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(contd) [continued]
18 Sept 1912
Fort Camp Knowe Chapel Hill
This fort is situated on a rocky
eminence at an elevation of ? 800 feet
above sea level on the crest of the Chapel
Hill the watershed between the Annan & the Elvan, which rises steeply on the West for some
[blank] feet from the Elvan Water and slopes
away by more easy gradients in all other
directions. The hillock rises by a somewhat
gradual slope from the Northward to an
elevation of some 20ft. [feet] faced at its Southern
extremity by steep rocky slope. The summit
which is very uneven and shows no signs
of having been levelled lies with it's longest
axis NE. [North East] and South West and measures
163 feet by 111 feet. Except around the North
arc where the defences have been obliterated
there runs around the hillock from its base
where the adjacent ground is highest and
maintaining a fairly regular level as it
encirles it a trench some 21 feet in width
at the level of the counterscarp with a
mound to the outside having as the
ground falls away a scarp from 7ft [feet] to
11 feet in height. A hollow leads to
the summit from the North East and opposite
it the trench terminates. At 45 feet South
of its termination there is an opening
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through the outer mound into the trench and
the entrance to the interior has been
either directly up the hollow, below which there appears
indication of flanking walls, or else by the
opening along the trench and thence into the
hollow. On the face of the hillock overlooking
the section of the trench between the opening
and the hollow there lies a mass of stones.
There appears to gave been a parapet
mound around the summit. Dr [Doctor]
Christison noted in 1891 that a break in
the rampart towards the Evan showed
carefully built masonry of small stones
without mortar. Note - This
fort appears to be very similar in character
to Range castle Hill fort in the Hutton & Corrie
which had a similar trench along the
base of the eminence.
Small Cairns Coats Hill. (Unnoted)
On a shoulder of Coats Hill on the South
flank about 1/4 m. [mile] South West of the summit
and at an elevation of some 550 ft [feet] or thereby
is a group of small cairns about five
in number measuring in diameter from
12ft. [feet] to 18ft. [feet] As the hill rises others
are observable among the brackens.
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Fort. Coats Hill
Situated on the South West flank of Coats Hill
600ft. [feet] in elevation above the sea level and 74 ft. [feet]
below the summit of the hill is an oval con:
:struction lying with its longest axis N. [North] and S. [South] measuring 121ft. [feet] by 91ft. [feet] and surrounded by a broad and very
stony rampart, possibly a wall, some 10 to 12 ft. [feet]
in thickness at base, with a height of from 2 to 3 ft. [feet]
except on the North where the interior of the
enclosure has been hollowed by excavation
giving the bank a height of some 5 ft. [feet] on the
interior and 2 ft. [feet] to the outside. The entrance
with an approximate width of 7 ft. [feet] has been
from the West and shows on it's South side
several large boulders in situ and displaced.
20 Sept. [September] 1912
Enclosure K'patrick [Kirkpatrick] Juxta (27)
On the Eastern slope of the Watershed betwixt
Kinnel and Annan, at an elevation of 300 feet
over sea level, some [blank] yds [yards] to the North West
of [blank] and now within cultivated ground
is a small almost circular enclosure which has
been surrounded by a stony bank or possibly
a wall some 6 ft. [feet] in thickness and now of
low elevation. With its longest axis North & South
it measures interiorly 105 ft. [feet] by 97 ft. [feet] The
interior to a small extent has been hollowed
by excavation and has been crossed by a
wall cutting off about 3/8 towards the North
West. The entrance has probably been from
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the East into the lowest part of the interior.
Fort. Tassies Height. K.pk [Kirkpatrick] Juxta (21).
The site of this fort is of a long low ridge
lying North and South parallel with the Annan
which flows by on the East about 1/2 a mile distant
and at an elevation some 65 feet lower, the
elevation of the fort being some 365 ft. [feet] above sea
level. The farm of Milton lies about 1/2 mile to
the South South East with
Kirkpatrick Juxta Church a little further
away to the Westward. Though the ridge is not
high the fort commands an extensive view
Northward to the head of Annandale and
also down the dale for several miles. To
the East there is a long easy gradient to the
river, to the South the ground dips to a slight
hollow beyond the fort where the ridge
falls away gradually, to the West another
hollow separates it from a higher parallel
ridge while to the North the level is maintained
for some hundred yards. Having been
long under cultivation the fort has
suffered much from the levelling action
of the plough and the harrow so that
in its present condition its original features
are somewhat difficult to expiscate.
In form it appears to be an irregular
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See Reg Mag. Sig. [Registrum Magni Sigilli] 12 Oct. [October] 1512. Sasine given
by Robert Edzane as depute of John Lord Maxwell
of inter Alia the Logane tenement, at the
Mote (Monticulum) near the House of Michael
Ramsey, on the ground of said lands.
The Logan tenement is believed to be identical with
Loganewoodheid of subsequent charters, otherwise
called Ker and Thasseholm. "The Mote
mentioned as being near the house of Michael
Ramsey is in the field immediately behind
Miltons farm steading, the field being known
to this day as the Motefield" Article by Mr
J. Thorburn Johnstone in [blank]
date. [blank].
oblong, placed with its longest axis East and
West at right angles to the trend of the ridge,
having its South side fairly straight and
the three other sides slightly convex, & measuring
through the centre interiorly from crest to crest
145 feet by 93 feet. It has been surrounded
by a single earthen rampart of very con:
:siderable bulk, but now greatly spread
having a trench to the outside measuring
from the present crest of the scarp to that
of the counterscarp 50 ft. [feet], the contour being
greatly flattened, and the depth very shallow.
The rampart. which appears to be of earth,
from observation and the statement of the
farmer, has a vertical height on the exterior
of some 5 ft. [feet] The entrance has evidently
been through the centre of the East end
the scarp of the rampart being lowest
at that point. An old road
marked on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map for several miles
up as it passes through upper Annandale
and popularly regarded as Roman is
said to proceed along the ridge past
the entrance to this fort which in its turn is
also given a Roman attribution. For
the facts regarding this road see Dr [Doctor] James McDonald's
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paper in the Proceedings of Soc. Ant. Scot. [Society Antiquaries Scotland] where there is
also information regarding this fort with references
to Roy &c. Whatever its origin it appears to
me to be distinct from most if not all other forts
in this district. Contrary to the general practice
it has been placed with its longest axis East
and West across the trench of the ridge its form as a
narrow oblong contrasts with the circular or
wide ovals of the majority; its massive ramparts
of earth, with its broad trench are peculia
in a district where entrenchements are unusual
and stony ramparts prevail. D. Christison
noted that it was known locally as the
"Moteknowe" but to a mote it bears no
resemblance.
Fort Poldean
The site of this fort is the summit of a
lofty hillock which rises with a very steep bank
to a height of some 60 to 80 ft.
above the Annan which flows round its
base on the Westsome 3/4 m. [mile] to the South
of Poldean Farm. The Hill presents a
steep slope in all directions and is fairly
level on the summit. The fort, the
outline of which is not now very distinct
appears to have been in form about 2/3 of
an oval, the chord lying obliquely along
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the edge of the bank overlooking the river.
The longest axis is NNW [North North West] and SSE [South South East] and the
interior measurements 219 ft. [feet] by 134 ft. [feet] The
defences have consisted of a single story
rampart now of slight elevation. The entrance
appears to have been into the lowest part
of the area from the East through the
centre of the curve. Near the centre is a
low stony mound suggestive of a small
cairn. (I believe this fort is on a site
known as St Catherine's Hill but look the map
as to this)
Fort The Dod
This fort crowns the summit of a round
topped Hill which swells upward from the
Western Side of Annandale to an elevatio
of 762 over sea level about 3/4 m. [mile] to the North
East of Poldean. To the North and NE. [North East] it
descends steeply for 100 feet or thereby towards
the glen of the [blank] burn, while Southward
it falls away by a long easy gradient
The view it commands up and down Annan:
;dale is extensive. Except along the steep
slopes on North and North East the summit
has been encircled by a rampant some 18 ft. [feet]
in thickness at base, using where highest
to a height of some 5ft. [feet] on the exterior and
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[Opposite page sketch inserted]
To 80° [Meg.]
Scale 10' = 1 inch
2 to 3 ft. on the interior with a slight trench to
the outside some 24 feet in width. The rampart is
formed of earth and stone the upcast of the
trench. As it approaches the steep slopes it
diminishes in height and on the North West it is
barely traceable. The interior area which is
approximately circular has measured some
280 ft. [feet] in diameter. The entrance has probably
been from the East not far from where the
gradient takes a steeper pitch to Northward.
Kirkpatrick Juxta. Manse.
Built above the door of an old building now
a byre at Kirkpatrick Juxta Manse is a
panel inscribed [M G B 1626] while below it is
the later inscription "Mr W. S. 1737 Si
Deus pro nobis quis contra nos." The
initials are those of the ministers at the
respective dates and I believe the building
is a former Manse but the Rev. [Reverend] Mr. Brodie's
correspondence gives information and should be
consulted.
Standing Stones Dyke
On the East side of the road from Beattock
to Moffat about a mile to the South of the
latter and adjacent to Dyke are three
standing stones. Measuring above ground
3', 3'.9" and 5' in height and from 3 ft. [feet] to 3ft. [feet]
3 inches in breadth. They all face in different
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directions and do not stand on the arc of a
circle. The are probably the remains of some
larger megalithic monument the exact arrange:
:ment of which they do not reveal.
Moffat Mote Auldton
The Mote of Moffat lies to the East of the
Birnock water and about 1/2 mile to the North
East of the parish church engirt by a semi:
:circular setting of hills. It is of the mote
and bailey type - the bailey or base court
resting on the edge of a former river bank
some 10 feet in height, on West, South West,
and South East, while the Mote has been constructed
on rising ground to the North East of it. The
Mote rises to a height of 28 ft., steeply scarped
all round, and measures in diameter on
the summit some 37 ft. by 32 ft. Unfortunately
at some period, probably in complete ignorance
of the true character of the construction, ex:
:cavation has been conducted on the summit,
with the result that it has been hollowed
to a depth of 6 or 7 feet, while the material
through a break on the S [South] West forms
a talus over the trench at its base.
It is entirely surrounded by a
trench some 30 feet in width at the level
of the crest of the counterscarp which has
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a height of some 6 ft. [feet] on the S. [South] and, where
passing through higher ground on the East a height
of 8 ft. [feet] Where the trench cuts off the mote from
the base court it is not shallower. At
the north end of the base court a deep trench
34 broad, 11 feet deep below the crest of the
scarp and from 5 ft [feet] to 6 ft. [feet] deep below that
of the counterscarp, springing from the
trench which encircles the mote, cuts
it off from the plateau continuing
along the bank to the Northward. Overlooking
this trench a breastwork runs along the base
court with an elevation of 5 feet on the
inner side. The base court which
is approximately semi-lunar in form,
measures 196 feet from North-West to South East
in longest diameter, and 118 ft. [feet] at right angles
to that line across the centre.
Enclosure Auldton
On a trench on the Hill side about 1/4 mile
due East of Auldton and ? 100 ft. [feet] above it
are the remains of a circular enclosure
which has been surrounded by a stony
rampart or wall, and measures, with
its longest axis North and South; 96 feet by
78 ft. [feet] in diameter. The position is completely
commanded by the Hill rising abruptly behind
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[Opposite page photograph inserted]
it. The inner face of this bank on the East
has been formed by excavating the interior to
a depth of 5 ft. [feet]
21 Sept. [September] 1912. Kinnelhead
Accompanied by Mr A. H. Bishop who took me
in his car to Kinnelhead and pointed out
to me the various forts he had examined
on Beattock Hill.
My examination of the ruins at Kinnelhead
does not convince me that they are those of
a tower, their construction in a hollow, and
partially against a fairly high rock (some 10 ft.)
also the complete absence of any historical
reference to such a tower which must
have been one of considerable importance
against such a theory. The most
Easterly building bears rather the proportions
of a chapel but it is not oriented at all.
Mr. MacGibbo drew my attention to a
small stepped cross incised on the rock
of which I took a photograph. I fancy
it may be of 11th or 12th century date and possibly
long anterior to the date of the buildings.
Kinnelhead lies far up in the moorland
that stretches from Beattock Hill to
Queensberry at an elevation of some
870 ft. [feet] above sea level and over the
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hillocks and hollows in its neighbourhood
has numerous groups of small cairns
of the usual external appearance circular, varying
in diameter from 12 ft. [feet] to 20 ft. [feet] and rising in
elevation seldom more than 2 ft [feet] 6 ins. [inches]
About 1/2 m. [mile] South of the farmhouse lies
a group of about a dozen-measuring in
diameter from 12 to 14 ft. [feet] and in height
about 2 ft.
About 100 yds. to the westward is another
group containing about six cairns
lying along the slope of a hill
the largest of which measures about 20 ft. [feet]
in diameter and 2 ft. [feet] in height. Both
these groups are at an elevation of some
850 ft. [feet] over sea level.
There are also groups on the North end
of Craighoar Hill and on the West side
of the Tarnis Burn about 1/2 m. [mile] to the
North of Kirmelhead between the road
and the Kirmel Water some 3/4 mile
East of the farm between 700 & 800 feet over sea level, also on the North side
of the road about the same elevation. on the
North & South sides of the Lochan Burn
a few hundred yards above its junction
with the Kinmel about the 700 ft. [feet] elevation.
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Cairn Kinnelhead (34)
Situated on the moorland about 3/4 mile
to the South East of Kinnelhead is a
circular cairn measuring some 42 ft. [feet]
in diameter and 6 ft. [feet] in elevation which
has not been excavated.
Blue Cairn Kinnelhead
This cairn has stood on the crest of a
slight ridge lying to the South East of
Queensberry Hill, on the East side of the
Dupple Burn and about 3 miles South West
of Kinnelhead at an elevation ? of over 1100 feet
above sea level. It has been greatly delapidated
and reduced to a low level while on the
remains there has been erected a modern
beacon some 10 ft. [feet] in height. Towards the
South side of the centre of the cairn there
are exposed the South and East sides
of a short cist which has lain with its
longest axis East and West. Its exact
dimensions are not obtainable
except, perhaps, by excavation, but the slat
forming the South side has a length of 3 ft. [feet] 5 ins. [inches]
The diameter of the cairn has been some 45 ft. [feet]
Cairn Lochan Burn Kinnelhead
Situated at the edge of a flat wettish área
about 1/4 m. [mile] West by North of Lochanhead
is a circular cairn with a diameter
of 24 ft. [feet] and elevation of 2 ft. [feet] It is to
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some extent delapidated but does not
appear to have been excavated.
