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Possible defensive site, suggested as a medieval ringwork. The New Statistical Account records that The Howff was at one time 'a place of strength' with ancient buildings, a well and surrounded by a dry moat. It was the private burial ground of the Duguids of Auchinhove between 1634 and 1755. OS site visit 1968 noted that this is a small natural hillock partly destroyed by quarrying, with the remains of two rectangular buildings on its summit. One measures 7.7m b 4.2m internally with walls 1.1m thick surviving to 1.0m the other largely destroyed, but remaining walls up to 1.7m high and 0.8m thick. OS suggested these are possibly small mausoleums of the 17th century burial ground. The site has also been suggested as a possible crannog which lay within the former Loch Auchlossan. Topographical survey and sample excavation was carried out by M Stratigos in 2015 and results of sample excavation supported identification of the Houff as a crannog. It sites on an oval-shaped rise of apparently natural origin. A radiocarbon dating sample returned a date of 1490 - 1650 AD.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)