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Dumfries-shire
28th May 1912.
Today I have completed the survey of
Kirkcudbright, with the exception of some
cairns near Creetown, not marked on the map,
and concerning which I have not yet sufficient
information to lead me to judge whether I
must seek them out or not. [Inserted note 1] It has taken,
I think, about four months to do, and that
relieved of the architectural monuments now
being examined by Messrs. MacGibbon & Watson.
I do not like to estimate the time it will it take
me to visit everything in Dumfries-shire but
I fear me more than this summer, as it
is a large county and its monuments are
much scattered. There are over 260 forts
alone to be inspected but I am starting with
tracings, of every one obtainable, from the 25"
O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map pasted into two small notebooks
arranged in parishes & numbered according
to my list. This arrangement will be of vast
assistance in enabling me to check the ac:
:curracy & completeness of the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] plans,
also to get at a glance the configuration
of the fort, a great aid in framing my
descriptions. Any detail omitted should be easily
added with a plan before me.
[Opposite page. Inserted note 1]
The monuments referred to do not exist. Their sites
are marked on the map and by inadvertence
they were noted on my list as extant.
Y |
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[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Stone Circle "The Twelve Apostles" Holywood.
Partially in two fields on the N. [North] side of the
road between New Bridge and the farm of
Kilness are the remains of a very large
stone circle. It now consists of eleven
stones of which only five remain upright
They are for the most part great masses of
rock whinstone and coarse granite,
with one or two boulders. The largest stone
is that nearest to the gate into the field
from the road on the W: [West] it is wholly exposed
and measure 10'.6" in length, 7'.9'' in greatest
breadth, and from 3'.6'' to 4' in thickness
at base. On the, end which has originally
been underground are several natural
cup marks. The highest of the upright stones,
that diametrically opposite the last, and the
sixth from it following the course of the sun,
stands some 6'.3'' in height above ground
and at 3' up measures in circumference
16'.3''. The stones have seemingly been
placed with their flat faces in the line
of the circumference. (As the diameter of
the circle appeared to be about 90 yds. [yards]
and I had only two 66' tape lines with
me I did not attempt a survey
but have left that to the Architects from
[Continued on page 3] |
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[Continued from page 2]
whose plan the further necessary details can
be obtained.
We are having wonderful weather and
though there has been an occasional shower
I have not been stopped by rain one day
since I commenced this year. Dumfries
is a pleasing place and thunder clouds
hanging about it as they have done for
some days don't make the air any more
invigorating. The Woodbank Hotel is
moderate & comfortable enough but a de:
:pressing place with few visitors in it.
Mote of Dumfries
Before finally describing this site I must
consult Dr. [Doctor] George Neilson who has much
information about it.
The Mote House is a large building for:
:merly a dwelling house and now connected
with the Dumfries Academy situated between
[--] St. and the Nith immediately to the N. [North]
of that institution. It is situated on an
eminence, apparently natural, sloping up
from the Northwards, with a high steep
bank towards the river and a retaining
wall where the
flank has been cut back for the roadway
on the E. [East]. Within the grounds of this Mansion
[Continued on page 4] |
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[Continued from page 3]
though cut and carved for lawns and
pathways there are still massive artificial
mounds evidently the remains of the mote
and its basecourt. The mote itself has probably
stood on the highest point, which lies in rear
of the house and adjoining the Academy and
has been almost entirely removed, the site being
occupied by a croquet lawn. On the NW. [North West]
of this lawn is a broad flat topped ridge
of soil which seems to be a small segment
of the original construction, while above the
street on the E [East] or SE. [South East] the scarp of the mote
appears to be recognisable. If this is the
case the mote has been a very large one and
rather square in form. To the northward of
the house a massive, rampart-like mound
runs parallel to the street
rising some 25' above it and 6' or 7' above the
level of the lawn on its inner side, and gradu:
:ally diminishing till it disappears behind the
lodge. Some 50' from its termination another
mound, less massive and sharper at the
apex as if more recently fashioned diverges
from it and curves round towards the
NW. [North West] These mounds seem to have been
connected with the base court but
without some knowledge of the transformation
[Continued on page 5] |
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[Continued from page 4]
which must have taken place all over
this ground it is impossible to account for
these mounds with any certainty. Save
for the suggestive name of the house it
would have been difficult even to infer a
mote on the site.
St. Michals' Churchyard.
Situated on a slight eminence at the end
of the town of Dumfries is the church of St.
Michal and its surrounding graveyard.
The tower of the church is said to be older than
the rest of the fabric but is not, I think, of any
particular antiquity. I left, however, its examina:
:tion to the architects. In the Churchyard
the great majority of the monuments are table
stones that form having been the prevailing fashion,
and very few bear emblems or aught else beside
the inscription. Near the entrance gate on the
right and with its back to the street is an
upright architectural monument with fluted
pilasters on either side of a central panel. Above
the panel is an inscription in relief. "In memoriam
viri optimi huius urbis c ('onsulis) Johannis Cor:
:sani, filius hoc monumentum ? xrux)
qui obiit 7 Maii 1629. The inscription on
the panel is for the most part weathered away
and the above quoted inscription is also
[Continued on page 6] |
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[Continued from page 5]
rapidly decaying.
A short distance further from the gate on the
same side is another architectural tomb of
larger dimensions. On either side of a large
central panel with a semicircular panel resting
on it are two (?) composite columns supporting an
entablature and pediment. The inscription in
relief on the central panel has been recut and
reads "Francisco Irvingo consuli charissimo
marito grata conjunx et patri provido pia
pignora justa hsec sed longe inferiora sac:
:rarunt obiit 6 Novemb. 1633. cetat. an 68.
Ane Epitaphe
King James at first me balive named
Dumfreis oft since me provest clamed
God hast for me ane croune reserved
For King and countrie have I served.
Around the arc of the semicircle runs the
legend "Memento homo quod cinis es et in
cinerem reverteris" with the date 1633 above in
the centre [inserted note 1] Along the frieze of the central
section of the monument is inscribed.
"Insignum Irvingorum exegesis Felicis
en instar vivus virtute virebam, nunc vireo
coelo providus ante solo." In the frieze
to left and right respectively in panels
[Continued on page 7]
[Opposite page - Inserted note 1]
and enclosed within it are the following
emblems of mortality and resurrection. A skull and cross bones, two winged
cherub heads, and an open bible with the
initials F.I. and AR. separated by the skull. |
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[Continued from page 6]
enclosed in foliageous ornament are respectively
the initials FI and A.R. Within the pillars
on either side are comparatively modern in:
:scriptions commemorating members of the
family of Maxwell of "The Grove"
This monument much resembles the Ewart
tomb in St. Cuthberts Churchyard Kirk:
:cudbright.
[Margin - sketch inserted]
Against the S. [South] side of the church is a
quaintly carved slab of red sandstone with
a semicircular top heavily moulded & with an egg
& dart border inside The upper part is in:
:scribed in relief. "Here lyes Eliz Key relict of Mr.
Robert Archibald late minister of the Gospel at
Dunscor 1709," and separated by a band of
ornament consisting of grouped inverted thistles [Inserted note 1] and
(?) loops [Sketch inserted here] the following characterization "Meek,
modest, prudent, wise and good [Sketch inserted here] Stood
as al that knew her innermost, patient in life
and death, A patern to her latest breath.
"Vivit post funera virtus." Beneath these
inscriptions occurs a broad band of chequer
ornament and towards the base of the stone
Here also lyes Jean Archibald their eldest
daughter. The scheme of ornamentation
of this stone
and its execution are exceptionally good.
[Continued on page 8]
[Opposite page - Inserted note 1]
This ornament is more probably to be correctly
described as scallops and tassels. |
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[Continued from page 7]
and it presents none of crude imagery usually
represented on Scottish tombstones of this period
The lettering is artistic well cut and spaced.
Unfortunately it is suffering much from the
effects of the weather.
Lying some 40' back from the centre of the
S. [South] wall of the church within the burial ground of
Archibald Mitchelson is a slab measuring 6'
by 2'.9'' inscribed in relief in a border
"Here lyes Dvid Bishop late provist of Drumfreis
who departed this present life the 7 day of October
Ands (sic) 1679 erected by Jannet Cuningham his
spous"
Some 12' out from the same side of the church
towards the E [East] end is another slab bearing an
incised inscription much worn away on one
side, which reads "Here lyes John Mitch(elson)
Merchant in this Bur(gh)
who departed this life 31 of August 1708 and
his age 50.
If grace good manners n(oble)
gifts of mind
Yea where all moral v(ir)
:tues have combined
Compleat a man. Behold (bene)
:ath this stone
[Continued on page 9] |
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[Continued from page 8]
He lyes interd whom (? rich)
And poor bemoan.
He run his race and
Entrance got
His name is savori and
not rot.
A panel at the lower end of the stone contains
a winged cherub's head, book, sandglass
and cross-bones; and at one side of it is
the further inscription Here lyes John Mitchelson
son to James Mitchelson.
[Margin] omit
Within the porch of the church is a small
marble effigy of a child, I should think
a work of art of the early 19th century beneath
which is the following quatrain
"Like a dewdrop kiss'd off by the sun's morning beam
A brief but a beauteous existence was given,
Her soul seem'd to come down to earth in a dream
And only to wake when ascended to heaven."
To the NW. [North West] of the main door of the church
and distant some 30' lies a much worn
slab broken in two the halves of which are
wrongly placed with relation to each other.
On the upper half of the stone in the centre is
a skull & cross bones with a scroll inscribed
"memento mori" around it and beneath it
[Continued on page 10] |
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[Continued from page 9]
[Opposite page - two sketches inserted]
a winged hour glass. On the left of the central
emblem is a crown above the initials HG. MG.
on the right a thistle with the initials EW. while
the date 1700 is placed half on one side
and half on the other. On the lower portion
of the stone has been a skull much worn away,
a cross bone [sketch inserted here] and, placed diagonally
a winged cherub's head. At the base beneath
a five petalled heraldic rose on the left and a
four petalled rose on the right is inscribed
"This stone perteaneth to HG. E.W."
Towards the E [East] end of the older portion of the
churchyard and adjacent to a tall granite
obelisk - a martyr's monument - are two tombs
of covenanters repaired and re-erected in 1873.
The Northmost bears the inscription.
Here lyes William Greirson Pentland Martyr
for his adhereing to the word of God and appearing
for Christ's kinglie government in his house
and the covenanted work of reformation a:
:gainst perjury and prelacy executed Jan. [January]
2 1667. Rev. [Revelations] 12.11
Under this stone lo here doth ly
Dust sacrificed to tyranny
Yet precious in immenuiles sight
Since martyr'd for his kinglie right
[Continued on page 11] |
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[Continued from page 10]
When he condemns these hellish druges
By suffrage saints shall be their judges.
The other slab lying adjacent bears also an in:
:cised inscription.
Here lyes William Welsh Pentland Martyr
for his adhereing to the word of God and
appearing for Christ's kingly goverment in
his house and the covenanted work of re:
:formation against perjury and prelacie
execute Janr. [January] 2 1667. Rev. [Revelations] 12.11
Stay Passenger Read
Here interr'd doth ly
A witnes gainst poor Scotlands' perjury
whose head once fix'd upon the bridge-port stood
proclaiming vengance for his guiltles blood.
A slab set upon end some 50' to the SE. [South East]
of the church is inscribed in relief as follows:-
"Here lyis Andrew Corsbie Mar (?chant) de:
:parted the 11 of August 1674 aetatis 77.
In the centre of the stone between the initials
AC. and HN. is a shield bearing the
merchants' emblem [sketch inserted here].
In the SE. [South East] corner stands a domed
mausoleum, the tomb of Burns, containing
a large marble bas-relief of the poet beside his
plough.
[Continued on page 12] |
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[Continued from page 11]
Macdowalls, History of Dumfries should
be examined for additional information re:
:lative to the tombs in this churchyard.
30th May 1912.
Wrote up notes all forenoon and at 1 o'clock
left by train for Moniaive very pleased to get
away from Dumfries and the depressing
woodbank hotel for a season. I enjoy too
much the independence and the quiet contemplative
life in a country inn at this time of year,
when there are neither tourists nor summer visitors
to intrude upon my solitude, to endure the
conventionalities of any town hotel with its chattering
table d' hôte, its menus, and indifferent dinners.
Here I am in excellent quarters at the Craigdarroch Arms
Moniaive is a trig little village of one storied
cottages which have wandered on from the
little street by the "mercat" cross along two
incoming roads so that the hamlet resembles
a capital Y. Three valleys between round
swelling grassy hills direct their traffic into
it and one high road leads to Dunscore
& Dumfries, while a white ribbon over the
steep hillside on the north is the way to
Tynronkirk. The little cottages are bright
with beds of pansies and large button
daisies and against their ochre
washed walls, for that colour is much in
[Continued on page 13] |
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[Continued from page 12]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
vogue, grow roses and trailing plants. The
cross is a slender column with chamfered
edges set on a "drum" of masonry, supporting
a square cap with chamfered corners, dated
on one face 1638 and surmounted
by a large stone ball from which issues
a formidable spike, suggestive as suitable
for the heads of traitors or other disagreeable
persons, but in reality the remains of a
weather vane. MacGibbon has measured
it so I look to him for its description.
Arrived at the Craigdarroch arms my
first business was to procure an assistant,
this I was fortunately able to do right away
in the person of a son of Mr. Corrie the
postmaster and an enthusiastic Antiquary.
This done more writing up of notes engaged me
till the end of the afternoon when I wandered
up the glen of Dalwhat. The Lychnis and
Stitchwort are all out below the hedge rows
in full blossom hawthorn and
in the meadows here and there are
clusters of globe flowers. The orchises
seem barely out here yet though I saw
some a fortnight ago at Creetown.
[Continued on page 14] |
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[Continued from page 13]
31st May 1912.
Off on bicycles at 10.0' correspondence and
a puncture having delayed our start.
Woodlea.
Here set up in the rock garden is a whin:
:stone slab brought from Auchencheyne
whereon is incised a plain Latin Cross,
the side arms of which slightly expand
outwards and which has an an encircled
boss in the centre. The shaft has no horizon:
:tal groove to close it at the foot in this
respect resembling one of the crosses at
Laggangam. There is an 18th century in:
:scription at the base of the stone indicating
that it has been used as a boundary mark.
It is fully described and illustrated in the
current vol. [volume] of the Antiquaries Proceedings
Craes Hill Small Cairn.
On a Western spur of Craes Hill at an
elevation of some 950' over sea level and
about 1/2 m. [mile] N. [North] by W. [West] of Lochur farm house
in a slight hollow to the S. [South] of a prominent
outcropping rock lie seven small cairns.
marked "tumuli" on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map. With
one exception which is situated towards
the E [East] side of the group they are larger than
the usual cairns of this class: two oval
in form measure 15' by 12', 16' by 12', and
a third of the same form but disturbed to some extent
26' by 19'. An oblong one measures 20' by 12'
[Continued on page 15] |
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[Continued from page 14]
and two circular cairns 16' and 25' in
diameter. Those that are not circular show
no preference for any particular orientation.
none of them are above 2' in elevation
Enclosing the upper end of the hollow
at the base of the rock, in a semicircle
are the ruins of an ancient wall along
the chord of which or within it, most of the
cairns lie. Close to the wall near some
clumps of rushes at the N. [North] end there is
just traceable a foundation, running parallel
for a distance of some 20' at about 20' within it.
About 1/2 m. [mile] due E [East] of the last just above
the 900' elevation and near the source of a
burn is another group of small cairn-like
mounds most of which show that hollow
in the centre which suggests the ruin of
a beehive hut. One to the W. [West] side of the
group is oblong in form measuring inter:
:iorly 14' by 7': & evidently the site of a sheeling bothy. some 40' to the E. [East] of it is a
small circular construction most evidently
a hut ruin with an interior diameter as
far as ascertained of about 5'. There
appears to have been an entrance from
the W. [West] on either side of which the wall
has projected somewhat forming a passage
6' in length - the regular breadth of the wall
[Continued on page 16] |
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[Continued from page 15]
in its ruined state and as far as ascertainable
without excavation being about 4'. The
circular mounds measure about 14' in dia:
:meter and 2' in elevation. A short distance
to the S. [South] against a rock is a large en:
:closure for sheep or cattle and sugges:
:ting that here have been sheilings.
On the moor about 1/2 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of Lochur farm
house and 1/4 m [mile] SE. [South East] of the small cairns first
described on Craes Hill are the remains of a
cairn much delapidated with a diameter of
37' and an elevation of about 2'. There is no
indication that the interment has been
disturbed.
Within 30 yds [yards] to the SW. [South West] is a group of four
small grass grown cairns with diameters
each of about 12'.
About 150 yds S. [South] by W. [West] of the large cairn
is another group of about half a dozen
of similar size to the last.
Over a rough surfaced road from
Lochur into the road from Dunscore to
Dalbeattie to within half a mile of Lettrick
where we placed our bicycles behind a
wall and mounted Craigdasher Hill.
Craigdasher small Cairns
At the SE. [South East] end of Craigdasher Hill at an
[Continued on page 17] |
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Scraes Hill is Craes Hill. (From an identical description on Canmore) |
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[Continued from page 16]
elevation of about 850' over sea level is a
group of 9 or 10 small cairns with diameters
of some 12' and low elevation. To the NE. [North East]
of the group is the site of a somewhat larger
cairn which has been almost entirely removed
and around it are about half a dozen small
cairns similar to the last.
Descending the grassy slopes of Craigdasher
the milkwort was to be seen in great profusion
in flower and much of it white. I also gathered
a pale mauve, a light blue, and the usual dark
blue varieties.
Retracing our tracks we crossed to the N. [North] side
of the valley to Sandaywell moor.
Dunscore Par [Parish] Sandaywell Moor Small Cairns.
On a plateau on Sandaywell moor the
crest of the watershed between the summit
Knockoure and an eminence about 1/4 m. [mile]
to the E. [East] lie a group of small cairns.
One lying to the SW [South West] of the group measuring
some 14' in diameter is the E. [East] termination
of an ancient stony bank or wall which
passes away Westward in an irregular
line for a distance of 80 yds [yards] or so when it
gradually melts away. Both cairn
and dyke are equally overgrown and
present similar features of Antiquity. |
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[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
(This conjunction was on several occasions
observed in Sutherland.) The cairns
of this group vary from 12' to 19' in
diameter, several measuring 16'. They number
at least a dozen and are at an elevation of
800' over sea level. At the N. [North] edge of the
plateau is a distinct hut foundation
with a circular chamber at one end meas:
:uring 11' over all, and apparently an oblong
compartment attached to it, across the outer
end of which a short length of walling for a
butt or shelter has recently been built
Bogrie Moor
About 1/2 m. [mile] to the N. [North] at the head of a
secluded valley which opens out towards the
farm of Bogrie is another group of small
cairns. The region is very desolate and
the heather clad ground on which they
are situated bristles with rocks and boulders,
yet near to the cairns are the remains of
large enclosures in the centre of one of which
is traceable the foundations of a rectangular
oblong structure much overgrown measur:
:ing over all some 29' by 19' probably the
ruins of a turf cabin on a stone base.
The largest of the cairns which rises a
grey mass from the heather at the S. [South] side
[Continued on page 19] |
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[Continued from page 18]
of the group measures some 17' in diameter.
Adjacent, around a slight knoll run the
ruins of an old enclosing fence the stones
of which are very small and which shows
within the foundations of an oblong structure
The elevation of the group is also about 800'.
Such a situation as this was no doubt
admirable for goats but i can hardly
imagine it was sheep or cattle pasture.
About 1/4 m. [mile] to the NE. [North East] is another large
group of at least a dozen small cairns in which the stones are much
exposed. Measuring in diameter about
16' and in elevation not above 2'.