Cairns Earshaig
On a plateau in a bend of the burn known
as the Earshaig Lake about 1/4 m. [mile] South by East
of East Easrshaig is a group of four cairns.
The two largest, approximately circular,
measure respectively in diameter 24 ft [feet] by20 ft. [feet] and
22 ft [feet] by 20 ft. [feet] and the highest has an
elevation of 3 ft. [feet]
Small Cairn Stanshielsrig
On he South side of the road to Kinnelhead
where it passes the Staneshielrig to the South
West of Beattock Hill and about a mile
to the East of East Earshaig at an
elevation of about 750 ft. [feet] over sea level
are a considerable number of small
cairns. Some of these were excavated
in ? 1911 by Mr. A. H. Bishop but with
negative results - none of these opened
contained cists.
23rd Sept. [September] 1912.
In a low lying meadow to the West of
Beattock Station is a small pentagonal
entrenchment measuring some 94 ft. [feet] by
69 ft. [feet] which was a puzzle to me as
it was clearly neither defensive not
pastoral. Mr Johnstone cleared up the
enigma by stating that it was the site
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of Navvy's huts created during the construction
of the railway in 1847! It is likely to puzzle
some Antiquary of the future.
Fort Beattock Hill
Occupying the summit of a bluff which
projects from the Eastern slope of Beattock
Hill at an elevation of some 550ft [feet] above
sea level is a pear shaped enclosure lying
with its longest axis South West to North
East, with its narrower extremity towards
the rising slope of the hill on the South West.
It measures interiorly 113 feet by 70 feet across
the centre and has been surrounded by a
broad stony rampart, or possibly a wall,
near the base of which large laid stones
are here and there exposed. The broader
end of the construction has been formed
into a sub-enclosure
by a curving
cross wall and measures some 79 feet
by 60 in diameter. The main entrance
appears to have been up a steep slope
from the East flanked on the inside by
a return of the cross wall brought round
from the South. At the higher end of
the whole enclosure the interior has been
hollowed by excavation to a depth of some
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4ft. [feet].
Fort Beattock Hill
This the second fort on Beattock Hill as it
mounts upwards from the North East lies
at an elevation of some 700 ft. [feet] over sea level
immediately to the East of the South end of
the plantation which runs parallel with the
road to Kinnelhead. It is circular in form measuring ^ interiorly about 110 ft. [feet] in diameter and occupies a shelf
on the hillside commanded by higher ground
on its Western semicircle but with a long and
steep descent in the opposite direction. It
has been surrounded by a broad stony
rampart or wall, some 20 feet in thickness
at base by the entrance. Around the South
arc against the higher ground the defence appears to have consisted
of a double wall with facing stones on either
side and also at 4 ft [feet] in from the exterior, or
of a 4 feet wall with an 8 feet banquette
on the interior. The fort was partially ex:
:cavated by Mr. A. H. Bishop, who found
that the main wall on the ? North East was
a rickle one formed of loose stone raised
on a base which was faced on both sides
with carefully laid blocks. The entrance, some
6 ft. [feet] wide has been from E.N E. [East North East] into an excavated hollow
approximately circular in form with a diameter
of 20 ft. [feet] or thereby. The interior has been
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hollowed by excavation on the South arc
to as much as 5 feet in depth below the exterior
level. Close by the wall on the East side and
some 25 feet distant from the entrance there
are apparent the foundations of an oblong
rectangular structure measuring interiorly
some 19 ft. [feet] by 8 ft. [feet] and surrounded by a
dry built wall some 2 ft. [feet] 6 ins. [inches] in thickness.
Fort Beattock Hill (No 13)
The third fort on Beattock Hill lies at an
elevation a little over 700 feet above sea level
on the North West slope facing up the Garpol
Water. It occupies a small spur springing
from the higher ground on the South with a
steep descent in all directions. The
enciente forms an irregular elipse with
its longest axis North North West and SSE. [South South East],
the irregularity being due to a slight pro:
:jection Southward on the East side measuring
in diameter interiorly 125 ft. [feet] by 92 ft. [feet]. It
has been formed by a massive stone wall
some 7 to 9 ft. [feet] in thickness now much
dilapidated, with large blocks forming
the lower course still in situ. The interior
slopes both North and West presents
an unequal surface with numerous
points of projecting rock. The entrance,
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[Continued from page 17
with an approximate width of 7 feet, has
been from the West at the lowest level and
is immediately confronted on the interior with
a rocky escarpment rising as it passes South
:ward from 4 to 10 ft. [feet] in height. At the North
end against the wall there lie the foundations
of a small oblong rectangular buidling
measuring over all some 18 ft. [feet] by 12 ft [feet]
with a small circular or apsided structure
at either end That at the East end is very
strong in the centre and its appearance suggests
a bee-hive hut, that has at the West end has fewer
stones in the centre and is circular.
Fort Beattock Hill
Beattock Hill rises to an elevation of 857 feet
above sea level and to North and East
overlooks the vale of Upper Annandale
The summit which lies with its longest axis
North and South rises boldly with a steep
escarpment some 50 feet in height from a
hollow on the West and has a lesser rise
with a rocky profile from the East while
from the North and South it ascends by an
easy gradient. The fort occupies the
whole of the summit its form being controlled
by the contours and is oval in form
measuring interiorly some 213 ft. [feet] by 100 ft. [feet].
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This area has been surrounded at its edge by a massive
stone wall now entirely ruined the debris from
which profusely litters the scarps below. Towards
the North end of the area and at its East side
an oval flat topped outcrop of rock has formed
a citadel at the base of which on the South East
there is a trench-like hollow which is not carried
forward over the crest of the summit and
which is probably natural. Beyond the
inner wall there is an outer cincture,
a second wall with at the foot of a scarp some 6-7 ft. [feet] high a slight trench ^ banked upon the counterscarp This passes across the
face of the slope below the summit on the
East & is carried across the South end some
10 to 12 ft. [feet] in front of the inner wall.
on the Western slope
its place is taken towards the South end
by a terrace like shoulder with a parapet
wall whence there is a steep descent to
the bottom of the hollow. Along the Northern
half of the West side the terrace ceases in
a regular slope from the summit covered
with a great mass of loose stones. Towards
the North the outer wall reappears and
the defences are similar to those at the
opposite extremity. The main entrance has
been from the South West and has wound
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upwards with the interior flanked in its course
by outcropping benches of rock.
Enclosure
On the Moorland about half a mile to the
West South West of the summit of Beattock
Hill and some 80 yards Eastward of the
March dyke which divides Beattock Hill
from Earshaig ^ and occupying no particularly defensible position, ^ is a small oval enclosure
placed with its longest axis North & South.
Measuring interiorly some 79 ft. [feet] by 59 ft. [feet]
and surrounded by a stone wall some
6 ft. [feet] in thickness at base but now reduced
to its foundations. On the West side, at
the base of an outcropping rock which
rises to a height of some 4 feet, a small
boatshaped enclosure has been formed by
a curving wall resting on the inner side
of the ^ main wall, with a length of 17 ft. [feet] and greatest
breadth of 9ft. [feet] Partially cut into by the
South end of this compartment & also
built against the main wall is another
and circular enclosure measuring intern:
:orly some 25 ft. [feet] in diameter. The main
enclosure has been entered from the E. [East]
the the inner circle from the same direction:
: no entrance is now apparent into the
compartment at the base of the rock.
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[Opposite page] sketch plan
This enclosure was excavated in 1910
by Mr. A.H. Bishop and the only relics
discovered were some stone pounders
which lay in the boat-shaped chamber.
Between the enclosure and the road to
the northward lie some three or four small
cairns.
Fort East Earshaig Unnoted
This fort is situated about 3/4 mile to the East
South East of Earshaig on the South
side of the road from Beattock and
a short distance to the Westward of the
Marchdyke. It occupies the top of a ridge
which stretches to the S. [South] West, protected by a
deep ravine on the South East severing it
from the higher ground beyond. The bank
of the ravine drops sharply with an elevation
of some 30 feet, and at the North East end
the ridge grows suddenly steep at the
opening of the ravine, but elsewhere from
the crest the ground dips with an
easy gradient. The form of the fort is
a semicircle with its chord resting on the
edge of the steep bank in direction from
N [North] East to South West containing an
interior area measuring 158 feet by 98 ft. [feet].
From the South West end round to
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[Continued from page 21]
the centre of the curve where has been the entrance towards the North West
three walls have defended the area but
on the Northern arc round to the North
East the intermediate wall has been
dispensed with, The innermost wall
as are the other, in a complete state of ruin
has measured some 5 ft. [feet] in thickness
the second wall of similar thisckness has
been situated some 8 ft. [feet] distant from the
former, while the outside wall 8 ft. [feet] in
thickness has lain some 60 ft. [feet] beyond that:
the distance between the two walls of the Northern
arc is some 70 ft. [feet]. The entrance some 9 ft. [feet]
in width as it leads through the outer wall
passes directly to the interior. As the inter:
:mediate wall approaches the entrance it
makes a sudden outward curve and
contains between it and the inner line
what appears to have been a guard
chamber measuring some 21 ft [feet] by 15 ft. [feet].
Similarly the inner wall as it approaches
the steep NE. [North East] end of the site makes a
reversed curve and on the end of it is
formed another small chamber measuring
some 10 ft. [feet] by 5 ft. [feet] which has flanked
what appears to have been a minor entrance
[Continued on page 23] |
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[Continued from page 22]
or postern appraoched by a track up the
bank. At the North East end the line
of the outer wall may be traced by
the large stones which have been in its
lowest course, passing across the low
ground below the culmination of the ridge.
This fort has been planned by Mr. Bishop.
Fort ? Staneshiel Rig.
This fort is situated on the West end of the
Stanesheilrig at an elevation of [blank] over sea level within 100 yds [yards] of the March
dyke to the West of it and somewhat less
than 1/4 mile South of the road from
Beattock to Kinnelhead. It has been an
approximately circular enclosure measuring
in diameter 132 ft. [feet] by 142 ft. [feet and like the
other forts in the neighbourhood has been
surrounded by a stone wall, now greatly
dilapidated and in places entirely torn
out, which has measured from 9 ft. [feet] to 10 ft. [feet]
in thickness at base. The entrance, 8 ft. [feet]
in width, has been from the North West
In the interior, which is fairly level there
have been several small cairns two
of which were excavated during an
examination of the fort by Mr. A.H. Bishop
who found
[Continued on page 24] |
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[Continued from page 23]
A broad stony mound or dyke comes
over the moorland from the South west
and meets the wall on the south side
of the entrance.
Numerous small cairns occur on the
moor to the North-Eastward between the
fort and the road at an elevation of some 800 ft [feet] over sea level Some of these I
believe were excavated by Mr. A.H.
Bishop who found nothing within them
in the shape of either cist or relics.
24 Sept. [September] 1912.
Enclosure Meikleholmside
On a plateau on the western slope of
the Annan valley some 3/4 mile North North
West of Meikleholmside and at an elevation
of 700 feet over sea level are the remains of
and oval enclosure lying with its main
axis NNW. [North North West] and SSE [South South East] and measuring
in diameter some 149 ft [feet] by 113 feet. It has
been surrounded by a single stony mound
now of low elevation and much spread. The
interior rises to a ridge crossing the centre
from North to South and the lower part of
the area on the West is completely overlooked
by the higher ground outside and immedi;
;ately adjacent. On the East there is a steep
descent from the plateau to the bottom of the
valley.
[Continued on page 25] |
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[Continued from page 24]
Fort Gardenholm
On the right bank of the Annan about
half a mile below Gardenholm are the
remains of a small fort. Its site is a
slight promontory formed on the river bank
by the bed of a stream flowing into the Annan
on the North and by a trench-like hollow
opening across the face of the bank on the
South. The elevation above the river is some
12 to 15 feet and above the burn a few feet
less. The fort, sub-oval in form measuring
in diameter 80 ft. [feet] by 76 ft. [feet] has been surround:
:ed by a single stony rampart now at
no point more than 18 inches in height
and some 6 to 7 ft [feet] in breadth. Sheep folds
now occupy the interior and a road way
appears to have been cut through it.
Bell Moffat
Serving as the bell for the town clock
of Moffat is a bell taken from the old
Tolbuith - measuring in height to the cannon
1' 7" and in diameter at the mouth 1' 4"
Braised onto the side a little above the middle
of the bell a number of small rectangular
plates containing initials and a coat
of arms the former measuring about 1in. [inch]
in height and the latter 2 1/2 ins. [inches] in height
by 1 5/8 ins. [inches] in breadth. The initials in relief.
[Continued on page 26] |
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[Continued from page 25]
[Opposite page]
Photo of arms at Poldean
pasted in opposite p. [page] 45.
are WIL and EIH, the date 1660. The arms are
those of Lord Hartfell by whom the bell is said
to have been presented and are blazoned there:
a saltire, on a chief three cushions, for
Johnstone - all beneath an Earl's coronet.
Moffat Churchyard
Built into the remaining fragment of the
South wall of the church which stands
in the old churchyard beneath a raking
cornice are two shields bearing arms
- Dextes - beneath the initials AI. - a saltire
3 cushions in chief, in base a heart.
Sinister beneath the initials N.D. 3 piles
in chief three mullets, in base a heart.
Beneath the date 1665.
Wamphray Arms Poldean
Built into the front of the farm house of
Poldean in Wamphray parish beneath a
bow window on the South side of the
doorway is a panel measuring 1.9" by 1.5"
on which are carved identical arms and
initials. The stone is said to have come from
a former house of Poldean.
