from the village of Newabbey. It rises probably from a natural outcrop of rock, visible at the base on the S. [South], and has been formed of earth with a considerable admixture of boulders which may be seen exposed upon the grassy slopes or in the rabbit burrows. The scarp all round has been considerably damaged by farm stock and rabbits and its outline in consequence is somewhat irregular, the flat summit, however, appears to have been elliptical in form lying with its main axis NNW. [North North West] and SSE [South South East] and to have measured 86' in length and 55' in breadth. The general [Continued on page 15]
gb0551ms-36-36-15 30 [Page] 15 [Continued from page 14] fall of the ground for S. [South] to N. [North] and con: :sequently the hillock has an elevation of 12' in the former direction and 14’ in the latter. At places on the W. [West] side of the summit there is a slight indication of a low parapet mound. The scarp where least interfered with lies at an angle of 40º. No ditch now encircles the hillock but about 12' out from its base on the S E. [South East] there is a slight ridge which may possible indicate the edge of the counterscarp of a ditch now filled in. Troqueer "Camp" The Craig On the extreme S. [South] side of the plantation which lies in rear of the farm of the Craig half a mile to the Westward of Kirkconnel, and some 60 yds. [yards] back from the farm buildings is a small circular construction measuring interiorly some 53' in diameter and surrounded by a shallow trench with a slight rampart on the inner side. The interior is not level, and here and there large boulders protrude from the surface as they do also from the encircling bank. The construction is situated on a slope and is overlooked by higher ground in its immediate vicinity. (Unfortunately though I measured the breadth of the trench I omitted to record it. I think it was about 10' [Continued on page 16]
gb0551ms-36-36-16 [Page] 16 [Continued from page 15] The bank has an appearance of Antiquity but what the place has been I cannot tell. It is not unlike a similar enclosure in front of the Burn Murdoch's house at St. Abbs. the dimensions of which I have not by me.) Peter's Cairn The O. S. [Ordnance Survey] map indicates this cairn about 1/2 m. [mile] S S W. [South South West] of Kirkconnell but of it I could find not a trace. 28 May 1912 Mote of Traqueer This mote hill is situated at a bend of the Nith at the S E [South East] extremity of Maxwelltown, and immediately to the rear of the Mote House the garden of which occupies the summit. It rises from a bank facing the river and some 150 yds [yards] distant from it and from the meadow below has an elevation of some 34' while on the N W. [North West] where the natural level is higher its altitude is only about 18' but the exact figure is difficult to ascertain in the latter direction on account of the rubbish lying at the base. The hillock is circular and of larger extent, the diameter of the flat summit taken along the garden paths, which intersect it, being 127' from N W [North West] to S E [South East], and 131' from N E [North East] to S W [South West] All round except in the direction of the house where it has probably been interfered [Continued on page 17]
gb0551ms-36-36-17 [Page] 17 [Continued from page 16] [Opposite page photograph inserted] with the scarp lies at an angle of about 40º Though no ditch is now exposed there is a slight depression visible at the base which probably indicates its former existence and within the paling which bounds it on the N W [North West] there may possibly be a segment filled up with blocks of masonry from some demolished building, at no distant date. Lincluden This building a lovely but fragmentary ruin has been already visited and planned by Mac: :Gibbon. The remaining portion of greatest interest is the chancel with its roodloft and chancel arch almost all the rest of the church except a portion of the South transeplet chapel is gone. The style is late decorated and rich in detail with numerous coats of arms in: :serted. A very full description by the late Mr. Barbour will be found in the Transactions of the Dumfries & Galloway Antiq Soc. [Antiquary Society]. The effigy of Lady Margaret has, however, been restored to its niche on the north side of the chancel since the above article was written. The inscription in black letters at the back of the tomb is not very easily read but after a little study I succeeded in deciphering most of it & found the missing words in "Harpers"