I flushed two broods of young grouse
today both able to fly & taking readily
to the wing.
1st June 1912.
Hardly had I started to write up my journal,
with a view to visiting some objects near at hand
in the afternoon, when the architects arrived in
their car from Thornhill. I was glad to be in as
I had a good many instructions to give and in:
:formation to get.
In the afternoon we all went to Loch Urr to ex:
:amine the so-called remains of a castle on
an island near the E. [East] side
Rough Island Loch Urr.
About half way along the E. [East] shore of Loch
Urr and about [--] yds. [yards] out from it is a
[Continued on page 20] |
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[Continued from page 19]
low island some [--] ft. [feet] in length by [--] in breadth,
of a regular oblong form, and composed of subangular
boulders. It lies with its main axis nearly E. [East] and
W. [West]. All around except at the E [East] or shoreward
end the water is deep, but from the E. [East] end
a gangway of stepping stones leads to a
much smaller grass covered islet about 68' in length and some 60'
distant, whence it is said a further gangway,
sunk beneath the surface gave access to the
shore. (This latter gangway we did not see
but I am told its existence has been observed
and Proceedings of the Dumfries & Galloway. Antiq [Antiquarian]
&c. Society should be examined for any notice of it.)
[Opposite page - text and photograph inserted] - Mr. Corrie has followed the line of the submerged
gangway which crosses obliquely to the small
island. It is now about 3' beneath the water
& some 3' above the bottom of the loch.
The larger island has been encircled by a wall
of dry rubble building, still standing towards
the SE. [South East] angle to a height of about 4', [--] ft [feet] thick
at the E [East] end, in the centre of which there appears
to have been an entrance, and diminishing
to [--] ft. [feet] in thickness as it passes along the
flanks and round the Western end. Within
the enclosure thus formed are the foundations
of four rectangular structures. One lying
on the right of the mesial line extending from the entrance
inwards for a distance of [--] ft. [feet] and the other
three placed at right angles across the island
as shown on the plan made by the Architects. |
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The walls of these structures are about [--] ft. [feet] in
thickness and like the surrounding wall seemingly
built without mortar. The elevation of the
top of the island is some 3' above ordinary
water level and it has possibly been made
up to some extent - the smaller islet has a
much lower elevation. The form of this
island fortress is very similar to that on the
Green island, now a peninsula, at the side
of Milton Loch. The walled enclosure con:
:taining rectangular buildings at once recalls
the islands in Loch Maberry, Loch Ochiltree &c.
in Wigtownshire.
Over the island, as we were ferried to it by
a kindly fisher, there rose & fell a white cloud
of screaming gulls and when we put foot
on it only by walking most circumspectly
were we able to avoid crushing young birds
or breaking eggs at every step. The young
ones were in every stage from the new hatched
blinking "squab", hardly able to balance itself
on the edge of the nest, to ungainly objects
the size of peeweets. When our work took us
to the water's edge away would sail a flock
of tiny fluffy ? chicks some of them getting to
where the parent gulls had settled on the water
[Continued on page 22] |
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[Continued from page 21]
60 or 80 yards away. I watched with interest
one old gull deliberately drive back a youngster
who had ventured too far from home. It was
a lovely afternoon with a warm sun and
light breeze and I dont think the chicks would
come to harm. The colony seemed to be
black headed gulls - though the eggs
varied in ground colour from pale green to brown.
?Entrenchment. Loch Urr.
The land around the Southern end of Loch
Urr towards the West is heathery moorland and
rather wet but to the Westward of a Southerly
arm of the loch there rises a peninsula,
well above the water, with a grassy surface.
The neck of this peninsula is traversed by
a broad natural looking hollow, damp &
marshy in the bottom, above which with
a steepish scarp rises the peninsula.
This scarp is rough, irregular, and not
altogether artificial looking. Above it
at the W. [West] end and extending a considerable
distance Eastward, is a rampart-like
mound of clay rising some 2' to 3' above
the level in rear of it. Near the middle
of its course across the neck it entirely
disappears without any apparent reason
to come into evidence again towards the
[Continued on page 23] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-23 |
[Page] 23
[Continued from page 22]
E [East] side where it is quite distinct returning
Northwards for a short distance along the top
of the bank facing the water, and terminating
in a bulky flat topped mound.
I took no measurements of this construction
as I was in great doubt of its artificial
character, but on the other hand I do
not see how it came to assume such
a rampart-like aspect by any natural
agency. I hear that the Dumfries & Galloway
Society actually made an excavation
across the mound and recovered some
fragments of pottery:- their Proceedings
may contain some particulars of it.
[Opposite page - text inserted] - Mr. Corrie in his book on the parish of Glencairn
gives some account of the examination of this
rampart. He tells me that its artificial character
was absolutely ascertained; that a ditch silted up
for 6' exists at the base of it: that a paved way runs
along in rear of the mound, and that no pottery
was found in cutting a section through it though
some fragments were found on either the peninsula
or the island
2nd June.
Sunday. Wrote notes & cleared off correspondence.
A wet day which cleared a little in the afternoon
when J. [Jocelyn] & I. suitably clad took the steep hill
road to Tynron kirk lying in a secluded
valley some two long miles away. Ere we reached
our objective the rain commenced to fall
and when we got back to our inn it was very
wet. An old Aberdeen terrier has adopted us & accompanied us
on our walks yesterday and today.
3rd June 1912
J. [Jocelyn] returned to Edinburgh. A doubtful
looking morning with a threatening of
rain but I set off up the Dalwhat glen
to examine the fort on Castle hill. Hardly
[Continued on page 24] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-24 |
[Page 24]
[Continued from page 23]
had we clambered up the long hill-side
disturbing a large flock of blackgame in
a moist meadow, ere the clouds came down
low and broke with heavy rain which drove
us home drenched, at lunch time but not till
I had finished my work in the glen.
Glencairn Castle Hill Fort
This fort is situated on the Castle Hill, a
spur of Glenskelly Hill, projecting into the Dal:
:what Glen some 3 1/2 ms. [miles] above Moniaive with
an elevation of 900' or thereby over sea level.
On the SW. [South West] it rises by steep grassy slopes for
some 400' from the bottom of the glen; on
the SE. [South East] the foreground undulates in hillocks
and hollows for some 300 yds. [yards] before it as:
:sumes a steeper gradient on the side of the
valley: on the E. [East] is a comparatively easy
inclination and on the NW. [North West] the ground
dips to a hollow a short distance in front
and then rises in tiering heights to
Glenskelly and higher hills beyond. The
site of the fort is on a saddlebacked ridge & is
suboval in outline having its main axis
NNW. [North North West] and SSE. [South South East]. The defences except at the
NNW [North North West] end are faint and indistinct but
at that point are well preserved. A
slight stony mound encircling the oval
[Continued on page 25] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-25 |
[Page 25]
[Continued from page 24]
has surmounted a scarp with an average
height of about 5', rising from a terrace
some 17' in width at the NNW [North North West] end but di:
:minishing in breadth along the flanks. At
this end there is an indication of a slight
mound at the edge of the terrace which
drops by a scarp some 5' in height to a
narrow trench some 6' wide the upcast
from which has formed a low mound to
the outside. Passing along the flanks this
trench gradually merges into a lower terrace
which some 2/3 distant to the SSE. [South South East] end along the W [West] side melts
into the slope of the hillside. Along the E [East]
side the remains of the lower terrace are
very slight and disappear entirely at a hollow
which leads up into the interior from the ENE. [East North East]
near the centre and which has probably been
the entrance. The length of the interior is
some 272' and its breadth at the centre 158'
[Opposite page - two sketches and text inserted] - Sketch section at NNW. [North North West] end
Cross section. sketch.
The highest point in the centre of the fort is
some 18' above the upper terrace on the
W. [West] side and 11' on the E [East]. The tracing
from the 25" O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map gives an indication of
the shape of this fort but none of the
character of its defences.
The lines of this fort recalled those of the Laggan fort, Glasserton. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-26 |
[Page 26]
Glencairn Par. [Parish] Holmhead Hill. Small Cairns.
On the SW. [South West] flank of Holmhead Hill
and about 1/2 m. [mile] E by N. [East by North] of Dalwhat is a
group of four or five small cairns situated
like so many in this region at an elevation
of 800' above sea level, and near the source
of a small stream. Two or three of them have
been dug into in the centre but no cist is exposed
in anyone of them. The largest is stoney all over,
and measures 20' in diameter with an elevation
from the lowest side of about 2'.
A very wet afternoon has enabled me to
clear off arears of notes.
By the side of the Dalwhat water just
below Caitloch house opening through
a rock, at so slight an elevation above the
level of the burn that the stream must
frequently flood it, is a miners' gallery
similar to that at Billies between Castle
Douglas & Kirkcudbright, and the one
cleared out by Mr. Maconochie on the
Boon Water in Lauderdale. All are simi:
:larly situated close to a stream probably
for a twofold reason - the getting at the rock
in section and the proximity of water for
washing. In the Caitloch "Cave", which extends
inwards, I should think some 60', at two
[Continued on page 27] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-27 |
[Page 27]
[Continued from page 26]
or three places I observed the section of a bore
made for blasting.
4th June 1912.
Everthing very wet after the rain of
yesterday and the sky suggesting a continu:
:ance of rainy weather. I took a day over the
hills on foot
Cairn Moniaive.
The cairn (no. 9. of list) about half a mile S. [South]
of Moniaive may be noted as a site for it
has been almost cleared away. It
is said that a cist was found in it and
Mr. Corrie will no doubt give particulars in
his book.
Small Cairns. Red Scar Plantation.
Just to the S. [South] of the extreme SE. [South East] point of the
Red Scar plantation and about 30 yds. [yards] back
from the dyke is a small cairnlike mound
overgrown with turf measuring about 12'
in diameter
Gerharrow Small Cairns
On the N. [North] slope of the Glen of the Gerharrow Burn
and some 250 yds. [yards] S. [South] of the most Southwesterly
point of the Ellrig Plantation is a group of
small cairns. They lie in a slight sheltering
hollow near the source of a stream and
an elevation of about 900' over sea level.
In number they extend to about half a dozen
but formerly there have been a few others
from which the stones have entirely
[Continued on page 28] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-28 |
[Page 28]
[Continued from page 27]
carted away. The average diameter is about
16'.
About 100 yds [yards] down from the low side of the
Ellrig Plantation near its W. [West] side is another
small group. Over a small hillock to the
E. [East] there may be seen in a hollow the ruins of
an ancient sheep fold rectangular in form.
Small Cairns and Hut circles.
On the S. [South] side of the glen about 1/4 m. [mile] SSE. [South South East] of
the E. [East] point of the Ellrig wood and on the
end of one of the many round-backed undulating
ridges which trend down the hillside is a large
group of small cairns with a circular
sheep fold occupying the highest point. An
examination of the wall of the fold shows that
it has been erected on an older stone founda:
:tion 5' in breadth, probably belonging to a
hut circle which has measured interiorly
some 29' by 25'. Traceable down the hillside
to the Eastward is the line of an ancient
wall now greatly delapidated against which
lie the ruins of several small circular or
sub-oval enclosures, while some 40' to the E. [East]
of the sheep fold is an oblong enclosure measuring
interiorly some 14' by 5'.6". surrounded by a
faint outline of stones. Beyond
the wall to the Eastward a rivulet flows
[Continued on page 29] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-29 |
[Page 29]
[Continued from page 28]
down a hollow and ruins of walls crossing its
course may indicate the former existence of a mill
of some sort though the water power is now very slight.
The small cairns in this group number about
a score and are situated at an elevation between
800' and 900' above sea level.
At about the same elevation, from 200 to
300 yds. [yards] to the Eastward of the last group in a slight hollow and
SE [South East] of the E. [East] point of the Ellrig Plantation is a large group
of small cairns some of which are of consider:
:able size. The most prominent towards the E [East]
end of the group and overgrown with heather
measures in diameter some 22' by 18' and in
elevation 3'. Near it a confused mass of
stones showing some structural work is
evidently the ruins of an oblong hut measuring
over all 20' by 15'. Towards the lower end of
the hollow is a cairn measuring some
7' across the centre of which has been par:
:tially excavated to the extent of exposing
a slab at least 10" thick and about 2 1/2' square
which may be the cover of a cist. (We removed
some turf & stones but did not attempt to move
the slab as the recent rain had flooded the
excavation.)
In a sheltering hollow about 1/4 m. [mile] E [East] of
[Continued on page 30] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-30 |
[Page 30]
[Continued from page 29]
of Gerharrow and at an elevation of about 800 ft. [feet]
above sea level is another group of about a dozen
small cairns of less diameter than the previous
lot and measuring from 12' to 14'.
None of the foregoing are noted and I am
indebted to Mr. Corrie for drawing my attention
to them.
Martyr's Monument. Ingleston.
In the Northern portion of the garden at Ingles:
:ton farm house which has been allowed to
revert to grass there stands against the
wall a slab inscribed in incised lettering.
"In this yard were shot John Gibson, James
Bennoch, Robert Edgar, Robert Mitchell, and
Robert Grierson April 28 1865 by Colorell (sic)
Douglas and Livingstouns Dragoons for
adhereing to Christs kingly Govermnent (sic) in
his church against tyrannie, perjurie, and
prelacie."
Lower Mote. Ingleston.
About 1 m. [mile] ESE. [East South East] of Moniaive there rises out
of the flat and somewhat marshy land that
lies in the bottom of the cairn valley a
prominent elongated hillock of sand and
gravel having its main axis ENE [East North East] and WSW. [West South West].
This hillock has been formed into a
mote hill and basecourt by the erection
of an entrenched mound at its WSW. [West South West] extremity and by
[Continued on page 31] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-31 |
[Page 31]
[Continued from page 30]
levelling the summit and steeply scarping the
sides towards the ENE. [East North East] where a second trench
across from side to side forms the termination
of the base court in that direction 45' distant
from the actual end of the hillock.
[Inserted note 1] On the E. [East] the Jarbruck burn flows by near
the base and all around in former times the
ground was no doubt, marshy. The Mote
sloped at an angle of 40° from the horizontal
except towards the foot where the slope is easier rises
to a height of 36' from the ground level. It is cir:
:cular in form with a flat plat on the summit
measuring some 31' in diameter, and has been
cut off from the base court by a trench, some
25' in width, 12' in depth from the summit,
5' below the highest point of the counterscarp, which
curves around it opening on the natural scarp
of the hillock at either side. There is no indica:
:tion of a parapet mound on the summit.
The base court stretches to the Eastward for
a distance of about 213' from the edge of the
trench with a width of about 95' at the WSW. [West South West]
end and of 36' at the opposite extremity. The
ditch which terminates it cut athwart the
hillock is V shaped 36' wide, and 11' in
depth below the scarp and 6' below the
counterscarp. The height of the summit of
the base court is some 30' above ground
level and its sides are sloped at an angle
of about 38°. From the base court to the
[Continued on page 32] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-32 |
[Page 32]
[Continued from page 31]
S. [South] of the mote a roadway some 10' wide between
parallel mounds leads downwards and giving
on a squarish platform at the foot of the
slope wih a slight mound at its SW. [South West] side and
a dip in the level to the Northward as if the
road had been deflected at right angles to
pass along the end of the hillock beneath
the mote itself. (The architects have planned
this mote and my description must be checked
with their plan.)
Cairn site Old Crawfordton.
Some 200 yds [yards] to the NE. [North East] of the farm house is the
site of a large circular cairn of which little
more than a surrounding fringe of stones remain.
(Mr. Corrie has noted this in his book as a supposed
fort, but I have no doubt as to its true character.)
Glencairn Churchyard
At the E [East] end of the old church of Glencairn
is a fine architectural monument consisting
of a central recessed panel flanked by fluted
pilasters with pyramidal finials. Between
the finials on a cornice is a moulded panel
on which is carved a skull and cross
bones, an hour glass, a spade, a hand
holding a bell and an object resembling an axe.
The central panel has been inscribed but the
inscription has almost entirely weathered off.
Above it five lines of inscription read as
[Continued on page 33] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-33 |
[Page 33]
[Continued from page 32]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
follows :- viro virtulibus ut fortunis
Beato patri sus benignissimo
Stephano Laurio a Maxweltoun
Mnemosynon hoc lapidem
(? fili)us exposuit
Obiit 14 ----bris MDCXXXVII. [1637]
Built into the E [East] wall of the churchyard is a
panel with the incised inscription
"There is no obtaining the prize of happiness
without running the race of holiness"
The date is probably late 17th or early 18th century
[Margin] (Omit)
Lying displaced at the E [East] end of the churchyard
against the burying ground of Alexander Smith of
Lawn is an oblong panel bearing emblems which
I have not previously met with. The stone is un:
:dated and merely bears incised initials. A
sketch is on the opposite page. The stone measures
2'.9 1/2" by 1'.9".
Near the centre of the site of the old church
is a table stone measuring 5'.6 1/2" by 2'.
inscribed :- Here lyes James Bennoch shot dead
by Col. [Colonel] Douglas and Livingstons dragoons at
Engleston for adhereing to the word of God
Christs Kingly government in his house and the
covenanted work of Reformation against tyranny
perjury and prelacy Apr. [April] 28 1685 Rev. [Revelations] 12. 11.
[Continued on page 34] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-34 |
[Page 34]
[Continued from page 33]
Another inscription at right angles to the foregoing
is imperfect owing to the stone having been broken.
Three other stones in an enclosed space com:
:memorate James Bennoch, Robert Edgar Robert
Mitchell and John Gibson all covenanting
martyrs. The stones & inscriptions are all
of late date. The latter are quoted by Mr.
Corrie.
It was after 6.0 before I returned this evening
having been on foot nearly the whole time since
10.0 in the morning.
5th June 1912.
Bicycled away by Auchencheyne and Loch Urr
to Dunscore Parish.
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
Sandaywell Tower.
This has been a keep now entirely modernised
and used as a farm house. Inserted into
the front of the porch is a panel on which is
carved a shield bearing arms a saltire
on a chief three lozenges. Over the shield
are the initials IR - SW. and beneath it the
date 1651.
Fort Sandaywell.
On a slight elevated platau half way between
the farms of Sandaywell & Bogrie and washed
at its base on the N. [North] by a burn are the
remains of a fort. From the site the ground
rises by an easy inclination to the Westward
while in the opposte direction to Eastward
[Continued on page 35] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-35 |
[Page 35]
[Continued from page 34]
it drops with a steeper gradient. The N. [North] flank
is protected by the glen of the burn: on the S. [South]
lies cultivated land from which all traces of the
defences have disappeared. The fort has been
four sided the W. [West] side being very strongly defended.
A scarp from the summit level 4' in heght drops to a broad
flat bottomed ditch 33 ft. [feet] across beyond which
there rises a rampart which at greatest elevation
has a height of 4 ft. [feet]. Beyond this with another
broad ditch intervening is a second rampart
with a greatest height of 5'.6" protected in front by
an outer trench some 40 ft. [feet] wide. Following
the defences round to the N. [North] the angle is rounded
and nearly a right angle: as the space
between the plateau and the burn diminishes
the inner rampart is eliminated and the
outer converges to meet a terrace halfway
along the N. [North] side some 12' below the sum:
:mit level and considerably more above the
burn. This terrace gradually disappears as
it passes toward the end of the long slope
down from the E. [East] end of the plateau. There is
a suggestion of a wall across the E. [East] end of
the plateau but no trench or rampart is now
visible in that direction. On the W. [West] a
field dyke crosses the plateau beyond which lies
[Continued on page 36] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-36 |
[Page 36]
[Continued from page 35]
the cultivated land. The total length of the interior
from the edge of the scarp at the W. [West] to the line of
the supposed wall has been some 260': the breadth
is no longer obtainable. Across the second trench
near the middle of the W. [West] side is a wall foundation
with a gap in the centre to the Northward of which
the bottom of the trench lies at a level about 1'.8"
above that to the S. [South] of it. Both ramparts show
much stone exposed about their crests and
seem to have been surmounted by walls.