Moffat Churchyard
Built into the inner face of the South wall
is a small heraldic monument beneath
[Margin] Omit
a raking cornice and entablature on which
is a shield bearing Johnstone Arms differenced
with a mullet above & below the saltire and what
[Continued on page 27] |
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[Continued from page 26]
[Opposite page] [Sketch/drawing inserted]
appears to be a garb on either side
Meg ? Todd's Mote Moffat
Situated some 300 yds [yards] South of the Moffat Mote.
and 100 yds [yards] or thereby to the East of Ballplay
Road are the remains of a small oval en:
:closure on the summit of a hillock which
rises some 15 to 20 ft [feet] above the lowest level
of the field, with steepish slopes to North and
South. The enclosure has lain with its longest
axis East and West and measured in
diameter 66 feet by 48 ft. [feet] The summit has
been levelled, but under the action of the
plough all other traces of art have disappeared
Fort (site) Well burn Moffat
On the rising ground immediately behind
the well house at Moffat and bordering
on the West bank of the burn is the site
of a fort. The remains consist of a
segment of a stony rampart towards the
edge of the burn with a portion of what
appears to have been a semi lunar outer
court at the South end. The interior does
not appear to have been hollowed by excavation
Fort (site) Well burn Moffat
On the higher slope about 100 yds [yards to the
North West and about 50 feet higher in
elevation are the remains of another fort
which appears to have been enclosed by a
stone wall. The outline is now difficult to
[Continued on page 28] |
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[Continued from page 27]
to follow but there is evidence of two or
three subsidiary hollowed enclosures at
the North end in one of which a large
quantity of road metal has been collected
Foundations Auldton
On the farm of Auldton where the Grey Gill
burn passes out of the moorland, and
on the cultivated ground are remains of
what is believed to be an old mill and its
associated buildings. On the North west side
a deep artificial hollow with a narrow
outlet at its lower end has seemingly been
the mill pond for containing a head of water.
26 Sept 1912
Fort Knock Hill (K'patrick [Kirkpatrick] Juxta Par [Parish])
The Knock Hill is a long and somewhat
narrow crested ridge forming the watershed
between the Kinnel and the Annan and
lying parallel with the former stream
some 3/4 mile west south west of Kirkpatrick
Juxta Church. Just beyond its highest
point and on the Northern termination
of the summit and at an elevation of 780 ft [feet] above sea level are the remains of an
oval fort lying with its longest axis North
and South and measuring interiorly in
diameter 152 ft. [feet] by 103 ft [feet]. To Northward
the ridge drops with an easy descent
for 150 yds: [yards] on the West except at the
South end where the highest point of
[Continued on page 29] |
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[Continued from page 28]
the hill overlooks the interior from a slightly
superior elevation, there is a steep decline
of some 30 feet to gentler slopes: to the East
with a fall of some 12 to 15 feet the ground
slopes away in similar fashion, while
to the Southward the ridge stretches away for a
considerable distance. Around the interior
of the fort there has been a rampart of earth
and stone now reduced to a very low
elevation, while in front of it some 29 ft. [feet]
distant at the South end and similarly
placed, but on a slope, to the North is
an outer stony mound, possibly a wall,
covered by a trench now shallow
some 23 feet in breadth, in places cut
through rock. Along the steep flanks
these outer defences do not seem to have
been continued. The main entrance
has been from the East through
the rampart at a low level, and towards
the South West a gangway leads over
the trench to the actual summit some
30 yds [yards] distant. At the South end towards
the East side the interior has been hollowed
by excavation to a depth of about 5 feet
and at the edge of the hollow these formed
[Continued on page 30] |
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[Continued from page 29]
there lies a stony mound with a depression
on the top which may possibly be the remains
of a hut. The greater part of the fort is now
within a wood.
Cairn (site)
About 1/2 mile South South West of Craigielands
hill the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a cairn in a grass
park to the South of two small square plan:
:tations. The original cairn, evidently a
large circular one has been almost en:
:tirely removed at some time in the past,
and on its site another is in course of
erection from cartloads of pebbles gathered
off the field.
Fort Kinnel Water Kirkpk [Kirkpatrick] Juxta Par. [Parish]
The fort is situated on a grass grown
rocky eminence which rises to a height
of some 40 feet above the brown benty
moorland, a short distance back from
the right bank of the Kinnel Water, 3/4 mile
to the North West of Stiddrig and at an
elevation of some 600 feet above sea level
the enciente forms an oval lying with its
longest axis NNE. [North North East] and SSW. [South South West] measuring
interiorly 221 ft. [feet] by 130 ft. [feet] surrounded by
a wall of moderate sized stones now ruined
and spread over a space of 26 feet but which
appears originally to have had a breadth of 10 ft. [feet]
[Continued on page 31] |
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[Continued from page 30]
The centre of the fort is a slightly elevated
rocky plateau and crossing the area at either
end of this some 73 feet from the South end
and 52 feet from the North are the remains
of divisional walls. That towards the South
is somewhat indefinite and has probably
been less massive that the other. The
North one on the other hand differs
little, if at all, in character from the main
defence of the enclosure showing like it
an original breadth of 10 feet. and from
the manner in which the Northern segment
of the latter junction with it on either
side it is possible that the Northern
enclosure was a later extension or
an annex for cattle. The main entrance
has probably been from the East adjacent
to a modern sheep shelter. On the right
of it on entering lie the ruins of a small
oblong structure measuring interiorly
27 feet by 12 feet: the wall of which appears
to have had a breadth at base of some 6 ft. [feet].
There is no passage from the central
area to the Northern annex but the latter
is entered from the outside on the East
immediately to the North of the Northern
[Continued on page 32] |
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[Continued from page 31]
cross wall, faced along the North side of the
entrance by a large slab some 4 ft. [feet] long laid on
its edge (of entrance to fort above Loch Brora Sutherland)
On the highest point of the interior there are
indications of one or two circular foundations.
On the exterior from a point opposite the
end of the North cross wall on the West
side a wall evidently ancient, if not
contemporary runs down towards the Kinnel
some 60 yards distant.
Directly to the North of the fort across a
slight hollow lie 3 or 4 small cairns
and to Eastward of the fort another group
lie adjacent to a bridge across the stream.
Fort Stiddrig
This fort is situated about 1/4 mile to the East S. [South] East of Stiddrig on the Northern ter:
:mination of a long irregular ridge which
mounts upwards from the West bank of
the Kinnell Water and commands a
prospect far up beyond the sources of
the stream over miles of moorland stretching
to Queensberry Hill on the Western horizon
Its elevation is some 700 feet above sea level.
From the site of the fort the hill descends
steeply except towards the South whence
a long hollow leads from the side of the
enciente overlooked by a higher eminence on the West.
[Continued on page 33] |
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[Continued from page 32]
The fort is oval inform lying with its longest
axis North and South and measures interiorly
some 180 feet by 123 feet in diameter. It has
been surrounded in part apparently by a
wall and in part by a stony rampart the
region of the latter being where the foreground
is more assailable and here in addition
a trench has been excavated. The entrenched
area appears to have amounted to about
a quarter of the circumference viz. from
East to South. The trench which on the East side
has a breadth of some 30 ft. [feet] from crest to crest
and depth of 8 feet below the top of the scarp and
4 feet below that of the counterscarp with a mound to the outside at that
point lies at the base of the rampart, but
as it passes along the South end across
the hollow it makes somewhat of a
divergence possibly to contain a spring
or water hole for the ground is wet at this
place leaving a berm intervening between
it & the rampart. The rampart appears to
have borne a parapet wall some 6 ft. [feet] wide
Along the West and North sides the wall
which existed there appears to have had a
breadth of 10 feet - it seems to have been a
"rickle" construction. At the North end some
[Continued on page 34 |
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[Continued from page 33]
46 feet out the terrace has been formed by
digging with a breadth of 8 or 9 feet. There have
been two entrances one near the middle of
the East side opening into the lowest level,
flanked on its Northern side on the exterior by
a projecting tongue of rock on the top of
which are suggestions of stone work, the
other on the West side. To the right of the
latter on entering the rampart makes a
slight inward curve perhaps due to the
thickening of the wall for a distance of some 30 feet
the removal of stones from which sug:
:gests the site of a hut, or possibly a hut
has existed at the spot forming a guard
chamber.
27 Sept 1912
Wamphray Par [Parish] Laverhay
Note A carved armorial panel at Poldean
seen of on this day is described on p. 26.
On the Western slope of Laverhay Height
and on the South side of a hollow down
which flows the Thor Beck to join the
Wamphray Water lies a small rectangular
fort incomplete and seemingly never having
been finished. It is distant about 1/2 m. [mile]
N. [North] from Laverhay and lies at an elevation
of some 700 feet above sea level. It lies
on falling ground and is entirely overlooked
[Continued on page 35] |
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[Continued from page 34]
from the higher ground to the East there
being a fall across the interior area of
1 in 7. The enclosure measuring some
109 feet from North to South by 106 feet from
East to West faces the glen of the Thor Beck
on the North from which it is distant some
50 feet at the North East angle and 20 feet at
the North West and has been surrounded
except as after noted by a flat bottomed
trench 24 feet wide from crest to crest,
3 feet deep at most below scarp and
counterscarp, with a mound on both
sides, that on the scarp some 3 feet high
above the interior and that on the counter:
:scarp 18 ins. [inches] to 2 feet high. On the East
the outer mound above a rather long
counterscarp is evidently secondary as
it crosses the trench at the North East
corner and similarly traverses it at the
North West angle: it has probably been
a feal dyke connected with a number
of others crossing the slope to the South
or passing up & down the hill. The
trench does not appear to have been fully dug
out on the East side and on the West
the defences are only continued for a
[Continued on page 36] |
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[Continued from page 35]
distance 40 feet from the Northwest angle
beyond which the ground maintains its
natural gradient and condition.
K'partick [Kirkpatrick] Juxta - Mote Coates Hill
On the South West slope of Coates Hill at
an elevation of [blank] ft. [feet] above sea level, over:
:looking the valley of the Evan which flows
by at the base of the hill on the South East,
is a Mote Hill commanding a distant
prospect over Upper Annandale. It appears
to be to some extent an artificial mound
of earth and small stones as far as
its composition is ascertainable from
surface breaks, but as the ground
around rises towards it, it has doubtless
a natural eminence as its core. In form
it is oblong lying with its main axis
East by North, and South by West,
and rises to a height of 16 ft. [feet] at either
end, measuring over its level summit
some 40 feet by 35 feet, with a projection to
the West at a slightly lower level for some
24 feet. Extending past both ends at
base but not carried along the sides
further than on the East side the length of the
projecting spur is a trench some 30 feet in
width, very shallow at the West end and
[Continued on page 37] |
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[Continued from page 36]
some 6 feet in depth at the East. There is a
slight parapet on the edge of the summit at the East end.
30th Sept. 1912
Dornock parish churchyard
Some 40 feet to the South of the East end of Dor:
:nock parish church there lie East and West
three richly carves coped stones. The stone
nearest to the church has suffered much from
exposure to the elements and its carving
which has been similar in character to
that on the two other stones is greatly worn
away. It is partially underground and
measures 6ft. [feet] 7 ins. [inches] in length: The second
stone, some 6 ft [feet] to the South of the last
measures 6ft [feet] 9 ins. [inches] in length, 1'11" in
breadth at base, 5 ins. [inches] across the flat top
and 1 feet in breadth on each side. Along
each side it is ? divided into 4 panels
those on the North side containing a fleur de lys carved in
high relief, two designs being twice repeated,
and on the South while three contain
fleur-de-lys in this case combining with
oak leaves, the fourth panel encloses
a cross within a quatrefoil. The
East end of the
stone is carves with a floriated device
and the West with a shafted cross.
[Continued on page 38] |
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[Continued from page 37]
The third stone is enriched with similar
though not identical ornamentation and
measures 6 ft. [feet] 5 inches in length, 1 ft. [foot] 9 1/2 inches
in breadth at base 8 inches across the flat
top and 1 ft [foot] 1 inch in depth. It differs from
the others in having a prominence at each
end, some 10 inches in length and 3 inches in
height and from the last stone
in being undecorated at the ends. Each
stone appears to have rested on four small round
pillars with square caps several of which
remain. On the top of the stones at
the East end holes have been sunk as if
for an iron post. Locally these stones
are said to cover the remains of three
chieftains slain at the battle of Swordwell
?16th cent [centuty] on O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map.
in the wars of Independence, I think, but
the story is no doubt in print.
1st Oct. [October] 1912
Gretna Par [Parish]
Standing in a field directly to
the North of Westhills farm buildings and
some 80 ft. [feet] distant from the back wall of
the farm house is apparently a Roman
altar. Its extreme height above ground
is 3ft [feet] 9 ins [inches] 3 ft [feet] 2 " being the portion applicable to their "die" and ^ 7 ins [inches] to the cornice or capital:
its breadth 2 ft. [feet] 3 ins[ inches] across
the capital, and 1 ft [foot] 11 ins [inches] across the die, while
[Continued on page 39] |
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[Continued from page 38]
[Opposite page Photograph inserted]
the thickness of the latter is 1 ft [foot] 8 ins [inches]. The focus
which is regularly formed with a tranverse hollow
on either side measures 1 foot in diameter.
The altar bears no inscription but on one
face is an incised figure with three tongues
somewhat resembling a bench mark beneath
what appears to be the letters L L placed
back to back and separated by a
square compartment containing a cross.
The farmer declared that an excavation to
a depth of six feet had failed to reveal the
base of the stone and that a pair of horses
had been unable to displace it.
Westhills moss
On the North side of the moss rises a grassy
hillock to a height of 8 to 10 feet marked on
the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map as a fort. There are no
remains of fortifications around it
but at the North West end there lies across
it a trench some 184 ft. [feet] in length, 30 feet
in width and 6 feet in depth, not carried
forward to the edge of the hillock on either
side.
[Margin] (Omit)
In the garden of the farm house are
two circular stone basins with diameters respectively of
1 ft. [foot] 9 ins [inches] and 2 ft. [feet] 2 ins [inches] each having a
conical boss in the centre. The depth
[Continued on page 40] |
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[Continued from page 39]
is only some 7 inches, and the walls are thin One
basin shows a regularly formed lip, It's dif:
:ficult to say what these have been but it is
probable that they belonged to the garden of
a tower which once stood here (See notebook
for fuller details if required).