gb0551ms-36-36-18 [Page] 18 [Continued from page 17] [Opposite page two photographs inserted] lying against the E. [East] wall of the chancel in the interior is a fragment of an arcaded frieze containing figures of the apostles. Three complete figures remain in the fragment which measures 3' 2" in length by 2' 10" in depth. I took a photo: :graph of it as the thick moss with which it was in large measure covered suggested that Mas G. had not. The Moss I easily removed with my large knife. Lying in the S. [South] transeplet chapel is a large flat slab of which I made a rubbing inscribed in letters of relief around the edge. "Heir lyes one honest man Alexander Couper Mason 1588." Harper gives one or two other inscriptions which I did not obtain - one on a much worn moss covered slab adjacent to the above. Mote of Lincluden This mote hill so conspicuous to anyone approaching the ruins of the College of Lincluden has been formed from the Western extremity of a natural ridge which rising by a gradual slope from the E. [East] extends for a about 100 yds. [yards] in length. On the S. [South] flows the Cluden Water bending away on a South Easterly course and a short distance from its base on the north lie the ruins. To the proximity of the College is no doubt attributable some of [Continued on page 19]
gb0551ms-36-36-19 34 [Page] 19 [Continued from page 18] the mounds and cuttings which affect the ridge and its immediate vicinity and the extent of that influence it is difficult to guage. At the Eastern extremity the ridge, which rises from a low lying meadow, has been cut through to form a roadway from the direction of the college to the haugh land to the S. [South]. About half way along its length a trench 22' in width and some 4' in depth has been cut across thus defining the W. [West] side of the mote. At the level of this trench a low bank with a slight hollow on the innerside is carried round the N. [North] side at about [blank] ft. above the base and passes from the E. [East] Southward in the direction of the Cluden. while along the S E. [South East] from the point of its divergence a terrace is continued round the mote towards the trench on the [blank] side. This terrace appears to be the original construction and the mound & hollow are probably the remains of a turf enclosing bank of much later date. Above this level the mote rises in three distinct stages defined by narrow terraces some [blank] ft in breadth to a height of [blank] culminating in an oval summit measuring some 25' by 15' and hollowed out to a depth of about 1'. [Continued on page 20]
gb0551ms-36-36-20 [Page] 20 [Continued from page 19] Above the level of the lowest terrace the slope of the hillock does not lie in any direction at a greater angle than 20º from the horizontal and it is possible that with such a slight inclination a series of palisaded terraces may have been adopted to increase the defensibility of the mote. That the hillock is a defensive site the trench across the ridge on the W. [West] side seems to imply and the absence of any spiral continuity does away with the idea that the hillock has merely a quiet retreat in the pleasaunce of the college or earlier convent below. (MacGibbon has made a plan of this from which I must obtain certain data omitted above.) A large square enclosure lying to the N. [North] of the hillock and surrounded by a high bank seems to belong to the monastic buildings. Lochside In a wood to the S W. [South West] of the farm buildings at Lochside about 1 m. [mile] to the N. W. [North West] of Maxwell: :town is a circular hillock marked mote on the O. S. [Ordnance Survey] maps. Its slopes upwards on all sides at a comparatively easy gradient to a height of 7' to 8' and shows no level plateau or suggestion of levelling on its slight converse summit. Though its size and shape would not preclude its having been [Continued on page 21]
gb0551ms-36-36-21 [Page] 21 [Continued from page 22] a mote hill there is no visible evidence that it has been one. I believe it to be a natural formation. [Margin] Note Some reference must be made to the Cairns On Cairn Edward and Cruffel, the latter known as the Douglas Cairn. I don't for a moment believe that either is a sepulchral monument.
gb0551ms-36-36-22 [Page 22] [Blank page]
gb0551ms-36-36-23 [Page 23] C Cairn of Knockglass --1 Chapel Knowe -- 7 Colstrand Fort -- 7 Castle Hill Fort -- 8 Cullochan Castle -- 9 Craig. The --15 Cairn Edward & Cruffel --21
gb0551ms-36-36-24 [Page 24] 6 D Doon of Carsluith -- 1. Douglas Cairn. -- 21.
gb0551ms-36-36-25 [Page 25] 7. G Gateside "Mote" -- 6.
gb0551ms-36-36-26 [Page 26] 8 H Hall-hill "Mote" -- 3. I Irongray Church. -- 2. Ingleston "Mote" . -- 14, 5. J Jardington -- 2.
gb0551ms-36-36-27 [Page 27] 9 L Lochfoot Mote. -- 11. Lincluden College. -- 17. Lochside. -- 20.
gb0551ms-36-36-28 [Page 28] 10 M Milton Loch Fort. -- 10. Mains of Hilla. --11. "Mote" of Tregallan. -- 12. [note] 65749 Mote of Traqueer. --16. Mote of Lincluden. -- 18.
gb0551ms-36-36-29 [Page 29] [Blank page]
gb0551ms-36-36-30 [Page 30] 12 P Picts' Knowe --13. Peter's Cairn -- 16.
gb0551ms-36-36-31 [Page 31] [Blank page]
gb0551ms-36-36-32 [Page 32] 14 Terregles Quair -- 6
gb0551ms-36-36-33 [Page 33] 15 [Blank page]