Towards the SW. [South West] corner of the fort a grass covered
heap of small stones as showing on the surface
is marked "tumulus" on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map.
Bogrie Tower
This tower is now reduced to a two storeyed
Shepherds' house. Over the door is a panel
with the date 1770 & initials J.B. and beneath
it is inserted a coat of arms of the same
period Quarterly 1st. & 4th. 3 boars heads couped
surmounted of a bend; 2nd. & 3rd. ? two batons
crossed saltire ways, in chief a thistle and
in base a dagger point upwards. Over all
a helmet with mantling from which issues a
mans' face - with motto on a scroll "Fear God"
Over the back door is a panel on which carved
in relief are the initials IR. IM. & the date
1660. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-37 |
[Page 37]
Fort Bogrie.
About 1/4 m. [mile] NW. [North West] of Bogrie farm is a fort situated
on the crest of a slight undulation which falls
away in a long slope towards the [-- ] burn
on the S. [South]. In plan it is elliptical surrounded
by a stony rampart or ruined wall, overgrown
and of low elevation. The interior lies at a
slightly lower level than the surrounding
ground and measures about 118' by 94' There
appears to have been an entrance from the
E. [East] about 5' wide on the S. [South] of which there is
a slight mound against
what appears to be the inner face of the
bank. The width of the rampart or wall is
unobtainable without excavation.
To the W. [West] about 100 yds. [yards] there is a grassy
mound measuring in diameter about 20'
which may be a small cairn
Less than 1/4 m. [mile] due W. [West] of Bogrie on an old
meadow is another similar mound measuring
15' x 11' superficially which also may be a cairn.
Nethertown.
On the farm of Nethertown just across the
Collieston Burn from Dunesslin is a mound
which has been levelled and enclosed and
its sides regularly scarped. It is said to be an
old graveyard but neither on the surface
nor in the dykes are there any stones visible. |
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[Page 38]
"Mote" The Orchard Glencairn Par. [Parish]
Close beside the railway on its W. [West] side about 1/4 m. [mile] E by S [East by South] of Boreland is
a large circular entrenched earthwork. It is
situated on low lying ground opposite a loop
of the Cairn water which flows by at its nearest
point some [--] yds. [yards] distant. The ground has
a natural from the W. [West] towards the centre of
the construction which has been raised little
above the dead level as it exists to N. [North] and S. [South].
A central circular plateau measuring 97' by 106' around the edge of
which there appears to have been stone work
has been surrounded by a rather flat-
bottomed trench, soft underfoot, measuring
from 23' - 26 ft. [feet] in breadth. Beyond this rises a massive
rampart some 5'.6" ft. [feet] in height towards the
higher ground on the W. [West] but 5' on the E. [East]
and at the highest point rather flat on
the crest. Outside of this is a second
encircling ditch some 40' in width across the top and 7' and 10 ft. [feet] deep below scarp
and counterscarp respectively on the W. [West]
and - 5' - on the E. [East] This ditch is for
the most part wet and possibly for the purpose
of flooding it there is a break in the continuity
of the outer scarp towards the NNW. [North North West] and
the inner mound in the same direction is
reduced to a level of about 1' above the present
bottom of the ditch and is lower that the level of
[Continued on page 39] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-39 |
[Page 39]
[Continued from page 38]
the interior plateau. Towards the E [East] there is
a slight hollow in the scarp
of the outer ditch and extending southward from
it a rampart surmounts the counter scarp.
On the S. [South] a modern ditch has been cut to drain
away the water from the outer ditch.
(The architects have planned this construction.)
Mote Moatland. (No.7)
At the edge of the low lying ground which marks
the bottom of the Cairn valley on the N. [North] side
are a series of undulating hillocks gradually
rolling back on the higher ground to the
Northwards. Situated about [--] yds. [yards] S by E. [South by East]
of Moatland, now incorporated in the farm of
Birkshaw, is one of these hillocks rising to
a somewhat prominent head at one end
with a lower shoulder to the Southward.
The adjacent land on the E [East] has been low and
wet while on the W. [West] it has stretched away
with a gradual declination from the level
of the shoulder. This hillock has been
converted into a mote hill by the excavation
of a trench around three sides - the E. [East] flank
alone being left untrenched, the soft nature
of the ground in this direction having probably
afforded sufficient protection. The scarp
of the trench on the N. [North] is about 10' high
[Continued on page 40] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-40 |
[Page 40]
[Continued from page 39]
on the W. [West] at highest about 11', and on the S. [South]
about 6'. Along the W. [West] where the ground on both
sides does not differ greatly in elevation the trench
is V shaped, very boldly cut, and 34' in width
and has a slight mound on the counterscarp,
from the top of which it measures 8' in depth.
At the S. [South] end the trench is only 22' in width.
The prominent end of the hillock rises at the N. [North] to
a height of 24' and measures 34' across its
flat summit. From the base of its upper and
steeper slope on the S. [South] the shoulder extends
Southward for a distance of 105' with a breadth
of 95' or 105' according to whether the edge of
the enceinte was the side of the plateau or
the line of a dyke that runs along the flank.
At the N. [North] end the foundations of a wall may
be seen crossing the soft ground on the E. [East]
at right angles to the hillock and acting as
a flanking defence if a part of the original
scheme.
Some 60 yds [yards] NNW. [North North West] of Birkshaw is an oblong
gravel mound surmounted with trees and
rising some 11' at the SSE [South South East] end and 15' or thereby
at NNW [North North West] in which direction the ground declines
The summit is ellipsoidal in form and
has been surrounded at the edge by a
[Continued on page 41] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-41 |
[Page 41]
[Continued from page 40]
stone wall, the foundations of which are clearly
discernible, enclosing an area measuring
53' by 14'. There is no sign of a trench at the
base and it is difficult to say what this has
been & to what period it belongs.
Fleuchlarg White Cairns.
Situated in arable land some 200 yds. [yards] W. [West] by
S. [South] of Fleucharg farm house are the remains of a
long cairn known as the White Cairn. It lies
with its longest axis NNE. [North North East] and SSW. [South South West] and has
extended to a length of 140' with a width of
some 30' at the N [North] end and 80' at the S. [South] It has
been greatly demolished from the N. [North] end
but for the last 50' Southward it is still
a massive construction with an elevation
of 12'
6th June 1912.
Left the Craigdarroch Arms at Moniaive where
Ihave been very comfortable, I doing a day's
work with my bicycle while my luggage was
sent ahead by a trap to Capenoch where Mr.
Gladstone has with great kindness bidden me to
stay.
Cross-Shaft Hastings hall.
Hastings Hall is situated at the W. [West] end of the
village of Moniaive and there set up in a
rockery is a portion of a cross consisting of the shaft and lower arm believed to have been
brought from near Stroanfreggan in the Stewartry
many years since. The stone which is
[Continued on page 42] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-42 |
[Page 42]
[Continued from page 41]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
(?) sandstone extends 5'.9" in height above ground,
is 6 1/2" in thickness, 18" in breadth at the base
17" at the head of the shaft and 12 1/2" at the top
where fractured. At the upper end of the shaft
is sunk panel measuring 22" by 12" on which
is rudely carved two figures facing each other, [inserted note] ? male figures
and probably intended to represent the salutation.
The arm of the cross is carved in low relief and extends from the fractured
top of the stone for 15" and expands from4 1/2" to
11": the edges of the stone
running parallel to the sides. At each edge of the
stone opposite the lower extremity of the arm
there is a fracture showing a slight shoulder
indicating that some curved projection has
been broken off, and a similar curved point
exists at the top on the right side of the stone evid:
:ently marking the springing of the side arm.
These indications seem to point to this having
been a cross of the Irish type - a free standing
cross with the arms connected by a ring of
stone. (See Mr. Corrie's paper & photographs.)
Shancastle Doon.
This is a prominent hill on the N. [North] side of
the Cairn Valley about 2 ms. [miles] to the E. [East] of Moni:
:aive and rising to an elevation of 810' over
sea level. The name suggests the existence of
a fort of which there are indications though
[Continued on page 43] |
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[Page 43]
[Continued from page 42]
these are by no means definite. The hill culminates
in a point of outcropping rock to the N. [North] and NW. [North West]
of which lies a plateau bounded by a steepish
scarp down to a shoulder on the NW. [North West]. Along
the edge of this plateau in certain places there
are visible large laid blocks of stone while the
scarp beneath is strewn with debris. The
whole area is thickly covered with turf. On the
SE. [South East] face of the summit where the steeper slope
of the hill side breaks away indications of defences
are very slight. An old but comparatively
modern wall crosses the summit along the
upper side of the plateau.
Maxwillton Mote.
This mote has been formed out of a natural
gravel ridge rising above a low-lying meadow
that stretches back from the left bank of the
Cairn some 200 yds. [yards] distant, and is to be seen
by the roadside some 2 1/2 ms. [miles] to the East of
Moniaive. The mote rises in the centre of the
ridge and has an oval summit with
its longest axis NNW. [North North West] and SSE. [South South East]. Measuring in
diameter 70' by 60' and very level showing
no depression in the centre nor mound a:
:round the sides. Some 13' below the summit
level on the SSE. [South South East] a trench 26' in width from
crest to crest has been cut across the hillock
[Continued on page 44] |
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[Page 44]
[Continued from page 43]
and a mound some 3' in height formed of the
upcast has been raised to the lower side. As the
trench passes round to the Westward it flattens
to a terrace some 25' to 30' above the meadow
below and runs out at a slight hollow running
down the face of the hillock on the W. [West]. A
line of stones across the face of this hollow
suggest that it has been crossed by a wall
Beyond it the NNW. [North North West] end of the ridge is cut through
some 10' below the summit
in a similar manner to the opposite end by a
trench 16' wide and now of slight depth while
30' beyond is a second and slighter trench whence
the hillock gradually declines. Along the E. [East]
side where cultivation has encroached there
seems to have been a terrace but it has almost
disappeared. The counterscarps of the trenches
are very stony as if they had been faced or,
more probably, surmounted with a wall,
and at the W [West] end of the defences at the NNW. [North North West]
end there is exposed what appears to be a stone
base. There is no sign of a
base court.
Fort, (supposed) House Park Maxwellton (unnoted)
On the N. [North] side of the road leading from Crossford
to Maxwellton Mains and some 250 yds. [yards] from
where it leaves the main road to Moniaive
is what appears to be a fort situated on a
[Continued on page 45] |
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[Page 45]
[Continued from page 44]
slight rise now covered with a young plantation
and having a small pond at either end.
Around it run the ruins of a rude wall, with
a distinctly defensive character where best pre:
:served which is for a very short distance on
the W. [West] side. From the line of this wall Eastward
the bank below has been regularly scarped to
a height of some 5'. The thick growth of young
trees makes it now impossible to discern accur:
:ately the true character of this enclosure. On
the highest point there are foundations of an
oblong building probably a cottage, overgrown
with thick grass. ( I believe Mr. Corrie has
measurements of this construction made
when the plantation was less obstructive)
Small Cairns Crossford Hill.
In a slight hollow on a very rough stony
ground on Crossford Hill and about 1/2 m. [mile]
NNE. [North North East] of Crossford is a group of about a
dozen small cairns measuring in diameter
from 10' to 12' and in elevation about 1'.
Keir Par. [Parish]
SMALL CAIRNS. BARJARG MOOR
Stretching up the glen of the Auchenage Burn
on Barjarg Moor from about 100 yds [yards] NW. [North West]
of the dyke that encloses the cultivated land
on Glenlaugh farm are several groups
of small cairns. The first group
nearest the dyke contains about 4 low cairns
[Continued on page 46] |
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[Page 46]
[Continued from page 45]
apparently of earth and stone measuring in
diameter about 17'.
Some 200 yds. [yards] along the hill side and at a
slightly higher level is another small group
comprising about half a dozen. Associated with
these there appear to be two hut circles the enclosing
banks of both of which has been formed with
small stones and a very few large ones. The
most northerly has an interior diameter of
11'.6" and has been entered from the SE. [South East]. The
floor is slightly sunk beneath the surrounding
level. In the other circle, to the W. [West] of the group,
the interior is less well defined, but measures some 14'
in diameter while the over all measur:
:ments are 20' by 20'.6". The position of the
entrance is doubtful but it has probably been
from the ENE. [East North East].
On the E. [East] side of the glen about 150 yds. [yards] W. [West] of
the end of a wood which lies parallel with
the burn is a group of four small
cairns - one of which has been partially
cleared out - while about 100 yds. [yards] further
down the glen there are other six measuring
from 10' to 12' in diameter and about 2' in
elevation. All these small cairns
lie between the 800' and 900' contour lines of
[Continued on page 47] |
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[Page 47]
[Continued from page 46]
the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] map.
Here I parted with my assistant, a son of Mr.
Corrie the postmaster at Moniaive and rode
on at first down a rough and steep hill road
& from Barjarg by the high road to Capenoch to
be the guest of Mr. Gladstone. Capenoch is
a modern looking house built & in places
re-faced by Bryce in the Scottish Baronial
style. The older portion of the house, an oblong
structure at the N. [North] end, is rather anachronistic
in its features - having walls eight feet in
thickness and a double parallel vault on
the top storey. A careful examination, however,
shows that it is not probably older than the
18th century at which period it belonged to the
Kirkpatricks of Closeburn; further, historical
evidence points to its erection in the first
half of that century.
Foundations Capenoch
In a meadow enclosed by woodlands about
1/2 m. [mile] SW [South West] of Capenoch house are foundations
which appear to be those of a small rectangu:
:lar keep with buildings surrounding a court:
:yard attached to it. An ash tree of large di:
:mensions grows within the ruins of the
old keep. |
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[Page 48]
7th June 1912.
Morton Churchyard
Lying in the old churchyard of Morton Parish
near the centre of the SE [South East] end is a slab bearing an
effigy cut in relief upon it, of a man in the
costume of a minister of the covenanting period.
He wears a skirted coat with large cuffs turned
back, bands at his throat, and stockings & shoes.
The full length of the figure is 5'.7". ( MacGibbon
has got a drawing or a photograph of this.)
Cairn Burn. O.S. [Ordnance Survey] "tumulus"
In a grass park somewhat less than a 1/4 m. [mile]
to the Eastward of the farm of Burn and
above a high bank overlooking a stream,
the Cample Water, is a grass covered cairn
slightly spoiled on one side measuring in
diameter 37' by 31' and in elevation about 5'.
It is unexcavated.
Fort Townfoot.
Situated on the Western slope of the moorland
about 1/2 m. [mile] to the SE [South East] of Townfoot farm is a
fort. It is elliptical in form lying ESE. [East South East] and W.NW. [West North West] sur:
:rounded by a broad stony rampart rising
to a height of some 5' above an encircling
trench now scarcely apparent except at the
ends. The rampart has been considerably
despoiled for stones along the W. [West] side and there
are several gaps in it. The principal entrance
however has evidently been at the N [North] end of the W. [West]
side opening on a slight hollow in the interior.
[Continued on page 49] |
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[Page 49]
[Continued from page 48]
A stony bank faces the gap and passes Southward
flanking it for some 40' thereafter passing across
the interior towards the rampart on the E [East] side
On the S. [South] side of the entrance a low stony mound
runs outward as a traverse for a distance of some 30' across
the front of it. The length of the interior is
some 230' and the breadth at the centre 175':
the rampart at base has a breadth of 20', where
prominent at the SE. [South East] angle, and the trench a
width of 25' from crest to crest. The width of
the entrance at ground level is about 7'. The
interior is very uneven and stony showing
in one or two places evident remains of
divisional banks or walls. and rushes growing
in several spots suggest the presence of water.
The elevation of the site above sea level is 800'
Deil's Dyke
Running parallel with the W [West] face some 60'
distant and at an elevation some 20' lower.
is a section of the Deil's Dyke. It is here an
earthern mound some 12' wide at base with a
certain amount of stone at places protruding
through the top, rising to a height of from
2' to 3' and with a slight and narrow trench
some 7' wide on the upper side. It runs in
an irregular line along the face of a steepish
slope some 20' down from the crest.
This forenoon was exceedingly warm so I
[Continued on page 50] |
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[Page 50]
[Continued from page 49]
left as much of my "graith" &c. as I could spare at
the farm of Townfoot. Calling for it on my
return I had a "crack" with the farmer who
told me that his predecessor had found a
number of flint arrow heads in the fort. *
[Opposite page - inserted text] - * I have since seen the former occupant of the
farm, Mr. Smith, who tells me that this is not the
case.
Small Cairn. Fellend.
On the upper side of the road from Townhead
to Mitchellslacks about ? 300 yds. [yards] to the E [East] by S. [South] of
Fellend is a small cairn with a diameter of
24' and elevation of 2'. It has not been excavated.
It lies at an altitude of nearly 1000' over sea level.
[Opposite page - inserted text] - Walking down from this cairn I saw quantities
of the dainty purple blossoms of the Cranberry
with their long pistils & reflex petals.
Small Cairns Knockbrack
On the E. [East] side of Knockbrack a green grassy
hillock which rises up from the moorland
about 1/2 m. [mile] to the SE. [South East] of Townfoot Loch is a group
of ten or a dozen small cairns measuring
from 10' to 12' in diameter, overgrown with
grass and low in height. They are situated
at an elevation over sea level of about 900'.
Cairn Capel Glen.
About 3/4 m. [mile] to the NE. [North East] of the farm of Locherben on
a plateau which interposes between the slope of the
high land to the Westward and the precipitous
right bank of the Capel Burn which flows by 100'
below lies a cairn, formed of large stones, con:
:siderably overgrown, measuring some 25' in
diameter and low in elevation. It does not
appear to have been excavated.
A number of large slabs lying flat on the
surface or set upright and just protruding between
[Continued on page 51] |
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"Graith" is an obsolete Scottish word for equipment, apparatus or belongings. |
| gb0551ms-36-45-51 |
[Page 51]
[Continued from page 50]
the cairn and the top of the bank of the burn
are suggestive of a ruined cist. The altitude is about 900'
Cairn Threip Moor O.S. [Ordnance Survey] Tumulus.
This cairn is situated on the crest of the watershed
between the Poldivan Burn and the Capel Water
about 1/4 m. [mile] W. [West] of the confluence of the streams and
nearly 1/2 m. [mile] ENE. [East North East] of where the road running South:
:ward from Mitchellslacks crosses the former.
It has not been excavated and measures
some 50' in diameter and 6' in elevation.
As I thought my lad was tired I left him at
the roadside with the bicycles and set off by
myself to find two groups "tumuli" on the
N. [North] side of the Capel water. In directing my steps
I pay little regard to the position of contour lines
on my map and found to my cost on this oc:
:casion that they were unpleasantly close together
when I had crossed the water. Up I toiled in
a sultry atmosphere for a greater distance than
I estimated to find at the top, as I supposed,
a small group of utterly unimportant small
cairns
Small cairn Nether Dod.
At the SE. [South East] end of Nether Dod on the lower end
of the haunch of the hill overlooking the Capel
Water is a small group of cairns measuring
some 12' in diameter and very low in elevation.
They lie at an altitude of some 850' above sea level. |
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[Page 52]
[Continued from page 51]
Believing these to be the upper group marked on
my map, I hurried down the steep hill side to find
out my mistake when I reached the bottom. Luckily
a shepherd with his dogs, puzzled at my movements
had sat down to take stock of me, so I directed my
steps towards him and passed the time of day.
