dumfries-1920/04-268

Transcription

MOFFAT.] HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION. [MOFFAT.

ing by excavation, especially at the upper or
south-east end, where the floor lies some 6 feet
below the natural ground-level outside. At
the extreme point within the rampart, near
the highest part of the defences, there is an
oblong enclosure measuring 44 feet by 22 feet,
the inner wall of which appears to be a bank of
unexcavated soil and rock now surmounted by
a modern stone dyke, and which is pierced at
no visible point by an entrance to the larger
enclosure. The main entrance has been from
the east-north-east into the lowest area of the
interior. Crossing the interior diagonally to-
wards the entrance, and cutting the area into
two divisions, is a broad bank, which seems to
have been formed of natural ground left by
excavation on either side.
xvii. N.W. (" Fort "). 16 September 1912.

490. Enclosure, Hunterheck. - This enclosure
occupies the summit of a plateau in an angle
formed by a bend of the Frenchland Burn, as
it changes its course from a westerly to a
southerly direction to the north of Hunter-
heck cottages, and appears to have been irregu-
larly circular in form, measuring 183 feet by
164 feet in diameter. With its north arc rest-
ing on the glen of the burn it has been sur-
rounded, except at the north-east, as after-
mentioned, by a broad stony mound rising
at most some 3 or 4 feet on either face. On
the north-east this mound, instead of being
carried forward to the edge of the glen to
complete the circle, is turned away sharply to
the eastward for a distance of some 66 feet,
terminating at 23 feet back from a steep bank
lying parallel and falling in the direction of the
burn.
The interior has been to some extent
hollowed by excavation, the floor level on the
south being some 3 feet below that of the
ground immediately outside. It has been
crossed by a broad bank from east-south-east
to west-north-west, cutting off about 3/8 against
the south arc, at the west end of which a
circular hollow appears to have been formed,
measuring some 60 feet by 52 feet in diameter.
Another cross-wall runs in a north-easterly
direction from a point somewhat to the east
of the centre of the main divisional bank
and forms a triangular enclosure, against the
east arc of which, however, the north angle is
unclosed. The entrance, 6 feet wide, has
been from the south-west, flanked on the left
by an inward return of the rampart for a
distance of some 12 feet: from it to the French-
land Burn on the west a roadway is traceable,
where its course has been cut through oppos-
ing rock and down the bank of the burn.
Beyond the enclosure, on the point of the
plateau to the north-west, is an area which
appears to have been hollowed; and some 250
yards to the eastward, at the base of the rising
ground, towards the upper end of the field
and close by the bank of the burn, are a number
of indeterminate foundations.
xvi. N.E. (" Fort "). 16 September 1912.

491. Enclosure, Auldton. - On a bench on
the hillside, about 1/4 mile due east of Auldton
and 100 feet above it, are the remains of a cir-
cular enclosure, which has been surrounded
by a stony rampart or wall and measures,
with its longest axis north and south, 96 feet
by 78 feet in diameter. The position is
completely commanded by the hill rising
abruptly behind it. The inner face of the
bank on the east has been formed by excava-
ting the interior to a depth of 5 feet.
xvi. N.E. (" Fort "). 20 September 1912.

492. Enclosure, Corehead. - On the brow of a
ridge which forms the end of the watershed
between two burns coming down from Cock-
law Knowe and Spout Craig respectively, at
an elevation of 900 feet over sea-level and
about 1/2 mile to the south-east of Corehead, is
a circular enclosure, measuring interiorly 152
feet by 138 feet, formed with a single rampart,
composed of small stones, now reduced to a
low level towards the exterior, but, owing to
the hollowing of the interior, having an eleva-
tion on the inside towards the higher level of
from 3 feet to 4 feet. Against the south-east
arc on the interior lie some low heaps of
stones, irregularly circular, suggestive of hut
foundations; and on the north-north-west
there is an elevated circular platform with a
diameter of some 40 feet, to the south of which
appears to have been the entrance coming
from the west.
ix. N.E. (" Fort "). 17 September 1912.

493. Enclosure, Meikleholmside. - On a
plateau on the western slope of the Annan

[Page] 174

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

CorrieBuidhe- Moderator, mikeh

  Location information for this page.