Monument record MHG2039 - Promontory Fort, Bay of Girston

At head of the Bay of Girston land rises to a height of 150ft at cliff edge. From the cliff edge landwards, the ground falls in a steep slope 8ft high to a flat terrace, in front of which is a V-sectioned ditch, 6ft deep, running in a slight curve for about 40 yds from edge to edge of the cliff. These features are probably the defences of a fort, most probably destroyed by the sea.
R G Lamb 1971.

ND 3636 4737. This appears to be a natural formation rather than an artificial work. A doubtful fort.
Visited by OS 8 March 1972.

This fort was at least bivallate, if not multivallate, but nearly all of it has fallen into sea. The V-sectioned ditch may follow a fault-line, but it appears to be artificial. It is probable that the overhanging cliff is all that remains of what was once a promontory.
R G Lamb 1980.

Natural. C E Batey 1981.

An unusual feature, probably natural as suggested above but not conclusively so. The 'ditch' is about 45m long, 6.5m wide and 2.4m deep. If artificial, there is a possible causeway near S end. The ditch does not close on cliff at S end, which may confirm its natural origins, or be evidence of an un finished work. The ditch is considerabaly longer than is normal in promontory forts in north Scotland. The enclosed area now measures 44 by 14m.
Surveyed at 1:2500. Visited by OS 2 September 1982.