east-lothian-1924/05-175

Transcription

PRESTONKIRK.] -- INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS IN EAST LOTHIAN. -- [PRESTONKIRK.

north-east and south-west, and is somewhat
pointed towards the former direction. Along
the south-east flank a precipitous wall of rock
rises from a steep rock-strewn slope to a height
of 200 feet, breaking away as it sinks to a lower
level towards the south-west in hardly less
precipitous crags. Along the north-west flank
the ground rises directly from the base very
sharply to a height of some 50 feet and upwards
with a broken and

[illustration inserted]
FIG. 137.-Traprain Law (No. 148).

rocky surface,
which in itself con-
stituted a formid-
able barrier in
early times.
Above this, on
the more souther-
ly half of the
north-west expos-
ure, it mounts
upwards with a
gradually dimin-
ishing gradient to
the actual summit,
which lies at no
great distance
back from the edge
of the precipice on
the opposite side.

The fortificat-
ions practically
contain the whole
hill, following the
edge of the steep
slope at the base
on one side and
the crest of the
south-eastern pre-
cipice on the other,
thus including an
area of about 32
acres, approx-
imately half a mile in length by some 330 yards
in breadth (fig. 137). Starting from the termin-
ation of the precipice towards the southern end
of the western side, a rampart 6 feet wide
with a stone revetment swings round the broad
extremity of the hill and is carried along
the edge of the lower escarpment on
the north-western flank, until it meets an
obtruding mass of rock, beyond which the
side of the hill becomes steeper and is rough

95

with masses of rock detached and in outcrop.
Taking advantage of this change of surface,
the rampart is deflected abruptly to the right
up the hill, and a sharp turn to the
left passes along the upper edge of the steeper
slope, eventually turning round the north-east
end to meet the precipice on the opposite side.
Some distance beyond the rocky outcrop where
the first deflection occurs, a terrace breaks

[illustration continued]
FIG. 137.-Traprain Law (No. 148).

across the flank of the hill for a considerable
distance. On to this terrace at its north-
eastern end, and close to the huge quarry
which now disfigures the face of the hill, there
leads an approach which appears to have
formed at one time an important access to
the fort. The road proceeds up a hollow, and
where it debouches on the terrace its outer side
is demarcated to right and to left by large
stones set on end. The lower edge of this