Angus HER - NO45NW0006 - CASTLE HILL

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNO45NW0006
NameCASTLE HILL
NRHE Card No.NO45NW6
NRHE Numlink 33740
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Earthwork
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Possible Motte. The Castle Hill was described by the OSA (circa 1799) and by Christison as a fortification. According to Warden it is the site of the Castle of Inshewan. Christison further identified the entrance at the south-east corner of the site and a slight banking on the east which he interpreted as the remains of a rampart. Successive visits by the OS in the late 20th century have revised the interpretation of these features. In form the Castle Hill is an isolated rocky flat-topped 'island' of 0.15 hectares bounded on the south and west by the River South Esk and its steep-sided bank and on the north and east by a deep steep-sided ditch. The ditch, in solid rock, is up to 20m wide and 6.5m deep. Its massive proportions suggest that it is probably the former course of the river than a man-made feature (even though the present river level is 4 to 5m lower). Considerably natural silting now hides any evidence of water erosion and although the rock in its upper level shows many signs of fracture, this could be either natural weathering or artificial steepening. Although there is no evidence to suggest that the top of the 'island' has been artificially levelled (as previously thought), and there are no traces of stone or building foundations to indicate the site of a castle, the size and situation of the feature, however, suggest that it could have been used as a motte. There is no trace of banking on the east, but a slight bank around the south and west sides is clearly connected with the modern footpath.
Last Update13/09/2021
Updated Bycpalmer
Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

Google Map for NO45NW0006

National Grid Reference: NO 4422 5715



Event Details


Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
DITCHESDEFENSIVEREMAINS OFB100
RAMPARTS REMAINS OFC10
MOTTES REMAINS OFA90