Fortunately the higher level of the hill was in his
herding and he knew two good cairns in place
of the one "tumulus" marked by the O.S. [Ordnance Survey]. With
the offer of a shilling for his trouble he readily
undertook to obtain the measurements I required
with a tape-line on the morrow and to post
them to me. They reached me next day.
Cairns Nether Dod.
On the Southern end of the long grassy
hill which lies to the E. [East] of Mitchellslacks and
bears the name of Nether Dod, at an elevation
of some 950' over sea level are two cairns
situated within 150 yds. [yards] of each other, the
one measures 39' in diameter and 4' in eleva:
:tion. while the other measures 30' in diameter
and 4 1/2' in elevation. (These particulars sup:
:plied by Mr. [--] Shepherd, Mitchellslacks.)
Long before I got back to my bicycle the rain
had begun to fall, and as we pursued our
10 or 11 miles homeward it grew heavier and
heavier until the roads were flowing with
[Continued on page 53] |
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[Page 53]
[Continued from page 52]
water and the wet began to find its way through
the buttoned front of my Burberry & up the ends of
the sleeves. This is the first really heavy rain I
have been caught in this year.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
8th June 1912.
MacGibbon & Watson called for me about 10.15
and we all visited Drumlanrig. It is a
beautiful structure erected between ? 1678 and
1685 - a square with towers at the angles
having an interior courtyard with round stair
turrets in the corner. The front door is reached
by a double flight of steps giving on a broad
balustraded terrace - projecting onto which is
an elaborate porch of several stories terminating
in a lantern and at the base open on three sides.
The carving down the front of the porch is very
rich, baskets & bunches of fruits trailing over
the pilasters & suspended from them by knots
of ribbons on either side shields with the
coats of arms of the Queensberry family. The
side portals of the porch are draped with heavy
curtains in stone. The whole building is in
sandstone of a lovely pink hue. Ashlar in
front and the sides originally harled but
now rough dressed. There is some good
Grinling Gibbons Carving in the dining
room said to have been removed from
[Continued on page 54] |
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[Page 54]
[Continued from page 53]
the stair case but the interior of the house
is not in keeping with elaborate decoration of
the exterior. There was lying in the hall a
privately printed account of the building
which I must make use of in writing the des:
:cription if I can borrow a copy. There is
a beautiful wrought iron rail to a balcony at
the back of the house and on the balcony a
sun dial dated ?168 - with a bronze gnomon
most exquisitely chased in a design of birds
and foliage.
Leaving Drumlanrig late in the afternoon we
visited Tibbers Castle and found the ruins of
an Edwardian Castle with a well 45 deep in
the centre which no doubt gave the name "tobar"
to the castle. MacGibbon will plan it. The
castle was cleared of ruins in the sixties of
last century and it is stated in a presidential
address of the Dumfries & Galloway Arch. & Nat.
Hist. Soc. [Archaeology & Natural History Society] that the kitchen midden was discovered
& numerous bones found including those of
the bos longifrons - but the accounts makes
no mention of pottery. I wonder where the detailed
account of it was published if so done!
See also Macfarlanes Geog. [Geographical] Collections
9th June 1912.
After luncheon walked up Tynron
Doon with Gladstone. |
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[Page 54a]
Note. The Rev. [Reverend] King Hervison states that remains of a
vitrified fort were discovered at Pingarie. I have
no note of any construction at that place
[Page 55]
Tynron Par. [Parish] Tynron Doon.
Tynron Doon is a lofty conical peak springing
from an Eastern spur of Auchengibbert Hill to which
it is linked by a broad col lying 150' or thereby
below its summit to the Westward. On all other
sides the Doon rises by a very steep inclination
towards its summit which is at an altitude of
946' above sea level and some 600' above its base.
On the top of this hill
is a fort which has given its name to the
eminence and which is remarkable for the
massive nature of its defences. These by the
great natural advantages which the defence
possessed on the other sides have practically
been confined to the W. [West] and SW. [South West] and to the
enclosure of a terrace, which lies some [--] ft. [feet]
below the summit on the NE [North East], with a bold
stony parapet mound. The summit is
suboval in form with its longest axis NE [North East] to
SW. [South West] and measures in diameter [--] and [--]
Encircling it there appears to have been a wall
built of boulders, many of them water worn,
brought up from the valley below, and here
& there to be seen protruding from the turf
with which it is overgrown. To the E [East] of
the entrance towards the SW. [South West] as shown on the
[Continued on page 56] |
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[Page 56]
[Continued from page 55]
plan some of the stones of this wall are coated
with lime and pieces of that material are to be
picked up along its course for a short distance and
at this point only. Below this summit wall
lie three distinct segmented ramparts with very
bold scarps rising to a height of [--] and [--]
respectively, with deep intervening hollows, while
at the lowest level to the outside is a slight trench
from which the lowest scarp rises, cut through
rock for almost its whole length the rock face
being exposed on the counterscarp. The termina:
:tion of these defences to the Northward is against
the steep slope of the hill (?) the second or lower
hollow being closed by an outcropping rock.
The ramparts are formed of earth & stone, the
excavated material from the intervening hollows,
and are unusually acutely pointed,
the spinters of rock of which they are largely com:
:posed having evidently maintained their position
well. From the Westward beyond the lines
a roadway approaches to the SW. [South West] arc of
the lower rampart and passes through it.
Within a flanking
defence is carried across the hollow between
the outer & second ramparts, the road being
evidently kept to the E. [East] away from the main
[Continued on page 57] |
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[Page 57]
[Continued from page 56]
defences, and ere it reaches to the actual
summit it passes on the E. [East] a large circular
depression measuring [--] in diameter seemingly
the site of a hut circle. On the W. [West] edge of
the summit plateau are several other smaller
depressions which also seem to have been
the sites of huts. At the end of the hollow
that lies between the first and second ramparts
and just to this side of the steep track which at this
point carries the roadway to the interior is
a well. In all directions except the W. [West] and
NW. [North West] where Auchengibbet Hill intrudes an
immense prospect over hill and valley is
commanded from the Doon which itself
is a very conspicuous object in the lands:
:cape for miles around. (MacGibbon has
made a careful plan & sections under my in:
:structions from which the above description
may be supplemented.)
Keir Par [Parish] Cairn Capenoch Moor (unnoted)
Situated on open moorland about 150 yds. [yards]
SE. [South East] of the most South Easterly point of Capenoch
Big Wood lies a large cairn of oblong form.
having its longest axis NE. [North East] and SW. [South West] and
expanding somewhat to the latter direction.
In length it measures 120' in breadth at the
NE [North East] end. 31', at 66' onwards 53' and at the SW. [South West]
[Continued on page 58] |
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[Page 58]
[Continued from page 57]
extremity 57'. For a distance of about 35' from the NE. [North East] end
it has almost entirely removed thereafter it
rises in elevation from 6' to 11'. The front has been
very straight and there is no indication of a
frontal semicircle. At one or two places on the
W [West] side & at the SW. [South West] end. small portions of a built
facing wall are still discernible. At one or two points
slight excavation has been attempted with no results.
(On enquiry from his uncle Mr. Gladstone was
informed that this formally constructed mass
of stone was the debris from a lead prospecting
working made about 1856. This I decline to
believe as the construction has all the appear:
:ance & character of an ancient cairn. It is
worthy of notice that the name Picts' Cairn
is now applied to a stony eminence in the
wood near by on which there is not the
slightest suggestion of their ever having been
a cairn or artificial erection of any sort.
At the corner of a field near the washing house
is a large talus of stones which have all
the appearance of having been taken from a
working.)
10th June 1912.
Penpont. Virginhall Plantation.
About 1/4 m. [mile] to the W. [West] of the Nith Bridge on the left
side of the road from Penpont to Thornhill lies the Virgin:
:hall Plantation within which is the site of a
fort. A plateau with a steep bank some 20'
[Continued on page 59] |
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[Page 59]
[Continued from page 58]
in height facing the main road & curving round to the W. [West] stretches away
to the Northward with a steep scarp likewise on the E. [East]
side. Cutting off the point formed by the meeting
of these banks a broad but somewhat shallow
trench has been dug across the plateau the
bottom of which lies some 3' below the scarp
and 1 1/2' below the long slightly defined counter-
-scarp. The indication of a rampart above
the scarp of the trench is very faint and
there are no suggestions of a mound along
the sides. The remains of the fort are al:
:together obscure.
[Opposite page- sketch inserted]
Penpont Par [Parish] Cross.
In a field & surrounded by an iron railing
some 200 yds [yards] W. [West] of the Nith Bridge and 20 yds. [yards]
S. [South] of the road from Penpont to Thornhill stands
a cross - 9' in height above ground. 17" broad
at base: - 13" at top of shaft. 8" in thickness. The
length of the shaft is 6'.6". It is of red sandstone
much covered with lichen. The shaft, on all
sides is richly carved with zoomorphic
and foliageous interlaced work. The
cross is fully described in the Early Christian
Monuments. It is much covered with lichen
& in consequence the ornament is difficult
to follow.
Durisdeer Par [Parish] Fort Drumlanrig.
This fort is situated at the N. [North] end of a large
[Continued on page 60] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-60 |
[Page 60]
[Continued from page 59]
grassy park about 1 1/4 NNE [North North East] of Drumlanrig Castle on
the E. [East] side of the Nith, and occupying the edge
of the high bank some 60' above the river. On its N. [North]
flank the glen of a small rivulet, deepening river:
:wards affords a strong natural defence. The fort
appears to have been circular with a diameter of
74' but all traces of a rampart towards the
river and glen have disappeared. Around the
landward side from bank to bank there
has been formed a stony rampart now almost
obliterated on the E. [East] but well preserved towards
the S. [South] with a trench to the outside now most
observable where it dips towards the river
The greatest height of the rampart above the
interior is 3': its breadth at base 14'. To the
exterior it has a height of about 4' at its highest
point furthest from the river but gradually
increases as the ground in front falls away
towards the bank.
[Opposite page - two photographs inserted]
Morton Castle
This is a very picturesque structure situated
on a headland overlooking a loch. It has
been oblong on plan with large circular
towers at the angles. (Though not Edwardian
I should attribute it from plan & character
of Masonry to an early date.-
MacGibbon has planned it. C. & D. Arch. [The Castellated & Domestic Architecture of Scotland] gives
[Continued on page 61] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-61 |
[Page] 61
[Continued from page 59]
Morton Par. [Parish] Fort Morton Mains Hill.
reasons for an early 15th century date.
Morton Mains Hill is a prominent grassy emin:
:ence which rises to an elevation of 1076' above
sea level to the N. [North] of Morton Mains farm. The
E. [East] side of the hill has a very abrupt declivity
to the Kettleton Burn while the gradient from
the other points of the compass though less
severe is also fairly steep. Across the S. [South] end
of the summit and along the W. [West] flank at
an elevation some 20' below the crest runs
a rampart formed evidently from the
upcast of a slight ditch facing it to the
exterior. This rampart and ditch are
not carried round the N. [North] end of the sum:
:mit nor are they elsewhere continuous
though the one always accompanies the other.
On the S. [South] front there are no less than
three wide gaps, the widest 35' across where
neither trench nor rampart have existed.
Both run continuously along the W. [West] for a
distance of 380'. The peculiar imperfection of
this defensive work gives it the appearance
of a construction whose progress has been
arrested before completion.
Durisdeer. Fort Langknowe
This fort has been situated on the summit
of a grassy ridge some 300 yds. [yards] to the W [West] of
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[Continued from page 61]
the cottage of Langknowe and adjacent to the
tunnel of the Glasgow and South Western Railway
The site has been much under cultivation and
the lines of the fort except at the S. [South] end are
no longer clearly expressed. As shown on the
O.S. [Ordnance Survey] 25" scale the plan of the fort has been
quadrilateral, with rounded angles,
rather more square than elliptical but
with a considerable curvature on the S. [South] front.
The lines of this plan are still traceable though
the hollow which marks the line of the trench
on the N. [North] is not very distinct. On the W. [West] flank
there is a very slightly defined terrace while on
the E. [East] a hollow along the length of which
rushes are sprouting, clearly indicates a
ditch on that side. From N to S. [North to South] the interior
diameter is about 150'. The defence at the
N. [North] end consists of a trench some 33' in width
and 4' in depth. The elevation above sea
level is 644 ft. [feet].
On the way homewards I visited the Greirson
Museum at Thornhill. It is a most mis:
:cellaneous collection of "queeries." Botan:
:ical & geological specimens, monstrosities,
specimens of manufactures, much rubbish
and a few good things. There is a drawing of
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[Continued from page 62]
[Opposite page - sketch inserted]
a fine gold lunette weighing 4 1/4 oz. [ounces] found
near Sanquhar. Is this the object in the National
Museum deposited by the Duke of Buccleuch &
found at Achentaggart? There is a fine bronze
patella from Auchenskeoch - a bronze flanged
axe with a double parallel curved moulding
in front of the stop ridge: and several sculp:
:tured crosses of which Mr. Watson has taken
particular note.
11th June 1912.
Met MacGibbon & Watson & accompanied
them to the top of Tynron Doon where I
pointed out features to be included in the plan.
Thence with Mr. Gladstone to the mote on the
Druidhill Burn.
Penpont Mote Druidhill Burn.
This mote is situated on the Eastern boundary
of Penpont Parish about 1 m. [mile] to the N. [North] of the
farm of Merkland. It is formed from a
rather large grassy hillock by a trench and
terrace near the base at one side cutting off the higher
& major portion which rests on the bank of the
Druidhall Burn at the opposite side. The
area thus enclosed is oval in shape. From
the bed of the burn on the E. [East] it rises very steeply
to a height of from 70' to 80' while from the SW. [South West]
it rises by an easy gradient from above the
scarp of the trench. The summit itself
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[Continued from page 63]
presents no level plat but from the crest
overlooking the burn it falls with
a slight declination towards the NW. [North West]. At the SW. [South West]
edge of the summit and just at the point where
the gradual slope upwards from the trench meets
the steeper declivity to the stream there appears to
be a small artificially levelled area with a
diameter of some 23'. The area cut off by the
defences measures some 206' from ?NE [North East] to SW. [South West] and
at right angles 118' with a rise of about 12' and
17' respectively from the top of the scarp to the
highest point at the edge of the hillock. The trench
extends along the SW. [South West] cut with a steep scarp
to a depth of about 16' and a width where
widest of about 55' from the level of the top
of scarp and counterscarp, and has been
continued round to the W. [West] where it appears
to have stopped at a hollow crossing its
direction to the base of the scarp. Beyond
this a terrace takes its place along the N. [North]
side to the edge of the burn. From this
direction the hillock rises with a longer
slope from its base and the terrace is
therefore at a relatively higher level than
the trench. The scarp above it has a
height of about 10'. A gap in the scarp
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[Continued from page 64]
adjacent to the hollow on the NW. [North West] is suggestive
of an entrance and in rear of it a slight depression
is visible leading towards the summit.
The situation of this mote is very secluded at
the head of a remote glen and among
high rolling hills at an elevation of 800' over sea level. In its construction from
a simple hillock unaffected by art except for its surrounding
trench and terrace it bears
a remarkably close resemblance to the mote
at Moatland in Glencairn parish.
Durisdeer Mote Hill Ballaggan.
This mote hill is situated in cultivated
land to the E. [East] of Ballagan farm house from
which it is distant some 200 yds. [yards]. It is a flat-
-topped artificial hillock erected on the end
of a slight natural terrace which has probably
here projected to a point and above which
it rises about 8', while at the opposite side its elevation is 18'. Whatever defences have ex:
:isted to the Southward in the direction of the
terrace have completely disappeared but around
the remainder of the mound at 10' below the
summit, is a trench or
terrace now for the most part the latter
with a width of from 9' to 10'. The summit
measures some 27' in diameter, its surface
has been considerably interfered with probably
by weeds & rubbish being deposited on it. |
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[Page] 66
Durisdeer Cleugh-head Fort.
On the edge of a steep wooded bank falling sharply
to the bottom of the glen which marks the division
between the parishes of Durisdeer and Penpont
and about 1/4 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of the cottages at Cleuch-head
is a small fort of an irregular circular form.
From the N. [North] the ground declines towards the
fort; to the S. [South] is the glen and on the E [East] a small
ravine, now to some extent choked with rubbish,
gradually deepening as it debouches on the glen
and forming the channel of a small stream.
Along the side of this ravine even where it is
shallow at its commencement there no longer
remains any trace of defences but from its
edge at the NE. [North East] corner of the fort, a broad
rampart of earth with a ditch to the outside
curves round in a somewhat distended
semicircle to the face of the bank overlooking
the glen on the SW. [South West]. The interior measures
about 100' by 76'. On the N. [North] the trench has
a width of about 38' and depth of about 7'
diminishing on the W. [West] to 32' and 5' respectively,
the counterscarp gradually becoming less
pronounced as the trench opens on the
bank of the glen. From the
interior on the N. [North] the rampart rises to a
height of about 6'. The surrounding land
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[Continued from page 66]
on the W. [West] seems to be full of springs and a strong
run of water drains into the trench from that direction.
Penpont Par. [Parish] White Cairn Honeyhole.
On a prominence just to the W. [West] of the wood that
lies up the hillside to the W. [West] of Honeyhole on the
road from Druidhall Bridge to Penpont are the
remains of a large circular cairn which has had
a diameter of from 80' to 90'. The stones have
been almost entirely cleared away with the ex:
:ception of the debris and it is very doubtful
if the interment remains undisturbed.
"Tumulus" Auchenbanzie Hill.
This has been a small cairn with a diameter
of about 24' which has been reduced to ground
level and the interment probably disturbed.
A short distance to the NE. [North East] of it is the site
of another similar cairn which has been entirely
removed.
The nomenclature adopted by the Ordnance
Surveyors is in no two regions the same which
leaves me always in doubt as to their classifications
until I see the object referred to. In most districts
"tumulus" is used to denote a small mound
or cairn of less diameter than 20': here a
respectably large cairn of 50 ft. [feet] is so named!
Arkland Glendinning Cleuch
Here immediately to the S. [South] of the farm house
of Arkland is a formation which puzzles
me sorely. The site is a plateau overlooking
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[Continued from page 67]
the deep Glendinning Cleuch with a return on the
face of the bank to Westward and a shard decline
to Eastward. The plateau is encircled by two
great mounds leaving an uneven hollow in
the centre dipping towards the SE. [South East]. At the W. [West]
side a level pitch has been laid across the
end of the plateau cut through the mound on
the N. [North] and reaching to the face of the glen on
the S. [South]: this is modern. The mound on the N. [North] is
traceable following the edge of the glen for a
long distance Westward and is without doubt
natural and I am inclined to consider the
mound on the E. [East] and S. [South] sides of the plateau
similarly so. On the S. [South] side, however, at the
base of the mound on the exterior is a dis:
:tinctly artificial terrace along the side of the
glen which is continued round the E. [East] to
the N. [North] side where it lies some 30' below the
crest of the mound. The level of the interior
which is quite small is some 15' below the
crest of the N. [North] mound. I do not believe
that this has been a fort. The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks it
as the site of a castle and the terraces &c.
may have had some connection with it.
12 June 1912.
Dalgarnoch Churchyard. Within the churchyard
are one or two late 17th century tombstones
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[Continued from page 68]
[Opposite page - photograph and text inserted] The "Chirurgeon"
[Opposite page - photograph and text inserted] The Schoolmaster
of no particular interest, and two dating from
the first half of the 18th century showing figures
in contemporary costume carved in relief - the
one commemorating a schoolmaster from
Glencairn and the other a "Chirurgeon" from
Thornhill. I took photos of both but the
light was poor. Lying displaced on the
right of the entrance is a shield shaped
stone measuring 1'.10" in its longest diameter
bearing in letters in relief around the margin
the inscription "John Smith in Barnhill
D. JAN. 1. 1607 Age 80. On the left
of the entrance stands the socket stone of a
cross measuring 2'.2" by 1'.9" by 1'.9" with
a rectangular sinking in the centre.