Gretna Par [Parish] Lochmaben Stone
Standing on a slightly rising ground
within ? 300 yards of the Solway and
from the farm buildings of Old Gretna
is a huge granite iceborne boulder
measuring 18 ft. [feet] 2 ins. [inches] in circumference
and 7 ft. [feet] 6 ins. [inches] in height At 76 ft. [feet] distant
to the NNE. [North North East] lies a second and much
smaller stone measuring only some
3 feet in height. Presumably these stones
are the remains of a stone circle of which
all the other stones have long since
disappeared. The larger boulder is
a historical relic of no inconsiderable
interest and full information regarding
it will be found in Dr. [Doctor] George Neilson's brochure
"The Lochmaben Stane" and Sir Herbert Maxwell's
History of Dumfries &c.
Gretna Green Churchyard
Some 80 feet to the South of the East end
of the Church lies a slab dated 1650
bearing Johnstone arms and
[Continued on page 41] |
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[Continued from page 40]
an inscription for the most part illegible
but which commences:-
Sad our of death reward of sin
Both good and bad drinketh therein
witnes Johne Johnstone herein under scripted
whose bones &c
Adjacent lies an early coped stone on
the flattened ridge of which are incised two
parallel lines but no sign of a cross appears
at the end of them.
Fort Douglas Farm
This fort lies about 1/4 mile to the South west
of Douglas Farm and is situated at the edge
of a bank which falls to a hollow on the
South and South West by an easy gradient
for some 30 feet. It is an oval entrench:
:ment lying with its longest axis North East
and South West, measuring interiorly 176
feet by 151 feet, and surrounded by a
flat bottomed trench some 28 feet wide
and 5 to 6 feet deep at greatest depth
with an earthen mound forming the
counterscarp. On the North East are the
remains of a parapet mound which else:
:where around the periphery has dis:
:appeared. Somewhat to the North of
the centre the interior area is crossed
[Continued on page 42] |
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[Continued from page 43]
[Opposite page Photograph inserted]
by a slight hollow possibly secondary opening
into the trench at the East end. At its West end
the trench is partially filled in and to the
north of the filling its breadth reduced to 10 feet
but there is no break in the counterscarp
mound opposite to indicate an entrance.
A break through the counterscarp at its
East end appears to be undoubtedly secondary.
Mossknow Kirkpatrick Fleming
The doorway into the garden at Mossknowe
was removed from a previous mansion
house taken down in the latter half of the
18th century. The lintel measuring 3ft [feet] 10 ins [inches]
by 8 ins [inches] bears at one end a thistle and
at the other a fleur de lys and is inscribed
MWG MI 1663. Soli Deo Honor & Gloria.
The initials stand for the names Mr William Graham
and Margaret Irvine his wife. Above the
panel is a cornice of dog tooth enrichment
Hog-backed stone remains of
In the garden at Mossknow there lies
the central portion of a hog backed
grave stone measuring 2 feet in length
10 inches in depth and 1 foot in breadth
at base. It is carved on one side
with interlaced ornament formed of two
intertwining cords from which proceed
short divergent branches terminating either
[Continued on Page 43] |
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[Continued from page 42]
in discs or barbed points ^ The other side is divided by incised lines into four horizontal bands. Along the crest
is an ornamentation formed of three interlacing
cords. The stone was recently found
while a drain was being dug at the bottom of
the garden.
Cairns site
About 100 yds [yards] to the North West of the saw
mill at Mossknowe is the foundations of
a cairn.
Cairns Mossknow
Situated some 40 yds [yards] to the South of the road
from Beltenmount Bridge to Rig and about
1/2 m. [mile] due South of Mossknow is a cairn
which was excavated in 1908 by Miss Dorothea
M. A. Bate. The cairn is circular with a
diameter of some 50 ft. [feet] and elevation of about
4 ft. [feet]. Beneath the stones that formed the cairn
near the centre was found a layer of clay,
a foot thick, and yellowish in colour, which
contained a large quantity of quartz. On
the removal of the clay there came to light
a slab 5ft. [feet] 6 ins. [inches] in length by 2 ft. [feet] 6 ins. [inches] in
breadth lying roughly East and West be:
:neath which was a second and larger
slab measuring 7 feet by 4 feet, the cover of
a cist 22 ins. [inches] deep, 23 ins. [inches] wide and 4 ft [feet] 3
ins [inches] long. The joints were carefully plastered
with clay and the bottom was covered
[Continued on page 44] |
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[Continued from page 43]
with some 3 inches of clean river gravel on
which lay the remains of an unburnt interment.
No trace of pottery, flint, or metal was found.
Some 180 yards South West of the last
mentioned cairn on slightly rising ground
is a large circular cairn measuring 66 feet
in diameter and from 5 to 7 feet in height.
It had been pillaged to some extent on
the south side and several cartloads of
stones have been removed from the top
but the interment is probably still undisturbed.
Cairn Polgill
In cultivated land some 300 yds. [yards] South
by East of the East lodge of Robgill stands
a cairn overgrown with grass and
surmounted with trees having a diameter
of 90 feet and elevation of 12 feet. A
small amount of stone has been removed
at some distant date from the side
but it appears to be unexcavated.
2nd Oct. [October] 1912
Built into an old summer house about
100 yds [yards] to the West of Knockhill house are
a number of sculptured fragments and
two inscribed Roman tablets. The fragments
have evidently formed part of a large
medieval cross decorated with panels
and medalions containing sacred representations
[Continued on page 45] |
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[Continued from page 44]
[Opposite page Photograph inserted]
of similar character to the Ruthwell Cross.
The two principal are:-
No.1. a Medallion 12 ins. [inches] in diameter on the
edge of which is shown seated a representation
of our Lord. No.2. a medallion 13 inches
in diameter containing a figure of the
virgin.
The other pieces contain small figure
subjects as well as specimens of interlaced
work, foliaceous as well as zoomorphic but
until they have been removed from their present
unsuitable position it is not possible to describe
them accurately.
The two Roman tablets which were brought
originally from Birrens are both described
& illustrated in the account of the excavtion
of that place by Soc. [Society] of Antiquaries (Scot. [Scotland])
Hoddams Chruchyard
At the side of the churchyard wall in the
field on the East lies a massive socketed
base for cross - 3ft [feet] 8 ins [inches] in length, by
2 ft. [feet] 9 ins. [inches] in breadth, chamfered at the
angles. The socket which is a square of 1 ft [foot] 7 ins [inches]
measures 5 ins [inches] in depth.
Cross slab
At the base of the wall of the remains of the old church on
the North side of Hoddam graveyard lies
a cross slab, oval in outline, surrounded
by a raised border and having carved
[Continued on page 46] |
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[Continued from page 45]
[Opposite page 2 photographs inserted]
upon it in relief an equal limbed trefoil hollow angled
cross set over a shaft rising from a stepped
base. ^ The trefoil occupying the whole angle from
the outer extremities of the limbs. The slab measures ? 5 ft [feet] 9 1/2 ins. [inches] in length,
1 ft [foot] 3 ins [inches] in greatest breadth and tapers somewhat
to the lower end. The cross with shaft end
base has an extreme length of 5ft. [feet] 3ins. [inches] and
a breadth across the arms of 11 ins. [inches].
Another slab also carved with a hollow
angled equal limbed cross on a shaft lies
adjacent. It has been broken across but
the lower end of the slab which does not
rise from a stepped base lies near it.
[Margin] (omit)
Towards the west side of the churchyard
and opposite the gate lies a slab measuring
3' 9" by 1' 11" by 7" showing very distinctly
in slight relief a circle 7" in diameter and
one half of what might be mistaken for
the spectacle symbol. The marks are of
natural formation.
On an upright slab, sunk to a great
extent, standing 35 ft. [feet] in from the gate of
the churchyard on the West, and a little
to the North of a position ex adverso of it
is rudely incised a galley measuring
7 ins. [inches] by 9 ins. [inches].
[Continued on page 47] |
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[Continued from page 46]
Repentance Churchyard
Within the churchyard beside Repentance Tower
and some 80 feet to the SE [South East] of it stands a
grave stone on which is carved a representa:
tion of Adam and Eve being tempted by
the serpent. On the back of it is inscribed "Here
lyes Janet Rae spouse to George Douglas
in Trailtrow she died 14 March 1739 aged
72 also George Douglas her husband leat
Smith in Trailtrow he dies 26 March 1768
aged 100". This stone was described by D.
Christison and illustrated in the Proceedings.
Fort Dalton site
This fort has occupied the summit of a
prominent hillock which rises to a height
of some 30 to 40 feet overlooking the road
between Kirkwood Lodge and Dalton
village. The site is under cultivation and
except for a slight bank which drops
with a long scarp for some 4 or 5 feet
of elevation to a shoulder on the West
there is no trace left of defences. The
O.S. [Ordnance Survey] shows the fort as oval measuring
[blank] by [blank]
Standing Stone Dalton Village
Standing in the centre of Dalton village is
a four sided pillar 6 ft. [feet] 5 ins. [inches in height
above ground. The story connected with
it told to me by the blacksmith, a reliable
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[Continued from page 47
looking man, whose informant was an old woman
(93 when she dies) an eyewitness, was that it had
originally been brought to repair the old church
but not being used was left lying for long in
front of a cottage door whence it was placed in
its present position one New Year's Day. Mr.
Murray of Murraythwaite regards this tale
as very doubtful and the pillar is not
of such a nature as would suggest its suitab:
:ility for church repairs.
Cummertrees Par. [Parish] Moss Castle Murraythwaite
Within a thick fir plantation about 1/4 mile
South by West of Murraythwaite House is
a circular enclosure with a diameter
of [blank] (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Measurement.) surrounded
by a bold rampart of earth and stone
some 5 ft. [feet] in height above the general
level of the interior and attaining to its
greatest height on the exterior towards the
West where it is 9 feet high, with a trench
in front some 32 ft [feet] in width from crest to
crest but now very shallow and a
mound above the counterscarp. The
entrance has been from the East - approx:
:imately 7 feet in width at the lowest
point of the interior and some 3 ft. [feet] below
that of the highest part.
[Continued on page 49] |
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[Continued on page 48]
Carved lintel Murraythwaite
Built into Murraythwaite House above the
South garden door is a stone on which
are carved the initials W M and I.G, for
William Murray and Jean Greirson, and
the date 1660. Above on a pediment shaped
stone are two shields bearing arms. Dexter:
3 mullets, Sinister 3 cushions.
4th Oct. [October] 1912.
Kirkpatrick Fleming Fort Sprinkell
Situated in a thick plantation and
about 1/2 mile to the South East of Springkell
House is an oval enclosure measuring some 2' in height on interior face, (O.S. [Ordnance Survey] measurements) surrounded
by an earth and stone bank some 5 feet
in height on the exterior and 20 feet broad
at base having in front of it a slight & very narrow trench
which is probably modern. Along the South
arc there is a banket on the inner part
of the rampart some 6 to 7 feet wide. Near
the centre of the South side there is a break
in the rampart not, however, sunk to
the level of the interior and on the East
there approaches the enciente from a
North-Easterly direction a bank some 11 feet in breadth.
The situation is the end of a slight ridge at
an elevation of some 300 feet over sea level.
Kirkcormell Churchyard Springkell
Lying some 30 feet S. [South] of the East end of the
church lie four slabs of red sandstone varying from
5 ft. [feet] 11 ins. [inches] to 6 ft. [feet] 5 ins. [inches] in length and
[Continued on page 50] |
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[Continued from page 49]
[Opposite page photograph inserted]
and from 2 ft. [feet] 2 ins [inches] to 2 ft. [feet] 4 ins [inches] in breadth. The
most Southerly bears the date 1632 the initials A R.
and a large broad faced axe, with a skull and
cross bones at the foot. On the stone next
adjacent is a similar axe but the inscription
is illegible, the third stone bears the date 1660
and initials I T. while the fourth shows initials
J. M and date 1632.
Birrenswark must be described in detail
from the Antiquaries Report. The redoubt
at the West end is so places as to command
the lower slopes of the hill on the West, and
an extensive view across Annandale.
Middlebie Carruthers Old Churchyard
In the wall of the old graveyard of Carruthers situated some
200 yds. [yards] S. [South] by East of Crowdie Knowe Farm
and in the lowest course on the right side of
the gate is a slab 5 ft. [feet] 4 ins. [inches] in length by 1 ft. [foot] 7 ins [inches]
in breadth on which is incised an equal
limbed cross of Maltese form 1 ft. [foot] 7" in
length set upon a stem, the whole 4 ft. [feet] 5 ins [inches]
long.
Forming the gate post on the left side
of the entrance is a richly carved slab
partially hidden by an iron stop for the
gate (see MacGibbon's photo &c.)
On the South West corner lies a Norman
[Continued on page 51] |
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[Continued from page 50]
piscina in form of an inverted scolloped
capital measuring 1ft. [foot] 7 ins. [inches] across the base
1 foot across the top and 1 ft. [foot] 2 in [inches] in height
Blinkbonny
On information supplied by Sir Edward
Johnstone Ferguson I visited some large stones
[Margin] (Omit)
standing in a moss 1/2 m. [mile] to the East of Blinkbonny
in Half Morton Parish. Though their position
and arrangement are peculiar I concluded
that both were due to natural causes. They
appear to be a small group of ice borne boulders.
4 Oct 1912
Mote of Annan
The mote has been planned by Mr. MacGibbon
It is in the garden of a villa on the North
side of the town of Annan some [blank] yds. [yards]
back from the North West corner of the
Market place. A low meadow from which it rises with a steep scarp now intervenes
for a distance of 100 yds. [yards] or thereby between
it and the river Annan. The
Mote from the Northern extremity of the
construction rising to an elevation of [blank]
and measuring [blank] across its
level summit [blank], while separated by a
broad trench the base court extends Southward
for a distance of [blank] in an irregular
oblong expanding from a breadth of
[blank] at its Northern end to [blank] at the
South end and at an elevation of [blank] above
[Continued on page 52] |
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[Continued from page 51]
the meadow on the West and [blank] above
the higher levels on the East on South. ?The Mote
has been surrounded on the sides away from
the river by a trench as also probably was
the base court but the lines of the whole
construction have been seriously interfered with
in the formation of the villa garden shrubbery and paths.
