fife-kinross-clackmannan-1933/03-307

Transcription

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

spur of the hill for somewhere between two
and three hundred yards. The site commands
an extensive view of the strath of the Eden.

xx N.W 8 June 1925.

303. Fort, Down Law. - This fort lies about
half a mile to the east of the construction on
Bowden Hill (No. 302), and about 350 yards
south of the farm of Downfield. Occupying
an elevated plateau on the crest of the highest
hill in the parish (793 feet), it commands a
view of an extensive stretch of country. The
fort, which is heater-shaped on plan, lies with

[Plan inserted]
FIG. 302. - Fort, DOWN LAW (No. 303)
C.S.T.C.

its main axis east and west with the broad end
towards the west, the over-all dimensions
being approximately 400 by 216 feet. Approach
is not easy from any direction, but it is rather
remarkable that along the north side, where the
gradient is easiest, no artificial strengthening
can now be detected. Stockading may have
been resorted to as the sole artificial defence
on this side, but the possibility of other elements
of a protective character having been destroyed
by cultivation must not be overlooked. The
defences which survive are a combination of
rampart and ditch, confined entirely to the
lower levels at the south-west corner, but only
in parts are they clearly defined. They were
evidently so placed to provide protection for an
entrance to the main enclosure, but the exact
line of approach is uncertain, the entrance itself
having been, to some extent, obscured by a
secondary excavation which lies across its inner
extremity.
The arrangement and character of these
defences can best be followed by reference to
the plan (Fig. 302). Cutting the slopes in front
of the entrance a well-defined ditch swings
round the site in the form of a crescent. It is
best preserved at its southern extremity but
averages about 3 feet in depth. Midway in its
length a natural bastion in front of the entrance
has in turn been additionally defended at a
still lower level by a similar combination of
rampart and ditch, the latter being cut at one
place by a narrow traverse. Where ramparts
have been thrown up, they appear to have been
constructed of earth and stone, and they have a
spread of from 12 to 15 feet. A flat area,
which adjoins the fort on the south, is separated
from the adjacent cultivated lands by a
sharply rising rocky bank, which appears
to be natural.

xx N.E. 8 June 1925.

MISCELLANEOUS.

304. Tombstone, Kettle Churchyard. - A fine
recumbent slab commemorating Walter Heriot
of Ramornie was unearthed about ten years
ago. It shows in the centre a shield flanked by
the initials G.H., for Gualter Heriot, and E.S,
for Elizabeth Scott his wife, and bearing two
impaled coats : dexter, a bird on top of a tree
(?much worn; not known as a Heriot charge) ;
sinister, three lions' heads erased, contourny,
for Scott of Balwearie.
The margin and the spaces above and
below the shield are occupied by the inscrip-
tion : NOBILI HEROI REL / IGIONI[S MAE]CENATI
GVALTERO HE/RRET DOMINO/ QVONDAM DE
RAMORNIE VITA EXC//EDENTI ANNO Æ/TATIS
SVÆ 68 AP/RILIS 6 HOC MO/NVMENTVM S(T)R/VCT
[VM EST 158]9/[HIC] SITVS EST/HEROS INS(I)GN(IS)
/RELIGIONIS/ MÆCENAS/ PATRIÆ KAI BA/§IAEI
PYLADES : "This monument was erected to an
illustrious and distinguished man, a generous
friend of religion, Walter Heriot late laird of
Ramornie, who departed this life in the 68th
year of his age 6 April 1589. Here lies a
distinguished man, a generous friend of religion,
devotedly attached to country and King."

SITES.

305. Church, Site of. - Marked in the im-
mediate vicinity of Lathrisk House on the
O.S. map. No trace remains.

xii S.E.

[Page] 162