Closeburn Par [Parish] Fort Trigony Wood.
At the end of a ridge which rises steeply
from the Northward overlooking Trigony
House are the remains of an oval earth:
:work It is situated within a thick fir
wood and its outline is now difficult to
follow and measurements almost unobtain:
:able. According to the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] plan
the dimensions are approximately [--]
The defence consists of a single trench
where best preserved some 13' in breadth
and now nowhere of greater depth than 2',
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[Continued from page 69]
with a slight mound above the scarp and
probably the same above the counterscarp.
Along the East side the trench is barely traceable
and on the NW. [North West] there appears to be a gap of
some 60' where it has disappeared entirely.
(The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] plan seems quite correct.)
Closeburn Churchyard
Lying displaced at the E. [East] side of the
churchyard is a shield shaped stone
1'.11" in greatest diameter bearing in relief
around the margin "Thomas Robson in
Goldiestoun left this life Aug. [August] 3. 1674 aged 70
On the reverse is carved in low relief a
human face and the initials T.R. BM.
This stone is leaning against a slab
heavily carved along one side with a
pillar-like figure enriched with festoons
and terminating in a human head. In:
:cised is an inscription - 'Here lyeth the
corp of John Kirkpatric in Barnwell who
died Jan. [January] 1696. aged 76.' At the foot of
the slab in relief within a cartouche
is a shield charged with a saltire and
on a chief three cushions - over all a
helmet and mantling.
Some 20' to the S [South] is a broken slab with
a 3/4 length figure carved in high relief
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[Continued from page 70]
with an arched recess. It is arrayed in a long
coat and holds in the right hand a bone and
in the left a crown. Beneath it are a sand -
-glass and skull.
Leaning against the East gable of the
ruined church is an oval stone measuring
2'.5" by 1'.2" inscribed Here lyes ane
yo --- Thomas Sloan who left this life Januar[y]
26 1673 of his age 38. and carved on it
an angel's head with outstreched wings and
beneath it a skull, cross bones, spade and
shovel. On the reverse are the initials TS and
AS. and the inscription
A holy righteous sober lyfe
He on this earth did liv
And his soul enow in glor doth reigne
With God in heaven abov.
In the manse is preserved a brass
alms dish 13" in diameter bearing in
the centre in repousseé work a represen:
:tation of the annunciation. It is
German work of probably the 15th cent. [century].
A dish from the same mould is at
Arbroath and one with a similar representa:
:tion in the British Museum.
In the porch beneath the tower of the
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[Continued from page 71]
modern church is an old font brought
from Dalgarnock. It is a plain octagonal
basin with a drain in the bottom 2'.3" in diameter over all - 1'.9" in diameter
across the actual basin - 1'.3" in depth ex:
:ternally and 8" in the interior. The name
Dalgarno is cut on the edge in late lettering.
Adjacent to the font lies a fragment of a
cross-shaft with two vertical panels of inter:
:laced work formed from a four cord plait
Within the belfry that surmounts the
East gable of the ruined church hangs a
bell with the date 1606, and two lines of
inscription which the sexton has undertaken
to obtain for me. A ladder was procured
and with much trepidation I clambered up
the wall to the belfry but the aperture was
too small at the side of the belfry for me
to do more than read the date. I did not
at all relish a crawl up the ivy mantled
wall as it was quite impossible to see the
condition or even the edge of the building
beneath.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
I took a photo of an oblong stone bearing
emblems similar to those on the slab in
Glencairn churchyard described on
p. [page] 33.
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Auchencairn.
Called at the farm house to see Mr. Boreland
but did not find him at home. I was, however,
entertained to tea & his family conducted me to
the various cairns. Mrs Boreland showed me the
fragments of two beaker urns found in excavations on
the farm.
In a grass park about 1/4 m. [mile] to the N. [North] of Auchin:
:cairn farm house are the remains of a very
large circular cairn. Only a small segment
remains and the site of the remainder has
been covered with gathered stones from the field.
The interment has probably long since been
disturbed. This cairn is referred to in Mac:
:farlanes Geog. Coll. [Geographical Collections] I think. The field is known
as the "Witches' Wa's."
Cairn 14.a.
This cairn is situated on the moorland to the
E. [East] of an old droveroad and about [--] from Auchencairn
It has been excavated and a beaker urn is said
to have been found in it but of this I must get
particulars from Mr. Boreland. It has measured
about 20' in diameter.
"Tumuli" Gawin Moor
Situated on Gawin Moor [--] to the [--] of
Auchencairn is a group of 8 or 9 small
cairns. The largest which has measured
some 18' in diameter has been excavated
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[Continued from page 73]
Some 300 yds. [yards] to the S'ward [Southward] on a slight ridge
overlooking a stretch of boggy moorland to the
W. [West] is a much larger cairn measuring in diameter
62' and in elevation 8'. At one or two places
excavations have been made in it but no cist
or chamber has been reached.
To the N. [North] and NW. [North West] of it lie several small
cairns measuring in diameter from 12' to 14'.
Some 200 yds. [yards] to the S'ward [Southward] and near the
edge of the boggy land lie the remains of
another circular cairn which has been ex:
:cavated and the remains of a short cist
lie exposed but unmeasurable in the bottom
of it. The cairn has measured some 44' in
diameter.
[Opposite page - text and sketch inserted] The urns, or fragments of urns at Auchencairn
were found in the cist in this cairn along with
a flint knife or scraper now in Mr. Boreland's
possession and ? a burnt interment.
Sect [Section] A __ B
Sixty yds. [yards] or thereby to the N [North] are the remains
of another and much smaller cairn also
excavated.
The "Mid Cairn" is a large circular cairn
on the crest of the moorland [--] to the
[--] of Auchencairn. It measures some 54'
in diameter and about 9' in elevation. Though
it has been dug into to a small extent
it still remains unexcavated.
The Cairn on the top of Auchencairn Hill
is a mere site the interment in which
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[Continued from page 74]
has probably been removed long since.
13th -17th June
Back in Edinburgh busy writing up notes which had
got badly in arrears
17 June 1912
Returned to Dumfries.
18 June 1912.
Dumfries. Hired car to visit district beyond Sanquhar
Before starting had a visit from Mr. Boreland who
told me of various places I must see in his
neighbourhood. A very wet & unpromising morning
but started at 11:0 & the day kept improving.
? Fort Glenrae Burn.
Far up the glen of the Crawick Water, some
8 miles above Sanquhar and on the S. [South] side
of the Wanlock Water just before it debouches
on the glen is a small circular entrenchment
or mote. It is situated at a ford where the N. [North] slope of Clack:
:leith Hill terminates in a steep grassy bank
above the bed of the Wanlock Water which
flows by about 100 yds. [yards] distant. Towards the
NE. [North East] is the steep bank before mentioned: on the NW. [North West] a
slight hollow which in wet weather is probably the
bed of a rivulet; on the SW. [South West] the gentle downward
slope of the hill which takes a steeper gradient
as it passes the SE. [South East] flank of the construction.
The central plateau which has been very slightly,
if at all, raised by art, rises some 5' above
the bottom of the trench which surrounds it,
is flat, and measures some 40' in diameter.
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[Continued from page 75]
The trench from crest to crest has a breadth of from
20' to 23' except towards the steep bank on the NE. [North East]
where its width & depth are considerably diminished. Toward
the E [East] a traverse projects across the trench which
may have been the line of entrance to the plateau.
The spoil of the trench has been thrown up to form
a mound on the counterscarp which along the
E [East] arc is of uniform level with the central plat.
Somewhat to the W. [West] of the centre of the interior
is a circular hollow some 8' in diameter and
2' in depth - an excavation which has not been
made in recent times but probably not original
Knockenhair.
The O.S. [Ordnance Survey] marks a Stone circle on the
summit of Knockenhair, a hill rising to a
height of 1325 ft [feet] on the E [East] side of the Crawick
Water. There being no bridge near it I had to
cross the road a mile further up and make
a long, hot walk to the top only to find
that the "stone circle" was a ring of small
stones and earth the remnant of a demolished
cairn. Having told the chauffeur to take the
car down to Orchard if there was a bridge
there and to blow his horn to us as a signal
and not having heard the warning note we
toiled halfway back towards our starting point
then seeing the car was gone we betook ourselves
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down the stream along the "shin" of the hill
only to discover at Orchard no bridge and a
swollen unpassable river. This meant a further
struggle through wet woods and up steep banks
for 3/4 m. [mile] more till we struck a track bringing us
to a bridge spanning a picturesque glen and
eventually to our car blessing the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] officer
for his ignorance.
Kirkconnel Par. [Parish] (2)
A mile and more up the Kiln Burn the 6"
map marks the remains of a "stone circle". Here
the same gentleman has been making observa:
:tions! On an elevated plateau overlooking the
burn on its left bank are the foundations of an
old enclosure with those of rectangular
buildings in the interior - probably the site of
a croft - and of no moment.
[Margin] ?Cross socket Orchard
In a meadow between the road and the
Crawick Water and some [--] yds. [yards] S. [South] of the cottages
at Orchard is a large squared block of stone of which
Mr. Watson has the dimensions - with two rectang:
:ular oblong sockets [--] ins. [inches] apart sunk on the
top. The stone has been very roughly squared
and the edges of the hollows are much worn
down. On the W. [West] side beneath each mortise
there has been rudely carved a cross, equal armed
with the arms expanding from the intersection
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[Continued from page 77]
and resting in each case upon a shaft which also
expands towards the base and does not appear
to have terminated with a line from side side *.
[Opposite page - text inserted] * Both cross shafts rise from solid basis which
though apparent on the photograph were not
observed on the actual stone.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted] - see Collingwood's Yorkshire stones
We got water from a woman at the cottage and
washed the outlines preparatory to taking a
photograph but the hour was late and
the light bad so I am doubtful of the result.
In both crosses the upper arm has been almost
entirely worn away. It is difficult to imagine
how two crosses could have stood so close
to each other as the mortises suggest unless
the explanation be that they were small
crosses on calvaries.
This was a very well forenoon.
19th June 1912.
Mr. Boreland again called and brought
Mr. Smith, the former tenant of Townhead to
see me. I have arranged for them to accompany
me on Thursday.
A very doubtful looking day. Took the car
again towards Sanquhar and two miles
short of it, turned up the Mennock water.
Cross Mennock Pass.
Some 3 1/2 ms. [miles] up the valley of the Mennock
Water where the pass which leads through the
hills to Wanlockhead is at its wildest
is a cross formed
of soil & gravel on a plateau to the N. [North] of the
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[Continued from page 78]
roadway. From the bottom of the glen, narrow at this
point the hills rise up with steep ice-planed
flanks for several hundred feet. In
the angle formed by the confluence of the
stream which flows down from the White Dod
and the Mennock Water is a plateau which
presents a steep scarp towards both streams.
Here to the E. [East] of a sheepfold lies the cross. It
is raised from 1' to 1 1/2' above the surrounding
level, and is a Latin cross measuring 52'
in extreme length, 34' from the foot to the crossing
and 47' across the arms with a general
breadth of about 11'. Where the surface on
the cross is broken it shows that it is
formed of the soil and fine gravel which
covers the rest of the plateau.
The head of the cross points 230º Mag. [Magnetic North].
Cairn. !Fort (Supposed) Bogs Burn
At the S. [South] base of Conrig Hill, on a shelf of the
hillside & just to the N. [North] of the meeting of two
rivulets that go to form the Bogs Burn is a
large sheepfold enclosing in its centre the
remains of an earlier construction. The
interior is covered with coarse grass and
rushes and it is difficult to determine the
true nature of the remains. A broad
encircling ring of stones is very apparent
and though the centre is hollowed to some
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[Continued from page 79]
slight extent, the presence of large stones all
over it demonstrate, I think, that this is the
site of a cairn from which the fold has been built.
The diameters are 88' and 80'.
Small cairns &c. Lochside.
On the brae face above the right bank of the
Loch Burn and about 1/2 m. [mile] NE. [North East] of Lochside are
a number of small artificial looking hollows
one measuring 9' by 7' in diameter and 1 1/2' in depth,
and one or two small circular hut foundations
too indefinite for measurement. one mound
was observed, oval in form measuring 17' by 12'
with an interior hollow entering from NW. [North West] at
right angles to its longest axis measuring some
5' by 6'. At the back of the mound is a
depression from which the soil that forms it
has been thrown out. (A construction
somewhat analogous to this was seen near
Durcha, Altassmore, Sutherland). Several other
oblong mounds about 1' in height show the
same hollow behind. These objects occur between 700'
and 800' over sea level.
? Site of Crannog
About 1/4 m. [mile] N. [North] by E. [East] of Lochside is a small
pool around which innumerable sea birds
were soaring. I think the site of a crannog is
marked in it on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] 6" map.
"Sean Caer" site of fort.
About 1/4 m. [mile] due N. [North] of the church at the W. [West] end
of the town of Sanquhar is a ridge trending
from the NW. [North West] and ending in a swelling
[Continued on page 81] |
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[Continued from page 80]
hillock with a height on all sides except along
the ridge of some 20'. This hillock is the site of a
fort and across the ridge there is evident the
remains of a broad and deep trench whose
scarps have been greatly levelled down by
the action of the plough.
Fort Kemp's Castle.
This fort is situated about 1 m. [mile] SSW. [South South West] of the town
of Sanquhar on a long narrow plateau occupy:
:ing an acute angle between the Barr Burn
and the Euchan Water at their confluence,
and lying with its main axis E. [East] and W. [West]. From
end to end it measures some 350' in breadth
at the W. [West] end 55' and at the E. [East] end 70'. It
is highest at the W. [West] end where it rises some
40' above the Barr Burn, flowing by its base
on the N. [North],
and somewhat less above the meadow intervening
between it and the Euchan Water on the S. [South]
and dips to the E. [East] some [--] ft. [feet] in the course
of its length. Approached from the W. [West] there
is first encountered a trench across the ridge
in front of the plateau some 32' wide which
stops some 6' short of the bank on the S. [South]
flank so as to leave room for a roadway
along the edge. In rear of the trench is a
small harp shaped court measuring
some 66' across the interior face, 66' along
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the S. [South] and diminishing to 37' on the N. [North]. Separating
this court from the front of the plateau is a
trench 6' deep below the counterscarp and 10' below the
scarp, 42' in breadth from crest to crest and
boldly cut. The track from the outer trench has
been continued along the edge of the S. [South] bank
and has entered the interior up the scarp at
that side. The plateau is in three divisions,
(1) an area some 50' in diameter at the W. [West]
end, at the front and sides of which are the
remains of a stony parapet mound, between
which and the edge of the scarp of the trench
is a berm some 3' wide. (2) a constricted
portion some 50' in length connecting the
higher area with (3) the larger and wider part
of the plateau towards the E. [East]. At the Eastern
extremity the steep flanks converge somewhat
and a track has led down the ridge between
them from the interior on the line of a
modern path. Half way down this track to
the burn level flat flags and outcropping
boulders seem to indicate the foundation
of a wall across, and at the lowest level
across the peninsula here some 60' wide,
is a distinct scarp some 4' in height.
At its extreme Eastern termination in the
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angle between the streams are a number of mounds
with a distinctly artificial appearance and in
the centre an oval plat measuring some 33' by 25'.
The true character of these latter mounds and hollows
is not, however, apparent.
This is such a good fort that I have directed
the Architects to plan it.
Fort Remains of Old Barr.
The remains of a fort represented by a
broad defensive wall for the most part over:
:thrown and grass grown are to be seen
on the N. [North] side and NE. [North East] end of a long round backed
ridge which rises steeply from the right bank
of the Euchan Burn about 1/4 m. [mile] SSW. [South South West] of Old Barr
and 2 ms. [miles] SW. [South West] of Sanquhar. The wall is not
now continuous in its course and the plan
of the fort which appears to have been curvi:
:linear is not ascertainable. The area has been
under cultivation and the ruins of farm
buildings lie at its Western extremity.
Near the last mentioned fort I saw much of the
pink sweet-scented orchis in flower. It has been
very wet again this afternoon.
20th June 1912
Picked up Mr. Smith at Cowhill and Mr.
Boreland at Closeburn and under their guidance
went to Crichope Lynn. Mr. Boreland showed
me a flint knife or scraper found with
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the remains of the urns in the cairn nearest
the flow p. [page] 74.
Fort Crichope Lynn (unnoted)
In the field on the N. [North] and near the head of Crichope
Linn are the remains of a fort. With its base
resting on the precipitous bank of the Linn some
80' in height it extends to the NE. [North East] with two
straight sides some 136' apart consisting of
a trench and inner rampart, now imperfect
on the NW. [North West] side connected by a segmental
curve towards the NE. [North East]. The plan appears to be
an irregular elipse with its major axis from
NE. [North East] to SW. [South West]. Along this axis it measures to the
stone dyke which cuts across it at the side of
the lynn 212' and at widest it extends
some 40' further to the edge of the bank.
The surrounding trench has had a width
of about 28' from crest to crest, and
where best preserved now on either side of
the entrance has a depth of 10' below the
top of the scarp and 7' below the counterscarp.
The rampart at greatest height rises to about
3' above the interior level and is very stony.
On the W. [West] there is a considerable gap in the
defences at a point where the ground on the
interior rises sharply to a height of 7' and the
trench probably lies deep at this point may
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have been filled in and obliterated by cultivation.
The entrance some 12' wide has been from the
E. [East] across the trench on unexcavated ground
and through the rampart. Immediately on
the right of it in the interior on slightly elevated
ground (2'.6"), is a circular area enclosed by a
bank and measuring some 41' in diameter.
It is entered from the W. [West] diametrically opposite to
the entrance to the fort.
Deil's Dyke.
A section of the Dyke is to be seen crossing the
field between Benthead and Crichope Linn.
It is an earthern bank 3'.6" in height and
12' wide at base with a trench on the E. [East] some
14' wide from which the soil has been upcast.
?Fort Benthead. unnoted.
About 1/4 m. [mile] NNE. [North North East] of Benthead on the SE. [South East] bank of
the Linn and some 60 yds [yards] down from the
fine waterfall known as the "Grey Mare's
tail," is a small circular entrenchment.
The ground falls from the Southward to:
:wards the edge of the Linn and directly over:
:looks the construction which forms a
small plateau above the
precipitous bank some 60' to 70' in height.
The mound is encircled by a horseshoe
trench some 20' wide whose ends rest on
the steep bank, and has nowhere a height
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of more than 5' above it and on the upper side
does not exceed 3'.6". The summit area meas:
:ures some 40' in dia. [diameter] and is not very level.
On the S.W. [South West] face is a depression some
12' across and gradually falling to a depth
of 4' below the summit level. This appears to
be secondary and the soil from it has
seemingly been used to level a platform at
the edge of the bank of the linn and partly to
close the end of the trench in that direction.
This construction is very similar to that
on the Wanlock Water up the Crawick Pass
in Sanquhar Parish.
?Cairn site of.
About 1/4 m. [mile] NNE. [North North East] of the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall
near Benthead on a slight eminence towards
the crest of the ridge is the site of a large
delapidated construction probably a large
circular cairn from which the larger stones
have been removed.
Shielings Knockhill.
On the lower grassy slopes of Knockhill about
1/2 m. [mile] SE. [South East] of Townfoot loch is a group of four
shieling bothies - small oblong round ended
constructions, probably of turf with a few
boulders in the foundations.