Dalton Fort "Rangecastle" Holmains
This fort occupies the summit of a prominent
hillock rising from moorland about 1/4 m. [mile]. East South
East of Holmains farm. A shoulder projecting
to the East is cut off by the surrounding
trench to be hereafter described, while to the
South East an eminence rising to a higher
elevation is separated from it by a natural hollow
From the summit of the hillock the ground
falls by a steep declivity towards the North East
and though in the other directions the gradient
is easier it is still considerable. The main
defence of the fort consists of a trench cut
through rock for the most part, with an average breadth of 30 ft. [feet]
from crest of scarp to that of counterscarp
and a depth of 7 to 8 feet and seemingly
surmounted on the scarp in places by a
stony parapet mound. Within the trench
the ground rises to the summit
rather abruptly on the East to a height of 15 ft. [feet]
[Continued on page 53] |
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[Continued from page 52]
and by a longer slope on the West to a height of 20ft. [feet]. The
area enclosed is pear shaped coming to a
point towards the South and measuring [blank]
by [blank]. A deep hollow forms a recess in the
summit area on the North end. Some 45 ft. [feet]
back from the trench on the west, 90 ft. [feet] on the South
and 104 ft. [feet] on the East, has been a wall
running Southward from the edge of the recess on the North
and thence from the South end Northward following the crest
of a steep natural scarp forming the last
side of the summit. Some 70 feet within this wall
on the West and 81 ft. [feet] on the South & [resting] on the previously mentioned ^ wall on the East, an inner
wall is met with of low elevation & greatly
dilapidated encircling the actual summit
which measures some 86 ft. [feet] by 79 ft. [feet] in diameter.
The main entrance passes over the trench on
the West on unexcavated ground with a width of 27 ft. [feet] & 11 ft. [feet] as it passes thru' the mound ^ above it
and proceeds by a track up to the steep
slope to pass through the intermediate wall
being faced where it does so by a rocky out:
:crop which continues to flank it as it turns
in a Southerly direction. There appears to
have been a "postern" on the South where a
gangway crosses the trench in front of a
point of rock to either side of which the track
bifurcates. A third entrance seems to have
existed through a narrow gap opening into
[Continued on page 54] |
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[Continued from page 53]
the recess on the end of the hillock. The fort commands
an extensive prospect to the North at an elevation of [blank ]
Mouswald Fort (site) Burnhill
Burnhill is a slight natural eminence rising
to a height of some 15 ft. [feet] above the adjacent
ground - now partially occupied by a school and
cottages. Only at the North angle is there any
trace of handiwork where about halfway up
the bank there appears a small portion of
a terrace some 20 ft. [feet] in width.
Tumulus
Situated on Rockhall moor about 3/4 m. [mile] to the North
of Blountfield is a low circular stony mound
36 ft. [feet] in diameter overgrown with long heather
showing two or three small hollows in the interior
and one or two large stones on the circumference
It is probably the site of a cairn but there is
a possibility of it being a hut circle the
condition of the the heather however makes it
impossible to determine.
Some 30 yds. [yards] due North is a small oval
depression with a slight bank around it,
measuring some 16 ft. [feet] in diameter over all.
This has the appearance of a small hut circle
The following should be examined
Rockhall House the greater part of which
is of 17th cent. [century] date though much altered:
Tinwald House at the lodge of which there
[Continued on page 55] |
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[Continued from page 54]
is a fine coat of arms I am told; forts on Hettand
Hill 1/4 m. [mile] to the North of Morison House, and
Panteth Hill about 1/4 m. [mile] NNE [North North East] of Mouswald Manse,
respectively: both indicated on my 1" map. The
above information supplied by Mr Reid, of Mouswald
Place. The same authority believes that there
is a mote about 1/2 m. [mile] North by East of Ryemuir,
Lochmaben Parish close to the road from
Torthorwald.
5 Oct. [Octover] 1912.
Lochmaben Par [Parish] Rockhall Mote
The mote of Rockhall situated within a wood
about 1/4 mile to the North of Rockhallhead
occupies a strongly defensible position
at the edge of a bank which falls away
on the West and North West with steep declivity
for 80 feet or thereby. To Eastward a tolerably
level stretch of ground of some 100 yards
intervenes between the site and rising
slopes of the moorland beyond. The mote is in form a truncated cone formed
on a slight eminence of rock, with an
altitude of 20 feet on the West and 15 feet on
the East and completely surrounded at
base by trench, cut through rock, 20 to 22
feet in width at the level of the crest
of counterscarp and varying in
depth from 4 to 5 feet. The summit
[Continued on page 56] |
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[Continued from page 55]
measures some 26 ft. [feet] by 20ft. [feet] in diameter, it is
now very uneven on the surface and has
been considerably broken down on the North.
Beyond the encircling trench, toward the North
East lies a small base court, flanked by
the steeply falling ground on the West and
rising some 5 to 6 feet above the surrounding
level on its other outer sides. On the East, at
the base of the scarp, there is a hollow which
may indicate a trench around it while on
the North within the wood there is a similar
indication. Along the East side of the base court
a long hollow of diminishing depth leads
inward from the North and possibly formed
the approach to the mote. The shape of
the base court seems to be that of an
irregular oblong measuring 65 ft. [feet] by 60 ft. [feet] with a point projecting
to the West following the curve of the
trench around the hillock. On the South
East there is a low traverse across the
trench at a height of 2 feet above the adjacent
floor and 3 feet below the crest of the
counterscarp. The mote is formed of
earth with a considerable amount of
flat stone which is exposed when the scarp
is broken.
[Continued on page 57] |
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[Continued on page 56]
Dalton Par. [Parish] Cairn
On an eminence rising from a ridge on
Dormont Moor, and about 1/2 mile West South West
of Holmain is a cairn with a diameter of
70 feet which has evidently been systematically
excavated. To the South of the centre a large
upright slab is partially exposed with a
breadth of 3 ft. [feet] 9 [inches] ins which has apparently
formed the end of a cist or chamber which
it is impossible to say in the present dilapidated
state of the cairn.
Fort. (site)
Rockhallhead.
The farm house and steading of Rockhall-
head evidently stands upon a fort, the
stony rampart of which cutting off the
termination of the ridge which forms the site
is still visible at one or two places on the
South and S East.
6 Oct. [October] 1912.
Stone Circles & Marjory's Cross (Remains of) Woodhead Dornoch
On the boundary of the parishes of Dornoch
and Annan between two plantations and
about 1/4 m. [mile] West by South of Woodhead Cottage
the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Marks "Stone Circle and Marjory's
Cross (remains of)." These now consist of
two granite boulders some 11 ft. [feet] 6 ins [inches] apart
the largest of which is some 3 feet in height
above ground.
[Continued on page 58] |
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1913
Ap [April] 24th
Left Edinburgh yesterday & came to Staple:
:ton for a few days to complete my survey
in this neighbourhood.
Middlebie Par. [Parish]
Fort Purdomstone (Unnoted)
On a bluff immediately adjacent to the South
end of the Annan waterworks near Purdomstone farm and contained
in a loop of the Middlebie Burn
are the remains of a small quasi rectang:
:ular oblong fort lying with its longest axis North
& South. The South end rests on a steep bank
some 20 ft. in height overlooking the stream:
on the East the ground from the fort falls
sharply away, on the West side lies a hollow
gradually deepening as it approaches
the face of the bank on the South; towards
the North the original contour of the ground
and the lines of the fort have been destroyed
by the waterworks. Along the East and
West sides are the remains of an
earthen rampart, showing a breadth
at base of some 16 ft; [feet] and low in ele:
:vation, and there is an indication of
its continuance along the South end.
The length of the enceinte as remaining
is 173 ft., its breadth at the S. [South] end 110 ft. [feet]
and at the N. [North] about 126 ft. [feet] The situation
is about 1 1/4 m. NNW. [North North West] of the Roman
[Continued on page 59] |
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[Continued from page 58]
fort of Birrens and though there is no
positive evidence of a Roman origin, its
position and the regularity of its lines
are such as to make it worthy of notice.
This fort was pointed out to me by Major
Critchley of Stapleton. Here I left Critchley
& went on with Mr Bell-Irving of Whitehill to
see a so-called stone circle at Winterhope head.
He enlightened me concerning the circles
with feal banks which I have noted in
this county especially in the Eastern districts
and his statement was corroborated by his aged
shepherd. They were in wont to be erected
as recently as 60 years ago and their
purpose was to protect hay ricks from
the sheep. "Hay stells" they are called.
Dunnabie Fort unnoted
About 1/2 mile due north of the farm of
Dunnabie, on a somewhat level bench
on the hill side, some 150 yds back from the
high way near the junction of the roads
from Langholm and Waterbeck and
at an approximate elevation of 60 ft. [feet]
above it is fort. It lies on the South side
of a small glen down which there flows
a burn. The form is approximately
circular flattened on the North by the
[Continued on page 60] |
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[Continued from page 59]
glen of the burn, and it has been surrounded
by a broad earthen rampant now much
ploughed down, and except on the S. [South] by a
trench. Where the trench opens onto the bank
of the burn on the upper and lower faces of
the enceinte it is broader and deeper than
elsewhere on the periphery, showing on the West
side a breadth from crest to crest of 42 ft. [feet]
and a depth of 16 ft. [feet] below the top of the scarp.
The interior diameter has been some 132 ft.[feet]
Standing stone
Winterhope-head (Unnotted)
On a knoll on the left bank of the Kertle
some 300 yds. [yards] to the South West of the farm
there has been recently erected a standing stone
some 5' 9" in height above ground which was
brought from a spot where it originally stood
in a moss about 1 1/4 miles to the North East
of its present position. The two large
stones which may be seen on the moor a
short distance to the North East have also
been recently set up on end. There is no
evidence to warrant the supposition that
they have formed part of a stone circle.
Temple Hall Waterbeck
To the East of the house of Temple hall
at Waterbeck belonging to Major Carlisle
and rising from the edge of the burn is
a large flat topped mound which has
[Continued on page 61] |
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[Continued from page 60]
certainly been shaped to some extent by
air. It does not seem to be a mote hill
as its elevation on the side towards the
house is only a few feet though on the
other three sides it has somewhat of that
aspect. Major Carruthers
has a nice triangular perforated axe-
-hammer some 6 or 7 ins. [inches] in longest diameter.
Mr. Bell-Irving informed me that a
cairn like monument which I had noted
in front of a farm about 1/4 mile to the East
of Ecclefechan was opened some years
ago by a Lady, when it was found to be
formed entirely of earth. Nothing was found
within it.
Kirkpatrick-Fleming Par. [Parish] Robgill
On an angular promontory to the North
-West of Robgill Tower bounded on the
South East by the Robgill and on the
North by the haughland by the side of
the Kirtle above which it has an elevation of from 40 to 50 ft [feet].] is a promomtory fort. In form
the enceinte is triangular contained by a
single trench which passes in a curve
from the side of the gill to the edge of
the bank overlooking the Kirtle, having
had a slight rampart on the scarp
probably surmounted by a narrow
[Continued on page 62] |
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[Continued from page 61]
stone parapet. On the counterscarp there
is also evidence of stonework but without
excavation it is not possible to say
whether there has been a stone revetment
or a cresting wall. A well defined road-
-way leads up from the low ground on
the North and where it passes through
the trench at its outer edge. Two large stones
2'.8" and 2'.2" broad respectively stand facing
each other 10ft. [feet] apart, while a row of
stones set on end, the highest protruding
only some 18 inches marks its edge on the
NE [North East] as it passes through the rampart and
a single stone on the opposite side shows
the breadth as 9ft [feet] 8 ins. [inches] The bisectional
diameter of the fort through the apex
of the triangle is 180ft [feet] while along the
base is measures some 123ft [feet]. The trench
has a breadth of 32ft. [feet] from crest to crest
to the North of the entrance and 35ft. [feet] to
the South while its average depth below
scarp and counterscarp is some 5ft. [feet]
Along the top of the bank over against
the Kirtle there appears to have been a
track leading out of the trench into the
interior.
[coninued on page 63] |
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25th Ap. [April] 1913
Fort Trohoughton Dumfries Par. [Parish]
This fort is situated on the crest of a
ridge at an elevation of [blank] above sea
level some ? 2 1/2 miles to the South East of Dum:
:fries on the road to Bank-end and
commanding an extensive prospect all
around. It is a circular enceinte measuring
in diameter 189 ft. [feet] by 198 ft, [feet] surrounded by
a single trench with a breadth of some
33ft. [feet] and at its most a depth of 7ft. [feet] below
the scarp and 4 below the counterscarp,
and supplemented by an inner and outer
rampart of earth. Somewhat less than
half of the fort is in cultivated land under
plough and here the defences have been
much reduced.
Kelwood "Mote"
Situated immediately to the South of the
Glen of the Kelwoodburn and some
[blank] yds. [yards] East of Kelwoodburn Cottage are
the remains of a small circular fort.
It lies on cultivated land and is under
plough. It appears to have been surrounded
by a single rampart and trench. The
interior which is on falling ground
is somewhat basin shaped dipping
towards the centre from the sur:
:rounding rampart. The contour of
[Continued on page 64] |
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[Continued from page 63]
the rampart is now somewhat indefinite but
the diameter appears to have been some 150ft. [feet]
Caerlaverock
Situated some 300 yds. [yards] N [North] by W. [West] of Wardlaw
fort which overlooks Caerlaverock Castle is the
site of an earthwork. It has been almost
entirely obliterated by the plough and only
at the north end does any traces of it remain -
and that a short ill-defined stretch of a
straight rampart with a slight depression in
front of it to indicate a trench. were it not
for a dip in the field dykes this fragment
might escape observance.
I visited the site as Mr Shirley of the D.& G.
Arch. [Dumfries and Galloway Archaeological] Society told me that the late Mr. Barbour
had expressed the opinion that this fort
presented more Roman characteristics than
any Roman fort which he know not definitely
ascertained to be Roman. He also was
reported to have said that the foundations
of buildings were recognisable within it.