Small Cairns Knockhill
Around the summit of the Knockhill
(see Antea) are many more small cairns
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than I noticed on my previous visit. One near
the summit measuring some 20' in diameter
was opened some 10 years ago by Mr. Smith
then tenant in Townhead who found two
flint chips, a round thin disc of stone
about the size of a penny with a small depres:
:sion in the centre on one side, and some
charred wood. There must be several
score of "tumuli" here.
Mound. Knockhill
At the W. [West] end of the wall which comes down
by the S. [South] side of the Knockhill forming the
boundary between Townhead and Townfoot
is a grass covered mound, evidently artificial
lying with its longest axis ESE. [East South East] and WNW. [West North West]
and measuring in diameter 24' by 15'.
(This much resembles exteriorly a burnt stone
cairn but I have no evidence to show.)
Hut Circle Townhead.
About 1/2 m. [mile] due E. [East] of Townhead farm buildings
and some 40 yds. [yards] down from the road to Fellend
is a well defined hut circle. It is a small
circular enclosure surrounded by a
turf bank measuring interiorly 7'.6" by 6'.6"
with its longer axis towards the entrance
which with a width of about 2'.6" faces
S. [South] by W. [West]. The bank has a thickness of about 3'.6"
and, at most, an elevation of 1'. The structure
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[Opposite page - sketch and text inserted] - Diagram.
has been placed within a larger circle, the stony
foundation of which is just traceable, measuring
in diameter some 26', close to the back but
against the wall presuming the front of this
outer circle to have been in the same direction
as the interior construction. Though no
small cairns are actually adjacent there
are a number sparsely scattered to the W. [West]
and S. [South]
Hut Circle Townhead.
On a natural terrace on the hill side to the ENE. [East North East]
of Townhead Farm and some 400 yds. [yards] distant
is a small hut circle excavated by Mr. Smith
a former tenant of the farm. It measures
interiorly 8' by 6' the longer axis being towards
the entrance which has been from the SSE. [South South East].
The floor was sunk about 1' below the ad:
:jacent natural level and
a low stony bank surrounded the edge. A small
hearth was found in the centre of the hut
formed of thin stones set obliquely in the
soil and wood ashes but no relics were
recovered. The hut circle is within a
large oval walled enclosure in an extreme
state of ruin but which may be of later
date. In one of the fields at a
lower elevation to the S. [South] of the farm it is
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said that numerous hut sites recognisable
by the charred deposits were disturbed in a
deep ploughing some years ago. Numbers of flint
flakes have been found in the vicinity.
Deil's Dyke.
The Dyke passes along the lower slope of the hill
-side just above the enclosed land some 200 yds. [yards]
to the N. [North] of Townhead farm. In appearance
it is an earthern bank with a
trench on the upper side running irregularly
across the brae face measuring some 8' broad
at base narrowing upwards, and some 2' in height while the trench
has a breadth of about 7' and is now shallow.
Where the bank has been broken by sheep it is
shown to be formed with a core of boulders
laid horizontally.
Eccles Entrenchment. (unnoted)
Situated on a level plateau about 1/2 m. [mile]
to the S. [South] of Eccles
House is an entrenchment, foursided with
rounded off angles. A line bisecting it lies ENE. [East North East]
and WSW. [West South West] and measures 127' in length, while
the length of the WSW. [West South West] end is 132' and of the
ENE. [East North East] end 112'. The ditch which encloses this
area measures, where best preserved, some
31' in width and has a depth of about 4'.6"
below the scarp, and from 5' to 9' below
the crest of the counterscarp the latter
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measurement being at the W. [West] angle where a
mound some 3' high from the outside preserved
by the growth of a large ash tree, surmounts the
counterscarp. Along the SE. [South East] side the counterscarp
has been considerably ploughed down. The
area of the enclosure has been levelled and
cultivated and lies at a slightly lower level
than the ground to the NW. [North West] and WSW. [West South West] of it.
There is still evidence of the existence of a
parapet mound around the edge. The
N. [North] corner of the ditch has been filled with
cartloads of stones in recent times brought from
the outside but there is no indication of any
previously existing roadway across the
ditch.
Auchencairn Bruce's Well
At about 1/4 M. [Mile] N. [North] of the summit of the White
Hill close to the Kingston or Goukston Burn
and on the S. [South] side of it is a well known as
Bruce's Well.
To close our day Mr. Boreland took me to
Eccles House where dwelt some of his wife's
relations who gave us tea. It is a rambling
old fashioned house with a large walled
garden a part of which is now sown down
in grass.
21st June. 1912
On getting home yesterday I found a
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note to say that the committee of parliament
considering the ancient monuments bill did
not require my presence in London till Wednes:
:day so again took the car.
Durisdeer Par. [Parish] Lagdow Cairn
This object is marked on the OS. [Ordinance Survey] maps as
if it was a cairn of large dimensions and
much importance. I left the car below Kirk:
:bride and after a long and Arduous search
up & down the hillside I found it - a veritable
barrowful of stones! Later on I learned that
it is said to mark the grave of a covenanter
named "Dow" shot at the spot by "Lag". The
obvious etymology is "Lag dhu" the black
gully or hollow - a natural feature which pre:
:sents a curious rift down the hillside.
This cairn is an insignificant pile of stones
situated about 1 m. [mile] NNE [North North East] of Kirkbride farm / see
Drumlanrig & the Douglasses for its supposed origin.
At Kirkbride farm I was credibly informed that
no cairn of any size stood on the top of the
"Cairn Hill" so I did not waste time in
visiting it.
Entrenchment Durisdeer.
In lowlying land much of which in former times
was probably under water just to the N. [North] of Loch:
:side and about 1/2 m. [mile] W. [West] of Durisdeer there
rises an earthern mound set four sided
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and approximately a square, the
actual measurements at base being 97', on the N. [North] 114' on the
E. [East] 103' on the S. [South] and 102' on the W. [West]. The surface of
the mound has long been under cultivation
and the edges of the scarps have been some:
:what broken down but where best preserved
they rise to a height of from 6' to 9' above
the floor of the enclosing ditch. The ditch
shows a width of about 60' across the top
but has been much destroyed by ploughing
and except along the S. [South] and to a less extent
on the E. [East] side the counterscarp has almost
disappeared. On the N [North] & E. [East] the counterscarp
appears to have been banked up to some
extent. The area of the mound above the
ditch is not now level but rises towards the
NE. [North East]: the gradient may to some extent be due
to the action of the plough. Where a section
of the mound has been exposed by the falling
away of soil on the S. [South] side a number of large
water worn boulders are exposed laid to some
extent in courses.
Called on the minister at Durisdeer & visited
the church where there is a notable monument
to one of the Queensberry family & his wife showing
two figures in white marble reclining in uncomfortable
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attitudes, the whole very rococco in style.
Fort. Kirk Burn. Durisdeer.
About 1 m. [mile] to the NE. [North East] of Durisdeer Church up the
glen of the Kirk Burn is situated a small
oblong rectangular entrenched earthwork.
The glen is narrow and its sides
steep and from Penbane Hill on its Eastern
flank a spur projects into it on the crest
of which the fort is situated looking out
beyond it to Tynron Doon
some 9 miles away. The ground falls
away sharply on both flanks and also to the
SW. [South West] - the main axis of the fort being from
NE. [North East] by N. [North] to SW. [South West] by W. [West]. The enciente measures
some [--] by [--] and has been surrounded
by a parapet mound still some 3' in height
on the flanks, some 6' at either side of the
entrance which has been through the centre of the NE [North East] end, and still massive at the opposite
extremity. The trench which defends the
construction on all sides measures some
15' in width,
increasing to 25' on either side of the
entrance where between it and the base of the
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rampart a slight berm intervenes. The scarp
of the trench which is steep has a height
above the floor of from 12' to 15' while the
counterscarp has an elevation of 4' or 5'.
The entrance, as already stated in the centre of
the NE. [North East] end, has a width of 5' where it passes
through the rampart and 14' as it crosses
the trench. Some 24' in front of the passage
over the trench covering the entrance but extending chiefly to the E. [East]
is an outer trench visible
for a length of some 36' with a width of 17'.
The angles of the fort are rounded off and
the trench at the SW. [South West] end is for some
distance cut through rock.
An ancient track or bridle path known as
the Well Path leads Northward along the
East side of the glen through the hills into
the Dalveen pass, and a section of the Deil's
dyke which curves round the base of the
Black Hill thence up the right bank of
the Kirk Burn trending straight for this
fort terminates at the edge of the enclosed land about 1/4 m. [mile] distant from it.
This day closed with a deluge of rain &
I had to relinquish the planning of the fort.
July 28.
After a visit to London to give evidence before
a select committee of Parliament on the
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Ancient Monuments consolidation Bill I have
arrived at Langholm to work out Eskdale &c.
29 July 1912.
Ewes Par. [Parish] Fort Tarrona
On the lower slope of Old hill and not more
than 100 ft. [feet] above the low meadow which inter:
:venes between its base and the Ewes Water and
some 120 yds. [yards] to the SE. [South East] of Tarrona farm house
is a defensive enclosure or fort elliptical in form lying with its main
axis NNW [North North West] and SSE. [South South East] and resting at the latter
end on the steep bank of a small ravine
down the bed of which flows the (?) Tatsburn. The
Area of the fort has been encircled by a
broad rampart now most prominent on
the NE. [North East] or upper side where at highest it has
an elevation from the outside of some 3'.6"
and owing to this levelling of the interior a scarp sloping down
some 9' high. On the opposite or lower side
of the enciente the rampart is low but the
ground outside it has been steeply scarped
to as much as 15' of vertical height. All round
it appears to have been surmounted by a
stone parapet the stones of which in some parts and the
bed from which they have been removed in others
are clearly discernible. The enciente has
measured some 230' along the longest axis
by 193' bisecting it. Across the field dyke which
cuts across the enclosure at the side of the ravine
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the rampart is traceable curving inwards from
either side to pass along the edge of the bank where it is
steepest. To the Eastward of where it impinges on
the bank at the upper side there is a gap in
the periphery opposite a hollow which leads down
to the burn and which may have served for watering
cattle. In the middle of the W. [West] side there is an
opening evidently enlarged measuring some 15'
across the bottom which has probably been the
original entrance. A narrow gap towards the
N. [North] is probably secondary. There is no indication
of any trench outside the rampart
30 July 1912.
I am at the Eskdale Hotel, Temperance, but very
comfortable. My assistant has been a reporter on the "Dispatch"
and aspires to literature as a profession.
2nd July 1912.
In very doubtful weather set off up Eskdale
on bicycle. Called on Capt. [Captain] Palmer Douglas
to enquire if the Museum at Burnfoot contained
any local antiquities but found none. Mrs
Palmer Douglas took me to the two following unnoted
objects (p. [page] 102) which she described as "birrens".
1st July 1912.
Westerkirk Par. [Parish] Fort Bankhead
This fort is situated at the very extremity of the
South slope down from the Shaw Rig, close
to the left bank of the Bankhead Burn and
some 150 yds. [yards] above its confluence with the
Esk. It is almost circular, measuring interiorly
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182' from N [North] to S. [South] by 184' from E. [East] to W. [West] and is surrounded
by a bold rampart, most prominent on the N. [North]
towards the higher ground, and declining Southward
where, however, a natural defence is furnished by
the steep scarp of a bank falling to the haugh-
-land below. On the interior the rampart on
the N. [North] rises to an elevation of about 9', and on the
E. [East] to 8', it has been formed of earth and stone
and along its crest, which is flat and narrow,
there is a suggestion of stone-work. On the
W. [West] flank a trench has been excavated, not
traceable around the N [North], some 26' in width
from crest to crest, 10' in depth from the
top of the rampart and 5' from the counterscarp;
and along the E. [East] side runs a trench-like hollow possibly
natural. Some 30' out from the counterscarp
of the trench on the W. [West] side is an outer trench
some 25' wide and 6' deep carried on to the
edge of the burn. The double trench on this
flank appears to have been intended to counter
any attack on the fort by means of the
hollow down which flows the burn some 200'
away. The entrance has apparently been from
the SW. [South West] into a slight circular depression faced
with a distinct scarp passing segmentally
from W. [West] to S. [South] and swelling into a low
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stony mound where it merges into the rampart
on the W. [West]. Within the hollow is a water hole, possibly
a well. In the vicinity of the entrance the original
rampart of the fort has probably been interfered
with and against the low bank which now
represents it rests a triangular enclosure
seemingly of secondary construction, while
on the E. [East] side where the rampart also appears
to have been reduced there is another small
enclosure also secondary, but apparently set
within an artificial hollow of earlier formation
visible on the N. [North] side of it.
[Opposite page - text inserted] On slightly higher ground about 100 yds [yards] NE. [North East] of
the fort is a small oval turf enclosure lying
with its longest axis NNW. [North North West] to SSE. [South South East] and
broadening somewhat to the latter direction.
It measures interiorly some 43' by 31'. The bank
has a breadth of 7' and height of about 2'.
There is no definite break in the periphery to
indicate an entrance. Immediately in
front of the rampart at the N. [North] side of this fort is
another similar enclosure but of smaller
dimensions. The entrance is not well defined
but appears to have been from the SE. [South East].
Fort. Bankhead Hill.
This fort lies on the Eastern flank of Bankhead hill
at an elevation of some 600' above sea level
and 200' above the fort last described which
lies about 1/4 m. [mile] to the SE. [South East]. It is pearshaped
in form with its main axis N. [North] and S. [South] across the slope of the ground which is from W [West] to E [East] and
measures interiorly some 245' by 235'. Around
the enciente runs a bold rampart of earth
and stone with a suggestion of stone work
on its sharp narrow crest. In front of it is
a trench varying in width from 24' on
the E. [East] to 40' on the S. [South] in places cut through
rock. It is sharply cut to a V shape on the
W. [West] but elsewhere it is now flat bottomed. On
the W. [West] and S. [South] the scarp rises to a height of
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7' or 8' while the counterscarp varies on these
sides from 4' to 6': elsewhere both sides are
lower. Except on the N. [North] where the foreground is
flat and wet there is an outer mound above
the counterscarp. The main entrance has
been in the NE [North East] angle 8' wide opening into a
circular hollow around which the ground
rises to a height of from 4' to 6'. There is a
break in the periphery towards the SE [South East]
but on the adjacent sides of the rampart much
material has been thrown up evidently from
the widening or formation of the gap the original
character of which is thus open to doubt. The
interior is not level & the rock which is near
the surface in many places outcrops.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Cist "King Shaw's Grave"
Situated on ground which rises slightly
above the marshy area on the top of Bankhead
Hill known as Airdswood Moss is a short
cist complete except for the slab forming one
end. It lies with its longest axis NE [North East] and SW [South West]:
is formed with two slabs on one side, a single
slab on the other, a slab between them at the SW. [South West]
end and a cover. The length of the side slab
is 4'; the width between the sides 2', the height
exposed between the cover and the ground
2'.6": the superficial area of the cover 4'.3" by 2'.10"
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and its thickness 8". This cist which is known as "King Shaw's grave" formerly stood
within a large circular cairn traces of which
are still observable around it suggesting a
diameter of about 46'. It is said that the cairn
was demolished in 1828 when 150 cartloads of
stones were removed from it to build the adjacent
march dyke. (See "My Strange Pets," Richard Bell, p. [page] 307)
Fort Shiel Burn
This fort, which is an earthwork, is situated
at the edge of the steep right bank of the Shiel
Burn, flowing by some 30' below, and some 100
yds. [yards] above the road bridge. Its elevation above
sea level is about ? 450 ft. [feet]. In form it is a semi:
:circle with its chord somewhat irregular
in line formed by the edge of the bank, and
measures 240' by 150'.
It is enclosed by a massive rampart rising at
higest [highest] some 7' to 8' on the inner side and
dropping some 5' to a trench in front, now
very shallow but measuring some 30' in width
from crest to crest. The rampart with a flat top some 4'.6" broad, has
been surmounted by a stony parapet
the large stones which have formed the outer margin of its base
being visible on the SE. [South East] arc and
a regularly laid foundation of cobbles being
exposed where a section is broken above the
bank. The entrance has been from the
SW. [South West] and has passed through an opening
in the trench the ends of which have
been closed on either side, In the interior
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it gives on a hollow way flanked for some
60' on the left by a slight bank which appears
to be stony where it merges with the rampart
Except in rear of the NW. [North West] arc of the rampart the
interior is very wet.
Fort. Shiel Burn
This fort is situated on declining ground
on the SE. [South East] extremity of Craigie Hill some 500 ft. [feet]
above sea level, & about 1/4 m. [mile] from where the burn
debouches on the Esk. It is only some 200 yds [yards]
distant from the last described which lies in
full view less than 100' lower down the hill side. It
is foursided but not truly rectilinear only one
side, the E. [East] being approximately straight,
and the angles are rounded. It lies
? foursquare to the cardinal points of the
compass and measures 160' by 167'. A
massive rampart surrounds it rising
as much as 9' on the upper or W. [West] side above
the ground immediately in rear of it
and imperceptibly blends into the Eastward declination
of the interior. In front of the rampart is
a trench measuring from crest to crest
from 38' to 40' in width with a scarp
varying in height from 6' to 10' and counter:
:scarp from 4' to 7'. The trench is lost at
the NE [North East] angle where the ground falls
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[Continued from page 101]
sharply away but reappears to the S. [South] of the
entrance which occurs towards the S. [South] end of the
E. [East] side. At its termination the counter:
:scarp makes a return to the rampart. The
entrance is some 10' wide and opens onto the
lowest level of the interior area with higher
ground encircling it. The interior surface
is very uneven numerous hummocks of
rock obtruding over it.
Enclosure. Burnfoot unnoted
At the top of the high bank overlooking Burnfoot
house from the N [North] and [--] yds. [yards] to the Eastward
of the glen of the burn are the remains of a
circular defensive construction which has
been surrounded by a broad rampart
rising some 5' to 6' above the level of the
interior. Much of the area is under crop,
the periphery in places is destroyed and
a gardener's cottage stands within it. The
approximate diameter is 200'.
Enclosure. Burnfoot unnoted
On the opposite side of the glen of the burn
some [--] yds. [yards] to the Westward and just
in front of the shepherd's cottage is a
large artificial hollow excavated on
ground sloping from the W. [West] to a
depth of from 5' to 6'. and measuring
in diameter about 140'. There is no indication
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[Continued from page 102]
of any rampart crowning the steep scarp
on the upper or west side but there seems to
have been a bank on the lower ground to:
:wards the edge of the steep bank on the E. [East]
Enclosure Thrumcan's Yard. Westerhall.
This is a semilunar excavated hollow
resting on the edge of a steepish bank to the
E. [East] of the Rig Burn, and containing within it
a gamekeeper's house and garden.
It is at the foot of a steep Southerly slope and
shows a scarp against the upper or NE. [North East] side 10'
in height with no indication of a rampart
above it. On the SE. [South East] arc, across the lower
end of the hollow, there is a broad stony
mound but the enciente is so completely
overlooked from the higher ground that
the construction possesses little defensive
character.
Enclosure Cuil Plantation Westerhall
This enclosure is situated just across the glen
of the Rig Burn from the foregoing and
occupies an angular promontory formed
by the meeting of the high West bank of the burn
with a steep scarp facing the low lying ground
which intervenes between it and the left bank
of the Esk. The construction is four sided
and is protected on three sides by a stony
rampart some 4' in height to the exterior
[Continued on page 104] |
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[Continued from page 103]
and 5' to 6' above the general level of the interior
which declines towards the South, and 17' broad
at base. Along the fourth side, that overlooking
the burn, there is now no artificial defense. The
interior is very uneven and has in places probably
been dug out but the area being within a thick wood
and much overgrown artificial features are
difficult to discern. Along the inner side of
the rampart on the N. [North] a plateau some 30' to
40' broad extends from the edge of the bank
on the NE. [North East] for about half its length. The position
of the entrance is obscure but it has probably
been in the W. [West] angle where there is a gap in
the rampart openening into a hollow in the
interior carried forward past the end of
the plateau. Near the centre of the enclosure
there appear to be the foundations of a small
rectangular structure, and over the general
area odd heaps of stone are discernible through
the rank vegetation which covers it.
Hizzie Birren Westerhall.
This enclosure has been cut through by the
formation of the NW. [North West] avenue to Westerhall
about 1/2 m. [mile] distant from the mansionhouse.
It has been an irregular elipse in form,
with its longest axis measuring NNW. [North North West] by SSE. [South South East] and having
its W. [West] flank resting on the edge of a steep
[Continued on page 105] |
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[Continued from page 104]
bank overlooking the Esk. It has been surrounded
by a massive stony rampart or possibly a wall
now considerably delapidated and overgrown,
measuring 10' to 12' in width at base and some
3' in height. The ground falls away to a hollow
in the interior. There is a gap through the rampart
at the N. [North] end but it is doubtful if this is the
original entrance. An arm projects from
the main rampart down a natural ridge
towards the SE. [South East] covering a natural hollow
which may possibly have been enclosed.
Westerkirk Churchyard
There is a monument in this churchyard to
the Pasleys of Craig dated 1773 with a shield
at top blazoned thus - Between 3 cinquefoils
a chevron charged with three Scotch thistles
leaved. This merely noted for the arms. There
are no tombstones of any antiquarian interest.
Having learned that the bell in the church
was an old one I called on the minister
and having with some difficulty reached it
I found that it had been recast in 1902. Its
original inscription repeated reads "Jacobus
Monteith me fecit Edinburgh anno 1641."
Enclosure Crooks (3)
This enclosure is situated on the E [East] side of the
Meggat Glen somewhat less than 1/4 m. [mile] to the
N. [North] of Crooks farm, in the S. [South] angle formed by
[Continued on page 106] |
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[Continued from page 105]
the junction of the Stennies Water with the Meggat
and is an irregular saucer shaped hollow
excavated at the foot of the NW. [North West] slope of the Fell
Hill above a bank some 20' in height falling
steeply to the meadow land below. It is circular
measuring some 132 ft. [feet] in diameter with a depth
of as much as 5' at the lowest point below the
adjacent level and is overlooked by the rapidly
rising face of the hill on the E. [East]. Only on the NE. [North East]
arc is there a mound above the interior scarp
some 18" in height on the exterior while the interior
level behind it drops to 4' below its crest. The
interior is divided into two distinct levels: a
circular hollow some 66' in diameter at the
edge of the bank on the W. [West] into which the entrance
some 4' wide, opens, and higher platforms around
it on the E [East] and NE. [North East].
3rd July 1912.
In company with Mr. Armstrong I drove up the
Ewes valley to the house of Mr. Walter McVittie the
road contractor at Fiddleton who had arranged to accompany
us and point out a number of objects unnoted.
There is said to have been a tower at Fiddleton of
which no vestige remains.
Ewes Par. [Parish] Enclosure Fiddleton
This enclosure is situated at an elevation abt. [about] 700' over sea level
On a plateau some 100 yds. [yards] to the NW. [North West] of the
cottage at Fiddleton occupied by Mr. McVittie
the road contractor round the base of which
[Continued on page 107] |
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[Continued from page 106]
on the N. [North] and W. [West] flows the Glen Burn while on
the NE. [North East] it is demarcated by a ravine opening on
to the bed of the burn. The enceinte has been pear shaped
controlled by the situation and except on the
SW. [South West] arc towards the higher slope of the Pen Craig
its outline is indistinct. In that direction at
the highest point there is a scarp some 6' high,
formed by excavation, gradually merging into
the slope of the interior while where the ground
falls away to the Westward there is a swelling
indicating a rampart in that direction.
Across the glen burn about 100 yds. [yards] to the NNW. [North North West]
and at a slightly higher elevation is another
enclosure also occupying a plateau with
a grassy hill rising to the NW. [North West] to a height of
some 1714' above sea level. On the E. [East] from the
front of the plateau the ground falls sharply
to the valley of the Mosspaul Burn while an
equally steep gradient carries it to the bed of
the Glen Burn on the S. [South]. The construction has
been four sided with slightly curving sides
and rounded angles and set with its longest
axis NW. [North West] and SE. [South East] has measured 160' by 143'.
The upper or NW. [North West] end has been formed by
excavation with a scarp some 6' in vertical
height above which is traceable a slight
[Continued on page 108] |
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[Continued from page 107]
stony mound which elsewhere marks the periphery,
with a breadth at base of about 11'. The entrance
has been in the E [East] angle from the edge of the bank
overlooking the burn, and has been some 7' in
width. In the centre of the interior there is a stony
artificial mound with an elevation of about 3'
above the lowest level and against the W. [West] side
are discernible the foundation of a small
oblong structure. In the N. [North] angle there is a
circular or pearshaped foundation measuring
some 33' by 28' with its longest axis SW. [South West] and NE. [North East]
Enclosure Blackhall.
This enclosure is situated about 100 yds. [yards] to the
SE. [South East] of Blackhall at the foot of the Blackhall
Hill and at the edge of a steep bank some
25' high above the Carewoodrig burn which
flows by it on the W. [West]. It has been in shape
an elongated oval with its longest axis parallel
to the edge of the bank, measuring interiorly some
150' by 87', but has suffered so much from the
plough that the mound which probably
surrounded it is now only recognisable
at the edge of the bank where it has a breadth
at base of from 8' to 14'. The interior has as
usual been hollowed out.
Unthank
Where the SW. [South West] slope of Seppings Hill runs out
to a point on the N. [North] side of the Unthank Burn
[Continued on page 109] |
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[Continued from page 108]
and some 300 yds [yards] ENE. [East North East] of the farm house are
various stony banks some of them comaratively
modern but it is traditionally reported that a "fort"
stood here and around the lower side of the
area whence the ground slopes sharply to
the haughland there is a mound broader than
elsewhere which is possibly the remains of a
defensive construction and the foundation
of some artificial work appears along the crest
of the bank facing the burn on the S. [South]
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Unthank site of Church.
Within the old churchyard of Unthank the
foundations of a church are indicated by grassy
banks but measurements are unobtainable.
An upright slab on the S. [South] side of the graveyard
to the memory to William Hutton late tenant in
Sundhope and Jean Scot his spouse dated
1764. The carving on the front of the slab
represents the man and wife standing arm
in arm.
Lying to the S. [South] of the W. [West] end of the foundations
of the church within the graveyard at Unthank
is a "trouch" table stone measuring 5'.2" by 3'.10 1/2"
inscribed at the top "Heir byes [--] Elliot
of Meikledale who died Aug. [August] 16. 1682.
Aged 83. In the centre of the slab
is a shield blazoned thus:- A lion affronte
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[Continued from page 109]
holding in in his dexter paw a thistle, in his sinister
a shield [sketch inserted here]: On a chief a saltire. This
stone is probably noted in Armstrong's Liddesdale &c.
Enclosure Upper Hill Unthank. (Unnoted)
This enclosure is situated on the hip of the
Upper Hill on the W. [West] side of the Ewes water opposite
Unthank, and to the N. [North] of the Sykefoot burn which flows
down in a series of cascades past a cottage at the
roadside. It is at an elevation of some 700' with
the ground declining sharply from it to E. [East] and
W. [West] and rising up above it. In form it is sub:
:oval measuring interiorly some 173' by 142' and
is surrounded by a stony bank some 14' broad
at base and rising to a height of about 3'. The
entrance has been on the lower side from the S. [South]
and some 25' in from it the interior has been
crossed by a stony bank cutting off about
1/4 of the area to the S. [South] with a gap through
it directly opposite the entrance. The interior
is less hollowed out than is generally the
case in these structures.
Enclosure. Mosspeeble Unnoted.
This enclosure is situated about [--] yds. [yards]
to the SE. [South East] of Mosspeeble farm occupying the
greater part of a plateau into which
the N. [North] slope of [--] hill breaks at an elevation of some 550' over sea level before dropping
to the Ewes valley. It has been oval in form
with a longest dia. [diameter] of some 250', surrounded by
[Continued on page 111] |
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[Continued from page 110]
a bold stony mound some 26' wide at base
rising on the upper or SE. [South East] side to a height of 6'
above the ground immediately behind it. Outside
the mound on the NE. [North East] there runs a flat bot:
tomed trench some 26' wide the floor of which
lies some 5' below the crest of the scarp and
at most 3'.6" below that of the counterscarp.
The ?NW [North West] quadrant of the periphery has been almost
entirely eradicated and on its site stands a
shepherd's cottage. The interior lies at two
levels an irregular and apparently excavated
hollow runs across the inner side of the N. [North]
segment leaving the ground on the S. [South] at a
general higher level of some 3' to 4'. There is
a distinct trace of a stony bank crossing the
hollow and bisecting the higher platform.
The entrance seems to have been from the W. [West]
into the lowest part of the hollow.
Enclosure Meikledale Unnoted
Situated some 200 yds. [yards] to the NE. [North East] of Meikle:
:dale house on a plateau at the base of a
steepish slope entirely overlooking it are
the remains of another enclosure, which
has been frequently ploughed over and
its features greatly altered. The interior
has been hollowed to some extent. Some
50' ENE. [East North East] is a small triangular enclosure
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[Continued from page 111]
measuring some 50' on each face, also hollowed out.
Enclosure. Meikledale. Unnoted.
This enclosure is situated at the edge of the
steep bank on the N. [North] side of the Meikledale burn
in an angle formed to the W. [West] of where that stream
is joined by a smaller burn flowing down
from Stibbiegill. The construction is oblong
in form with its longest axis NW. [North West] and SE. [South East]
200' in length, 50' at the NW. [North West] end and 104' at
the SE. [South East] which is curved. On the upper side
the ground has been considerably excavated
and there is a barely susceptible stony mound
along the crest of the scarp which, however, is
clearly defined though of low elevation on the
three other sides. It has been composed of
flattish stones apparently piled up and has
measured some 11' in width at base. The entrance
some 6' wide has been near the S. [South] angle adjacent
to the edge of the bank, giving access, as
usual to the lowest part of the enciente. It
lies at an elevation of about 500' over sea level.
Rigfoot Unnoted.
The shepherds' cottage at Rigfoot about
WNW. [West North West] of Meikledale farm is situated in another
of these excavated enclosures.
Standing Stone Meikledale Unnoted.
A standing stone known as the Grey Wether
is situated on the haughland some 250 yds [yards]
SSE. [South South East] of Meikledale. It is a large whinstone slab
[Continued on page 113] |
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[Continued from page 112]
measuring in greatest height 4'.8", in breadth
3'.5" and in thickness 1', and faces WSW. [West South West] and ENE. [East North East]
4th July 1912.
A few feet out from the buttress at the SW. [South West] end
of the mortuary chapel in the graveyard at
[Margin] Heraldic.
Staplegorton is a table stone with an illegible
inscription on the lower end of which are carved
two heraldic shields to be blazoned thus:- the
dexter shield on a field [--] three mullets; the
sinister, on a bend a mullet at fess.
Langholm Enclosure Staplegorton
This enclosure is situated about 400 yds. [yards] N. [North] of
Staplegorton churchyard at an elevation of
some 450 above sea level on the lower slope of
the Golf Hill about 80 yds [yards] distant from its
termination at the [--] burn on the E. [East]. It is
in form an irregular oval narrowing to the
E. [East] end, and measuring some [--] by [--].
[Margin] The plan of this does not seem to conform. Examine it
On the upper side especially it has been hollowed
out to a considerable depth the Scarp at the
W. [West] rising to a height of some 20' above the
general level of the interior unsurmounted
at its crest by any wall or rampart.
Around the flanks and across the lower
end there runs however, a broad stony
mound some 16' wide at base where
best preserved raised to a height of 2' to 3'
from the outside and rising on the inside
[Continued on page 114] |
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[Continued from page 113]
to as much as 5' above the hollow in rear of it.
The entrance which is wide is from the E. [East] giving
access to the lowest part of the interior which
is separated by higher ground from the
inmost part of the area at the W. [West]. On the left of
the entrance in the end of the rampart there
appears to be a well. The interior surface
is uneven and at the base of the scarp on
the W. [West] are the foundations of a small rectangular
building composed of small cobbles and
earth, seemingly built into the scarp at
its base.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
5th July 1912.
Esk-dalemuir Castle O'er.
The fort of Castle O'er occupies a prominent
rocky eminence which mounts to a height of some
884' above sea level and 80' above the lowest point of
the moorland at its base. It is situated about 1/2 m. [mile]
?NW by W [North West by West] of the mansion house of Castle O'er on the
crest of a long ridge forming the watershed
between the Black Burn on the W. [West] and the
White Esk on the East. The main axis of the
hill, around which lie the entrenchments of
the fort, is from ENE [East North East] to WSW [West South West]: it rises by a
steep grassy slope from N. [North] and S. [South] has a
bolder inclination on the W. [West] and present an
abrupt and rocky aspect towards the E. [East] and
SE. [South East]. The main enclosure on the summit
[Continued on page 115] |
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[Continued from page 114]
is in form rather more than a half oval with
its SE [South East] side formed of the almost straight edge
of the steepest slope and crossing the summit at its WSW. [West South West] end. Around it there appears
to have been erected a wall of dry stone masonry,
now entirely delapidated and for the most part
overgrown. Outside this a second line of defence
consisting of a second wall, or stony mound with a trench beyond
and a mound on the counterscarp runs from
the centre of the ENE [East North East] end by the W. [West] side round
to the WSW. [West South West] end where it is met by an arm
projecting from the line of the inner defence
thus containing against the WSW. [West South West] end of the
main enclosure an outer court or bailey.
From the outer end of the projecting rampart which
forms the S [South] side of the outer ward a trench
for the greater part of its length hewn through
rock with a mound to the outside formed
from the upcast is carried along the
SE. [South East] flank at the base of the steep scarp
to the ENE [East North East] end where turning sharply uphill
it terminates adjacent to the commencement
of the second defences that pass along the W. [West]
side. There are two entrances into the central
area one from ENE. [East North East] and the other at the opposite
extremity. At the base of the eminence from
S. [South] to E. [East] there is a large enclosure formed by
[Continued on page 116] |
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[Continued from page 115]
a trench some 23' wide and from 5' to 6' deep
with a mound to the outside which runs S. [South] from
a point adjacent to the WSW. [West South West] entrance
for a distance of [--] thence with a
sharp return it runs approximately parallel with the inner
defences till it meets the steep upward slope op:
:posite the ENE [East North East] entrance, thence with a
break it continues for a short distance along the
higher ground and takes a right angled return
towards the inner defences. From westward of
the WSW. [West South West] entrance a spur of rock runs outward
from the base of which on the S. [South] a trench some 17' wide and 4' to 5' deep with
a mound on the Counter scarp takes a bold
sweep Southward passed the entrance, to the S. [South]
angle of the large enclosure along the base of
the hillock, stopping short of the outer mound
so as to leave a passage to the area which it encloses.
A roadway is traceable approaching the WSW [West South West]
entrance from the N. [North] up a slight hollow between
the rocky spur and the defences. The entrance
to which it leads is about 5' in width, within it
the outer ward has probably been hollowed
by excavation. As the roadway passes through
the inner wall it enters an excavated level area
[Continued on page 117] |
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[Continued from page 116]
area faced by an elevated oval plateau some
4' above N. [North] on the right, while on the left there remains
an arc of an oval enclosure indicating a diameter of 59' measuring some 30'
along the curve with a breadth of 2'.4". this
segment has been formed of living rock left in relief
on excavation. Between the plateau and the
enclosure the roadway evidently passed with
a width of 6' rising to the higher level beyond.
The approach at the ENE [East North East] extremity after passing
the outer trench is carried up a steep slope
through the inner defences and is faced directly
in the interior with an unexcavated mass of
rock with a slight oval depression on the top
around which the roadway seems to have been
taken at a lower level to right and left.
The width of this entrance is not so accurately
obtainable but appears to have been about 8'.
Some [--] ft. [feet] in from it is a well defined circular
enclosure with a diameter over all of 35';
some 20' beyond it is visible a stony segment equal to
about 2/3 of a circle with a diameter of 22',
and rising a few inches above the general level
with a breadth of 2', while just beyond and at
the highest point of the interior there appears
to have been a third excavated to a depth of
about 3' on the upper side and measuring
[Continued on page 118] |
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[Continued from page 117]
some 28' in diameter. On the E. [East] there is a
break of some ?20 in the continuity of the ditch
which contains the large enclosure at the
base of the hillock, and immediately in rear of
it is a well. As the scarp of the mound to the
outside of the trench is carried across the
break it has not probably been an entrance
but the ground has possibly been left unexcavated
on account of the well. [Opposite page - text inserted] The entrance to this enclosure has evidently been
to the S. [South] of the WSW. [West South West] entrance where an unexcavated
space is left between the base of the inner rampart
and the commencement of
the trench which
surrounds it. From the NE. [North East] where
the outer defences turn on the crest of the
ridge a broad trench some 3' in depth passes
down the hillside to the head of ravine in
which flows a rivulet.
In many of its features this fort resembles
that on Bonchester Hill. There is the same
employment of earthwork and walling, the
same enclosure at the base of the eminence
and much similarity in the situations and
natural characteristics of both hills.
"Fort" No. 20.
On the S. [South] side of the ravine into which the trench
opens which runs down from Castle O'er fort
and on the E. [East] side of an old track is a small
foursided enclosure roughly a square of
50 ft. [feet] surrounded by a bank of stone and
turf some 5' broad and from 1' to 18" high.
It is marked on the O.S. [Ordnance Survey] but has probably been merely a pen. |
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[Page] 119
Fort. Castle Oer.
About 3/4 m. [mile] NNW. [North North West] of Castle Oe'r house at the bottom
of a small natural amphitheatre over the upper
side of which passes the road to Eskdalemuir is
a semicircular entrenchment resting on the
edge of the right bank of the Esk which flows by
some 20' below. The enceinte is a semicircular
plat of very low elevation, overlooked from all
points except the direction of the river,
[Margin] check figs [figures]
with a chord of some 200' and a radius of 85' or thereby
with no indication of a parapet mound it is
surrounded by an inner trench some 3' to 4'
in depth and 13' in width, a concentric rampart
some 5' in height and 18' in breadth at base
with an outer trench beyond 15' broad and
3' deep having, in places, a slight mound on
the counterscarp. Towards the N. [North] for some
60' the outer trench appears to have been filled
up. At an elevation some [--] ft. [feet] higher there
passes around the amphitheatre a terrace
some [--] ft. [feet] broad changing to a trench where
it makes a return at either side towards
the river. Part of the central area has
been broken away at the edge of the bank
by the erosion of the river and in the
section is exposed in places what appears
to be a clay floor immixed with charcoal
[Continued on page 120] |
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[Continued from page 119]
and fragments of burnt bone: the number of
flat water worn pebbles displaced & in situ
at the top of the section give a distinct sugges:
:tion of paving.
I understand that Mr. Bell of Castle O'er did
some excavation on this site and it is said
found some pottery. I must endeavour to see it.
On the way home I visited the Loupinstanes,
and Girdlestanes with MacGibbon & Watson
and gave them instructions as to planning
both circles. The former is not a true
circle in shape but is flattened on one face
in which stand two blocks of stone conspicuously
larger than any others in the construction.