Mousewald Fort (Unnoted)
On the brow of the steep brae which rises
above the Free Church Manse of Mouswald
and at the South end of the High Plantation
is a small circular fort, at an elevation of
some 400 feet over sea level. In daimeter it
has measured some 200 ft. [feet] and it has been
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[Continued from page 64]
surrounded by a single rampart & trench,
the latter some 27 ft. [feet] in width. The defences
have been much destroyed and to a small
extent entirely demolished towards the East.
the rampart is little more than a glacés and
the trench is only apparent at one or two places
in the periphery - (Mr Reid drew my attentions to this fort.
Mousewald Church Effigy
In passing Mousewald Church I got down to
take a glance at this effigy of Sir Simon Car:
:uthers. It lies in an angle between the
? Church & some outbuilding, and between the figure
and the wall some disused iron water gutters
have been thrown. As this is one of the
few effigies in Scotland it deserves a little
better treatment than is being meted out to it.
Dalton Par. [Parish] Fort silo Morrison Ho. [House]
Above the steep slope which rises from the
Dumfries & Annan Road just by the farm to
the Westward of Morriston House is the
site of a circular fort now only discernible
by a slight glaces where a rampart has been.
On getting back to Stapleton I learned that
the Controller of the Stationery office could see
me in London on Monday afternoon regrading
the illustrations for the Stewartry vol. [volume] The Office
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through their Edinburgh clerk having said that
our plans were useless for reproduction & our
photos 'bad'! Left Stapleton early on Sat. [Saturday] morning
& travelled to London and Sat. [Saturday] night. Went to the
stationary Office with Lord Guthrie & had a pleasant
& satisfactory meeting with the Controller at
the Scottish Office that afternoon. Returned to
S. [Stationery] Office on Tuesday morning, had a long
interview with Sir James Dodds re secretaryship
of the Commission & directorship of the National
Museum of Antiquities: Met Mr. Mackinnon
Wood, Secretary: returned North with J on
Tuesday, and came down to Dumfries on
Wednesday being joined there by Mr. J. Garham
Callander who has been appointed Archeo:
:logical expert to the Commission.
1st May 1913.
Kirkmahoe
Called on Mr. Forbes the Minister who drew
my attention to a rampart in the field
adjacent to the Manse.
Fort.
In a meadow which lies across the
road immediately to the NE. [North East] of the
Manse of Kirkmahoe are the remains
of a large earthwork. The site is a
plateau overlooking low lying marshy
ground on the S. [South] East and bounded on the
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[Continued from page 65a]
North West by a steep bank some 20ft. [feet] in
height rising from the low haughland which
stretches to the Nith some half a mile distant.
The visible remains of the fort consist of
two sides forming at their junction almost a
right angle but with the corner rounded and their
angle pointing toward the South East. The South
side as far as complete extends from the
roadway to the angle, a distance of some
217 ft. [feet] while the East side extends from the
angle to a point, which appears to mark
its termination some 60ft. [feet] back from the
road passing the entrance to Carzield, a
distance of 241 ft. [feet] The defence has consisted
of an earthen rampart with trench in
front now much altered by the action
of the plough. Some 54 ft. Northward of
the angle a gap in the East rampart
has probably been an entrance.
Fort Castlehill.
This fort occupies the summit of a
round topped grassy eminence lying to the
North of the glen of the [blank] burn & immediately
North by West of Castlehill House. In plan
the enceinte is oval lying with its longest
axis North & South and measuring some
[blank] by [blank]. The situation is by
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[continued from page 66]
nature a strong one, having on the South
the glen of the burn, on the North
a deep hollow, and lesser hollows in
the undulations of the terrain on the flanks.
Except on the South and West sides the
slopes of the hillock show no signs of
handiwork being steep by nature and
affected by centuries of ploughing. A
narrow segment on the South has been cut off by a
dyke & lies within a wood, and
here the defences consist of a slight inner
rampart crowning a scarp some 6 to 7 ft [feet]
in height, and below a trench some 20 broad
and widening as it passes westwards. In
places it has been filled up to a
considerable extent so as to present
the appearance of a terrace, but as it
passes Westward the trench becomes clearly
defined with a slight mound forming
the counterscarp. It does not appear to
have been continued along the steep
North face. The entrance, which is from
the South West, is distinctly visible, opening
into a slight depression, above it the
hillock rises gradually to a height of 12 ft. [feet]
the fort commands an extensive prospect
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[Continued from page 66]
down Nithsdale. The rampart has probably been
an earthwork.
Standing Stone. Castle Hill.
Situated in a meadow some 300 yds [yards] to the East
of Castlehill is a standing stone, 3ft. [feet] 6ins. [inches] in height
above ground, 2ft. [feet] 10 ins. [inches] in breadth and 1ft. [foot] 6ins. [inches]
in thickness. the fact that the small circular
plantation immediately adjacent goes by the
name of "Peerie's Kist" is not without significance.
The stone is just such a boulder as might have
been a member of a stone circle.
Stone fort. High Townhead
On a promontory overlooking the broad valley
of the Nith from its Northern wall, some
? 250 yds. [yards] South East of the farm of High Townhead,
and at an elevation of [blank] above sea level, is
a small stone built fort. The situation is
a strong one with descending slopes all
round except to the North East where the
ground mounts upward. On plan the
fort is oval following the contour of the
summit which it occupies, and, with its
longest axis North East and South West,
measuring some 163ft [feet] by 109ft [feet] over its in:
:terior area. A broad stone wall, now greatly
delapidated, encircles this area resting on the
edge of a steep bank on the West, and supple:
:mented towards the North East where most
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[Continued from page 67]
readily assailable, at a distance of some 33 ft. [feet],
by an outer wall or strong rampart now over:
:grown with grass, terminating on the N. [North]
side of the entrance which faces the
South East, and along the Southern arc,
where the gradient immediately in front
is easy, apparently by three outer
walls. The innermost of these three
is clearly observable along its whole course and
is distant from the main wall some 9 to
10 feet. The two outer walls are only to be
seen stretching for a short distance
Westward from the entrance. Elsewhere
they have been entirely eradicated but it
is probably that they were carried round
the South front to meet the face of the
steep bank on the West. The entrance
has been approached by a passage,
with a built wall on each side, 12 ft. [feet] wide
measured at a spot where both walls are evident,
and traceable outwards for a distance
of 95 ft. [feet], its commencement being probably
some 16 ft. [feet] further on where the end of the
outermost wall is situated. At the
actual entrance to the interior the mass
of debris indicates that the walls of the passage,
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[Continued from page 67a]
or of a gateway at this point, have been thicker
and probably placed closer together. Within the
interior several hut foundations are evident.
One of these in the North East segment is circular with
an approximate diameter over all of 20ft. [feet] another
towards the South West appears to consist of two small
circular contiguous enclosures: one just inside the
entrance with a diameter over all of 15 ft. has
possibly been placed in this position to act as
a guard chamber. On the North East, beyond
the second wall, a modern field dyke bounds the
fort. In the cultivated land across it all trace of
any outer defences which may have existed on
this arc have been obliterated, but the continuation
of the North wall of the entrance passage to
such a distance as it is outward, would indicate
that the outer defences still traceable on the
Southern arc had originally been carried
round this face also.
Vitrified fort. Mullach.
This fort occupies the summit of a
prominent hill commanding an extensive
prospect over the vale of the Nilth and round
the hills of the Stewartry that hem in the
county on the West. The enceinte appears
to have been elliptical in form with its
longest axis ? NNW [North North West] and SSE. [South South East], measuring [blank] by
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[Continued from page 68]
and diminishing slightly towards the latter extremity.
From the South the interior rises gradually to
the highest point with an elevation of some 20 ft. [feet]
and towards the North it presents a somewhat
rocky escarpment. It is surrounded except
on the North where the foreground is more
broken than on the rest of the periphery by
two concentric walls, now greatly delapidated
& anything from 90 to 100 ft. [feet] apart. The inner wall
only is continued round the North.
A narrow gap through the walls, from
the South East probably marks the position
of an entrance. The present appearance
of both walls is that of a low structureless
mass of rather small broken stones, among
which may be seen numerous pieces of calcined
stone, and less frequently more occasionally, specimens
of vitrification. At one spot in the outer
wall a large mass of vitrified stone is
visible apprently at the base of the wall,
firmly embedded, and protruding through
the surface debris. It is impossible
to estimate the extent of vitrification in
these walls without spadework but it
is noteworthy not only that it is to be found
on the ruins of both walls but also that it is in walls
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[Continued from page 68a]
lying at a considerable elevation below
that of the actual summit of the hill within
the fort, which being a mass of rock would be
admirably suited for a beacon fire. The
elevation of the hill above sea level is
[blank] ft. [feet] and the nearest point to the shore
of the Solway [blank] miles distant as the crow
flies.
Closeburn Par [Parish] Lower Auldgirth
Adjacent to the farm of Lower Auldgirth are
the ruins of a small keep consisting of portions of
two contiguous walls some 3 ft. [feet] 6 ins. [inches] in thickness. The basement
has been vaulted with a simple barrell vault.
2nd May 1913. Tinwald Par [Parish] Fort (site)
A second lovely morning. Called for the
Rev. [Reverend] Forbes the parish minister.
The fort on the hill 1/2 mile North West of
Armfield is a mere site.
Closeburn Par. [Parish] Cairn Knockenshang.
Some 200 yds [yards] SSE. [South South East] of the summit of the hill
which overlooks the road from Annandale
into Nithsdale by Loch Ettrick, half a mile
west of the farm of Knockenshang and just
under an altitude of 900 feet over sea level
there is a large oval cairn, overgrown with grass
except at the North end where the stones are
exposed. It measures 93 feet from North to
South by 84 feet from East to West and
rises to a height of 5 ft. [feet] Though a slight
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[Continued from page 69]
excavation has been made in it at the North
end the internment does not appear to have been
disturbed.
I sent Callander to visit & describe the
foregoing while I visited a cairn marked
on the opposite side of the valley.
The "tumulus" notes on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map on
the summit of the hill acrossthe valley
to the W.S. [West South] West is now a low stony
mound with a diameter of some 8 ft. [feet]
and having a few large stones lying
on the surface.
Kirkmahoe
Small cairns & hut circles.
Glenmaid
On the west side of the long plantation
which to the Westward of Glenmaid
runs North and South along the edge
of the moorland at an elevation of some 800 ft. [feet] over sea level on a stretch of
moor sheltered by rising ground on
the North and West is a group of
small grass grown cairns low in
elevation and with an average diameter
of from 15ft. [feet] 16ft. [feet] Associated with them
are several circular stony hut founda:
:tions not at measurable. One of these
oval in form measures 13 ft. [feet] by 10 ft. [feet] 6 in [inches]
and was apparently entered from the
East; another towards the North end
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[Continued from page 69a]
of the area lies with its longest axis E. [East] and W [West]. and
appears to have been long and narrow, the interior
breadth indicated being from 6 to 7 ft. [feet] and the
length possibly 18 ft. [feet] Several of the sites have
the appearance of denuded cairns, the interior,
however, is usually at a lower level than that
of the natural surface outside. On the higher
ground to the North of this area and in a
more exposed situation are a number of
cairns measuring some 14 to 17 ft. [feet] in diameter,
formed of moderate sized stones and for
the most part reduced to ground level.
Small cairns & Hut circles Whitestanes Moor.
Near the center of the Whitestanes Moor some
300 yds [yards] to the South East of the highest point known as Cocklet Hill and
at an altitude somewhat over 800 ft. [feet] above
sea level is a considerable group of hut
circles and associated small cairns. A
hut circle at the lower edge of the group
is of oval form measuring interiorly
some 16 ft [feet] by 14 ft. [feet] with walls of indefinite
breadth, and apparently entered from the
South East. Near the position of the entrance
stands a rough boulder 2 ft. [feet] 3 ins. [inches] in height
and some 4 ft. [feet] broad. Lying to the North
East of the hut circle are two very distinct
small cairns measuring some 15 ft [feet] in
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[Continued from page 70]
diameter and 1 1/2 ft. [feet] in elevation, the nearest
some 30 ft. [feet] distant and the other about
a like distance further away. Some
40 ft. [feet] to the North of the last hut circle lies
another of the same oval form, but slightly
smaller, also apparently entered from the
SE. [South East]. Directly behind the first mentioned circle
is another measuring interiorly some 13 ft. [feet]
in length but of indefinite width, the floor
of which is sunk from 1 1/2 to 2 ft. [feet] below the
surrounding natural level. A small cairn
lies some 15 ft. [feet] directly behind it.
Also in rear of the first circle some 70 ft. [feet]
back lie the remains of another which is much dilapi:
:dated, which is 12 ft. [feet] to the N.W. [North West] of it is a
small circular hollow measuring interiorly
some 6 ft [feet] in diameter and disclosing building
on the inside face. Its floor is likewise sunk
about 1 ft [foot] beneath the natural level. at 70 ft. [feet]
or thereby further to the N.W. [North West] lie the foundations
of a small oblong building measuring in
the interior some 10 ft. [feet] 9' by 6 ft. [feet] and having
a floor also sunk about 1 ft. [foot] The remains
of several other hut circles are to be seen
at a slightly higher elevation and associated
with them a number of small cairns
[Continued on page 71] |
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[Continued from page 70a]
are clearly distinguishable by their rounded contours.
Shaws Moor Sm. [small] Cairns & hut circles
At the South West side of the Watchman Moor and
at an altitude of some 600 ft over sea level, on a low
ridge which lies to the West of the Dunoon Burn
about 1/2 m. [mile] South East of Shaws is another consider:
:able group of small cairns with a few as:
:sociated hut circles of small size and with
sunk floors. Two of the cairns have quite
recently been dug into but no record of any
observations appear to have been made.
The minister informed me that the depredators
were the local schoolmast and farmer.
Watchman Hill. - Shaws Moor
At the South end of Watchman Hill just
below the summit level and an [sic] an elevation
of a little less than 800 feet above sea level
is another small group of cairns similar
to the foregoing and on the upper side of
the group three or four hut circles the largest
of which is circular with a diameter of 15 ft. [feet]
Sm. [Small] Cairns &c. Gledenholm Moor.
On the West face of a long ridge lying to the
East of a damp hollow on the East of Watch:
:man Moor is another group of hut circles
with associated small cairns. The hut
circles appear to be of small dimensions and
like the others in this neighbourhood sunk a
foot or so in the ground.
[continued on page 71a] |
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[Continued from page 71]
Gledenholm
cup shaped hollow
Close to the dyke which separates the
strip of wood to the South West of Gledenholm
from the moorland and some 350 yds. [yards]
S. [South] of a long wood running from SW. [South West] to N.E. [North East] is a
curious cup shaped hollow 2 ft. [feet] in depth and
7 ft. [feet] in diameter which appears to be built
around the interior. I don't think this is an
ancient monument but I am at a loss to guess
what purpose it served.
Gledenholm
Sm. [Small] cairns & hut circles
3 May. 1913
Another small group of hut circles and
cairns lies on rough pasture about 1/4 mile
SSW [South South West] of Gledenholm.
A hopelessly wet day. Wrote up my notes
all forenoon & in the afternoon went to
Capenoch to pass the week-end with the
Gladstones.
5th May 1913.
Callander came from Dumfries in a
car and met me. Among my letters was one
from Mr. MacKinnon Wood, Secretary for Scotland,
offering me the post of Director of the National
Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh.
Penpont Par. [Parish] Grennan Hill
Fort.
On a shoulder of Grennan Hill overlooking
the valley of the Scar Water which flows by
some 200 ft. [feet] below is a small fort at an
altitude of some 500ft. [feet] above sea level.
The actual site is a rocky hillock
[Continued on page 72] |
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[Continued from page 71a]
lying with its main axis NNW [North North West] and SSE. [South South East] measuring
some 152 ft. [feet] in length by 62 ft. [feet] in breadth with
an elevation from 12 to 14ft. [feet] above the general
surrounding level except on the West where the
ground falls away in a steep gradient to the
base of the hills. The summit is oval in form
and has risen by an easy slope from the
Northward, while towards the South it terminates
in a wall of rock. The defence consists of a trench
some 35ft. [feet] in breadth and at most some 16ft. [feet] in
depth commencing at the brow of the steep
declivity on the West and carried thence round
the East side to terminate at the commence:
:ment of the wall of rock at the South end. The
spoil of the trench has been thrown up to form
a rampart above the counterscarp, while a
parapet mound crowns the scarp at the North
end. The trench has evidently in places
been laid out through rock and at its Southern
termination it has been slightly expanded and
at the date of the visit at this point it contained
a deep pool of water. The end of the trench
is covered by a return of the rampart to
the hillock. A well defined approach leads
to the summit past the end of the trench
entering into a slight hollow at the lowest
[Continued on page 72a] |
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[Continued from page 72]
point of the interior of the fort. Flanking the
Southern side of this approach a low bank is
observable abutting on the rock face and seeming
to pass in a curve with a greatest depth of
30 ft. [feet] round to the West forming a small
enclosure at the base of the rock. Except,
adjacent to the entrance to the fort however, this out:
:work is somewhat ill defined. The summit
of the hill does not appear to have been
artificially levelled, but there are some three
slightly hollowed circular areas which
may be hut sites and facing the valley
of the Scar water at the North end of the
hillock is a more considerable hollow
which likewise appears to have been
artificially formed.
This fort is unnoted on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Maps
& was first observed by Gladstone who
drew my attention to it.
Along the West flank of the
isolated summit which rises about
1/4 mile to the East of Grennan Hill is
a slight trench with a well defined
scarp on the upper side and a slight
mound on the counterscarp, occurring
about halfway up the slope of the hill. The
[Continued on page 73] |
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[Continued from page 72a]
trench is lost as it passes round the South end and
cannot be traced over the summit to the North.
The position of an entrance through this con:
:struction is evident directly S'SE [South-South East] of Grennan Hill.
There are a number of low banks running about this
hill which seem to be the remains of old feal dykes and
though this entrenchment is more prominent I
can hardly regard it as a permanent defensive
work.
Tynron Par [Parish]
Old Auchen:
:brack.
Small cairns
On the South West face of Cairney Knowe a grassy
brae that lies between the shepherd's house at
Old Auchenbrack and the Appin Lodge hedge is a
group of small cairns varying in diameter from
[Margin] unnoted.
12ft. [feet] to 18ft. [feet] lying at an elevation of from 800 to 900
ft. [feet] over sea level. There is also the foundation of
a larger cairn measuring some 26 ft. [feet] in diameter.
Craigencoon Hill.
Cairns remains of. unnoted
On the summit of Craigencoon Hill are the
remains of a large circular cairn, now reduced
almost to ground level, which has measured
in diameter some 82ft. Several large stones
still stand on the periphery suggesting that its
outline has been marked in this manner.
Possibly the interment has not been disturbed.
Cairns.
Craigencoon
unnoted
Some 300 yds. [yards] directly in front of Craigencoon
and some 75 yds [yards] distant from the road
are the remains of a large cairn which has
[Continued on page 73a] |
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[page] 73a
[Continued from page 73]
measured in diameter some 52 ft. [feet] There has
evidently been a cist in the centre which has
been rifled. (unnoted.)
Cairn Remains of
Gledbrae Holmhouse
On the East side of the loaning, the old
road from Holmhouse to Moniaive bearing
the name of the Gledbrae, are the remains
of a very large cairn greatly delapidated
and which has measured in diameter some
93 ft. [feet] by 87 ft. [feet] Its periphery has been
marked by large boulders a number of
which still remain in situ. In its present
condition it is not possible to tell whether
this cairn has contained a cist or chamber.
Two large stones stand a little to the north
of the centre protruding above the debris
& seemingly in situ which suggest the latter
but without excavation it is impossible to
arrive at a definite conclusion (unnoted).
It came on very wet when we were at the
last cairn. The cairns described above
were all mentioned to me by J M'Cargo, the
wandering clock-doctor of Kirkpatrick Durham.
The old Statistical refers to a vitified con:
:struction in which a number of interments
were found at Pingarie but I can find out
nothing about it now.
[Continued on page 74] |
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[Continued from page 73a]
6th May 1913
A doubtful morning but started in the car. It soon began
to rain & when we reached our first objective it was coming
down very heavily. We sat in the car at Springfield hill farm
hoping for some improvement but as after a wait of
about 2 hours none came we donned our burburries &
plunged into the fir wood which covered the fort.
Fort, Springfield hill, Dunscore Par. [Parish]
This fort is situated at an altitude of 600 ft. [feet]
over sea level on the summit of Springfield hill
some ? 80 yds [yards] to the Northward of the farm bearing
that name and which lies on the side road
leading from Holywood to Dunscore. The fort
which is oval in outline has with its main axis
NW. [North West] and SE [South East] and measures in the interior area
some 250 ft. [feet] by 160 ft. [feet] Along the S.W. [South West] flank the
ground falls away sharply but from the NW. [NorthWest] round
by N [North] to the S.E. [South East] end of the fort the site has been more
readily assailable. The interior area is enclosed
at the SE. [South East] end by a broad rampart of earth and
stone, rising at most some 5ft. [feet] above the
interior level, and carried along the NE [North East]
side for about one half of its length when it seems
to terminate abruptly, owing, possibly, to the
remainder having been pillaged for stones. Except
at the SE [South East] end the outer defences, where they have
occurred, have been obliterated by the plough and
stone walls confine the fort to its interior lines.
[Continued on page 74a] |
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[Continued from page 74]
At the SE [South East] end is the entrance, well defined, and
passing directly inwards through a series of
ramparts. On the right or North side on entering, there
remains but a short portion of a single outer
rampart which is returned to meet the inner
rampart. On the South side the defences
from the inner rampart outwards consist
of a trench some 10ft. [feet] deep below the crest
of the scarp, a broad ? banquette with a
bold rampart at its edge, a second trench
with a scarp having a vertical height of
10ft. [feet] and in front of it a third formidable
rampart with a slight trench at its base.
These defences pass round Southwards
from the entrance and terminate where
the slope of the hill becomes sufficiently
abrupt to allow them to be dispensed with.
As the outlook of the weather was hopeless
we returned to Dumfries and I wrote up
notes all afternoon.
7th May 1913
Dunscore Par [Parish] Fort Friars Carse
This fort is situated about 1/2 mile to the Westward
of the mansion house of Friars Carse on the top
of a steep bank overlooking the Nith from the South
at a point where the river departing
from a Southerly course makes a sharp bend
Eastwards. The fort is in form an irregular
[Continued on page 75] |
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Carse
On examining the curiosities which Mr Riddel had
collected together on his romantic estate, we were
struck with the appearance of a large Druid Circle,
which at vast labour and expense Mr Riddel had had
collected from different parts, such as masses of
large blocks of whinstone, freestone,
and which are arranged with great care and taste, so
as to bear every appearance of a place of worship as
used by those early and pious people: this Temple
had the novelty of being set down on a British Camp,
which itself is situated on the border of a declivity
of a bend on the river Nith, to the West of the dwell:
:ing-house, and is a strong position to prevent an
enemy fording the water here or annoying this vicinity.
We measured this strength, and found the diameter to
be about 150 feet or 471 feet in circumference, with
a fosse or ditch about 12 feet in width. |
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[Continued from page 74a]
oval lying with its longest axis NW. [North West] and SE., [South East] measuring
interiorly some 161 ft. [feet] in length by 142 ft. [feet] in breadth
at the centre, and broadening somewhat to its SE. [South East] ex:
:tremity. From NNW. [North North West] round by N. [North] to the SE. [South East] the steep bank
of the river affords a formidable defence. Elsewhere
the area is bounded by a rampart rising but
slightly above the interior, covered in front by a
broad trench some 45ft. [feet] in width and 5ft. [feet] in depth
beyond which rises a second rampart, now much
worn down, with a slighter trench in front of it.
The entrance has been from the East at a point
where the bank on the North commences to slope steeply
towards the river. The outer defences curve round the
Southern half of the oval from the flank of this approach
to the edge of the bank on the West.
Within the fort has been erected an idealized stone
circle an account of the erection of which is
contained in a MS [manuscript] Journal entitled Antiquarian
Researches by the late Thomas Johnston & under the date 1827.
Mote. Dinning Closeburn Par. [Parish]
This mote lies some [blank] yds [yards] North of the farm
of Dinning and with its base court or bailey
is fashioned on a long natural hillock lying
NW. [North West] and SE. [South East] which rises out of a sketch of haugh:
:land reaching to the nith about 1/4 m. [mile] to the West:
:ward. The East slope of the valley commences
to rise sharply some 50 yds. [yards] distant from the
base of the hillock. From the SE. [South East] end
[Continued on page 75a] |
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[Page 75a]
[Continued from page 75]
the knoll rises gradually to its NW [North West] extremity. On
which the mote itself has been erected. With the
base court
lying at its base on the SE, [South East], the whole construction
occupies about 1/2 of the length of the hillock.
In form the mote is a simple truncated cone
composed, as far as it is possible to tell, of earth
and rising to a height of some 14 ft. [feet] above the
level of the base court, while a steep gradient
with a vertical height of 45 ft. [feet] reaches to the
base of the hillock on front & sides. On the
terminal slope some 20 ft. [feet] up from the base is
a slight terrace which is possibly artificial.
The plat of the mote has been circular with
a diameter of some 20 ft. [feet] with a shallow
bowl shaped hollow the wall of which has been
slightly broken down on the NW [North West]. The base
court is oblong on plan, measuring 66 ft. [feet]
in length by 57 ft. [feet] in breadth and is enclosed
by an earthen rampart, somewhat slight
on the sides but massive to the front, which
impinges directly on the side of the mote
hill uninterrupted by any intervening trench
The entrance to the court has been through
the centre of the SE [South East] front.
A trench 34 ft. [feet] in width, 12 ft. [feet] in depth below the
[Continued on page 76] |
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[Continued from page 75a]
crest of the scarp and some 4 feet below that of the counter:
:scarp has been dug across the hillock from side
to side in front of the rampart at this end. There
is no gangway across the trench which has
probably been covered by a bridge or draw-bridge.
Standing-stone Kirkbog.
Closeburn Par. [Parish] (unnoted)
On the crest of a broad backed ridge 1/4 m. [mile] East of
the farm of Kirkbog stands a single upright whin:
:stone boulder in the middle of a cultivated field.
It measures 4 ft. [feet] 3 ins. [inches] in height and about 1/2 of
its thickness has been broken off at no distant date.
There is nothing in the character of the stone nor in its
situation to contradict the statement in the History
of Closeburn that originally there was a stone
circle here.
Fort. Gateside
On a low plateau which rises some 8 or 10 ft. [feet] above
the surrounding level and which crowns the top
of a low steep slope rising from the road between
merkland and Lower Halliday Hill is the site
of a fort. The scarp to the edge of the plateau
may have been shaped to some extent but otherwise
there are no indications of defences. This plateau
is somewhat pear shaped measuring 205 ft. [feet] or thereby
by 170 ft. [feet]
Entrenchment
Cowhill Holyrood Par. [Parish]
On the N. [North] face of a ridge lying along the right bank of the
Nith, separated by a deep hollow from the plateau
on which are situated the ruins of Cowhill Tower
[Continued on page 76a] |
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[Page] 76A
[Continued from page 76]
is a segmental trench some 15 ft. [feet] in breadth at the
level of the counterscarp with a mound
thrown up to the outside. It has been excavated
on falling ground at the edge of the ridge
so that the scarp has an elevation of from 8 to
10 ft. [feet] It is not continued round to the S [South] end
of the ridge.
We called on Mr. Smith the farm steward at
Cowhill to take us to the earthwork. We saw
his collection of prehistoric objects which in:
:cluded some 6 or 8 discs of thin stone
about the size of a penny piece: one of them
showed a slight boring near the centre. These
objects were found on the farm of Townhead
near Thornhill. He possessed one good flat
axe of bronze and a fair number of chipped
flints found in the county some of them including
a nice leaf shaped arrow head of small size got
at Cowhill on the Avenue.