There are numerous large stones adjacent
some of which may be remains of other
circles but others are probably merely
boulders naturally deposited on outcrops of rock.
The field was in a hay crop so the fallen
stones were not easily seen. The Girdlestanes
have been very accurately planned by J.H.
Cunningham for the Proceedings q.v. [quod vide] [Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland] and I
checked his plan on the spot.
7th July 1912
Wauchope Graveyard.
Within the old churchyard of Wauchope used
as a headstone about 80' to the SE. [South East] of the
entrance gate and some 10' out from the
[Continued on page 121] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-121 |
[Page] 121
[Continued from page 120]
side of a railed enclosure the burial place of the
Fogo family is the upper half of a slab 2'.5" in
length, 1' in breadth and 5 1/2" in thickness on
the front of which is incised a round headed
cross, set on a shaft with a bulb-like expan:
:sion 1 1/2" below the head. The head contains
a figure of eight rays, formed by a St. Andrews
Cross superimposed upon a ?Greek Cross
within a double concentric circle.
[Opposite page - sketch enclosed]
This Cross is illustrated in Armstrong's Liddesdale.
Mr. Watson has more detailed measurement of it
also notes of two other slabs incised one with
a sword and the other with a dagger built
into the churchyard wall on either side
of the entrance.
Langholm Par. [Parish] Barntalloch Mote.
This mote, the site of the castle of Barntalloch,
is a natural eminence occupying the
angle formed by the junction of the
[--] Burn with the Esk near the site
of the village of Stapilgordon and about
2 miles N. [North] by W. [West] of the town of Langholm.
The hillock lies parallel with the river rising
gradually in elevation from the SW. [South West] for
a length of [--] with a point its highest elevation
projecting from the NE. [North East] end towards the E. [East]. The flanks of this
projection rise to a height of over 100' over the
[Continued on page 122] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-122 |
[Page] 122
[Continued from page 121]
river and the glen of the burn respectively and
has been formed into a triangular enceinte by
the excavation of a trench some [--] ft. [feet] wide
and [--] ft. [feet] deep across its base. This area
[Margin] Figs. [Figures] from MacGibbon
measuring [--] by [--] has formed the mote
proper and as the Eastside overlooking the river
has been greatly eroded its original dimensions
have doubtless greatly exceeded the present.
It is level and in the [--] angle there appear
the foundations of a small rectangular building
measuring [--] with walls [---] ft. [feet] thick
believed to be the remains of a town of later date.
The remainder of the hillock appears to have
formed a base court. It is steeply scarped
all round and at its NE. [North East] end forms one side
of the deep glen of the burn. On its highest
point above the counterscarp of the trench
of the mote is an artificial mound which
appears to contain stone work, possibly
connected with the later tower, and along
the N. [North] face there are traces of a parapet
mound.
Moved this afternoon from the Temperance
Hotel Langhom to Longwood to visit Mr.
Miesegaes. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-123 |
[Page] 123
8th July 1912.
Eskdalemuir Enclosure Fingland
At the very edge of the haughland that lies
between the main road from Eskdalemuir to
Ettrick and the River Esk, about 150 yds. [yards] to the
SSE. [South South East] of Fingland and the same distance back
from the river are the remains of an entrenched
earthwork. The construction has been much
interfered with by the formation of a
road along each side of it and except
for a small segment on the N. [North] arc its
lines are not very noticeable. The segment
consists of a double rampart with a trench
between some 26' wide, and 5' to 6' deep. The
ramparts measure at base 34' and 22' respectively.
The plan as indicated by the remains has
probably been oval. The interior is very uneven
and rather damp.
[Opposite page - text inserted] Note At Glendearg is a stone said to mark the
spot where the last wolf was killed in the district.
(not visited)
Fort Upper Cassock.
This fort is situated on a long pear-shaped
promontory running Southward from the
front of Upper Cassock farmhouse and
contained between the wooded glen of the
Barr burn on the W. [West] and a deep natural
ravine bearing the name of "The Lake" on the E. [East], which opens onto the
bed of the burn at the lower end of the
promontory. The site by nature strongly
defended has been formed into a fort
with two enclosures, and upper and larger
[Continued on page 124] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-124 |
[Page] 124
[Continued from page 123]
one suboval in form with a slight concavity on one side measuring some 260' by 220' and a
smaller one somewhat harp shaped subtending it measuring 115' by
80'. The upper area has been partially encircled by a
bold rampart of earth and stone except on
the SE. [South East] arc overlooking the ravine where the
grassy mound probably conceals a wall,
as here only has it been set back from the
edge so as to leave between a well defined berm
8 ft. [feet] in width. [Opposite page - inserted note] It is doubtful also if the rampart extended above
the high precipitous bank of the burn. The mutual rampart on the SE. [South East] between
the two enclosures has a height of about 5'
on the upper side where also it is covered by
a trench some 26' wide, while on the lower side it
has a height of 4' and slopes
away gradually into the falling level of the
enclosure. The mound elsewhere around this enclosure is slight. The trench on the upper side of the
mutual rampart, and the convexity of the latter
towards the main enclosure are evidently due
to the desire to render the smaller enceinte
defensible in the event of the upper being
captured. Across the N. [North] and upper end of the
promontory towards its constricted neck
between the ravine and the glen there
have been drawn across two ramparts
beyond the inner encircling mound with
a space varying in breadth from 30' to
36' between the inner and intermediate
[Continued on page 125] |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-125 |
[Page] 125
[Continued from page 124]
and a trench 30' wide and 5' deep between
the latter and the outer mound. The intermediate
rampart has a breadth at base of 28' and a
height of 7'. There has been an entrance
about 8 feet wide
into the upper enclosure from the ravine near
the centre of the E. [East] arc at a low level, above
which the rampart rises on either side to a
height of from 6' to 7'. The ground immediately
before this entrance is wet and there appears
to be a spring in it. Beyond the lower
enclosure the promontory projects
with considerable declination to the side of
the burn. To the northward as shown
on the plan there stretches into the moorland
for a distance of a hundred yards or so
a deep hollow some 36' wide and from 7' to 8'
deep terminating abruptly at its upper end.
(I wonder if this had something to do with
the flooding of the ravine from the burn, as
the former is marked "The Lake" on the map.)
Eskdalemuir Par. [Parish] Garvald
On the top of Garvald Hill some 500 yds. [yards]
to the W. [West] of Garvald farm house and at
an altitude of 993' over sea level are two contiguous
enclosures surrounded by slight earth and
stone banks. They are situated the one above
and the other at the base of a outcrop of
[Continued on page 126] |
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[Page] 126
[Continued from page 125]
rock slightly quarried on the face at the back of the lower enclosure & rising to a
height of about 9'. The lower enclosure is oval
in form measuring some 160' by 120', and has
been hollowed out to some extent so that
the level of the interior is lower than that of
the ground outside. The entrance is from
the SE. [South East] and, as usual, opens on the lowest
part of the enclosure. In the SW. [South West] angle is
a hollow with a stony bank around it
which seems to be the site of a hut. The second
enclosure at the higher level appears to have been
more oblong in form but the bank around it
is slight and difficult to determine. There is
no trench and the construction has little of
the appearance of a fort.
Esk'muir Enclosure (4)
This enclosure is situated on the haunch of
the hill overlooking the valley of the
Burn more than 100' ft. [feet] below, and at an elevation
of over 1000 ft. [feet] above sea level. It is oval in form
with its longest axis N [North] by E [East] and S [South] by W [West]
measuring 180' by 140', and has been sur:
:rounded by a stony bank some 7' broad
at base, and now reduced to a height of
about 2'. The interior is very uneven and
on the N. [North] the rock is near the surface. There
are two entrances one at the S. [South] end about 8'
wide opening on the lowest level and the
[Continued on page 127] |
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[Page] 127
[Continued from page 126]
other on the E. [East], also opening on a hollow faced
with higher ground in front of it. The site is a
plateau at the edge of a steep slope & quite un:
:noticeable from below.
Enclosure. Johnstone Ho. [House] (6.)
On the SE. [South East] slope of the hillside
some 300 yds. [yards] W. [West] by N. [North] of Johnstone House partly on
a plateau and partly on the steep ground
above it is an oval enclosure with its longest
axis NE. [North East] and SW. [South West] and measuring some 280' by 170'.
It is surrounded by a broad rampart of
earth and stone. Commencing at the lower
edge of the plateau on the NE. [North East], curving round
the N. [North] and gradually mounting the steep
slope of the hill it passes along the NW. [North West] side
some 30' above the lowest level of the interior
and returns down the slope at the SW. [South West]. It
contains on the upper or NW. [North West] side a natural
terrace which lies some 18' above the lower
part of the enclosure. There has been an
entrance into the lowest side of the area
from the S. [South], near its W. [West] end and seemingly
another also from the E. [East]. From the right side
of the former a wall passes inward across
the interior stopping some 12' short of the steep
scarp from the terrace on the upper side. In
continuation of the edge of the scarp from
[Continued on page 128] |
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[Page] 128
[Continued from page 127]
the terrace an inner bank curves
round towards the E. [East] and meets the outer bank on
the SE. [South East] which, however, appears to have been carried
onward with a sharp curve to the S. [South]. The S. [South] entrance
?Is this term correct?
is reached up a covered way from the NE. [North East].
[Opposite page - inserted text] - which at its commencement is concealed by
a sharp
right angled return.
On the interior there are indications of stone
work and artificial hollowing. On the upper
side of the enciente outside the surrounding
bank is a trench some 16 ft. [feet] wide from which
the material for the mound has evidently been
obtained. The position not observable from
below is more sheltered than defensive.
Enclosure Moodlaw.
There is a circular enclosure measuring
about 100' in diameter situated on the right
bank of the Moodlaw Burn some 20' above
the level of the stream and about 1/2 m. [mile] to the S. [South]
of Moodlaw Farm, surrounded by a bank of
earth and stone some 10' thick at base and
from 2' to 3' high. There has been an entrance
at the lower side from the direction of the burn.
The interior, which is rather wet, has been hollowed
out to some extent so that on the upper or
Eastern side, the ground level to the outside of
the bank is about 3' higher that that within it.
Mid Raeburn Enclosure.
This enclosure is situated on a point of land
at the junction of a small stream with the
[Continued on page 129] |
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[Page] 129
[Continued from page 128]
Rae Burn and about 1 1/2 m. [miles] above the confluence
of the latter with the White Esk. It lies on falling
ground facing straight down the valley to the
SW. [South West]. In form it is
circular with diameter of about 115' resting on
the edge of the bank on the SE. [South East],
and has been surrounded by a bank of earth
and stone some 15' broad at base with, on the
N. [North] arc, a trench some 25' in width having a slight
mound on the counterscarp. In front of the
trench the bank is more formidable than elsewhere
on the periphery. The entrance has been from the lower side. Some 50' to
the Eastward, beyond the enclosure is a site of
a hut, an oblong with rounded ends measuring
18' by 14' interiorly.
9th July 1912
Motored again up Eskdale taking with me for
company a man Allan, who was staying at the
hotel in Langholm.
[Opposite page - photograph inserted]
Roman Camp. Raeburnfoot
The camp at Raeburnfoot lies in a remote
pastoral valley some [--] miles from the town
of Langholm with grassy undulating hills
swelling up on all sides through which the
road winds onward to Ettrick. Its situation
is a plateau which lies in the angle formed by
the junction of the Rae Burn with the White
Esk and hard by a ford with a gradual in:
:clination from S. [South] and E. [East] a sharp rise to
[Continued on page 130] |
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[Page] 130
[Continued from page 129]
a height of some 30' on the W. [West] from the low
meadowland that reaches to the margin of the
Esk and cut off by a hollow on the N. [North] from the
rolling moorland beyond. Occupying all the
higher ground of the plateau and descending
to the lowlying ground on the E. [East], which its vallum
traverses some 70' out from the base of the plateau,
is an oblong entrenchment with its longest axis NNW. [North North West] to SSE. [South South East]. On the W. [West] it rests
on the edge of the steep bank with now no
apparent artificial defence, but enclosing the
enceinte on the three other sides is a vallum
consisting of a broad rampart now considerably
levelled by ploughing some 30' in breadth
at base, with a clearly defined trench to the outside.
The trench and rampart are best preserved on the N. [North] face where
the former measures some 30' across from crest to crest, 8' in depth below
the scarp and 2' below the counterscarp while the latter has a breadth
at base of about 30'.
The area enclosed measures through the centre some
540' by 360' and contains [--] acres. Somewhat
W. [West] of the centre at the N. [North] and S. [South] ends there
are entrances through the vallum
that on the S. [South] measuring
12' wide [Opposite page - text inserted] that on the N. [North] though the original dimension has been
interfered with by the intrusion of a turf
dyke apparently similar. With its Western flank resting on
the edge of the steep bank, a smaller enclosure
has been contained within the larger area
at 86' within the rampart at the N. [North] end and
106' at the S. [South] apparently surrounded, except
on the W. [West], by a rampart and either one or two
[Continued on page 131] |
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[Page] 131
[Continued from page 130]
trenches, the rampart preserved for a short distance
only on the N. [North] and S. [South] sides where it abuts on the
Western bank, and the trench recognisable more
by the darker colour of the vegetation than by
the slight depressions on the surface. The
rampart has a breadth at base of some 38'. The
darker vegetation indicating the trench is in two
parallel lines in front with a slightly higher level
between, but as over all the double lines only
measure 25' they probably represent a single
trench filled in. These lines are traceable
from the W. [West] flank Eastwards for a distance
of 212' on the S. [South], and, owing to the irregular line
of the base from which they start, rather more on
the N. [North], and are lost beyond the rounded angles
where they pass along the face of the plateau above
the low lying ground on the E. [East]. The area thus
enclosed has measured approximately [--].
Near the centre of the N. [North] and S. [South] ends are breaks in
the vallum which represent entrances, that on
the N. [North] side 38' wide and that on the S. [South], 36'.
The lines of darker vegetation indicating the trench
are brought to
junction on either side though on the upper
or W. [West] side of the S. [South] entrance this is now somewhat
indefinite. At the entrance to the larger
enceinte from the S. [South] the trench coming from
(to Vol [Volume] 2) |
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[Page] 132
A.
Auchenbanzie Hill -- 67.
Arklaw -- 67.
Auchencairn -- 90. 73.
Airdswood Moss -- 99. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-133 |
[Page] 133
B.
Bogrie -- 18.
Bogrie Tower & Fort -- 36.
Birkshaw -- 39.
Barjarg Moor. Cairns -- 45.
Burn -- 48.
Ballaggan -- 65.
Bogs Burn -- 79.
Barr Burn -- 81.
Benthead -- 85.
Bruce's Well -- 90.
Black Hill -- 94.
Bankhead Fort -- 96.
Burnfoot -- 102.
Blackhall -- 108.
Barntalloch Mote -- 121.
Barr Burn -- 123.
C.
Craes Hill -- 14.
Craigdasher Hill -- 16.
Castle Hill -- 24.
Caitloch -- 26.
Crawfordton - Old -- 32.
Crossford -- 45.
Capenoch -- 47.
Cairncapel Glen -- 50.
Capenoch Moor Cairn -- 57.
Cleughhead. Durisdeer -- 66.
Closeburn -- 69.
Clackleith Hill -- 75.
Conrig Hill -- 79.
Crichope Lynn -- 83.
Craigie Hill -- 101.
Cuil Plantation -- 103.
Crooks -- 105.
Castle O'er -- 114.
Cassock (Upper) -- 123. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-134 |
[Page] 134
D.
Dumfries (Moat of) -- 3.
Dalwhat Glen -- 24.
Dunesslie -- 37.
Deil's Dyke -- 94. 89. 85. 49.
Drumlanrig Castle -- 53.
Drumlanrig Fort -- 59.
Druidhill Burn Mote -- 63.
Durisdeer Mote Hill -- 91. 65.
Dalgarnoch Church Yard -- 68.
Dalveen Pass -- 94.
E.
Ellrig Plantation -- 27.
Euchan Water -- 81.
Eccles -- 89.
Eskdale -- 96.
Esk -- 103.
Ewes -- 106.
Eskdale muir -- 114.
Eskmuir Enclosure -- 126. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-135 |
[Page] 135
F.
Fleuchlarg -- 41.
Fellend -- 50.
Fiddleton -- 106.
Fingland -- 123.
G.
Glenskelly Hill -- 24.
Girharrow -- 27.
Glencairn -- 32.
Glenlaugh -- 45.
Grierson Museum, Thornhill. -- 62.
Glendinning Cleugh -- 67.
Gawin Moor "Tumuli" -- 73.
Glenrae Burn -- 75.
Grey Wether -- 112.
Glendearg -- 123.
Garvald -- 125. |
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[Page] 136
H.
Holywood -- 2.
Holmhead Hill -- 26.
Hastings Hall -- 41.
Horse Park Maxwellton -- 44.
Honeyhole -- 67.
Hizzie Birren -- 104.
I.
Ingleston -- 30.
J.
Johnstone House -- 127. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-137 |
[Page] 137
K.
Kilness -- 2.
Knockbrack -- 50.
Knockenhair -- 76.
Kiln Burn -- 77.
Kirkconnel -- 77.
Kemps Castle -- 81.
Knockhill -- 86.
Kirk Burn, Durisdeer -- 93.
King Shaw's Grave -- 99.
L.
Lochur -- 20. 14.
Langknowe Fort -- 61.
Lochside -- 80.
Langdon -- 91. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-138 |
[Page] 138
Moniaive -- (Cairn 27.) 12.
Martyrs Monument -- 30.
Moatland Mote -- 39.
Maxwillton Mote -- 43.
Morton churchyard -- 48.
Mitchellslacks -- 52.
Morton Castle -- 60.
Morton Mains Hill -- 61.
Mid Cairn -- 74.
Minnock -- 78.
Meggat Glen -- 105.
Mosspaul -- 107.
Mosspeeble -- 110.
Meikledale -- 111.
Moodlaw Burn -- 128.
Mid Raeburn -- 128.
Mc. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-139 |
[Page] 139
N.
Nethertown -- 37.
Nether Dod -- 51.
O.
Orchard Mote -- 38.
Orchard -- 77. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-140 |
[Page] 140
P.
Penpont Cross -- 59.
Pen Craig -- 107.
Q. |
|
| gb0551ms-36-45-141 |
[Page] 141
R.
Red Scar Plantation Cairns -- 27.
Rig Burn -- 103.
Rigfoot -- 112.
Rae Burn -- 129.
Raeburnfoot -- 129.
S.
St. Michaels church yard -- 5.
Sandaywell Moor -- 17.
Sandaywell Tower & Fort -- 34.
Shancastle Doon -- 42.
Sean Caer -- 80.
Sanquhar -- 80.
Shaw Rig -- 96.
Shiel Burn -- 100.
Seppings Hill -- 108.
Stibbiegill -- 112.
Staplegorton -- 113.
Stapilgordon -- 121. |
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[Page] 142
T.
Twelve Apostles -- 2.
Tynron Kirk -- 23.
Townfoot --48.
Threip Moor Cairn -- 51.
Tibers Castle -- 54.
Tynron Doon -- 63. 54.
Trigony Wood, Fort. -- 69.
Townhead -- 87.
Tarrona -- 95.
Thrumcan's Yard -- 103.
U.
Unthank -- 108.
Upper Cassock -- 123. |
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| gb0551ms-36-45-143 |
[Page] 143
V.
Virginhall Plantation -- 58.
W.
Woodlea -- 14.
White Cairn, Fleuchlarg -- 41.
White Cairn, Honeyhole -- 67.
Westerhall -- 103.
Westerkirk -- 105.
Wauchope Graveyard -- 120. |
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