Castle Dykes Dumfries
The policies within the walls of this property
contain the remains of the peel or Castle
of Dumfries constructed by Edward I. as
well as the remains of a construction known
in his time as the setus castrum and re:
:cognised by George Neilson situated, I believe,
overlooking the river at the Western corner of the
[Continued on page 77] |
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[Page] 77
[Continued from page 76]
property. The whole "plesaunce" has been greatly inter|:
:fered with to increase its amenity in modern times.
A mansion house has been erected on what was
evidently a portion of the peel; part of the great ditch
has been filled up and a garden lies on the site of it;
paths and roadways have been excavated and
mounds are said to have been erected so that
it is very difficult to identify the original constructions.
The "vetus castrum" appears to be represented by a
small rocky eminence rising abruptly from the
road which intervenes between it and the left bank of
the Nith, and this appears to have been converted
into a mote hill by levelling up the summit,
by scarping the flanks and by cutting it off
by means of a trench from a lower plateau on the SE. [South East]. Facing the
river the frontage has no doubt been altered to some
extent in the formation of the road and the rock
has been exposed and cut back on the lower
part of the slope. The flat is oval in form with
its longest axis E [East] and W. [West] and measures some 76 ft [feet]
by 44 ft. [feet]. The front of the plateau on the SE. [South East]
facing this mote appears to have been dug
into in more recent times and the trench which
was probably continued right across this area
destroyed. It is possible that this plateau, as
its situation suggest, formed a base court
[Continued on page 77a] |
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[page] 77a
[Continued from page 77]
there is, however, no indication of a trench around
N [North]. A steep slope on the West is an advantageous
feature of the situation.
The peel of Edward I has evidently occupied
the highest portion of the grounds to the Eastward,
lying NNW. [North North West] and SSE [South South East] occupying a plateau to
some extent of artificial construction. The
Northern half in which the house of Castle Dykes is
built, though terminating in a somewhat steep slope towards
the Nith, no longer bears any impress of its former
character. The South half
having a length of some 190 ft. [feet] from the carriage drive
which forms the division, still retains much
of its original fortified character. On the East
side from a point adjacent to the entrance
lodge running almost parallel with the
road till it turns sharply to form
the Southern extremity of the plateau is
a bold trench measuring some 80 ft. [feet]
in width at the top, and varying in depth
from 20 ft [feet] to 30 ft. [feet] A small stream runs
in the bottom of the this trench on the East
and is conducted in a built conduit along
a line which probably follows the continu:
:ation of the trench Northward, turning to
the West behind the Mansion house. The
[Continued on page 78] |
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[Page] 78
[Continued from page 77a]
original length of the plateau is now indefinite but
its breadth across the Southern half varies from 74
to 97 ft [feet]. Along the West side save for a slight hol:
:low observable among the bushes to the
SW. [South West] of the house the trench has disappeared, though
the scarp of the peel is distinct along the
Southern division. Near the centre of that side there
projects a semi circular bastion with a terrace
half way up its slope. This construction has at a
lower level that the plateau from which it
is separated by a carriage drive. It is doubtful if
this is part of the original earthwork. There
are numerous historical references to the castle
of Dumfries and to the contstruction & maintenance
of the peel and its garrison. These have been
gathered together in an article by the late Mr
Barbour printed in the Transactions of the Dumfries
& Galloway Society's P Vol [Volume] xv111 pt. [part] 1 1905-1906 - Ibid
xvii p. [page] 5 & 4. See also George Wilson's Peil &c all
of which should be examined before this article
is written up.
8th May 1913.
Enoch Castle Site Durisdeer Par [Parish]
The site of this castle is a four sided plateau strongly
defended on three sides by the steep natural banks
overlooking the glen of the Carron burn & a small
feeder which flows by two sides of the site. On the fourth
side a hollow way no doubt to some extent cut through the
[Continued on page 79] |
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[Page] 78a
[Continued from 78a]
rock leads down to the Carron. Nothing beyond the
lines of the foundations beneath the turf remains visible.
and a circular depression - evidently the well.
Durisdeer Par [Parish] Fort - East Morton unnoted.
On the left bank of the Carron Water by the edge of
a cliff with an altitude of some 50 ft. [feet] above the stream,
and half a mile to the South West of East Morton is a
small entrenchment. The position is strongly de:
:fended on two sides: On the N [North] by the deep glen of
a burn and on the W [West] by the rocky wall rising sheer
from the Carron. The enclosure is oblong set with its
longest axis NE [North East] and SW. [South West] and measures 114 ft. [feet] by 82 ft. [feet].
It is enclosed on the E [East] & S [South] sides by a well defined
trench some 24 ft. [feet] wide and 6 ft. [feet] deep supplemented
by a rampart on the S [South] where the ground level declines
while along the E [East] front in the interior there is also a
low & broad bank above the scarp of the trench. Some
54 ft. [feet] back from the edge of the bank on the W [West] a
roadway 14 ft. [feet] wide is carried over the trench on
the S [South] at the natural level into the interior. A
second break in the rampart and a gangway
across the trench towards the NE [North East] corner are less
clearly original. From in front of this gap a
track leads down to the burn at the bottom of
the glen on the N [North]. Towards the East the ground
rises sharply immediately adjacent to the fort
and completely overlooks it.
[Continued on page 94] |
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[Page] 79
[Continued from page 78]
From the fort on the Carron Water we proceeded to Eliock
to visit certain small cairns of which I had a note. They
lay high up on a moor & before we left the road to mount
the fields it was raining heavily & blowing a gale but I
had not brought a car thus far to be turned again by rain &
wind so when we had eaten our lunch we set out. I
don't think in my five years' experience I have been out
on a worse day the rain when we had to face the wind
stung like pellets from a shot gun & very soon except
beneath the firmly buttoned upper part of my burbury
I was soaked. We had an uncomfortable drive home
but a hot tub afterwards warded off any ill effects.
Sanquhar Par [Parish] Deils Dyke
Running across the Eliock estate to the S. [South] of Sanquhar
is a low bank or dyke bearing the name of Celtic
or Deils' Dyke on the maps. Its general direction
is East to West from the Durisdeer
parish boundary above Eliock wood and
Ulzieside about
where it appears to have turned sharply to the N. [North] for about 1 3/4 m. [miles]. Thereafter
again assuming an E [East] to W [West] course it is lost by the edge of cul:
:tivated land near the Polwarloch Burn about 1/2 m [mile] E [East] of the Ayrshire border
1/2 m. [mile] East of the Euchan burn. Its course is
very irregular; it does not appear to select
defensive ground, and it follows the
Southern slope of the watershed at a distance of
a mile or thereby from the crest. On the whole it
is an inconspicuous turf bank but between the
Twenty shilling & Elliock burns a foundation of
somewhat large stones is exposed indicating a
[Continued on page 80] |
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[Page] 79A
[Continued from page 79]
breadth of 7 ft. [feet]
Cairn. Remains of
On Glengenny Moor at an elevation of some
880 ft. [feet] are the remains of a large cairn. From
E [East] to W [West] it has measured some 86 ft. [feet] and from N [North] to S [South]
94 ft. [feet]: its elevation is now about 3 ft. [feet]. There is
no evidence that the interment has been disturbed.
Small Cairns Eliock
On the moor about 1 mile due S [South] of Eliock House
on both sides of the Deils Dyke and close to it
is a group of some 15 to 20 small cairns.
No hut circles are visible among them. The
altitude at which they occur is between 800 and
900 ft. [feet] over sea level.
9th May 1913
Train to Sanquhar where we hired a trap.
Called at the manse to see a cairn said to
exist behind it. There is a large natural
mound on the summit of which there may
formerly have been a cairn but it is no longer
there. The Minister Mr Wood has a large
collection of church tokens & among them
was a lead seal of the Abbey of Kilwinning.
Obv [Obverse] a virgin & child. Res [Reverse] a bishop holding
his crozier. The legend on former in black
letter. S. Domini Abbatis conventus Monasterii
de Kylwyngn - on the latter in English lettering
S. Communi capituli Monasterii de Kilwynyng. |
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[Page] 80
Blackaddie Inscribed Stone
Built into the left wall of the passage leading from
the square of the steading at Blackaddie Farm to
the midden is a stone inscribed in black letters
of which I made a rubbing not yet fully deciphered.
A stone which I went to see at Drumbuie said
to bear an effigy of a man was probably a
fragment of an 18: cent. [century] tombstone and of no interest.
Fort Southmains Elioch
Situated on the haunch of the hill overlooking
South Mains farm and about 1/2 m. [mile] S. [South] by W. [West]
of it is a small entrenched earthwork In
outline it forms an oval lying with its main
axis almost N. [North] & S. [South] measuring over all some
190 ft. [feet] in length by 126 ft. [feet] in breadth. It is divided
into two distinct divisions at about 1/3 of its length
from the N. [North] end. The Southern division is a
truncated oval or horse shoe shape surrounded
by a trench some 34 ft. [feet] in breadth and 6 ft. [feet]
deep. except where carried across to form the
division & where it has a breadth of 20 ft. [feet] The
area thus enclosed measures 89 ft. [feet] in length
by 58 ft. [feet] in breadth. Around the periphery ex:
:cept towards the N. [North] facing the other enclosure
there us a parapet rampart. The interior
except for a space of some 30 ft. [feet] at the S. [South] end.
has been hollowed by excavation. The north
enclosure is faced on its S. [South] aspect against
[Continued on page 81] |
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[Page] 80A
[Continued from page 80]
the dividing trench by a rampart and has also
a rampart enclosing it to the outside. There
is no indication of a trench around
it and the interior area is sunk below the
ground level on the W [West] or upper side.
This enclosure forms a semicircle measuring
interiorly 72ft. [feet] by 44ft. [feet] There is a very
wide entrance into the main enclosure at
the SE [South East] angle at the end of the E [East] side on
unexcavated ground over the trench. On the
thick turf in front of it there appear some lines
suggesting foundations of a covering wall or
bailey. There is now no visible entrance
into the Northern enclosure.
Mote Ryehill.
Some 170yds [yards] to the SW [South West] of Ryehill Farm
and on the edge of a steep bank which
falls to the haughs to the North of the
Nith is a knoll bearing the name of the Mote.
It has the appearance of having been
regularly scarped all round and presents
a fairly level summit, but on the side
away from the river it has an elevation
of some 8 ft. [feet] and except where the
ground dips on the NW [North West] side it does not
attain to a greater height than 10ft. [feet]. There
is no indication of a trench having existed
[Continued on page 81] |
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[Page] 81
[continued from page 80a]
around it. The plateau had been under culti:
:vation and with its longest axis NNW. [North North West] and SSE. [South South East]
measures some 62ft. [feet] by 47 ft. [feet] From the East:
:ward a hollow approach leads upwards onto
the summit. The situation suggests a
genuine mote but the mound is singularly
low in height & there is no trench to compensate.
Over the mantleshelf above the kitchen fire-
-place in the Temperance Hotel at Sanquahar
[margin] (omit)
is a slab inscribed in incised lettering
RF: EC . 1708 . J.F.M.W.
O
On Sat. 10th May I left Dunfries & returned
to Edinburgh having finished my survey
work of the Ancient Monuments. On
Tuesday I indued Mr. J Graham Callander
with my mantle, and sent him forth
with the camera & satchel that I had
carried so far and so frequently as almost
to regard them as part of my clothing. At
one time my ambition was to have seen
with my own eyes everything worthy of notice
in Broad Scotland, but the fates have decreed
it otherwise and in a few weeks I shall
be ensconced in Dr. [Doctor] Joseph Anderson's chair
as Director of the National Museum of Antiquities.
Amen! |
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[Page] 82
MS/36/47 |
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[Page] 83
A.
Auldton -- 28,10,9. |
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[Page] 84
[Opposite page]
B
Beattock Hill -- 20, 18, 17, 16, 15, 11
Blue Cairn Kinnelhead --13
C.
Chapel Hill -- 1.
Coats Hill -- 36, 3, 2
Craighoar Hill -- 12.
Craigielandshill -- 30.
Carruthers Old Churchyard 50. |
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[Page] 85
[Opposite page]
D.
Dyke -- 8.
Dornock Churchyard -- 37.
Douglas Farm -- 41.
Dalton Village -- 47.
E.
Earshaig East -- 21, 14. |
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[Page] 86
[Opposite page]
F.
G.
Gardenholm -- 25.
Gretna Green Churchyard -- 40. |
|
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[Page] 87
[Opposite page]
H.
Hoddam Churchyard -- 45.
I. J . |
|
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[Page] 88
[Opposite page]
K.
Kirkpatrick-Juxta. -- 3.
Kirkpatrick-Juxta Manse. -- 8.
Kinnelhead. -- 13,11.
Knock Hill. -- 28.
Kinnel Water. -- 30.
Knockhill House. -- 44.
Kirkconnel Churchyard Springkell. -- 49.
L.
Lochan Burn. -- 13,12.
Laverhay. -- 34.
Lochmaben Stone. -- 40. |
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[Page] 89
[Opposite page]
M.
Moffat Mote, --9.
Meikleholmside. -- 24.
Moffat Bell. -- 25.
Moffat Churchyard. -- 26.
Moffat, Meg? Todd's [Tod's] Mote. -- 27.
Moffat. Fort (site). -- 27.
Mossknow. -- 43,42.
MossCastle, Murraythwaite. -- 48.
Murraythwaite -- 49,48.
Mc. |
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[Page] 90
[Opposite page]
N.
O. |
|
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[Page] 91
[Opposite page]
P.
Poldean -- 26,7,6
Q. |
|
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[Page] 92
[Opposite page]
R.
Robgill. -- 44.
Repentance Churchyard. -- 47.
S.
Staneshielrig [Stanshielrig]. -- 23,14.
Stiddrig. -- 32.
Springkell -- 49 |
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[Page] 93
[Opposite page]
T.
Tassies Height. -- 4.
Tarnis Burn. -- 12
U. |
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[Page] 94
[Opposite page]
V.
W
Wamphray Parish. -- 26
Westhills. -- 38
Westhills Moss. -- 39 |
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